Lion King KIDS: Casting Workshop & Parent Meeting

Jennifer DuHamel

Hello Lion King Families!

We are looking forward to seeing all of you on Monday, December 5 at 6:15pm for the Student Casting Workshops and the mandatory Parent/Caregiver Meeting. Please read this entire email which includes important logistics information for Monday and a letter from Seattle’s Performers describing the casting workshop process and deadline for solo videos.

  • Entering the building: On Monday eve, please enter the school through the doors at the SW corner of the building (through the gate in the fence on the playground side of the playfield).  You will need to sign-in your student at drop-off and sign-out your student at pick-up.  
  • Parent/Caregiver Meeting: After drop-off/sign-in, please head up the stairs to the Library for the Parent/Caregiver meeting where you will also sign-in.  The meeting will last approximately 45 minutes. After the meeting, you can wait for your student outside the cafeteria or leave and return later to pick up.  Caregivers are not allowed to watch rehearsals unless they are one of the four volunteer chaperones.  
  • Chaperones: We still need three (!) volunteer chaperones for Monday evening (12/5), and two for the second workshop (Monday, 12/12).  Click here for the Sign-Up Genius. 
  • Scripts: Your student will be receiving their script on Monday night. Please write your student’s name in their script. It is important that students do not lose their scripts — if lost, your family will need to purchase an additional script.

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Hello Bryant Play Families,

Seattle’s Performers is elated to be back in person directing the Bryant Play. We are very excited to be presenting Lion King KIDS this year! Our teaching team will include myself (Sandy Sonko) along with Danielle Rogers, Hannah Adams and Somto Mgbajiaka.

When directing a school play, we know that students will have various levels of experience in performing, and we want to make the casting process as fun and enjoyable as possible. We have been using our “Getting to Know You” style of auditions when we direct musicals at schools. In this style of auditions students get to play theatre games, learn songs and dances, without the pressure of a formal audition.  During these auditions, we are looking for the students to have confidence when acting during the games and be able to be a team player and follow instructions.

If your performer is interested in singing a solo in the production, please send a video of your performer singing a 20-second portion of a song of their choice to play@bryantschool.org no later than Monday, December 12th by midnight.

During the auditions we are going to split the students into small group stations of 12-15 and rotate between each of the teachers doing Acting, Singing, Dancing and Theatre games.

December 5th Schedule

6:15-6:45pm- Teacher & Student introductions

6:45-7:00pm- 1st group rotation

7:00-7:15pm- 2nd group rotation

7:15-7:30pm- 3rd group rotation

7:30-7:45pm- 4th group rotation

7:45pm- Closing All Group Circle

December 12th Schedule

6:15pm-6:30pm- Welcome

6:30-6:50pm- 1st group rotation

6:50-7:10pm- 2nd group rotation

7:10-7:30pm- 3rd group rotation

7:30-7:50pm- 4th group rotation

7:50pm- Closing All Group Circle

 

Thank You,

Sandy Sonko

Current (22’-23’) 5th Grade Families

Lily Chan

Hello Current 5th Grade Caregivers,

The PTSA was overjoyed that this year’s 5th graders were able to return to Islandwood camp!  A lack of fundraising last year combined with the unavailability of grant funding forced the Bryant PTSA to hurriedly pay the Islandwood fees for all 5th graders this fall. To help offset that expense, the PTSA requests 5th grade caregivers donate $360/student HERE to help cover the cost of this year’s Islandwood trip and upcoming graduation celebrations. 

We ask that families consider the recommended per student contribution, but ultimately pay what they can. Thank you for helping give back to our school!

Sincerely,

The Bryant PTSA

PTSA Advocacy November Update

Wacarra Yeomans
Last month, PTSA volunteers from across the state met at the Washington State PTA  (WSPTA) Annual Legislative Assembly to consider and vote on the adoption of new positions to be added to WSPTA’s policy platform.
 
This year, the assembly formally updated the association’s legislative platform. The Washington State PTA legislative platform is a two-year platform to mirror the Washington state legislative cycle. The top five issues become the association’s short-term platform and consist of its priority issues when advocating throughout the year. 
 
The Top 5 Legislative Priorities for 2022-2024 that were approved by the Legislative Assembly include:
 

Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis
Addressing Critical Gaps in Education Funding
Preventing and Reducing Gun Violence and Suicide
Addressing Funding, Inclusion and Supports in Special Education
Building and Maintaining Safer School Facilities

 
As Bryant PTSA members continue to work together and with schools across the district at the state and school district levels to promote ample and stable funding as well as programs to improve the educational outcomes of students, we invite interested Bryant school community members to add your support and to get involved in advocacy efforts throughout the year. For those interested, please contact advocacy@bryantschool.org.

Annual Campaign Record Results!

Haiyen Tang
The Annual Campaign reached record setting results this year:
98% Participation! 117% Fundraising Goal!
 
To recognize how hard students worked to remind their adults to participate, the PTSA has decided that ALL Bryant classes will receive an extra recess!  (Note: This is not something we have done before, but this year was particularly exceptional.)
 
Thank you to all families for their support and generosity this year.  Together, we make difference for ALL students at Bryant.
 
Special thanks to the Bryant teachers, the lunchroom volunteers, the Bryant Weekly Team, the website team, room parents, and Amy & Kathleen at the front desk.
 
Jenn, Michael, Nelly and Sara 
PTSA Fundraising Committee

Presenting… Lion King Kids!

Jennifer DuHamel
 
We are excited to announce that Lion King Kids will be our school play this year!  The African savannah comes to life on the Bryant stage with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle… and back again, in this inspiring,
coming‐of‐age tale.
 
All 4th and 5th Graders are invited to participate in the Bryant School Play! Information packets will come home this week, so be on the lookout!  Registration is first-come, first serve, so don’t wait until the deadline to turn your forms into the Bryant Main Office.
 
Contact Jennifer at play@bryantschool.org if you have any questions!

The Annual Campaign Has Begun!

Lily Chan

Click here to participate in the Annual Campaign!

 

Goal: 100% Participation!*

Last year, Bryant achieved 97% participation!

Bryant classes that reach 100% participation win a free recess!

 

Your gift provides:

·       Reading & math specialists + tutors for students needing early and continued support

·       Enrichment opportunities in arts, music, technology & library which expand education beyond math, reading and science

·       Classroom assistance, supplies, & field-trip support for teachers that request it

·       Community-building & academic events that connect Bryant families to each other

·       Support for our Bryant community & beyond including families and schools in need

 

*No donation required to participate. Select the option at the link above.

 

Please join us in supporting our students!

Bryant PTSA

The Bryant Play Is Back!

Jennifer DuHamel

We are thrilled to announce the return of the Bryant Play which is open to all 4th and 5th grade student performers! The name of the show will be announced later this month. Watch for an information packet to come home with your student in early November.

The amazing team from Seattle’s Performers will join us again this year to work with our 4th and 5th graders to bring this musical to the stage for our entire Bryant community to enjoy.

As with previous shows, we are expecting a lot of interest and are again planning to have two casts with spots for 60 performers! Performers will be registered on a first come, first served basis (paperwork will be date-stamped when submitted).  

  • Rehearsals: Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:15-8pm beginning Jan 9*
  • Final Performances: March 23, 24, 25*

      * All dates and times are tentative, pending confirmation with Bryant and SPS

We are looking for more lead volunteers to organize teams of parent volunteers: Treasurer, Front-of-House (day of show), Back-of-House (day of show), Cast Party (last night), Costumes, Props, Set Design/Build, and Publicity/Promotions (posters, t-shirts & programs).  Please email play@bryantschool.org to get more information on these roles.

We are so excited to get started!

Jennifer DuHamel, Play Producer & Bryant Parent
Bridgit Jacobsen, Volunteer Lead & Bryant Parent
Michelle Graf, Tech Lead & Bryant Parent