Miss Dreher

504-888-0386 ext 113

“Music…gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” – Plato

Music is an important part of every child’s education.  It teaches children to be creative thinkers and problem solvers, effective communicators, and team players.  Music can teach students discipline and may help them become higher achievers in other subjects.  It gives struggling students a sense of achievement and provides already successful students with new challenges. 

This year, my goal is to provide your child with a fun learning environment where they will be challenged yet successful.  If at any time you need to contact me in regard to your child, please do so.  I will help in whatever way I can.

I am looking forward to a great year!

MATERIALS:

• PENCIL
• Choir/Chorale folder (provided)
• Music
• Water (Optional)
• If you choose to bring water to rehearsal, it MUST be clear (i.e. no colored “Vitamin Water”, etc.)

FEES:

• Booster Fee (covers music, binders, travel to local performances/festivals, miscellaneous expenses) 
• Due OCTOBER 5

 UNIFORM**:

• Choir (3^rd and 4^th grade)
• Girls
• SCR school skirt (4^th grade) or jumper (3^rd grade) with uniform blouse, socks and shoes.

• Boys
• SCR school pants with uniform shirt, belt, socks and shoes

• Chorale (5^th through 7^th grade)
• See attached uniform info

GRADING:

§    Tests, Attendance and Performances (40%):

o   Tests:

§  Singing tests and/or written tests will be given throughout each quarter with at least one week to prepare.

o   Attendance:

§  Any absence in a music rehearsal affects the entire ensemble

·         5 points deducted for unexcused absences. 

• Excused absences consist of:
• Written notification of absence prior to rehearsal
• Doctor's note.
• Emergency situations.
• Absence from school.

o   Performances:

§  Any student with an unexcused absence the week of a performance will NOT be allowed to perform. This will result in the child’s overall grade dropping one letter grade for that quarter.* 

§  An unexcused absence from a performance, outside of an emergency situation, will result in a failing grade for that quarter.

·         Excused absences from a performance may result in a dropped letter grade.*

*Situations will be handled on an individual basis

**Any student not in the correct uniform for a performance will not be allowed to perform.  This will result in dropping 1 letter grade

• Homework Assignments (40%):
• Please note that "Choir" (3^rd and 4^th grades) or “Chorale” (5^th—7^th grades) should be added to your Homework  Site account

• Participation and Effort (20%): 
• 5 points deducted for forgotten materials.
• 5 points deducted for poor class performance/participation.

CONDUCT GRADE:

·         Each nine weeks, every student will begin with 100 points in conduct.  Each time corrected, points will be deducted from your conduct grade.

 Please log into the Homework Site and print and sign any page that shows that Choir or Chorale has been added to your Homework Site account.  Also, I ask that you and your child sign the bottom portion of this page and return with the Homework Site page.  Both pages will be due on OCTOBER 5 and will count as a TEST grade.

**************************************************************************************

CHOIR and CHORALE

Sign and return by October 5, 2009.

I understand the outline given in this syllabus in regards to materials, grading/attendance/uniform and all performance policies. 

___________________________________________________________________

Student's signature

___________________________________________________________________

Parent's signature

____________________________

Date