Willow Brook Fifth Graders receive music instruction twice each week for two 40-minute class periods.

• 5E - Miss Early's class - "B" and "E" day
• 5SF - Mrs. Funderburk's class - "A" and "D" day
• 5H - Mrs. Hildreth's class - "C" and "E" day
  
  More information will be coming to this site soon. If you have specific questions
  please contact Mrs. Pasley.

CULTURAL FIELD TRIPS * * PERFORMANCES * * SPECIAL EVENTS

5th Grade Camp
Music is a big part of the preparation for 5th grade camp where students learn folk songs, rounds a spirituals to be sung while at camp. The opening and closing campfire ceremonies provide an opportunity for song and fellowship, as well as celebration of being in touch with nature and life as it was long ago.

ANNUAL Ballet Field Trip-
Willow Brook's 5th graders plan attend a ballet each year. "It is such a great opportunity for Willow Brook students to be able to see something like this," said Mrs. Pasley. "For many - it is a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience.

Students are prepared for the trip by studying the ballet's story and learning about others who work behind the scenes to bring the production to life. They learn about ballet costumes and footwear and enjoy a visit from a guest speaker who can help them begin to understand the movements they will see and the training involved.

As funding for the arts grows more scarce, the number of opportunities for students to attend events like this becomes more challenging. Not only are the ticket costs rising, ($4.00 in 2003 up to $7.00 in 2006) but there are fewer ballet companies in town. "For many years we attended the Gateway Ballet's performance, and they had to discontinue their holiday series. We tried to get tickets for the St. Louis Ballet performances last year, and they were all sold out! I am thrilled this year's class of 5th graders will get to go," Pasley said.

Thanks to a generous grant and a partnership with the University of Missouri St. Louis, Willow Brook's 5th graders enjoyed a ballet performance from the Alexandra Ballet Company in 2009 and 2010 a very little cost. The tickets for the performance were underwritten by grants and students paid $2 to support transportation costs.

Click here for more information about local ballet companies:
St. Louis Ballet - - - Alexandra Ballet Company

DARE Graduation
Willow Brook's 5th graders participate in a 10-week learning experience led by St. Louis Country Police Officer Janet Nesbit. The instruction culminates with students celebrating their learning within a DARE Graduation ceremony. Each child receives recognition for their participation, winning DARE essays and musical selections. The event will take place in April.

5th Grade Recognition Night
Another celebration of learning occurs each May as we celebrate the students who are preparing to leave Willow Brook and move on to their next school. Student performances, guest speakers and recognition of accomplishments occurs at this special event. Students see the performance during the day and parents and guests attend in the evening where refreshments are also served.