Central Elementary School - Hastings, Michigan

School of Life - Artist in Residence

A multi-day Music program to teach and promote Diversity, Tolerance, Bullying Prevention, and Being Kind through Music and Mindfulness practices. The social emotional learning curriculum is presented by singer/songwriter Susan Picking, and culminates into an interactive musical performance for the whole school. Mindfulness training teaches children breathing and meditation techniques, and introduces gratitude practices, to create internal calm. These practices can help children access inner calm in stressful situations at home, at school, in the lunchroom, and on the playground with the intent of skill transference across situations. Mindfulness teaches children to be kind to self, nurtures self esteem, and develops resiliency. This manifests in kind classrooms, schools, and communities. This creative and innovative approach presents this topic with memorable lyrics, fun rhythms, pertinent activities, and role playing. It offers children a discussion opener about bullying, teaches social emotional learning tools to address the school social climate, and encourages an environment of tolerance while creating a caring community.                                                          
                                                                                                                                     Central Elementary School 5th Grade Hastings MI - Singing DiverseCity


SCHEDULE OF RESIDENCY
Susan Picking works with each grade individually. She will teach each grade level a song that is appropriate for their age and development. Each grade presents and leads this song at the musical performance. Picking performs and sings along with them. The children also do activities that illuminate the topic and meaning of the songs. Depending on the size of the school determines the days required and the break down of the class workshops. 


SCHOOL OF LIFE CD
The School of Life CD is being released in 2016. The recording was produced WITH and FOR kids. The Project was recorded in both Michigan and Vermont and hosts children from both states. The songs are message-driven with pertinent issues and arranged in various genre from Hip Hop, Pop, Reggae, Jazz, and Americana. In addition to the social educational content this program offers an introduction into diverse musical genres and educational content.
Songs Taught in the School of Life Residency:
DiverseCity - A song about how our differences don’t matter, but how important it is to come together and co-exist peacefully.
There is Only One of You - A song celebrating our uniqueness. Encouraging kids to find their passion and gifts and offering those as their gifts to the world.
No Bully - A song with a repetitive chorus "No Bully" to embolden children to stand up for themselves and others being targeted. Each verse offers a way to combat bullying.
Bystander - A song about the role of a bystander and tools to navigate this role.
Be Kind - A song to remind us to be kind, be nice, be love, and believe in ourselves.
School of Life - A song stating, “Ya never stop learning if you’re open to it. “ 


MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
The multi-day residency spent teaching the songs to the kids culminates in a live musical performance. The assembly can either be performed with a background karaoke track, a live band, or a combination of karaoke and live musicians.
The assembly is laid out to present an impactful message of teaching Tolerance of our Diversity, Celebrating our Uniqueness, Confronting Bullying, Encouraging Inclusion and Being Kind through Mindfulness. Each grade will lead the school in the song that they learned, including role play, videos, and activities. The whole school is involved in the presentation which gives them ownership in sharing this message which. The memorable lyrics give children a positive message mantra that will continue to dance through their heads.
This Musical Program can be offered for parents in the evening, which helps develop a greater community of support and caring beyond the school walls and playground. The intent is to drive behavior change to encourage children to become positive citizens in creating their positive school environment and community. 


SINGER/SONGWRITER Susan Picking
Susan is an educator, multi instrumentalist, award winning singer/songwriter who has released 4 CDs. She has 15 plus years of working with children in educational, recreational, and therapeutic arenas. Picking’s Passion for Mindfulness extends to teaching these practices to children. She has studied the Foundations of teaching Mindfulness through Mindfulschools.org. Picking offers interactive programs in Schools, Children’s Museums, Libraries, and Festivals. Her BA is in Broadcast Journalism from The University of Wisconsin and completed a Psychology Concentration at Metropolitan State College of Denver. Picking earned certificates in Vocal Performance and Songwriting from the Commercial Music School at Long Beach City College, Long Beach, California.  She currently resides in Beloit Wisconsin. 
Email:  susanpicking@gmail.com



RATES OF RESIDENCY 
1/2 Day (3 hour) - $300
Full Day (5 hour) - $500
Multi-day discount  
              3 days - $450/ per day = $1350
              4 days - $1700
              5 days - $ 2000                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Performance - Assembly in conjunction with program - $100 
​Performance -Evening Concert for parents with Artist in Residence program - $200 
Performance - Assembly for School without Artist in Residence starting at $250 depending on duration,distance of travel, equipment needs
Travel requirements > 120 miles                 
              3 day Minimum for travel greater than 120    
              Mileage - 54 cents per mile per round trip which is the standard federal mileage rate
              Cost of a decent hotel or home stay
              Per Diem $50/per day - 3 days residency or more                                                                                                                                                                                             Rental Car or Transportation if Travel by Air
              PA equipment if Travel by Air 
     * Discounts Available for multiple schools within a district, or bookings in the area.
     * Please contact susan picking for financial needs,  specific program needs,and ideas. 



TESTIMONIALS

Theresa Giffin, Teacher/Behavioral Specialist, Union Elementary School, Montpelier, VT
“School of Life by Susan Picking instills in our children to be proactive in supportive, compassionate ways to negate bullying from ever happening. Powerful lessons which will be with them throughout time!
There is no better way to teach the lessons of the School of Life, than through the lyrics and music created by Susan Picking.
Our gymnasium was transformed into a performance hall with all of our 420 students singing with grade level peers to the other members of our school community.
Susan Picking and her School of Life is a gift that all children, and adults as well, need to have early in their lives.”

Christine Chamberlain CHI-PAC Vice President,MeadowBrook PTO, CHI-PAC Liaison. parent former elementary teacher, Forest Hills School District Grand Rapids, MI
“So many wonderful things to say!  We would be delighted to have her come again to our school. It was wonderful to start off the new year with her positive message & energy right after winter break.”

Susan Halstead, Music and PE Teacher, Creativity Challenge Community, Denver, CO                                                        “The School of Life program was an inspiration among the C3 community. Through Ms. Pickings musical creations, the students were able to explore the large capacity of kindness they hold within themselves and how to spread that kindness around their school, community, and the world. The program was not only a fun and interactive experience for all, but gave our school the tools and strategies to grow as a kind community.”


​Jen Spiak M.A. Ed, Teacher Todd Elementary, Beloit, WI
“Susan Picking began performing and teaching in my second grade classroom at Todd Elementary School in Beloit, at the beginning of this school year. Her program, The School of Life, is just that. It teaches kids strategies that they all deal with in their day to day life. My students love her songs and most importantly the messages behind them. They know many of her songs by heart like “Be Kind” and “No Bully” and love to sing and dance and perform with her.
Her music and message is catchy, positive and uplifting and helps kids to feel confident about delicate situations, like standing up to a bully. One of my students even made a “No Bully” poster for our hallway, after her last visit, all on his own with no prompting from me. The best part is that this kid is a bit of a reformed bully himself.
School of Life and Susan are a blessing to our classroom and to Todd Elementary School. What a great resource for students, families and teachers! “ 

​Emily Seifert -  Parent ,Montpelier VT                                                                                                                                     "I've really appreciated the positive, kind, and inspiring messages in her songs. Every time I listen to her CD, I end up with a happy smile on my face. Thank you Susan for sharing your radiant light with us through your music."


Mia Spero, Student and Singer in the Choir,                                                                                                                         Lake Hills Elementary School, Spring Lake, MI

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Grand Haven 4th Graders, ArtWalk Grand Haven Central Park, Grand Haven, Michigan

Todd Elementary, Beloit, Wisconsin