Hot News!
What's new this week?
Instrumental Solo & Ensemble
Information has been sent out about our Instrumental Solo & Ensemble. Find more information and sign up at https://www.wmhfa.org/solo--ensemble.html. If you have questions, feel free to stop by the desk or ask your instructors. If we missed you at the meeting in Grand Rapids, we will be holding it again in the Loft during the lunch break.
Need a larger shirt?
Anytime your child is outgrowing a polo shirt, you may bring in the clean shirt to swap out for the next size up.
Reporting Student Absences - updated info!
While we do take attendance in class, it is helpful for our instructors to know if your student will be absent. Absences can be reported through your parent portal. Under the menu, select Absences and Makeups. Our teachers will receive an email automatically if you do this, so there is no need to email them individually! Yay for database improvements!
ID Badges
Students are all issued ID badges. These must be worn at all times while on WMHFA property. If we do not have a photo of your student, no ID badge has yet been printed. If you missed both picture day and retake day, we will take a photo of you at the information desk.
Marching Band!
Can you believe we are already planning for Marching Band this summer? If you would like to start working on the music, it has been posted to https://www.wmhfa.org/marching-band-information.html. More information will be coming as soon as we have it. You do want to block off June 6-10 for Band Camp though! (May practices will be required for some students.)
This week
Aurora Handbells performance at Kentwood Community Church - January 26 (wear your black polo shirt and black pants/skirts) Loading starts at 9:15
Start planning for the Instrumental Solo & Ensemble!
Celebris Ensemble residency - January 29 12-3pm at Corinth Reformed Church (Senior and Concert Choirs) Payment can be made at the desk.
Upcoming Dates
Instrumental Solo & Ensemble - March 19 - Sign up today at https://www.wmhfa.org/solo--ensemble.html
Marching Band Camp - June 6 to 10 (May practices will be required for some students.)
Classifieds
Hi. I am looking to hire a talented high school musician or two to street perform at our Grandville Art Walk on Friday, April 22 (three 30 minute sets from 5-8 pm). If you have any students with enough talent who might be interested, could you please have them reach out to me. Thanks, Theresa
616.795.1984; meenderingt@cityofgrandville.com
Information has been sent out about our Instrumental Solo & Ensemble. Find more information and sign up at https://www.wmhfa.org/solo--ensemble.html. If you have questions, feel free to stop by the desk or ask your instructors. If we missed you at the meeting in Grand Rapids, we will be holding it again in the Loft during the lunch break.
Need a larger shirt?
Anytime your child is outgrowing a polo shirt, you may bring in the clean shirt to swap out for the next size up.
Reporting Student Absences - updated info!
While we do take attendance in class, it is helpful for our instructors to know if your student will be absent. Absences can be reported through your parent portal. Under the menu, select Absences and Makeups. Our teachers will receive an email automatically if you do this, so there is no need to email them individually! Yay for database improvements!
ID Badges
Students are all issued ID badges. These must be worn at all times while on WMHFA property. If we do not have a photo of your student, no ID badge has yet been printed. If you missed both picture day and retake day, we will take a photo of you at the information desk.
Marching Band!
Can you believe we are already planning for Marching Band this summer? If you would like to start working on the music, it has been posted to https://www.wmhfa.org/marching-band-information.html. More information will be coming as soon as we have it. You do want to block off June 6-10 for Band Camp though! (May practices will be required for some students.)
This week
Aurora Handbells performance at Kentwood Community Church - January 26 (wear your black polo shirt and black pants/skirts) Loading starts at 9:15
Start planning for the Instrumental Solo & Ensemble!
Celebris Ensemble residency - January 29 12-3pm at Corinth Reformed Church (Senior and Concert Choirs) Payment can be made at the desk.
Upcoming Dates
Instrumental Solo & Ensemble - March 19 - Sign up today at https://www.wmhfa.org/solo--ensemble.html
Marching Band Camp - June 6 to 10 (May practices will be required for some students.)
Classifieds
Hi. I am looking to hire a talented high school musician or two to street perform at our Grandville Art Walk on Friday, April 22 (three 30 minute sets from 5-8 pm). If you have any students with enough talent who might be interested, could you please have them reach out to me. Thanks, Theresa
616.795.1984; meenderingt@cityofgrandville.com
Important Information
Weather Policy
Grand Rapids - Classes will be cancelled if Byron Center Public Schools are cancelled due to weather.
Kalamazoo - Classes will be cancelled if Plainwell Public Schools are cancelled due to weather.
Email, Text, and Facebook posts will be sent out shortly after 6am to announce any cancellation of classes. Notices will also be posted on local television and radio websites. Please Note: WMHFA families come from all over West Michigan, therefore the weather in one area may be fine while another area may have hazardous roads. If classes are not cancelled, please use your discretion in deciding to make the drive. We want everyone to arrive safely!
Text Messages
We have a texting service for important notifications. You can adjust your texting options in your parent portal.
Parents: Go to Dashboard > Billing & Payments > Contacts > Edit > Basic Info > Contact Info, click to enable Allow text messaging? and click Save.
Students: Go to Dashboard > View (student name) > Edit (pencil) > Basic Info, click to enable Allow text messaging? and click Save.
Missing Classes
Important Worker Information
While we do take attendance in class, it is helpful for our instructors to know if your student will be absent. Absences can be reported through your parent portal. Under the menu, select Absences and Makeups.
COVID Policy
While we cannot enforce masks or distancing due to the nature of our classes, we do ask you to take all possible precautions to keep our kids healthy.
You can check on your student's progress in class through the parent portal. We use the Absence feature to make notes about participation in class. You may notice your child has an absence for a day when you know they were actually there. However, if you look at the notes for that "absence" you will find more information. They may be marked as "IT" or "Insufficent Time." This means they didn't practice enough that week. You may find that their card wasn't signed by a parent ("NS" or "No Signature".) Or maybe they never turned their practice card in and were marked as "NC" or "No Card." If your child didn't get enough practice time but there was a valid reason, please write that in on the practice card and the room parents will note that on the record as well. Illnesses, vacations, or instruments in the shop would be examples of things that are valid reasons to not have enough practice time.
Important Dates
Celebris Ensemble
The Kalamazoo Concert Choir and Grand Rapids Senior Choir are invited to join the Celebris Ensemble residency on Jan. 29, 2022. It will be a wonderful opportunity for growth and learning. The Residency has been on the schedule since the beginning of the year, and I trust that you have kept this date open in your schedules. It is expected that singers participate in this event. The Residency will be held in the chapel at Corinth Reformed Church in Byron Center, MI, from 12pm-3pm. Choir members will get the chance to learn from and sing with the Celebris Ensemble, a group of professional singers based in Southwest Michigan. At the end (2:30ish), there will be a concert featuring all of the choirs and the Celebris Ensemble. Parents and friends are encouraged to attend this. We will even sing as a large group for a couple of songs!
Instrumental Solo & Ensemble
We will be hosting our own Instrumental Solo & Ensemble event for students on Saturday, March 19. Students with at least one year of experience on their instruments (including piano!) may prepare a solo to play for an adjudicator and receive feedback on their performance. This is an awesome opportunity for students, and you will want to get that date on your calendar now!
Graduation
Information about the WMHFA-sponsored graduation ceremony went out this week. If you did not receive an email, please email Sharon Jonker at sleannj5@gmail.com or call/text her at 616-914-2353. The graduation date will be announced soon.
Helpful Information for Parents
SmartMusic Information
You can get started at https://www.wmhfa.org/smartmusic-links.html and use the class code KUVHL-PHA2E to get access to the music.
New Sport Shirts
Do you want a new sport shirt that is not black or in stock? Sport shirts may be ordered in a variety of colors for $15. CLICK HERE to order a WMHFA sport shirt or other WMHFA apparel.
I wish WMHFA had a place for parents to communicate with each other.
We do! There is a WMHFA Members only Facebook page where parents can post to ask each other questions, buy/sell used instruments, discuss carpooling possibilities, share photos and videos, etc. This is a private group and members and posts are only viewable by other members. If you'd like to join, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/WMHFAMembers/ and request to join!
Emails from JackRabbit
Due to email regulations, all emails that come from JackRabbit (the database we use) must come from a jackrabbittech.com email address. However, even though it says noreply@jackrabbittech.com, you can still reply to the email! When you do, it will reply to the person who sent the email. Hopefully this will help alleviate any confusion you may have had about how to get hold of our teachers.
2021 Christmas Concerts
We have heard many wonderful comments from folks about the fabulous job you all did at the Christmas concerts! As a reminder, we have our Christmas concerts available for viewing on our Facebook page or on our YouTube Channel if you have friends or family (or potential students) who didn't get a chance to watch them.
Student/Parent Expectations
Dress Code
Please check over the dress code before coming to class. You can view that at https://www.wmhfa.org/dress-code.html. As a reminder, boys' hair needs to be no longer than collar-length, girls are not allowed to wear leggings or other tight pants, and no jeans are allowed. In a nutshell, students must dress to be neat, modest, and uniform.
Label your things!
We have free instrument name tags available at the Information Desk. Please make sure all of your instruments have your name on them. We often find instruments left after classes are over, and occasionally kids will grab the wrong case. Name tags can really help with that.
We also have free music folders available at the Information Desk. Please put your name on these. You may also write your name in your WMHFA provided Method book to help make sure those get returned to the correct student. Cross off any other names on the book. (They will need to be returned once your student no longer needs it.)
Respecting Our New Facilities
Please remind your students to be respectful of our facilities. We have received reports of students rummaging around and playing with stuff that belongs to the church (specifically in Grand Rapids, but this also applies to all locations). If you see a student playing with anything they shouldn't be, please speak up and say something to them! We are trying very hard to build good relationships with our new facilities. We would hate for a few students deciding to mess around cause any facility regret that they invited us to use their space. This goes for every single facility that we use whether for classes or for concerts. Unless the facility has given outright permission for toys/equipment to be used, students are not to touch it.
We have also had issues with students playing with the pianos. No child is to play the pianos unless they are in lessons or class. This has been especially problematic with pianos in the hallways being played and disrupting lessons. Please be respectful of lessons and classes and keep the noise down in the hallways.
Social Hall Tables
We have limited space at our social hall tables. Please do not leave your stuff spread out at a table when you are not using it. If you cannot find a space at a table and someone has spread their stuff out and left it, you may feel free to consolidate it to one spot so you have a place to sit. Please make sure they didn't just step away for a minute though!
Loading Zones/Handicapped Parking
Please be mindful of where you are in the parking lot. Do not block handicapped parking for those who need it. Also, do not sit in the loading zones by the doors. You may drop your students off or pick them up, but do not sit and wait for them. This makes it very difficult for other families who need to use the loading zone areas. Find a parking spot until they come out, then you may go pick them up.
Student's Name Badges
We are beginning to print ID badges for your students. You can expect those to be available soon. Students will be required to wear them at all times on WMHFA property.
Kids wandering hallways and outside
We had several reports in Grand Rapids this week of students wandering in the hallways downstairs and banging on windows when chair tests were going on. They were also wandering outside and banging on classroom windows. This is REALLY detrimental to the student who is already nervous and trying to play. It is also very distracting if there are lessons happening. Our students need to be more responsible about this or we will have to be more strict about rules about students being carefully supervised when they are not in class. I'm sure your students don't want to have that happen, so please impress upon them the importance of not disturbing classes, lessons, or any other activities happening in the rooms.
Parents, it would probably be helpful if we could have more coverage of all areas of the building. If you are just hanging around reading a book or playing on your phone, would you consider finding a vacant hallway where you could be an adult presence that would discourage this kind of behavior?
We have a beautiful outdoor space in Grand Rapids where kids can run around and play outside. Kids, please don't spoil this by acting irresponsibly. Be respectful of the plants, people's vehicles, windows, etc. Parents, please talk to your students about how to behave if there are no adults in sight. If you don't feel your students should be unsupervised at any time, please talk to the social hall monitors and let them know your student is not allowed to leave the social hall area at any time unless they are going directly to class.
GR - More student behavior issues
We are having trouble with students not cleaning up after themselves. After lunch, you must return your tray and take care of your trash. Clean up any food messes you have. If there is a mess beyond your control, please inform a room monitor so they can help. Also, students are playing with games in the Merge and not putting the pieces away when they are done. If this continues, we will not be able to allow students to play with those items. Please work with your students so they learn the value of leaving a room in better condition than when they arrived.
Help wanted!
GR - Yearbook Help Needed
We need help with last year's (and this year's) yearbook. If you would like to help us with that, email office@wmhfa.org. This may count as a family involvement position.
Yearbook - Marching Band Pictures Needed!
Calling all marching band families! The yearbook team needs pictures from the summer 2021 season to include in the yearbook. If you have any pictures, please email them to wmhfayearbook@gmail.com. Thank you for your help!
Work Assignment Position Available
We need someone to help us sell our extra items. We have a variety of extra stuff we no longer need (kitchen items, old tonor cartridges, office supplies, apparel, etc. We would love to have some help finding people who would like to pay to take this stuff off our hands. If you like to sell things on eBay, Craig's List, etc., we could use your help! We also would like to set up an online auction to allow WMHFA families first dibs at these items. This would be a great job for someone who is still looking for something they can do from home. Contact office@wmhfa.org if you are interested.
Fundraising Information
Amazon Smile
You can make a difference while you shop Amazon. Simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/81-0626181 and AmazonSmile donates to West Michigan Home School Fine Arts Association Inc.
Concert Program Advertising
Earn 50% of every ad sale! – Deadline will be a few weeks before winter and spring concerts. Full, half, & quarter page and 2 line ads available for your favorite companies. Ads appear in both Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids concert programs. Stop by the desk to request a form, or visit wmhfa.org/advertising-options!
Scrip Table Hours:
Tuesdays @ Plainwell First Baptist between 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Wednesdays @ Corinth Reformed between 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Want to start Scrip now? Simply go to your computer, go to www.shopwithscrip.com,
click on "Join a Program" and enter our ONE TIME enrollment code 9D8AF44A1551
Create a profile and read and accept the terms. Start saving money!
Lunch Information
Grand Rapids Lunch
For your convenience, WMHFA makes a pizza lunch available every week for a very reasonable price.
Lunch may be purchased as follows:
$3.50 Meal Deal (Pizza, 2 sides, and beverage)
$1.25 per slice of pizza
$0.50 per side, snack, or beverage
A Ten Meal Punch Card may be purchased for $32.50
Kalamazoo Lunch
Lunch will be a potluck style while we meet in Plainwell. You can continue to bring lunch for just your family as well. We will re-evaluate after the move to Schoolcraft.
Due to local Allegan County regulations, we are not allowed to cook any food at the church that will be fed to the "public". Although we are a private organization utilizing the church, we do not want to take any chances compromising the church.
Potluck lunch will open in the kitchen at 11:45am. Potluck criteria:
1) Bring 1 main dish + 1 side dish
2) All food must be precooked & heated. No oven/microwave cooking.
a) Crock pots/instant pots/heating stones/insulated casserole dish bags/etc. are welcome to keep food warm
b) Cold foods/dishes welcome & can be refrigerated until mealtime
3) Bring your own drink
4) Wash your own dishes at home
5) Please drop your dishes off in the Kitchen no later than 11:30 to provide enough time to set out and organize food options.
6) The line will form in the hall outside the fellowship hall (lunch room) & kitchen area at 11:40am.
7) If your child needs a lunch before 11:45am, or will not have time to stand in line before a 12:15pm class, than an adult may come between 11:15-11:35 to prepare a plate for them. Please have them eat outside or sit with them in the Fellowship Hall to ensure they stay quiet and don't interrupt the class.
If Intermediate band is disrupted we will not be able to let anyone into the Fellowship Hall until after class gets out. The curtains will be closed between band and the eating area to muffle movement, but they do not do a good job of muffling voices.
ALL food must be kept in the fellowship hall (lunch room) or taken directly outside through the entrance doors, under the awning, by the kitchen.
Grand Rapids - Classes will be cancelled if Byron Center Public Schools are cancelled due to weather.
Kalamazoo - Classes will be cancelled if Plainwell Public Schools are cancelled due to weather.
Email, Text, and Facebook posts will be sent out shortly after 6am to announce any cancellation of classes. Notices will also be posted on local television and radio websites. Please Note: WMHFA families come from all over West Michigan, therefore the weather in one area may be fine while another area may have hazardous roads. If classes are not cancelled, please use your discretion in deciding to make the drive. We want everyone to arrive safely!
Text Messages
We have a texting service for important notifications. You can adjust your texting options in your parent portal.
Parents: Go to Dashboard > Billing & Payments > Contacts > Edit > Basic Info > Contact Info, click to enable Allow text messaging? and click Save.
Students: Go to Dashboard > View (student name) > Edit (pencil) > Basic Info, click to enable Allow text messaging? and click Save.
Missing Classes
Important Worker Information
- Sign in at the Information Center when you arrive to work your assignment. If you do not sign in, it will be assumed that you did not show up for your assignment and you will be charged $20.
- Call if you are scheduled to work and are not able to make your scheduled assignment.
- KALAMAZOO WORKERS: Contact Sandy Rose at (269) 657-2186 to let her know. She will contact someone to fill in for you.
- GRAND RAPIDS WORKERS: Contact Sharon Jonker at 616-914-2353 to let her know. She will contact someone to fill in for you.
- Give at least a 24-hour notice if you are going to miss, unless it is an emergency or unexpected,
- Be aware that you may be called to fill in for someone during a semester you are not scheduled to work.
- There is a $20 charge for not calling in.
While we do take attendance in class, it is helpful for our instructors to know if your student will be absent. Absences can be reported through your parent portal. Under the menu, select Absences and Makeups.
COVID Policy
While we cannot enforce masks or distancing due to the nature of our classes, we do ask you to take all possible precautions to keep our kids healthy.
- If your child is sick, even with a cold, please keep them home.
- Wash hands frequently.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Don't touch other people's stuff.
You can check on your student's progress in class through the parent portal. We use the Absence feature to make notes about participation in class. You may notice your child has an absence for a day when you know they were actually there. However, if you look at the notes for that "absence" you will find more information. They may be marked as "IT" or "Insufficent Time." This means they didn't practice enough that week. You may find that their card wasn't signed by a parent ("NS" or "No Signature".) Or maybe they never turned their practice card in and were marked as "NC" or "No Card." If your child didn't get enough practice time but there was a valid reason, please write that in on the practice card and the room parents will note that on the record as well. Illnesses, vacations, or instruments in the shop would be examples of things that are valid reasons to not have enough practice time.
Important Dates
Celebris Ensemble
The Kalamazoo Concert Choir and Grand Rapids Senior Choir are invited to join the Celebris Ensemble residency on Jan. 29, 2022. It will be a wonderful opportunity for growth and learning. The Residency has been on the schedule since the beginning of the year, and I trust that you have kept this date open in your schedules. It is expected that singers participate in this event. The Residency will be held in the chapel at Corinth Reformed Church in Byron Center, MI, from 12pm-3pm. Choir members will get the chance to learn from and sing with the Celebris Ensemble, a group of professional singers based in Southwest Michigan. At the end (2:30ish), there will be a concert featuring all of the choirs and the Celebris Ensemble. Parents and friends are encouraged to attend this. We will even sing as a large group for a couple of songs!
- Date: Jan. 29 @ 12-3pm
- Place: Corinth Reformed Church
- Cost: $17.50/singer
- Plan: Concert at the end (2:30pm)
- Attire: Standard WMHFA weekly attire. They will not need to be in choir uniforms.
Instrumental Solo & Ensemble
We will be hosting our own Instrumental Solo & Ensemble event for students on Saturday, March 19. Students with at least one year of experience on their instruments (including piano!) may prepare a solo to play for an adjudicator and receive feedback on their performance. This is an awesome opportunity for students, and you will want to get that date on your calendar now!
Graduation
Information about the WMHFA-sponsored graduation ceremony went out this week. If you did not receive an email, please email Sharon Jonker at sleannj5@gmail.com or call/text her at 616-914-2353. The graduation date will be announced soon.
Helpful Information for Parents
SmartMusic Information
You can get started at https://www.wmhfa.org/smartmusic-links.html and use the class code KUVHL-PHA2E to get access to the music.
New Sport Shirts
Do you want a new sport shirt that is not black or in stock? Sport shirts may be ordered in a variety of colors for $15. CLICK HERE to order a WMHFA sport shirt or other WMHFA apparel.
I wish WMHFA had a place for parents to communicate with each other.
We do! There is a WMHFA Members only Facebook page where parents can post to ask each other questions, buy/sell used instruments, discuss carpooling possibilities, share photos and videos, etc. This is a private group and members and posts are only viewable by other members. If you'd like to join, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/WMHFAMembers/ and request to join!
Emails from JackRabbit
Due to email regulations, all emails that come from JackRabbit (the database we use) must come from a jackrabbittech.com email address. However, even though it says noreply@jackrabbittech.com, you can still reply to the email! When you do, it will reply to the person who sent the email. Hopefully this will help alleviate any confusion you may have had about how to get hold of our teachers.
2021 Christmas Concerts
We have heard many wonderful comments from folks about the fabulous job you all did at the Christmas concerts! As a reminder, we have our Christmas concerts available for viewing on our Facebook page or on our YouTube Channel if you have friends or family (or potential students) who didn't get a chance to watch them.
Student/Parent Expectations
Dress Code
Please check over the dress code before coming to class. You can view that at https://www.wmhfa.org/dress-code.html. As a reminder, boys' hair needs to be no longer than collar-length, girls are not allowed to wear leggings or other tight pants, and no jeans are allowed. In a nutshell, students must dress to be neat, modest, and uniform.
Label your things!
We have free instrument name tags available at the Information Desk. Please make sure all of your instruments have your name on them. We often find instruments left after classes are over, and occasionally kids will grab the wrong case. Name tags can really help with that.
We also have free music folders available at the Information Desk. Please put your name on these. You may also write your name in your WMHFA provided Method book to help make sure those get returned to the correct student. Cross off any other names on the book. (They will need to be returned once your student no longer needs it.)
Respecting Our New Facilities
Please remind your students to be respectful of our facilities. We have received reports of students rummaging around and playing with stuff that belongs to the church (specifically in Grand Rapids, but this also applies to all locations). If you see a student playing with anything they shouldn't be, please speak up and say something to them! We are trying very hard to build good relationships with our new facilities. We would hate for a few students deciding to mess around cause any facility regret that they invited us to use their space. This goes for every single facility that we use whether for classes or for concerts. Unless the facility has given outright permission for toys/equipment to be used, students are not to touch it.
We have also had issues with students playing with the pianos. No child is to play the pianos unless they are in lessons or class. This has been especially problematic with pianos in the hallways being played and disrupting lessons. Please be respectful of lessons and classes and keep the noise down in the hallways.
Social Hall Tables
We have limited space at our social hall tables. Please do not leave your stuff spread out at a table when you are not using it. If you cannot find a space at a table and someone has spread their stuff out and left it, you may feel free to consolidate it to one spot so you have a place to sit. Please make sure they didn't just step away for a minute though!
Loading Zones/Handicapped Parking
Please be mindful of where you are in the parking lot. Do not block handicapped parking for those who need it. Also, do not sit in the loading zones by the doors. You may drop your students off or pick them up, but do not sit and wait for them. This makes it very difficult for other families who need to use the loading zone areas. Find a parking spot until they come out, then you may go pick them up.
Student's Name Badges
We are beginning to print ID badges for your students. You can expect those to be available soon. Students will be required to wear them at all times on WMHFA property.
Kids wandering hallways and outside
We had several reports in Grand Rapids this week of students wandering in the hallways downstairs and banging on windows when chair tests were going on. They were also wandering outside and banging on classroom windows. This is REALLY detrimental to the student who is already nervous and trying to play. It is also very distracting if there are lessons happening. Our students need to be more responsible about this or we will have to be more strict about rules about students being carefully supervised when they are not in class. I'm sure your students don't want to have that happen, so please impress upon them the importance of not disturbing classes, lessons, or any other activities happening in the rooms.
Parents, it would probably be helpful if we could have more coverage of all areas of the building. If you are just hanging around reading a book or playing on your phone, would you consider finding a vacant hallway where you could be an adult presence that would discourage this kind of behavior?
We have a beautiful outdoor space in Grand Rapids where kids can run around and play outside. Kids, please don't spoil this by acting irresponsibly. Be respectful of the plants, people's vehicles, windows, etc. Parents, please talk to your students about how to behave if there are no adults in sight. If you don't feel your students should be unsupervised at any time, please talk to the social hall monitors and let them know your student is not allowed to leave the social hall area at any time unless they are going directly to class.
GR - More student behavior issues
We are having trouble with students not cleaning up after themselves. After lunch, you must return your tray and take care of your trash. Clean up any food messes you have. If there is a mess beyond your control, please inform a room monitor so they can help. Also, students are playing with games in the Merge and not putting the pieces away when they are done. If this continues, we will not be able to allow students to play with those items. Please work with your students so they learn the value of leaving a room in better condition than when they arrived.
Help wanted!
GR - Yearbook Help Needed
We need help with last year's (and this year's) yearbook. If you would like to help us with that, email office@wmhfa.org. This may count as a family involvement position.
Yearbook - Marching Band Pictures Needed!
Calling all marching band families! The yearbook team needs pictures from the summer 2021 season to include in the yearbook. If you have any pictures, please email them to wmhfayearbook@gmail.com. Thank you for your help!
Work Assignment Position Available
We need someone to help us sell our extra items. We have a variety of extra stuff we no longer need (kitchen items, old tonor cartridges, office supplies, apparel, etc. We would love to have some help finding people who would like to pay to take this stuff off our hands. If you like to sell things on eBay, Craig's List, etc., we could use your help! We also would like to set up an online auction to allow WMHFA families first dibs at these items. This would be a great job for someone who is still looking for something they can do from home. Contact office@wmhfa.org if you are interested.
Fundraising Information
Amazon Smile
You can make a difference while you shop Amazon. Simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/81-0626181 and AmazonSmile donates to West Michigan Home School Fine Arts Association Inc.
Concert Program Advertising
Earn 50% of every ad sale! – Deadline will be a few weeks before winter and spring concerts. Full, half, & quarter page and 2 line ads available for your favorite companies. Ads appear in both Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids concert programs. Stop by the desk to request a form, or visit wmhfa.org/advertising-options!
Scrip Table Hours:
Tuesdays @ Plainwell First Baptist between 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Wednesdays @ Corinth Reformed between 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Want to start Scrip now? Simply go to your computer, go to www.shopwithscrip.com,
click on "Join a Program" and enter our ONE TIME enrollment code 9D8AF44A1551
Create a profile and read and accept the terms. Start saving money!
Lunch Information
Grand Rapids Lunch
For your convenience, WMHFA makes a pizza lunch available every week for a very reasonable price.
Lunch may be purchased as follows:
$3.50 Meal Deal (Pizza, 2 sides, and beverage)
$1.25 per slice of pizza
$0.50 per side, snack, or beverage
A Ten Meal Punch Card may be purchased for $32.50
Kalamazoo Lunch
Lunch will be a potluck style while we meet in Plainwell. You can continue to bring lunch for just your family as well. We will re-evaluate after the move to Schoolcraft.
Due to local Allegan County regulations, we are not allowed to cook any food at the church that will be fed to the "public". Although we are a private organization utilizing the church, we do not want to take any chances compromising the church.
Potluck lunch will open in the kitchen at 11:45am. Potluck criteria:
1) Bring 1 main dish + 1 side dish
2) All food must be precooked & heated. No oven/microwave cooking.
a) Crock pots/instant pots/heating stones/insulated casserole dish bags/etc. are welcome to keep food warm
b) Cold foods/dishes welcome & can be refrigerated until mealtime
3) Bring your own drink
4) Wash your own dishes at home
5) Please drop your dishes off in the Kitchen no later than 11:30 to provide enough time to set out and organize food options.
6) The line will form in the hall outside the fellowship hall (lunch room) & kitchen area at 11:40am.
7) If your child needs a lunch before 11:45am, or will not have time to stand in line before a 12:15pm class, than an adult may come between 11:15-11:35 to prepare a plate for them. Please have them eat outside or sit with them in the Fellowship Hall to ensure they stay quiet and don't interrupt the class.
If Intermediate band is disrupted we will not be able to let anyone into the Fellowship Hall until after class gets out. The curtains will be closed between band and the eating area to muffle movement, but they do not do a good job of muffling voices.
ALL food must be kept in the fellowship hall (lunch room) or taken directly outside through the entrance doors, under the awning, by the kitchen.
Thank you to our program sponsors!
These organizations support West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts. Let them know you appreciate that as you give them your business!
Grace Home School Association
The Homeschool Building - HSB Announcements
ServiceMaster of Kalamazoo
Reformation Heritage Books
Boerkoel Painting, LLC
Grand Valley State University Music, Theater, and Dance
Susan M. Dennis DDS
Just Take a Bite LLC
Kalamazoo Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Kalmazoo Valley Community College
Grace Home School Association
The Homeschool Building - HSB Announcements
ServiceMaster of Kalamazoo
Reformation Heritage Books
Boerkoel Painting, LLC
Grand Valley State University Music, Theater, and Dance
Susan M. Dennis DDS
Just Take a Bite LLC
Kalamazoo Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Kalmazoo Valley Community College