New Band Director Brings Experience, Knowledge, and Enthusiasm to the ASA Band Program and MSBOA Festival

This year, Mr. Mike Michewicz joined the staff at the All Saints Academy Upper Campus as the Band Director for Grades 5-8 and Music Teacher for Grades 3 & 4. Mike has been a musician and teacher for over 27 years. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a Master’s Degree in Performance (with an emphasis in conducting) from Central Michigan University.  He has also enjoyed a career as a professional musician throughout his life.  With a passion for music and a dedication to student success, we have already begun to see his impact within our band program.

In February, 7th and 8th grade band students participated in MSBOA Band Festival at East Grand Rapids High School auditorium.  These festivals give students the opportunity to perform what is learned in the classroom in front of a panel of judges that critique and provide feedback on set standards of performance. Students performed Royal March, Contradance, and Modal Song and Dance. After performing their pieces on the stage, students were led to a room for a sight-reading.  The students were given a piece of music they had never practiced before, given five minutes to review the piece, and then performed the piece together. Students could sing, tap along, or use fingering on their instruments, and listen to instructions from Mr. Michewicz to prepare, but no instruments could be played at this time. After performing, the band received praise and constructive feedback from the adjudicator. The band earned a 2 or “excellent” rating, and all students will receive a medal for their performance.

All band students in Grades 5-8 are currently rehearsing for their performance of the National Anthem at our ASA Night at the Whitecaps on May 9 at 6:35 p.m.  For information and tickets, please see the link here. Our band will finish the year with the Spring Band Concert at St. Jude Church on Thursday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome!

Lower Campus Natural Playground Update

 At the Lower Campus, the second graders have been working on a major project since the Fall.  We have an area on the playground that was cleared to make a natural playground for the preschool thru second graders to use for years to come. All Saints Academy received a grant to use the funds towards the natural playground area.  

There were some guidelines for them to keep in mind as they were creating their plans:

1. It needs to be safe.

2. The equipment has to be something for all ages.

3. Also it needs to be firm to the ground.

Once the groups researched different pieces of equipment that met this criteria they set out to survey the preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first graders a list of four items they liked the best.  After that we compiled the survey results and then they had to include the top survey item in their plan.   The students created a budget for the cost of the project, graph of their survey results, and a descriptive picture of the equipment they thought would be the best fit for all the students at the Lower Campus.  We practiced our presentations for weeks.  The groups all had the opportunity  to present their natural playground pitch to a panel of adults (which included a school board member, principals, childhood director, and business manager).  

The second graders exceeded all of our expectations and more!  They fully embraced this project.