Dear CSAMS Families,
This weekend some of our talented CSAMS and CSPA students will present Something Rotten Jr., our 13th annual musical theater production. Over these thirteen years, I have witnessed firsthand the difference that musical theater makes in the lives of students. It contributes to students' intellectual, social, and emotional development, and so much more. Here are just some of the benefits.
Academically, musical theater fosters critical literacy and language skills. Students engage with complex scripts and lyrics that challenge their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and linguistic understanding. In addition, music and rhythm involve mathematical thinking and pattern recognition, which enhance students' analytical abilities. The process of memorizing lines, cues, and choreography strengthens cognitive functions related to memory and concentration, skills that support broader academic success.
Musical theater helps develop communication skills in practical and transformative ways. Students gain confidence in public speaking, learning to project their voices and articulate with clarity. Through performance, they master nonverbal communication, conveying emotions and narratives through body language, facial expressions, and physical presence. These abilities enhance students' public speaking abilities and increase their comfort in communicating effectively in various settings.
Musical theater cultivates essential collaborative skills. A successful production requires an extraordinary level of teamwork; students coordinate closely with cast and crew to bring a shared vision to life. This cooperative environment promotes empathy; students learn to embody diverse perspectives through character work, deepening their understanding of and sensitivity toward others' experiences. Furthermore, the dynamic nature of theater often requires creative problem-solving; students learn to navigate unanticipated challenges, fostering adaptability and resilience in group settings.
Musical theater builds self-assurance and emotional resilience. Performing and achieving in theater enhances students' self-confidence and reinforces the value of perseverance, even in the face of challenges or setbacks. The emotive nature of acting provides a constructive outlet for students to explore and express complex feelings, offering a unique way to process emotions and increase self-awareness in a supportive environment.
Musical theater pushes students to think imaginatively and creatively, and take artistic risks. Theater combines multiple disciplines—music, dance, acting, set design, costume creation—thus providing students with the opportunity to engage in various forms of artistic expression. This fusion of artistic elements encourages students to experiment with their creative potential, helps them develop a broad appreciation for the arts, and fosters innovative thinking.
Musical theater serves as a cultural education platform, exposing students to diverse historical contexts, societal issues, and cultural traditions. Many musicals address significant historical events or reflect various cultural identities, allowing students to explore perspectives beyond their own. This exposure enhances cultural literacy and instills a greater sensitivity to the diversity and complexity of human experiences.
Musical theater offers significant benefits to mental health and well-being. Performing arts provide a structured yet expressive outlet that alleviates stress and promotes mental relaxation. The collaborative and often close-knit nature of theater builds a sense of community, offering social connections and a supportive environment that mitigates feelings of isolation and enhances emotional resilience.
Finally, the experiences and skills gained through musical theater are highly transferable to professional environments. The discipline required to commit to rehearsals and meet performance deadlines teaches students about responsibility, time management, and the value of hard work. The teamwork, adaptability, and public speaking skills developed prepare students for success in various fields, from business and education to the arts and public service. Musical theater in schools not only enriches students’ academic and artistic abilities but also builds a foundation for lifelong personal growth.
If you are interested in attending our production, tickets can be purchased HERE. Our show is being performed at the Jane Tasch Performing Arts Theater (near the Pinckney Community Education building), 2100 M-36 in Pinckney. Showtimes are:
Friday, November 21st at 7:00 PM
Saturday, November 22nd at 12:00 PM
Saturday, November 22nd at 7:00 PM
Sunday, November 23rd at 4:00 PM
We look forward to seeing you there!
In partnership with you,
Dina M Barnaby
This holiday season, our middle school students are excited to host a special Holiday Bazaar! The event will showcase a variety of homemade crafts and fun activities designed for children of all ages. The bazaar, organized and staffed by our students, will bring the community together in the spirit of giving.
From festive decorations and unique ornaments to handmade jewelry and more, the bazaar promises a wonderful selection of gifts and goodies for family and friends. There will also be several hands-on activity booths, perfect for younger visitors to join in on the holiday cheer. We will also have Santa here to visit and take pictures with students of all ages!
Date: Friday, December 12th
Hours: 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
Location: CSAMS
Come join us, find some treasures, and support our students as they work together. We look forward to celebrating the season with you!
The middle school and high school will have their Winter Concert Showcase Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 7:00pm. This event will be held in the CSPA High Bay. This is an exciting event for the music department and the students. With the show being a collage, our audience will get to see all the various groups and individuals showcase their talents on the same stage!
A bake sale will take place before the show and during intermission with all proceeds going back to the Music Department. Additionally, the CSA Education Foundation will be selling flower bouquets for those who might want to surprise their musician. All flower proceeds will go back to the CSA Education Foundation to support our teachers. Flower bouquet preorders must be in by Friday, December 5th (details below).
What is Hug Day?
Each year, on the Friday before Thanksgiving, CSA Education Foundation gives monetary awards to our dedicated teachers. Teachers who have been teaching in the CSA District for one full year or more are given a Returning Educator Financial Award to recognize their dedication to our students and core philosophies. Additionally, the CSA District Parent Council purchases a special gift for every staff member in the District and they are passed out on this day along with the financial award. If you'd like to help pass out Educator Awards please email CSAMS parent council here.
The majority of us work for a living. On average professionals work roughly 2000 hours a year. Our teachers, however, work roughly 2,500 hours a year and our dedicated teachers do these hours at significantly less pay then the average public school teacher. Would you like to make a difference for your students teacher? Consider donating to the CSA Education fund today via the Campus Challenge and 97% of your donation will go directly back to retaining our amazing educational staff.
It's back and better than ever!
It's time for the annual Campus Challenge, a fundraiser for the CSA Education Foundation, which challenges each campus to show their school pride, donate, and come out on top by raising the most money for our teachers. Reigning champion, CSA Elementary vs. the team of CSA Middle School and CSPA High School - who will come out on top?
Our CSA District Libraries are run by our devoted parent volunteers and it's a volunteer opportunity that is wonderful for interacting with our students. We are currently in need of volunteers so that all of our library class times are covered. Training is provided. We still need volunteers at CSAMS on Friday from 9:00am - 12:30pm.
Click HERE if interested in volunteering opportunities.
