Dear First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School Families,

Welcome to a new school year! There are going to be many new and exciting activities going on in the music rooms. We
have wonderful classrooms filled with xylophones, drums, maracas, and tambourines, along with your childs beautiful
singing voice ready to create fabulous music this year. Here is a brief list of some of the anticipated highlights for the year.
This is the first year First Philadelphia will be incorporating the textbook, Music Expressions curriculum for third
and fourth grade. The series has many age appropriate musical activities that are enjoyable, while complying with
the National Standards for Music Education. The series also has an extensive collection of CDs, student activities,
and overhead sheets for aided learning.
Sixth Grades Music Elective has been changed to, International Music. We are eager and excited to teach this
new elective! Each month we will focus on a different country and dive into the music, dance, and the involvement
that music plays in their culture.
Mr. Batoff and Ms. Delfing will be directing an after school choir for 4
th
-8
th
Grade students who are interested in
furthering their music reading skills, as well as developing their singing and ear training. More information will
become available later in the school year.
Your childs progress will be documented through-out the school year. Student performance in class will be
evaluated in the following musical skills: working to develop an appropriate singing voice, by singing alone and
with others; demonstrating and understanding of musical concepts covered in class, as well as reading and writing
musical notation; and performing on classroom instruments appropriate to their grade level. Students will also be
graded on the learning skills that they demonstrate in class. Those skills are the following: listening and following
directions, exhibiting a positive attitude, cooperating and respecting others; and participating actively and
appropriately.
The winter concert for the Upper School will be December 11, 2014, and the Lower School concert will be
December 17, 2014.
The spring concert for the Upper School will be May 14, 2015, and the Lower School concert will be May 20, 2015.
The Music Department will be holding auditions for our Spring Musical, Seussical Jr., in October. More details will
follow as the year progresses. The dates of the show are May 1, 2015 and May 2, 2015.
We are excited and proud that Mr. Batoff has begun his studies at Holy Family University for a Masters Degree in
Special Education.
These are just a few highlights for what promises to be a very exciting musical year. We are looking forward to seeing First
Philadelphia families at the many concerts and performances we will have throughout the year. Please do not hesitate to
call or e-mail the music faculty with any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you again for your continued support
of the music program at First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School.
Sincerely,
Mr. Ackiewicz, 5
th
-8
th
Grade Instrumental Music
mackiewicz@ap-schools.org
Mr. Batoff, General Music and 2
nd
-4
th
Grade Instrumental Music
dbatoff@ap-schools.org
Ms. Delfing, General Music and Theatre Arts
ldelfing@ap-schools.org