Great Kick-Off Attendance!

Wow, your humble Latin instructor was blown away by the great show of enthusiasm represented by the attendance at today's introductory meeting. Including those who were unable to attend but wish to participate, it looks like I'll be teaching around 20 students, from junior high to great-granny ages. A year from now, we may hear some coffee hour chitchat in Latin instead of English!

Here are the other results of today's meeting:

• We decided that we will split into two separate classes, to accommodate people's schedules and to allow everyone more in-class participation. It seems likely that Section 1 will meet on Saturday mornings after the morning Mass, and Section 2 will meet on Sundays after the 10:30 Mass (this must be cleared by the Powers That Be in the parish office, before it can be "official" and exact meeting times determined). On any given weekend, any member of either group who can't make their group's meeting should feel free to attend the other Section, so that hopefully no one will have to miss a week's class meeting because of unexpected obligations (change in work schedule, family events, etc.). I'll be contacting everyone later in the week when I've ironed out the details.
• Everyone seemed to agree that a minimum $5 tuition per class did not seem prohibitive. Those who feel prosperous or generous or embarrassed pay so little for a valuable service are free to pay more, and anyone who finds him/herself occasionally unable to pay the $5 minimum should not skip class on that account. I will not keep track of who pays how much or when, unless someone wants a receipt for their tuition (it may count toward an Itemized Deduction on a tax return, for all I  know). Students can feel free to think of the tuition as a deep discount on a professional service, or a charitable donation to support the unemployed, if they like; it will be left up to the individual conscience. If you wish, you can place your tuition payment in a receptacle I'll provide at the beginning of each class.
• Those who were able to make the meeting got a little taste of what the first lesson will include, and their first chance to sample the classical pronunciation of Latin. Remember to practice those motor-boat sounds that will help you with the rolled Latin "R."
• I said a little about the three required books and one optional supplemental CD. You can buy these from Amazon by clicking through the hyperlink in the left sidebar. Everyone should plan to buy your books before the first class, tentatively scheduled for two weeks from now. Details will be forthcoming in a few days.

Anyone who did not attend today, and whose home phone or email I do not have (I have the 2004-5 parish photo directory) should call me or email me. Contact info is in the Feb. 10 Sunday bulletin. Let me know if you have an email address, so that I can easily contact you.