We have MANY things on our horizon! It's going to be a whirlwind for the
next couple of months--but it's going to be GREAT!
Invitational Feedback: First and foremost, you all did a
great job at the invitational at JFK. The talent that you possess shines
through. A poetry competition is much different than a basketball game or other
sports event in that it's not about the points-- it's about the poetry; it's
about the connection that people make though poetry and the magic that comes
from expressing such an intimate part of you to an audience. Your words are
gifts and all people who get on the mic should be respected for having the
courage to do so. I promise that as you see poets from other schools that you
have heard in the past, you will feel a bond with them that was not there before
hearing their piece. It's really a wonderful experience and hence the reason
that I am a LTAB poet stalker. I love seeing poets perfect their craft and grow
into their words each year. I truly feel like it is a gift when I am able to
hear such young intellects share their innermost thoughts with me and to a
group. I feel lucky that you trust me with your stories and present me with your
words. I love my job and you are the reason why I do. Enough of that....before I
ugly cry....
We will be viewing performances from the invitational on Thursday at Poetry
Club. Former PEHS student, now DePaul student, Ben Williams will be our guest at
Thursday's meeting.
Far West LTAB Regional Competition: This year the regional
competition will be held in West Chicago at "Community High School" at 326
Joliet Street on Saturday, January 12. Try-outs for this competition will
be THIS THURSDAY, December 6 from 3-4:30 in JFK room 132. We will be
taking 3 individual poets and one group poem of 4 PER team with one individual
alternate poet from both the middle school and the high school level. The
alternate poet will perform is someone is sick or cannot compete at the
competition. You may try out multiple individual poems and/or you may also
try-out as an individual and as part of a group. At this point, transportation
is NOT being provided to this competition. Carpooling is encouraged. I can take
a couple of poets in my car with permission forms only.
Bracketed LTAB Competition 2013: LOUDER THAN A BOMB (LTAB)
IS HERE. Dun! Dun! DAAAAA! Get excited because this is the first year that
Plainfield is officially competiting in the entire LTAB experience. It should be
one that you will never forget. There are many competitions that are involved
with LTAB. Starting with the Preliminaries, we will be bracketed against teams
all over the Chicagoland area. Individual poets will advance as they win onto
Semi-Finals and Finals. Group poems will simply advance to Finals. Each of these
competitions are on separate dates. As of right now, the only competition that
will have a bus provided will be Preliminaries since all poets who we choose
will perform on that day. We will also be taking approximately 30 non-performing
"fans" ($10 to go for the day). This is happening tentatively on Saturday,
February 23 at Columbia College OR Saturday, March 2 (we are still waiting
to hear back as to which day they can schedule both bouts for both teams on the
same Saturday). We will most likely be there all day because there will
be two bouts (rounds) per team (HS and MS). More specific details will
be emailed when I receive them. Try-outs for Preliminaries (and the REST OF LTAB
competitions) will be in room 132 on January 31 from 3-4:30. We will
vote on four individual poets and one group of 4 team along with two alternates
PER team (HS and MS level). You may try-out multiple individual poems and/or you
may also try-out as an individual and as part of a group.
Please understand that if you are chosen as a poet representative and
you proceed on to the next round (semi-finals/finals), you may be responsible
for obtaining transportation to the competition. I will attend all competitions
as long as our poets are still competing but I have limited amount of space in
my car to transport poets. Any poets that I transport will have to have a signed
permission form.
I want to encourage ALL club members to attend the Team Finals on March 9th
at Cadillac Theatre. It is an AMAZING show. I will determine if transportation
will be provided after scoping out interest among the club. If we do get a bus,
there will be a fee attached to cover expenses. But all poets and families are
welcome to attend all competitions but especially this one (even if we are out
of the competition at this point).
Clothing and book sales: We have a limited amount of "cash
and carry" t-shirts that we are selling for poetry club. All profit will go
towards the $200 LTAB registration fee per team. T-Shirts are $10. Hoodies are
being pre-ordered for $18. We would like all poetry club members to purchase
at least a t-shirt this year to promote the club and to show unity at
competitions. Please let me know if money is an issue.
Also, Kevin Coval's books are still on sale until December 6 ending at 4:30
(after club). "L-Vis Lives" is $10 and "Chef Keef" is $5. I will be giving him
any unsold books back to him on December 6th when I see him in the evening. If
you would like to purchase clothing or a book, please have money with you at
club on Thursday or see me during the day at school.
Attached Schedule: Please let me know if you have any
questions or concerns with the attached schedule. We will go over it at club on
Thursday.
Parent (and staff) Chaperones: We are desperately needing
parent chaperones to assist supervision on February 23 at Columbia
College whether you are performing at the competition or not. Parents will be
added to the fan bus at no cost. My goal is to have a large group attending the
preliminaries but I cannot bring a large group with only two chaperones: Miss
Nomura and me. Please let me know if your parent(s)/teachers are willing to join
us on our adventure!
Social Networking: If you have a social network site, use
it to positively promote the things that we as a club are working on! Invite
your friends to attend club meetings and remind friends about try-outs and
competitions. Invite your families to all performances and share your experiences.
Permission Forms: For any competition that transportation
will be provided by the school bus or by me, a permission form must be obtained.
Permission forms can be found at http://www.psd202.org/pshs/band/resources/forms/tripconsentform.pdf
Get ready because the next couple of months are going to blow your mind!
It's such an exciting time of the year! I cannot WAIT to see what poem you are
trying-out on Thursday. We have such a talented group and I am positive that
voting will be hard for each of us to determine the next line-up of competitors.
Bring your A-Game!
See you this Thursday!
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