Elementary Band Teachers Host Workshop to Set New Musicians Up for Success, 8/28/2026

Music education got off to a strong start across several Papillion La Vista Community Schools elementary buildings, thanks to a dedicated evening workshop organized by band teacher Ms. Deicke, who serves Trumble Park, Bell, Prairie Queen, and Golden Hills elementary schools. The event followed an instrument rental fair held the previous week, where families had the opportunity to select the instrument their student would play for the year.

With instruments in hand, incoming band students gathered for a hands-on session covering the fundamentals of instrument care and technique. Ms. Deicke brought in fellow teachers and former students to help guide newcomers through assembling their instruments, establishing proper hand position and posture, and playing their very first notes on flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, and trombones.

The workshop was designed to give students a head start before formal band instruction begins during the school day. "By giving students this head start, we can dive directly into meaningful learning when classes begin during the school day," Ms. Deicke said. That foundation of basic skills means less time spent on setup and more time devoted to the musicianship and ensemble skills that make band such a rewarding program.

The effort reflects the collaborative spirit of PLCS's elementary music teachers, who serve every elementary building across the district. Alongside Ms. Deicke, teachers Mark Witt (Ashbury, Parkview, Lincoln View, Anderson Grove), Carissa Dreier (Carriage Hill, Walnut Creek, Patriot), Anna Leahy (Hickory Hill, La Vista West, Rumsey Station), and Nikki Csipkes (Tara Heights, G. Stanley Hall, Portal) all helped host the instrument rental night, ensuring every family found the right fit for their young musician. Through this kind of coordinated effort, Papillion La Vista Community Schools continues to make music education accessible and exciting for its youngest learners.