Once again I teach Western European Notation – required by the Ontario Music Curriculum- while attempting to decolonize our music program. “Why is this one way of notating sound taught here more than all others?” my students and I discuss. Further context: I take my graduating Music Council members out for a sushi lunch and ask them to email me the following year about their Gr. 9 Music class experiences. This year many wrote that they felt musically competent, creative, and confident but for high school band classes, my grads need to be better at reading Western European Music. And so my JLPS students studied, practiced reading and playing, and composed with notes on the staff. It is an uphill battle for many because they lack any previous exposure and many see no future use, but we battled together and won. Empty Garage Before Dad Freaks will be remembered!