MAY  NEWSLETTER        

This class year is winding down - Recital is upon us..
Sunday, June 14th 2:00  The Egg
We need volunteers to assure our recital is a success.  Class mothers needed. Please sign up - complimentary ticket will be given to you.

Please make every effort to get to class. Group dances depend on everyone practicing together.

We are in need of raffle prizes - please at least 1 prize per class.  We need 2 or 3 "intern" Dads to sell 50/50 tickets. our long time sellers Tom and Ken both have daughters that will be graduating this year - so we will need that job filled for next year - learn from the best.

Tickets will be on sale the middle of May - each family is required to buy at least 2 tickets, Since this is our only fundraiser of the year , we ask you to also support the raffle and the 50/50.  'You got to be in it to win it !! '  Please have tuition paid up before you purchase tickets.

Recitals reminders and class assignments will be sent home in the next few weeks,

Dresses now available to rent.  Do NOT go into dress room by yourself. The dresses are in a certain order.   $35 rental fee, $75 deposit check, signed contract - all needed before a dress can be taken home.
If you haven't brought your dress back - please do ASAP - you can not get another one until your dress is returned.

We are very sad to tell you that this year's Albany Dongan feis will not be taking place. There is a scheduling conflict at the Empire Plaza.  Our team has been trying for weeks to find a suitable venue, but with no luck.  There are several other Feisanna to attend. 
Website:  www.nafc - will have the year's schedule.
Suggested:
5/9 Orange County - Woodbury  
7/4 Rochester
7/25 Great America Feis near Utica 
8/1 Catskill

Congratulations to our World's dancers, Although we did not bring home any medals - they danced brilliantly. Great atmosphere - met dancers from all over the world. Truly a memorable experience.

Oireachtas Teams - anyone interested in doing Oireachtas teams this year - write your name on a piece of paper and drop in tuition box. Age groups are Under 9, Under 12, Under 15 and 15 and Over.  Must be able to dance 3's an 7's and willing to practice a lot.  A great experience.

Socks: We finally have gotten some socks - they are $7/pr. Get them when you get your dress.

Lost & Found : Please check --  will be emptied at the end of the class year.

Summer Classes -- We will take a week or two off after the Recital. There will
be an abbreviated schedule for Feis/Oireachtas practices.  Schedule coming soon.

School Website: Don't forget to check website   www.bolandschool.com for updates, news,  weekly pictures.


                         ENJOY THE WARM WEATHER FINALLY.... 

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                      MARCH / APRIL NEWSLETTER

Thanks to all of you who marched in the parade with the school.
We had a very good showing and beautiful weather. All had a great time !!!

Thanks to all the dancers that performed in all the various shows over the St. Patrick's Day's celebrations.

Recital  Sunday   June 14th   2:00  The Egg

Recital room mothers needed. One mother per class to stay backstage with dancers before they dance.  Mainly to keep them together,  to keep them calm and to bring them out to the stage moms.  You will be allowed to bring the class out into the theatre after their performance to watch the rest of the show.  Also needed is a raffle prize Mom - at least one prize per class for the raffle.
Sign up sheet is on the costume room door.

Dresses:  All dresses are due back NOW. Please make sure you check them in with Chris, Jen or Jean.  If you just leave them, no one knows they are returned and I assume them 'not returned' yet.

World Championship April 5th - 11th. This is the 1st time this championship has been held outside of Ireland or Scotland.  It will be in Philadelphia - Great Dancing - worth the trip. We have 2 teams and 4 solo dancers qualified.  Wish them luck...

Feis schedule   www.nafc     Big group going to Syracuse in April.

Tuition: Payment #8 is due now.  There are 2 more payments for the year.  Please keep current. Recital tickets will be held up if tuition is not paid up.

Anyone with a solo dress for sale - now is the time to bring it in. Lots of girls are looking for dresses.

Have a great Easter.....   yeah it's   SPRING.  

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FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER 

February Vacation - The studio will be closed the week of February 16.
In addition there will be no class on  Thursday  February 12, as we have been told many people are leaving early for vacation. Make up classes listed below.  

Special prelim/ Champ class will be held Thursday 2/19- watch your emails. 

Tuesday  February 24. A 2 hour Makeup class  for ***everyone***. 5-7:00  

St Patricks Day Parade - Parade is Saturday March 14. We will be marching with the Watervliet AOH again. The AOH will provide buses from their hall to the parade & back. Anyone wishing to take the bus will have to sign up 2 weeks in advance. I will be posting a sign up sheet for that. More details on the parade later- but it would be GREAT to have everyone participate. New Rules this year by the parade committee- We have to all wear our warm ups, or wear pretty much a uniform outfit. NO GREEN HAIR, NO PAINTED FACES, NO FUNNY HATS ETC.  Please let me know who wants to march, and I will confirm with the AOH.

There is a sign up sheet in waiting room. 

Dress return will be after vacation. Check your dresses- wash & iron them.
Make sure you check them in- not just leave hanging in closet.  If you need socks- please let me know, as I  have to order more. 

Check the NAFC website for upcoming Feisanna.
Feis season is starting up full swing.

Recital Date - Sunday June 14- 2:00 at “The Egg”.

Tickets will go on sale the end of May.  Volunteers needed for backstage, raffle, 50/50, side stage etc. We would like 1 class mother per class backstage. Backstage  class moms receive a free recital ticket. We have a raffle which we need prizes for. I would like each class to donate a prize- theme basket etc. If one mother from each class will take charge - it would be appreciated.                                                                                   

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                        November/ December

Monday - No Class Dec 1st
Wednesday - No Class before Thanksgiving
Thursday - No Class Thanksgiving

Christmas Break - Dec 15th thru Jan 5th

OIREACHTAS

We have a team traveling to Philadelphia on Thanksgiving
weekend to compete in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.
Keep them in your good thoughts.

I have a few more CD's for sale.
A must for home practice .... $ 20

Please remember to clean up after yourselves - Waiting room
Donations of CUPS are needed badly. T Paper, towels too.

Tuition payments #4 and #5 due before Christmas break.

Starting in January - we will be starting practices for the Performing Group.
More details to follow.

Remember to follow our DRESS CODE - NO JEANS !!!!

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                 Welcome Back Dancers - and Parents|
                                September 2008

Hope you all had a great summer and are ready to DANCE.
A big welcome to all of our new dancers.

Oireachtas Dancers - please pick up monthly calendar for practice times.

We will be following the school calendar for our classes. There will be no classes on Monday, Oct 13th - Columbus Day.

Recital -- I have booked THE EGG for Sunday - June 14th.

Dongan Feis - again this year - we will be hosting this feis - July 18th.  Workers will be needed.

The shoeman will be coming to the studio in a few weeks.  Please tell us if you need shoes, so I can have him bring what we need.

Dress code will be enforced this year - Dancers are to wear shorts and t-shirts.  Anyone wearing JEANS will be asked to sit out the class and watch.  Please put a pair of shorts and a t-shirt in your dress bag.  We have bathrooms for the children to change.

We are asking for donations of:  paper cups (small), t-paper, paper towels and tissues.  When you are shopping and see a sale - think of us.  You can't believe how many cups we go thru in a week.

Parents are asked to wait in the parent's lounge. 
We will have observation days frequently.  Beginner parents will be invited into the class more often so they can learn what the children have to practice.

If anyone does not have a practice CD - it is very important that you get one. I will be ordering some - you can't buy them around here.  I order them right from  the Feis Musicians

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                               Announcement !!!!

The Boland School will be sponsoring this year's
Albany Feis on July 19th at the Empire State Plaza.

Information as well as the syllabus can be found at
www.donganfeis.com

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                         Summer 2008 Newsletter

Albany Feis Information:
This year, the Albany Feis (a local competition) will be held on Saturday, July 19th at the Empire State Plaza.  Everyone is encouraged to participate.  All beginners go home with a medal.  School or solo dresses are worn and attire similar to the recital. (Hair off the face and a touch of makeup).  The syllabus will be available at class and if you need help filling it out, don't hesitate to ask.

After the recital, we will be taking some time off to rest.  We will then resume practices Tuesday, the 24th and Wednesday the 25th of June to continue with the feis practices as per
your June and July calendars or until further notice. 
It is important that you attend once a week if you are going to feis to 'Keep in shape'.  There are a few more close feisanna that you might want to consider (Catskill & East Durham in August). You can expect more info in July at practices.  Beg/Ad Beg/Nov/Prizewinner practices are scheduled on Wednesday.
Prelim/Champ on Tuesday/Wednesday for summer.
Times are on the calendar and it is $7 each class.

Faith and Jean Workshop:
will be held Sun. July 13th, Mon. July 14th, and
Tues July 15th. You should have gotten a handout with some more details. We encourage you all to take advantage of this opportunity. It is a lot of fun and very helpful. Space is limited, so please sign up in the lobby asap.

Finally, classes in September will be starting the week of Sept 15th.  You will be getting a letter from us before classes end with your suggested class time and day.  If you are not going to continue with Irish Dance, please let us know.  Thanks!!  If you know of anyone who would like to start classes, New Student Registration Day is Wed, Aug 20th at the studio from 5-8pm. 

It was a pleasure working with all of you!!
Enjoy your summer and hope to see you in the
Fall !!!           


                            May 2008 Newsletter

Recital - June 8th  2:00 - The EGG.  Recital reminders and final info given out soon.  Tickets go on sale within the next 2 weeks.

Final tuition payments DUE. Payment #9 and #10 are due before the Recital.  You will not be able to purchase tickets if you have an outstanding balance. 

Please make every effort to get the children to class these last few weeks.  Recital success depends on the dancers knowing their routines.

If you have not gotten a dress yet.. Let's start. Remember to sign a rental agreement before you take a dress.

Raffle prizes.  Please start getting together with your class Moms for a raffle donation.  Theme baskets, gift cards etc..  Each class is responsible for a prize.  Anyone else wishing to donate please do...  everything is much appreciated.  Remember this is our only Fundraiser of the year.

Recital flowers - sale of recital flowers will benefit the 'National Team'.  If you are getting your dancer congratulatory flowers for the recital - please buy them from the team.  They will be setting up orders soon.
 

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National team raffle baskets -  take a chance on the different baskets to support the team. You gotta be
in to win it..
 
MPG workshop  5/23-26  $ due.

Faith & Jean workshop - July 12-15 $ due soon - details soon.

Available Shortly:  Summer and Next Year's schedule

Feis schedule is on the NAFC website.  There is a link from the schools website as well.  Check out the
Links page.


             February /  March   2008 Newsletter

St. Patrick's Day
Parade - Saturday, March 15th - Albany
The parade starts at 2:00 on State St & Quail St in Albany. 
We will be marching with the Watervliet AOH.  The AOH will be providing buses from their hall to the parade and back.  The bus will leave the hall around 11:30ish. If you plan on taking the bus... I need to know numbers so they know how many buses to provide.  Please sign sheet in parent's lounge.
If you prefer to meet at the parade... be at McDonalds on Central Ave by 1:30. We will gather there and hook up with the AOH.
Dress for the weather...  If you have the school warm ups, sweats, sweatshirt - wear that.. If not - wear jeans, sneakers and sweatshirt. Gloves, hats, scarf - etc.. again -- Dress for the weather!  Parents are invited to march along with us (especially with the little ones) - Parents can dance behind the children.
The end of the parade is on Pearl St. by Jillian's.  If you are not marching with us  - please be at the end of the parade to meet your child.  All dancers are encouraged to march with our school.  We would like a good showing this year... please try to come out for this event..    Save the day..
It's loads of fun !!!

Performances
We will be doing several performances that weekend.  Lists will be posted soon.  Anyone knowing of any needed shows - please tell Chris or Jen.  If you are dancing in your school or anywhere else - make sure we are aware of it and your performance is checked out.  You are representing our school and we want you to put your best foot forward.  There will be practices for these shows.  If you want to dance - come to practice knowing jig, reel and slip jig steps.  These practices are NOT lessons - you MUST know your steps before you come.

March is "Buy or sell a solo dress month"
Anyone with a dress to sell - please start bringing them in the first week of March clearly marked with name, size, asking price. Anyone wishing to buy a dress - feel free to browse.  Please have a parent supervise - these are all very expensive dresses and must be handled with care.  If you find a dress you like - check with Chris or Jen regarding fit, color, appropriateness, etc. 
Check out the Dresses section of this website as well.
If you are interested in posting your dress for sale on our site - send pix and details to cbaker21@nycap.rr.com

Recital
The Recital is scheduled for Sunday, June 8th
at 2:00pm at the Egg.  Tickets will go on sale the middle of May. This is our only fundraiser of the year.  We hold a raffle and a 50/50 drawing.  Please do your best to solicit raffle prizes.  Each class is responsible for at least 1 raffle prize. Volunteer Mom from each class to coordinate please.

School Dresses
Now is the time to return your school dress if it no longer fits.  Make sure it is clean and ironed before returning.  Dresses must be checked in - DO NOT JUST BRING IN & HANG UP - There will be no record of you returning it.  Girls needing school dresses can begin to look.  Again please have a parent supervise.  Girls without solo dresses will get first picks.  Dress contracts need to be signed.
Rental fee $35/year.   Replacement fee $300.
If your dress still fits - please sign a new contract and pay the year's fee.