SJMS Band Handbook - Online Version

We are in band…

T.I.G.E.R.   P.R.I.D.E.

Rehearsal Expectations

Classroom Expectations

Band Binders

Grading

Eligibility

Before/After School Sectionals and Rehearsals

Required Contracts or Paperwork

Private Lessons 

Financial Assistance

Band Equipment and Facilities

Uniforms

Financial Transactions

MISD Extra-Curricular Contracts – Drug Testing Policy

Band Parent Organization (BPO)

SJMS Band Website

Tips for a Successful Year

Contact Information

Zac Robason      469-742-4493  (MNHS)                  zrobason@mckinneyisd.net
Sixth Grade Percussion, Other items pertaining to percussion only

to learn the lifelong skill of playing an instrument! - to share our love of music - to learn about teamwork - to accomplish our goals -to learn and  exhibit discipline, respect, and responsibility - to learn and practice leadership skills - for the exhilarating sense of accomplishment! -to create lifelong friendships – to have fun!

Band members will exemplify the tenets of Scott Johnson Middle School “Tiger Pride”:

Teamwork – Initiative – Generosity – Enthusiasm – Responsibility
Perseverance – Respect – Integrity – Determination - Excellence

• Be on time for every class, rehearsal, or event
• Be organized and prepared for every rehearsal
• Be quiet, attentive, and respectful
• Have a pencil out and ready
• Have all required supplies out and ready (binder, tuner, pencil, instrument)
• Keep instrument in good working condition

• Students will enter the band hall in silence, establishing a music-making “zone.”
• Students will be in the band hall by the tardy bell and in their seat ready to perform at the time specified by the director.
• Classes will remain quiet and orderly.
• Students will seek and be granted permission before speaking or leaving their seat.

• Each student will maintain a band binder at all times and it will accompany them to every class, rehearsal, or performance. 
• The binder will contain the objective sheet, practice card, music and exercises, handouts, worksheets, and all communication from the directors to the parents
• Parents will review any announcements and handouts and sign the practice record each week.
• Students will share any new items with their parents immediately upon receipt.  Many of the handouts will have important deadlines attached.

All band events are mandatory unless explicitly stated otherwise.  The criteria for determining whether an absence is excused will be the same as an absence from school. Every parent and band member will be given a calendar of performances and rehearsals in advance and will be expected to plan other activities accordingly.  All requests for excused absences must be submitted in writing as soon as a conflict is recognized.  For conflicts between school activities, the following general guidelines will be in affect.

• A performance or game will take precedent over a rehearsal or practice
• A performance, game, rehearsal, or practice will take precedent over a social event
• A clinic or other special rehearsal or practice will take precedent over a regular practice or rehearsal.

As per MISD grading policy, grades will be determined by two equal categories

Summative Grades – 50%      (Performance Grades)

Performance grades will include but not be limited to the following:

• Written or online tests
• Playing tests and Performance Objective Check-off
• Band binders (graded periodically)
• Concert performances - each full band performance will be considered a major test and will count as three test grades (Punctuality, Appearance, Performance)

Students will be given the opportunity to re-test on any written or playing test as many times as necessary until the end of the grading period.  The student will be responsible for notifying the teacher to schedule a re-test time that is outside of the class period.

Formative - 50%:       (Rehearsal and Practice Grades)

There will be three categories of formative grades:

• Class Participation (180 points per week – 20% of total grade)
• Remaining "on task" during class activities
• Bandsmanship (90 points per week – 10% of total grade)
•  Having the proper materials and equipment for each rehearsal
•  Being ready and prepared to play each day
•  Attending Sectionals or other before/after school rehearsals
• Practice Records (180 points per week – 20% of total grade)
• A minimum standard of 180 minutes per week is expected

There are two types of band activities governed by the Texas Education Agency; co-curricular and extra-curricular.
Co-curricular - any activity that is an extension of the classroom.  This includes most concerts and all rehearsals.  All students will be eligible and expected to participate in these activities regardless of academic eligibility status.
Extra-curricular - any activity that is held in conjunction with a competition, athletic event, parade, or pep rally; or any event for which an admission fee is charged.  Students who are academically ineligible will not be allowed to attend these activities.

• Each student will do everything in his of her power to remain eligible at all times during the school year. 
• Grades in all classes will be checked after the sixth week of school, and every three weeks thereafter. 
• A student becomes ineligible upon receiving a grade lower than 70% in any class after the first six weeks and/or at the end of each 9-week grading period. 
• A student may regain eligibility by attaining a passing grade in all classes at the three-week grade check.  The dates affecting eligibility are included in the SJMS Band Calendar.

• Students will be required to attend rehearsals outside of the school day.
• A schedule of rehearsals will be issued for each grading period. 
• Students must attend and be on time to all rehearsals unless a director approves an excused absence or tardy before the event occurs.  An unexcused absence will result in the loss of performance privileges and a reduction in the student’s grade.  In the event of an emergency, a parent or designated adult will notify the director at the first opportunity.  All requests for an excused absence or tardy must be in writing. 

7th and 8th  Grade:

• Seventh and eighth grade band members will be required to attend rehearsals before or after school.  These rehearsals will consist of small “sectional” groups and are commonly referred to as “sectionals.” 
• Attendance is mandatory and an unexcused absence or tardy will significantly affect the student’s grade.  An unexcused absence or tardy to a before or after school rehearsal may result in loss of performance privileges. 
• A schedule of these rehearsals will be published each grading period.  Exact times will be included with each schedule. 
• As a rule of thumb, students can expect to have no more than one before or after school rehearsal in a given week unless special circumstances pertaining to an upcoming competition or performance warrant additional rehearsals. 
• Participation in the jazz band or other small groups will require additional before or after school rehearsals above and beyond this requirement. 

6th Grade:

• Sixth grade band members will have a limited number of after school rehearsals.  These rehearsals will precede the Holiday Concert, Sandy Lake Funfest, and the Spring Concert.  Attendance at each rehearsal is mandatory. 
• Unexcused absence to these rehearsals will affect the student’s grade and will result in loss of performance privileges.

Each student must have the following forms or contracts on file prior to participation in any band event:

• Band Handbook Acknowledgement Form
• Co/Extra-Curricular Contract
• Co/Extra-Curricular Emergency Medical Form
• Private Lesson Parent/Student Contract
• Consent for Random Drug Testing (7th & 8th grade only)
•  

The single most important factor in the development of a successful band program is the development of the individual player.  The amount of individual attention the directors can give each student is limited due to the number of students in the program. 

• Private teaching specialists will be made available to all students. 
• Lessons are 30 minutes and occur once a week.
• Lessons will be held before or after school or during the class period as schedules permit. 
• Lessons will cost $17.00 per session, payable directly to the instructor. 
• Each student will make every effort to participate in the private lesson program so that he or she may receive the personal attention necessary to excel. 
• In the event of financial hardship, the student and/or parent may speak with the director regarding options for financial assistance
• In addition to the private lesson schedule, the directors will make themselves available free of charge to help individual students as schedules permit.  A sign-up sheet for this extra-help will be posted in the band hall.
• All private lesson teachers are screened and hired by the MISD, and are considered contract labor for the district.  They are hired based on their strong qualifications as music teachers who specialize on the instrument they teach.  Each has gone through a background check and is bound by the policies and guidelines of the MISD.
• Each teacher and each student will sign a private lesson contract to assure that all parties understand the agreement implied by participation in this program.
  

Students needing financial assistance to help pay for private lessons or other band expenses may apply for such.  This program is designed to assure that students are not denied the opportunity to participate in any aspect of the band program due to financial constraints.

• All requests for financial aid and any matters relative to such will be kept strictly confidential.
• Financial aid will be arranged with the directors on a case-by-case basis.
• Private lesson financial aid will typically account for 50% of the lesson cost.  The student will be responsible for the other 50% of the cost.  Students receiving financial aid will maintain a monthly progress log as a condition for receiving assistance.  This will assure that the funds are being utilized in an effective manner.  Failure to comply with these expectations will result in loss of financial aid.  In such cases, the student will be put on probation for one month.  If the student corrects the situation, the financial aid will remain available for the following month.  Re-evaluation of eligibility will occur each month. 
• The financial aid program is supported by Band Parent Organization fund raising activities. 
• Parents of students receiving financial aid are expected to help with BPO endeavors and students will be given a job or jobs within the band program to earn the assistance. 
• In order to continue receipt of financial aid, students will be required to maintain a passing standard in the band class.  Unexcused absences, failure to turn in practice records or assignments, and other indications of neglected responsibility will place a student on probation for financial assistance.  In such cases, a parent conference will be held in order to correct the situation.
• Students receiving private lesson financial aid will be required to participate in outside events such as recitals, contests, and clinics. These opportunities will be made available to the parents through BPO meetings, class handouts, and the SJMS Band website at www.sjmsband.org.

Instruments

• Instruments will be placed in the correct storage bin each day and will have a nametag for proper identification.
• Each student will be assigned an instrument storage bin. 
• Each bin will be equipped with a lock and a copy of the combination will be kept on file with the directors for emergencies.  Student may not use their personal locks on the bins.  The directors maintain the right to cut off any unauthorized lock placed on the bins.
• Bins must be locked at all times except during the student’s class period.
• Students will not touch another student's instrument, personal belongings, or equipment assigned to another student.  No trading of instruments will be tolerated.
• School owned instruments are to be played only by the student who has checked out that instrument.
• No student will be allowed to tap on, play, or misuse percussion equipment.  Non-percussionists must adhere to a strict “hands-off” policy with regard to all percussion equipment and are not allowed in the percussion storage room.
• Students will refrain from chewing gum, eating, or drinking anything other than water when playing their instruments.  Gum, candy, food, and soft drinks do a great deal of harm to musical instruments.

School Instruments

• The use of a school-owned instrument will require a rental fee of $50 each semester. 
• The fee will help cover year-end cleaning due to normal wear and tear. 
• The fee does not cover items such as dents or bent keys or other repairs needed due to negligence or abuse of the equipment.  These repairs will be charged to the student. 
• When the instrument is checked out to the student, he or she will take a form home to be signed by a parent.  This form will include the serial number, model, and condition of the instrument and will detail the payment deadlines for each semester. 
• Students may not take the instruments home until the rental form is returned with a parent signature. 

In some cases we may be able to check out an instrument for home use and allow the student to use a class-set instrument at school.  In this event, the student will need to carry his or her own mouthpiece and accessories to and from school each day.  Students will be assigned a specific class-set instrument and will be informed which student (if any) uses the same instrument in another class period.  In this way the students will each know with whom they share the responsibility for the care of the instrument, and can make arrangements as to who will use the instrument at events in which each student will be performing.  It may be necessary for students to bring their home instrument on performance days.

Instrument Repair

• When personal or school-owned instruments are in need of repair, students or parents should NOT try to make repairs themselves.  A director will be happy to look at the instrument to determine if it needs to be sent for professional repair. 
• If an instrument is left in a repair shop it is the student's responsibility to bring a note describing when the instrument was taken to the shop, the type of repair to be performed, and the expected date of return.
• An instrument in the shop is not an excuse to miss a rehearsal or performance.  Parents should let the personnel at the repair shop know that there is a performance upcoming and request that the service be expedited.  The directors will help with this process when necessary. 
• In the event a parent cannot get the instrument to the shop in a timely manner, Music and Arts Center and Williamson Music each have a representative who comes to the school weekly.  Parents should specify which company should be utilized or the directors will send the instrument to the first representative that arrives.  Supplies may also be purchased in this manner as needed.

Band Hall and Practice Rooms

• Food, drink, or gum will be enjoyed outside the band hall and fine arts area (including practice rooms, halls, etc.).
• Each student will assume responsibility for the cleanliness of the band hall.
• Each student will assume responsibility for order in the band hall and surrounding areas.
• All instruments will be stored properly in assigned bins. Instrument storage areas are for instrument storage only. Refreshments, personal belongings, and lunches will not be stored in instrument bins or elsewhere in the band hall. 
• Bins are subject to a thorough inspection at any time.
• Any type of abuse or physical disrespect of the building or equipment will not be tolerated!  Any deliberate abuse of the facilities or equipment will result in strict disciplinary action and could result in dismissal from the program.
• The general operating hours of the band hall are 7:45 a.m.- 4:45 p.m..  These hours will be extended on certain days to accomodate private lessons or section rehearsals. 
• No student will be allowed in the band hall at any time unless a director or designated adult is present.
• All practice room use will be scheduled in advance unless a director gives the student special instructions for use of a practice room.  Practice rooms are to be used only for private lessons and/or special practice situations calling for privacy.  There will be a zero-tolerance policy in place regarding unauthorized or unsupervised use of the practice rooms or practice hallway.
• No student will be allowed in the practice rooms or the practice hallway without specific permission and must be either practicing or on the way to or from practicing.
• Only band students are allowed in the band hall.  Students must have their non-band friends wait outside before and after school while bringing or taking home their instruments.

All 7th and 8th grade band members will have 2 uniforms - Pep Band and Concert Band. 
Sixth grade students will have 1 uniform.

7th and 8th Grade

            Pep Rally, informal performances, high school football game, other casual events

• Official band t-shirt
• Blue jeans
• Casual shoes

Concerts and Contests

• Black dress pants or full length skirt (no denim or cargo style pants)
• Black socks
• Black dress shoes.  Athletic shoes are prohibited.  Shoes must be dress shoes with a heal and no open toes.
• Solid black dress shirt.  No T-shirts or shirts with monograms or other markings. 

6th Grade
              
Winter Concert, Spring Concert, Sandy Lake contest, other events as announced
                       

• Official Band t-shirt
• Blue jeans
• Casual shoes

At times, students will need to make payments to the organization for fund raising programs, supplies, rental fees, etc.  When doing so, please follow the guidelines below:

• For items with specific payment date posted, adhere to the deadlines so that appropriate personnel will be on hand to offer a receipt on the spot.
• Whenever possible, make payments by check or money order rather than cash.
• If a payment must be made at a time when someone is not available to write a receipt on the spot, there will be a secured lock box in the band hall.  
• All lock box payments must be sealed in an envelope (made available in the band hall) labeling the student’s name, the amount of the payment, and the reason for the payment. 
• The lock box will only be opened by authorized school or BPO representatives.  These persons will count and post the funds and write the appropriate receipt immediately upon opening the box. 
• Never hand a payment of any kind to someone without receiving a receipt.  If no one is available, do not leave the payment on a teacher’s desk or any location other than inside the lockbox.  Always properly seal and label any payment.
• Payments will not be left in the lockbox overnight.  If you fail to recieve a receipt in a timely manner, immediately notify the director.

MISD School Board policy requires all members of extra-curricular organizations and their parents to sign a contract stating that the student will refrain from the use of any illegal substances.  It is understood that members of such organizations represent the district through their participation and are therefore held to a higher standard of expectation that non-participants.  Participation in these programs is a privilege.  The MISD has adopted a highly confidential random drug testing policy.  Students and parents must sign the form stating acceptance of this policy in order to participate in extra-curricular activities.

We will have an active organization through which parents may support and promote the Scott Johnson Middle School band program.  All parents with students in the band program at any level are automatically considered a member of the organization.  The BPO will meet quarterly.  Additional meetings will be called if needed.  We encourage all parents and interested adults to participation in this vital organization.

Up to date information and calendars may be obtained by visiting the band website at www.sjmsband.org.    There is also a web-based program called “Charms” that will be utilized in communicating with the parents and students.  A detailed band calendar will be maintained at this site.  Handouts and other documents will be available for download from this site. 
Charms login:  SJohnsonMSBand  (not case sensitive)    password:  student’s school ID number

• Parents – Provide the directors with a working email address that you check regularly.  We will send important reminders, calendar information, and other important communication on a regular basis. 
• Parents - Sign the practice record each weekend.  This will be an ongoing thing all year.
• Students - Formulate a daily practice routine.  Try to practice in the same location at the same time every day so it becomes part of your daily routine.
• Students – Give your parents any handouts, forms, or permission slips the day you get them.  Don’t wait until the deadline to turn them in.
• Students and Parents - Transfer any events to your daily personal calendar as soon as you receive the information.
• Students - When practicing, have a plan.  Work on the objectives that you need to master.   If you find yourself playing the same things over and over again, you are probably not practicing, you are just playing around.  If you don’t have a clear goal that you are trying to accomplish, it is highly doubtful that you are practicing.
• Parents – Whenever possible, send checks rather than cash.  Write what the check is for and the student’s name in the memo line. 
• Go online and visit the Charms program and the website on a regular basis. Charms login:  SJohnsonMSBand  (not case sensitive)    password:  student’s school ID number.  (Please report any problems or outdated information to the directors)
• Parents and Students – When in doubt, ask a director.