MT. PISGAH BAND INFORMATIONAL PACKET 2009-2010

(printable Word Document version)

We would like to welcome all students to the 2009-2010 band classes.  We are looking forward to you and your instrumental accomplishments this year.  Parents, we will diligently work to ensure that your student has a successful year. Please assist us by encouraging your student and insisting on daily home practice. Parents, please be sure and read the complete packet, fill-out the student information page, and return only the student information sheet to school tomorrow.

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

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

Evaluations will be performance and/or written test. Sixth graders will be evaluated at least three times the first grading period. 

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.  The uniform consists of tuxedo pants, shirt, cummerbund, bow tie and black socks.  The complete uniform is approximately $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 $75.00 band fee.  If two are more students are from the same family, only one $75.00 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.  6th grade students who have paid their band fee will receive their shirt sometime in November. In order for us to plan for the year, please indicate on the student information sheet how you will be paying the band fee. Please remember that by using a Kroger card, you can pay your band fee without spending and cash.

The Kroger Card is an excellent way to pay your band fee.  Please read the page entitled “Kroger Card.”

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.  The Booster Club will meet quarterly, with each meeting announced at least 2 weeks in advance.

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 Spring Concert will be on Tuesday, May 4th. The concert will begin at 7:00 pm with students arriving at 6:30 pm.  The Honor Band will be performing Tuesday, April 27th for “We Are Pisgah Night.”

STUDENT INFORMATION FORM
The last sheet in this packet is the “Student Information Form.”  This form will serve as an information source for us, and your signature will let us 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 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

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. If you are unable to pick up your child by 5:15 pm, please contact us 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 two excused skips each semester.  An excused skip is when your student is at school and does not attend after-school rehearsal. On the third skip, your child will not be allowed to perform with the band.  If your child is absent from school, this rule does not apply. If your child checks out of school before 3:20 pm, they will be considered absent from school, and it will not count as one of the two 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 these days, please call us so we can make allowances.

Spring Banquet/Field Trip Eligibility
The Spring Band Banquet is intended to reward those students who have worked hard and attended after school rehearsals throughout the year. The 6th grade field trip is and an additional reward designed for beginning band students who have attended after-school band throughout the year. In order for students to be eligible for the banquet (and field trip), they must meet all performance and attendance obligations.

Behavior Policy

As we firmly believe that life-long success depends on self-discipline, we 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. Talk only when the conductor is off the podium and is not teaching the group.
5. Give your full attention to Dr. Wood and Ms. Spain.
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:

If your student continually disrupts rehearsal, Dr. Wood or Ms. Spain will notify you. If the disruptions do not stop, your student will be removed from after-school band, will not be allowed to perform with the band, and will not be eligible to attend the Spring Band Banquet.

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.  We 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.  We will be communicating with you to keep you aware of your child’s progress.  Please feel free to contact us.