MT. PISGAH BAND INFORMATIONAL PACKET 2008-2009

(printable Word Document version)

I would like to welcome all students to the 2008-2009 band classes. I am looking forward to you and your instrumental accomplishments this year. Parents, I want to assure you I will diligently work to ensure that your student has a successful year. Please assist me by encouraging your student and insisting on daily home practice. Together, we will all have a great year in band. Parents, please be sure and read the complete packet, fill-out the student information page and return it to school tomorrow. Return only the student information sheet. Please keep the rest of the packet for your future reference.

GRADES

Nine Week term grades will be calculated in the following manner:

• 30% - Weekly practice sheets, eight per term, must be signed by parent
• 30% - Supplies brought to class, student must bring . instrument in playing condition, all music, music books, and a pencil (ink pen is unacceptable)
• 40% - Performance and/or written evaluations, eight evaluations per term (6th grade will have six per term)

WEEKLY PRACTICE RECORD

A weekly practice record will be completed. A parent must sign each practice record. Grades will be given according to the amount of time recorded. If the student has not practiced, he/she will still receive 50 points if the sheet is returned and is signed by a parent. If the student turns in a sheet unsigned, they will receive a zero. Practice sheet are due by Thursday each week. Practice records sheets are available in the band room, on the table next to the instrument storage room. You may also find them on our website (mtpisgahband.com). Print it here.

Practice Record Grading Scale:

• 150 minutes per week = 100%
• 120 minutes per week = 90%
• 90 minutes per week = 80%
• 60 minutes per week = 70%
• Less than 60 minutes per week = 60%
• No practice time, but returned and signed by parent = 50%
• If sheet is not turned in or is turned in without a parent signature = 0%

CLASSROOM SUPPLIES

Each student must bring all supplies to band class. The supplies are as follows: working instrument (if instrument is in the shop, please bring a note from parent), all music and music books, a one inch three ring binder, and a pencil. An ink pen is unacceptable in band class.

EVALUATIONS

All band students will be evaluated weekly for eight weeks of each nine-week term. The evaluations will be performance and/or written test. Evaluations will occur each Tuesday for 7th and 8th graders. Sixth graders will be evaluated three times the first grading period.

AFTER-SCHOOL REHEARSALS

After-school rehearsals will not begin until the week after Labor Day, Sept. 10. The 6th Grade Band will rehearse on Monday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. The Intermediate Band will rehearse on Tuesday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. Honor Band will rehearse on Thursday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. The jazz band will rehearse on Thursday mornings 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM. Attendance at after-school rehearsals is mandatory in order for your child to perform with the Mt. Pisgah Band. Complete attendance and behavior expectations are delineated on the sheet titled "After-School Rehearsal Attendance and Behavior Policies."

UNIFORMS

All sixth grade band students will wear a band shirt (polo style) and Khaki pants at public performances. All seventh and eighth grade band students will be expected to purchase a band uniform to be worn at all public performances. The uniform consists of tuxedo pants, shirt, cummerbund, bow tie and black socks. The complete uniform is $58.00. A representative of the uniform company will measure students at school for their uniform (this will happen in mid September). If your student already has a band uniform, please check and make sure it fits.

BAND FEE

Each family will pay a $60.00 band fee. If two are more students are from the same family, only one $60.00 fee will be collected. Money for this fee may also be raised by using a "Kroger Card". This fee is collected to help pay for music, concert hall rentals, instrument repair, and fees for WTSBOA events. Upon payment of this fee, sixth grade students will receive a polo styled, short sleeved, band shirt that will serve as part of their uniform. You will receive information later about when this fee is due. Please do not submit the band fee until you receive further instructions.

The Kroger Card is an excellent way to pay your band fee. Please read the info regarding Kroger Cards.

FUND RAISING

The band will do one fundraiser to be determined by the Band Booster Club.

BAND BOOSTER MEETINGS

The Mt. Pisgah Band Booster Club is established to support the Mt. Pisgah Bands. I would appreciate your participation by attending the monthly meetings and helping when able. The boosters meet the second Thursday of each month. The first meeting is Thursday, September 13, at 7:00 PM, in the band room. The first meeting is the most important meeting of the year; please try to attend.

OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL DAY BAND PERFORMANCES

Each year the Mt. Pisgah Bands perform Winter and Spring Concerts. The concerts will be at "The Germantown Performing Arts Centre." The Winter Concert will be on December 18, and the Spring Concert will be on May 13. Both concerts will begin at 7:00 pm with students arriving at 6:30 pm. The Honor Band will be performing on November 8, for the Veterans Day Program and May 6, for the We Are Pisgah Night.

STUDENT INFORMATION FORM

The last sheet in this packet is the "Student Information Form." The form will serve as an information source for me, and your signature will let me know you have read the entire packet. Please write your child's name the way you want it to appear in the concert programs and all correspondence. The information you supply me will be placed in a database for use throughout the year. The "Student Information Form" must be signed and returned before your student will be allowed to attend after-school rehearsals.

AFTER-SCHOOL REHEARSAL ATTENDANCE AND BEHAVIOR POLICIES

Mt. Pisgah after-school band rehearsals will begin the week of September 10. All after-school rehearsals begin at 4:00 pm and conclude at 5:00 pm each afternoon. I would like all students to be picked up by 5:15 PM on their rehearsal day. The "Sixth Grade Beginning Band" will rehearse on Mondays after school, the "Intermediate Band" will rehearse on Tuesdays after school, the "Jazz Band" will rehearse on Thursdays BEFORE school at 7:30 AM and the Honor Band will rehearse Thursday afternoons. On rehearsal days please arrive for student pick up a 5:00 PM. Please line up all vehicles on the south side of the school just like the school buses (ask your student about bus pick up line). If you are unable to pick up your child by 5:15 pm, please contact me and we will assist you in making arrangements for your child to carpool with another student.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

It is very important that all students attend after-school rehearsals. This is the only time the students meet in a full band setting. All students will be allowed to miss two excused skips each semester. An excused skip is when your student is at school, does not attend after-school rehearsal, and brings a note the next day. Your child must bring a note informing me that you are aware your child has missed a rehearsal. After third excused skips per semester your child will not be allowed to perform with the band. If your child is absent from school, this rule does not apply and a note is not necessary. If your child checks out of school before 3:00 pm, he/she will be considered absent from school, and it will not count as one of the two free excused skips allowed each semester.

Please try to schedule all appointments on afternoons your child does not have after-school band. If appointments cannot be made on days your child does not have after-school band, please call me so I may make allowances.

BEHAVIOR POLICY

As I firmly believe that life-long success depends on self-discipline, I have developed a classroom discipline plan that affords every student the opportunity to manage his or her own behavior. Your child deserves the most positive educational climate possible for academic growth. Therefore, this plan will be in effect at all after and before school rehearsals.

Classroom Rules:

1. Follow directions the first time they are given.
2. Come to class with all equipment and materials.
3. Be on time to all rehearsals. On time . to be in place and ready to play your instrument.
4. Practice individually only when the conductor is off the podium and is not teaching the group.
5. Give your full attention to Dr. Wood.
6. Raise your hand to be recognized before speaking.

To encourage students to follow classroom rules, positive reinforcement will be used:

1. Specific verbal praise
2. Positive comments to parents
3. Excused from a specific duty
4. Rehearsal time shortened

If a student chooses to break a rule:

After three infractions you will receive a phone call from me. The purpose of the call is to inform you that your student is not following the rules and is disturbing the learning process. After three more infractions, you will be asked to meet with me in a parent/teacher conference. If any more infractions occur after this conference, your student will not be allowed to participate in the before/after school band classes. The conference must be scheduled within five school days of the sixth infraction or your child will not be allowed to return to the before/after school band classes.

Severe Disruption:

Sent immediately to an administrator's office. A severe disruption includes the following: fighting, profanity, and vandalism. Your student has been informed about this classroom discipline plan. I would appreciate it if you would review the plan with your child, then sign the student information form and return the form to school the next day. I will be communicating with you to keep you aware of your child's progress. Please feel free to contact me.

Email - dwood@scsk12.org
Cell phone: 270-1699

David Wood
Director of Bands