TO: ALL WONDER MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN WEEKLY MEMO: 2025/12/16
DATE: Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Another wonderful first semester of Wonder is now behind us, and the blooms of growth continue before us. We’re so thankful for the opportunity to run this program and work together with your families to share in music and the arts. Thank you to all who participated in this week’s Homeschool Spirit Day! We loved all the wackiness and tackiness! And, a big thank you to Prime Choir and Youth Choir for sharing such beautiful singing with us!

Farewell to the Guida family as they make a surprise move out of state. You will be missed!

Blessings to everyone during break, and we’ll see you next year!

Please read this memo in its entirety, as it contains important information about the season, and remember to check the Action Items at the bottom of each memo!

HIGHLIGHTS

• Scripture of the Month: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 — Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. — 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
• WINTER BREAK: No class until next year! Winter Break starts this month. No activities from December 17  through January 12. All homeschool day classes resume Tuesday, January 13.
• Private Lessons: For all music students: Some of the coaches are available for private lessons during Winter Break (and regularly before classes begin on Tuesdays). This is especially recommended and important for students in Prelude Band and Orchestra since gaps in instruction time can undo recently learned skills more easily. To coordinate a lesson time, please select ‘Private Lessons’ on the Wonder Contact Page and complete one form for each student. A coach will contact you directly to schedule a lesson and arrange payment.
• Homeschool Spirit Day: January (Throwback Day) – Trends come and go. And, with so many wonderful, and not so wonderful, fashion trends making comebacks it’s likely you already have something “retro” in your closet. Hollywood 30s, swingin’ 50s, bell-bottom 70s, neon 80s—any time-period is game. Always keep in mind The Wonder Way and refrain from inappropriate attire, such as anything that may resemble cross-dressing. Let’s have fun!

• PARENT REMINDER (PRACTICE RECORDS): If your student is in an ensemble (Bands, Orchestras, Recorder, Choirs, Dance) please remember the following:
  • Be sure your student practices DURING break.
  • Be sure to remind your child to practice the REQUIRED amount for the week (noted in the Class Notes, linked below). The guides and coaches post what students need to practice for the week.
  • It is imperative every student dedicate the necessary time and effort in order to improve individually and as a group, and to avoid hindering the group.
  • Prelude Band and Orchestra: Practicing during breaks is especially important for new musicians because it takes time and consistency to make the skills taught become more natural and dependable. Extended breaks are not helpful for individual progression or the group.
  • Going a trip with no instrument?: If you are out of town and unable to bring your instrument, you can practice everything without an instrument by mime playing (which still helps develop muscle memory and skills). Remember practicing can happen without your instrument. Take your book and practice counting rhythms, saying names of notes, and fingering. You can use a pencil for your instrument or something straight-or just an imaginary something. ✈️ & 🚗 time can be excellent for practicing the basics! Listening is our way, as musicians, to study. Listening to our pieces doesn’t have to occur daily, but should be frequent.
  • It is better to practice with the resources you have rather than not practicing at all. You can also listen to your pieces and practice rhythms and reading skills.
  • Students should bring their SIGNED Practice Record to class each week. Be sure to monitor their practicing and sign the Practice Records every week.
  • ABSENCES: Always be sure to look at the Class Notes so your child knows what to work on that week.

• Important Note for Prelude Band and Orchestra Participation
  The extent of an individual’s participation is solely in control of the student and parent. Students who have been diligent about practicing will more likely learn and master the necessary skills, while those who have not made it a priority may struggle to do both.

The amount of practice time is not the only factor we use to determine if a student will participate in group performance, but it is a major one, along with attendance. It is neither fair to the individual or the group to allow a student to participate if they do not know how to play the music well due to a lack of practice at home.

We desire to give students as much time as possible in order to be successful. If a student is putting in the effort, but struggling, we will do our best to make accommodations for the student. That is not the same for someone who is struggling but is not putting in the time to improve.

For students who received an email notice for private lessons, final decision for performance participation will be made on April 30th.

Parents, please be sure your child is practicing at home diligently over the last several weeks. Thank you for your cooperation!

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

• 2025-2026 Wonder Calendar & Directory: Please view the updated calendar for important calendar dates and start and end times. We are still adding dates to the calendar as they are approved by the varying facilities.
• Winter Break: December 17 – January 13
• Assembly Performance:  January 20 (Concert Orchestra)
• Homeschool Spirit Day: January 27 (Throwback Day)
• Assembly Performance:  January 27 (Midpoint Band, Midpoint Orchestra)
• Student Photos – Boys (Rescheduled): February 3
• Student Photos – Girls (Rescheduled): February 10
• Staff Photos (Rescheduled): February 17
• Wonder Games (Opt-out Donation Due): February 24
• Wonder Games: March 3 from 6pm to 8pm

ACTION ITEMS (REPLIES GENERALLY NEEDED BY FRIDAY, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE (REPLY TO THIS MEMO))

1. Class Notes: Please show your children the Class Notes or read them for your little ones.
2. PRACTICE DURING BREAK: If you’re out of town and can’t bring instruments, students can mime playing, work on note reading, and find audio to listen to wherever you go!
3. Wonder Games Email or Donation Submissions: Please use the online fundraiser form on the Wonder Games page to submit your email list of family, friends, church-community members, and co-workers, along with a spot to write an optional, short personal message. For those who are opting out, please complete the form and select the donation option. And, please share, share, share!
4. 21th Annual Colorado Centennial Homeschool Ball Reminder: January 10, 6:30-9:30pm – Ticket Registration Required –  http://historyandhoopskirts.org/ – 
5. Photos & Video: Add your Wonder photos/videos from classes, events, the fundraiser night, and other special events like Homeschool Day at the Capitol to this year’s album [LINK]
6. Did we miss something? If there is anything we left out, let us know.

Have a wonderful week!

Let’s wonder!

The Wonder Team