Mustang 6-8 Band Handbook Grading Policy 2009-2010 Students and Parents: Please familiarize yourselves with this grading policy. You will find lots of opportunities to excel in your own way, at your own pace. Your grade will be easy to maintain if you will follow the procedures listed below. 1. We will use a points system. You will be given points for our various functions, including concerts, contests, and events. You will receive a calendar that will include all of the events that will be required of you. Please understand that sometimes you will be required to attend events outside of regular school hours. In order to be excused from any required extra-curricular event, you must bring a note signed by your parent or guardian to your director at least one week before the event. This note must include the reason for which you’re requesting the absence. If your request is approved, you will be given a make-up assignment to do to make up the points for the event. The make-up assignment must be turned in no later than three school days after the event. Great effort will be made to make the assignment roughly comparable to the work other students will be doing at the missed event. Some events will have more weight than others. On your calendar, the points assigned for that particular event will be listed. Larger point values equal greater grade impact. 2. You will have seven class assignments per 9-week term. These will be called “Pass-Offs.” You will have opportunities in class to perform these tasks on your instrument. You may also use your conservatory time or lunch period to pass-off materials. You may pass-off your assignments at your own pace, but please note that all pass-offs for a given term must be completed on the Friday before grades are posted for that term. In our grade book, you will receive a “0” for assignments that you make no effort to complete, a “60” for assignments that you’ve attempted but not passed, and a “100” for assignments that you’ve performed to a passing standard. You may re-play an assignment as many times as necessary in order to achieve a “100.” Again, you may use conservatory and lunch time to do re-plays. Students in the 7th and 8th grade bands may be “sidelined” from contest trips if they fail to pass-off contest materials in a timely manner. 3. Parents, of you use Power School (which we highly recommend), please understand that any “60’s” may be re-played. When the re-play is of a passing standard, that “60” will be changed to a “100.” For that reason, it’s a great idea to encourage your student to practice on those assignments and keep trying. In our method of grading, a student who comes to all of our events, participates in class, and at least attempts each pass-off will receive a fair to good grade in band. Please call with any grade concerns, and we’ll be glad to work with you in helping your child have the most success possible. 4. The surest way to fail in band is to let your fellow bandsmen down by “no-showing” an event. We will not tolerate this for any reason. If you must miss an event, we will expect a full explanation in a timely manner. Emergencies will be considered on a case-by-case basis. One of the most enduring lessons of being in band is the concept that others are counting on you, and you must be present to fulfill your responsibilities. We understand that sometimes other priorities must supersede band responsibilities, but must emphasize the importance of complete disclosure and meeting notification deadlines. 5. Every effort will be made to tailor our experience for each individual child. Parents, if you feel that your child needs special considerations, please schedule a conference with us so that we can make a plan. Band should bolster a child’s self-esteem, but at the same time help a child learn about responsibilities and consequences. It is our hope that we can team together to give your child the best possible experience in music.
Band Fundraisers We will have two fundraisers this year. The success of these fundraisers will be critical to our ability to run a class operation. They will be: 1. BAND-A-PALOOZA (North) BAND-A-THON (South) FUNDRAISING DRIVE Students will be encouraged to collect their FAIR SHARE of $80 in donations to our band. This event will culminate in the ultimate party, the BAND-A-PALOOZA/BAND-A-THON! This party will be scheduled and you will receive school-specific information within the first week of band. We will include mass quantities of food and drink, games and activities, and other special incentives. We will also have prizes for high sellers, including cash awards. Students who earn their FAIR SHARE will get in free. 2. Spring Brochure Sale We will sell items from a brochure during the third nine-weeks. Great prizes and incentives will be offered. Student FAIR SHARE: $25 Profit We will need to purchase things this year, including music and instruments. We have to pay to enter events, and it costs money to repair and maintain the things we already have. Remember…in order for our band to have the money we need to operate in the black, EACH STUDENT should achieve their Fair Share on both fundraisers. Any ensemble that does not earn their ensemble Fair Share will ride to their contest on regular school buses. The more money we raise, the more GOODIES!!! Parents, please encourage your child to participate in our fundraisers. We pledge to spend the money raised to make sure your child has the best possible band experience in ’09-’10.
School-Owned Instrument Check-Out Agreement
Parents/Guardians of students who wish to use a Mustang band instrument must agree to abide by the terms below: 1. The parent/guardian agrees that the student will be using this instrument at the director’s discretion, and that the privilege of use may be revoked by the director at any time. 2. The parent/guardian agrees that the student will provide care supplies for the instrument, including oils and swabs as needed. 3. The parent/guardian agrees that any damage done to the instrument while the instrument is checked out by the student will be repaired at the parent’s expense by a qualified instrument repair technician within one week of said damage. 4. The parent/guardian agrees that the student will pay no rent or fee for the daily use of this instrument, including taking the instrument home to practice. 5. The parent/guardian agrees that after the Spring Concert at the end of the school year, the instrument will be taken to a certified instrument repair technician for repair and maintenance at the parent’s expense. 6. The parent/guardian agrees that the instrument will be turned in to the director no later than two weeks after the date of the Spring Concert, with a receipt for the repair and maintenance (#5.) 7. The parent agrees to pay $50 to the Mustang North Middle School Band if the instrument is checked in without the above receipt. Student Name______________________________________________ Class Period__________ Instrument (Brand and serial #)____________________________________________________ Condition of Instrument__________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ “I agree to the terms of use defined above, and give my permission for my son/daughter to check out a musical instrument from Mustang North Middle School/Mustang Middle School.” My signature below indicates my agreement to these terms.”
Parent/guardian Signature_________________________________________________________ Director Approval______________________________________Date_____________________
Remember…your attendance at required events is absolutely key to the success of our band!!! Parents, please be careful to plan family events carefully, so that your son or daughter will not have conflicts on band concert and contest dates. WE pledge to give a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice before requiring student attendance at any event whenever possible. Remember…we have 180 days of school, two concerts, a contest or two per band, a parade, a couple of sports events, and some optional events. For you to get the very, very most out of band, you need to be with us every time we roll!!!! Each event has weight on your grade. These events put your musical education literally into play, and the experiences are key to your education. If you do see a conflict, please remember that we require one week’s advance notice in writing, requesting a make-up assignment. This notice must include the reason for absence. we handle all emergency absences on a case-by-case basis, and appreciate your efforts to communicate your situation to us in a way that will help us to provide fair treatment to your musician son/daughter. Please see on our band web page contact numbers for each director so that you can make the call if necessary.
Do I HAVE to practice??? We recommend 2 ½ hours’ practice per week per student. You must pass off your skills, and if you don’t practice, you probably won’t be successful at this. Can I get extra help? You can take private lessons from a qualified instructor (highly recommended), get help in Tuesday and Thursday after-school conservatory, come in during lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or ask an older student for help. If you are practicing and doing these things, you will be able to get over any rough spots very well. What if my horn is in the shop? You must bring in a shop receipt (they will give one to you when you take your horn in to the shop) to show your director. After that, you may “air play” during rehearsals while you wait to get your horn back. If you do not have a receipt, bring a note from your mom or dad. Do I have secure storage in the band room? Not necessarily. Instrument closets will be locked when not in use, but I recommend that you keep valuables in your school locker. If you do get a band locker, we will expect you to keep your lock locked at all times. If you leave your lock hanging, we will remove your privilege.
Middle School Band Class Attendance Policy 1. Be in the classroom when the tardy bell rings. You will be counted tardy if you are not in the classroom before the tardy bell. 2. Take care of podium business, get your instrument, and take your seat by 5 minutes after the tardy bell rings. If you are late to your seat, you will be assigned a consequence. 3. Handbook policies will be enforced in matters of excused/unexcused absences. 4. Tardies and Absences from extra-curricular events will result in grade reductions. (See additional information on “Grading Policy pages.)
Good Behavior…it’s a BAND thing! 1. Follow attendance policies. 2. Do not touch the belongings of others. 3. Hands off!!! No tickling, teasing, hitting, punching, kicking, picking, or otherwise touching others. 4. Be polite and respectful of others. 5. During rehearsal, do not speak or play your instrument without permission. 6. No food, gum, candy, or beverages in the band room. If you get a violation…you may choose: 1. After-school band room service. 2. Lunch detention. 3. Isolation from other students and/or re-seating. 4. Loss of chair placement or other class privilege.
Don’t forget…your director WILL call your parents if he/she feels that help is needed in adjusting your attitude or behavior. Also, severely disruptive behavior will result in immediate office referral. Charges will be filed with the police in the case of theft or vandalism. BE GOOD! Crime doesn’t pay!
MMS Bands Required Attire
Band T-Shirt ($15, due Sept. 3) Shorts for Western Days Parade Black dress pants White button-down tux shirt Black dress shoes and black socks (boys) White tux shirt Black mid-ankle skirts Black hose and dress shoes (girls)
Items are available at Hobby Lobby or Kohls.
Students who fail to meet attire requirements at our events will forfeit points, and may be sidelined for severe violations.
