Hot News!
What's new this week?
GR - Big Band Change
We have renamed the Elementary Big Band to Big Band 3. This reflects the fact that older students are welcome to join even if they have no experience with big band playing. Students in our big bands must also be enrolled in one of our regular bands or orchestras. However, we are looking for more students to join, especially on saxophone, piano, or bass (electric and/or upright). If you are interested, please email office@wmhfa.org or speak with one of our big band directors!
GR - Beginning Low Brass and Chorale location change
Due to some sound issues, we are going to have Chorale meet downstairs in the Cove and the Beginning Band low brass players meet upstairs in the Zone.
GR - Colorguard & Drumline location change
Colorguard will be meeting in the Chapel. Drumline will meet in the Merge.
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.
We have renamed the Elementary Big Band to Big Band 3. This reflects the fact that older students are welcome to join even if they have no experience with big band playing. Students in our big bands must also be enrolled in one of our regular bands or orchestras. However, we are looking for more students to join, especially on saxophone, piano, or bass (electric and/or upright). If you are interested, please email office@wmhfa.org or speak with one of our big band directors!
GR - Beginning Low Brass and Chorale location change
Due to some sound issues, we are going to have Chorale meet downstairs in the Cove and the Beginning Band low brass players meet upstairs in the Zone.
GR - Colorguard & Drumline location change
Colorguard will be meeting in the Chapel. Drumline will meet in the Merge.
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.
Important Information
Important Worker Information
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.
Drop Policy
Students are expected to commit to being enrolled for the whole year. If you need to drop a class, please notify us at office@wmhfa.org.
Requests for Refunds follow this schedule:
75% refunded after 9/15/21
50% refunded after 9/22/21
25% refunded after 9/29/21
No refunds after 10/6/2021
Still looking for lessons?
WMHFA does not offer lessons, but many of our teachers do. Some of them still have availability in their schedules. Check out the list HERE. You will need to contact them and make arrangements directly with the teacher.
Did you miss orientation?
If you missed orientation, we took a video of our Grand Rapids orientation. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/2VqQiV2qXz8
There will be some differences for Kalamazoo, but much of it will still be the same, especially regarding dress code, behavior, and expectations.
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.
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.)
Accompanist needed in Kalamazoo
Our Kalamazoo Concert Choir is in need of an accompanist. This is an extremely important volunteer position that can be filled by a parent, older student, or anyone else you know! If you are willing to help out, we would greatly appreciate it. Please contact office@wmhfa.org.
Kalamazoo Lunch Change
Starting this Tuesday we are going to switch from pizza to a potluck style starting this Tuesday, Sept. 14th, while we meet in Plainwell. We will not be doing the pizza option any longer. 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.
Junior High Boys Choir Director Needed
West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts is accepting applications for a Junior High Boys Choir director. Classes meet during the school year on Wednesdays from 10:10 to 11:10 in the Grand Rapids area. Concerts are held in December and April, and participation in MSVMA solo & ensemble is optional.
If you or anyone you know is interested in applying for this position, we are accepting applications at office@wmhfa.org.
Parental Involvement
Our Parental Involvement signups are ready. Go to https://www.wmhfa.org/parental-involvement.html to sign up.
Can Someone Other than the Parent Do the Work Assignment?
Absolutely! The work assignment is a Family responsibility. Responsible older children, grandparents, aunts & uncles or any responsible representative may work the assignment for the family.
Need to Make Changes or Corrections to Your Enrollment?
You can check your classes online at your parent portal. If corrections need to be made, then email your request to office@wmhfa.org. You will not be able to drop classes yourself.
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!
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.
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
Grand Rapids Junior High Choir changes
We have been unable to find a teacher for our Junior High Boys Choir. Until we do, they will be combining with the Junior HIgh Girls under the direction of Elisabeth Sooy. We have also renamed these classes to Middle School Choirs and adjusted the ages to include students who turn 11 by September 1. This is a more technically advanced choir, and students are expected to practice. Students who are 11 or 12 are welcome to stay in the Elementary Choir which is a more relaxed, fun choir. If you need to make any adjustments to your choir enrollment, please email office@wmhfa.org.
- 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.
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.
Drop Policy
Students are expected to commit to being enrolled for the whole year. If you need to drop a class, please notify us at office@wmhfa.org.
Requests for Refunds follow this schedule:
75% refunded after 9/15/21
50% refunded after 9/22/21
25% refunded after 9/29/21
No refunds after 10/6/2021
Still looking for lessons?
WMHFA does not offer lessons, but many of our teachers do. Some of them still have availability in their schedules. Check out the list HERE. You will need to contact them and make arrangements directly with the teacher.
Did you miss orientation?
If you missed orientation, we took a video of our Grand Rapids orientation. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/2VqQiV2qXz8
There will be some differences for Kalamazoo, but much of it will still be the same, especially regarding dress code, behavior, and expectations.
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.
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.)
Accompanist needed in Kalamazoo
Our Kalamazoo Concert Choir is in need of an accompanist. This is an extremely important volunteer position that can be filled by a parent, older student, or anyone else you know! If you are willing to help out, we would greatly appreciate it. Please contact office@wmhfa.org.
Kalamazoo Lunch Change
Starting this Tuesday we are going to switch from pizza to a potluck style starting this Tuesday, Sept. 14th, while we meet in Plainwell. We will not be doing the pizza option any longer. 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.
Junior High Boys Choir Director Needed
West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts is accepting applications for a Junior High Boys Choir director. Classes meet during the school year on Wednesdays from 10:10 to 11:10 in the Grand Rapids area. Concerts are held in December and April, and participation in MSVMA solo & ensemble is optional.
If you or anyone you know is interested in applying for this position, we are accepting applications at office@wmhfa.org.
Parental Involvement
Our Parental Involvement signups are ready. Go to https://www.wmhfa.org/parental-involvement.html to sign up.
Can Someone Other than the Parent Do the Work Assignment?
Absolutely! The work assignment is a Family responsibility. Responsible older children, grandparents, aunts & uncles or any responsible representative may work the assignment for the family.
Need to Make Changes or Corrections to Your Enrollment?
You can check your classes online at your parent portal. If corrections need to be made, then email your request to office@wmhfa.org. You will not be able to drop classes yourself.
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!
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.
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
Grand Rapids Junior High Choir changes
We have been unable to find a teacher for our Junior High Boys Choir. Until we do, they will be combining with the Junior HIgh Girls under the direction of Elisabeth Sooy. We have also renamed these classes to Middle School Choirs and adjusted the ages to include students who turn 11 by September 1. This is a more technically advanced choir, and students are expected to practice. Students who are 11 or 12 are welcome to stay in the Elementary Choir which is a more relaxed, fun choir. If you need to make any adjustments to your choir enrollment, please email office@wmhfa.org.
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
HomeWorks by Precept Consultant Sharon Huizinga
Morton Family Chiropractic
Homeschool Performing Arts
Hallgren Orthodontics
Marshall Music
ServiceMaster of Kalamazoo
Higher Health Chiropractic
Grace Home School Association
The Homeschool Building - HSB Announcements
HomeWorks by Precept Consultant Sharon Huizinga
Morton Family Chiropractic
Homeschool Performing Arts
Hallgren Orthodontics
Marshall Music
ServiceMaster of Kalamazoo
Higher Health Chiropractic