Weather Closings, We're Growing, Staying Healthy this Season!

February is finally here! After a month full of weather advisories and closings, we are hoping for a predictable month of weather! Check out some of what's happening at Academy of Sound this month, as well as a few important reminders!

School Closings due to weather ALWAYS check our website/Twitter/Facebook to confirm whether we are open or closed. You may also check channel 15 and 27, or call us and listen to the recorded message. You also have the option to call the student in absent if you determine that travel from your location to ours is unsafe for any reason.

The following was sent via email to some families who received weather closing emails this month, and will be an important reminder for everyone: Per our policy, we do not offer makeups or refunds for weather closings; However, we are doing our best to offer online lessons and/or makeups anyway as a courtesy.

If all else fails, students who've missed any lessons due to weather will be able to take advantage of our make up days at the end of May. 

A reminder on Illness: It's that time of the year again! We know that bugs and viruses are running wild around schools and workplaces. As this is that time of year, we want to remind students and families of the policy we have regarding illness. Illness – Please do not come to your lesson sick. If you are not well enough to go to school, you are not well enough for a music lesson. We don't permit students who show signs of illness to participate in lessons that day. Signs of illness include, but are not limited to: fever, stomach ache, runny nose, sneezing, coughing. Please do not bring your child to our studios until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours following an illness, or until they have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours. Early Childhood Music at AOS! : We are pleased to be offering a Sing-A-Lingo class Tuesday mornings! This early childhood class is designed for children ages 2-6 and their parents. The class incorporates the Spanish language into classes but no previous knowledge of the language is required. Check out more or register here. Alumni Spotlight News: Calling all AOS Alumni! We want to know what YOU have been up. In March, we are planning to launch an AOS alumni feature highlighting what former students and teachers are up to these days! If you have some news you would like us to include in future newsletters, please email Erin at erin@academyofsound.org We're Hiring! AOS is GROWING and that means that we are looking to hire MORE teachers and office staff. We are currently seeking teachers in voice, piano, guitar, drums, and early music education. For many of these positions, we are seeking a June start date. However, we have an immediate need for a piano teacher and would like to fill as soon as possible. For more details, check out information on our website. Student Recognition- Who's Leveled UP: Despite the wintry month we had, a number of our students moved to the next levels in their lesson books!

Here are the following students and what books the advanced to: Zacahry Baertlein - 2A

Alden Sthokal - 1

Tristan Harm - 1

Delainey Halverson - 2B

Way to go, everyone!!! 5 Tips to Keep Kids Healthy This Winter Season As much as we'd like to, our kids can't avoid all of the germs that are being spread each day at school. What we can do is prepare them as best we can to stay healthy. Here are a couple of tips and reminders to help with that. 1. Always cover your coughs and sneezes. We often assume that our children know how to properly "cover" their coughs or sneezes. That is not the case. Teach your child how to cough into the crack of their arm to minimize the spread of germs. 2. Sometimes, it is NOT best to share. As much as we want our children to learn to share, flu season might be the exception to this rule. For instance,  if they use a water bottle in school, make sure that they are clearly labeled and that your child ONLY use their own water bottle. 3. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. There's some truth in that old wive's tale. Making sure that your child has healthy meals and snacks is important for all ages, but especially for growing children! 4. Playtime is important!. It's easy to let winter weather effect activity levels. Make sure find ways for your child to keep getting regular exercise! Better yet, carve out time in the week to exercise as a family. Whether it is a snowy hike or an afternoon of skiing, this is a great way to stay active and create lasting memories. 5. Don't forget to wash your hands! Make sure to wash hands or use hand sanitizer regular. This is the best way to cut down on the spread of flu germs.  If your child ends up getting ill, rest is the most important thing for a speedy recovery! Take care of yourself, and remember, warmer weather is in sight! That's all for the month of February. It might the shortest calendar month but it's still bound to be a busy one here at Academy of Sound!