Class Procedures

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2008-2009 Classroom Rules & Procedures

South Medford High School Band Department
Dr. Marty Sharer, Director of Bands

Instrument Storage Room (aka Cubby Room)

This is where you can store your class materials such as instruments, cases, sticks, mallets, and music. Simply choose an unlabeled and available cubby for your materials. The cubby room is for band materials only. Food, drinks, clothes, shoes, trash, and other smell inducing/mess making items are not allowed. Materials for other classes are also not allowed in the cubby room. We simply do not have room; please use your school locker for these items. Cubbies are also to be kept clean and organized at all times. Failure to comply with the above rules will have the following consequences:

1st offense - verbal warning, review of rules with Dr. Sharer
2nd offense - verbal warning, review of rules with Dr. Sharer
3rd offense - parent contacted, detention with Dr. Sharer
4th offense - written notice of last chance, detention with Dr. Sharer
5th offense - student banned from cubby room

Students serving detention with Dr. Sharer for cubby room or food/drink violations will be expected to spend 1 hour on band room cleaning duty - this may include but is not limitd to vacuuming and sweeping floors, washing windows, cleaning whiteboards, maintenance on SMHS instruments, and other activities to teach appreciation and respect towards our band facilities. Detention can be served before school, after school, during lunch, or during 7th period. Students will have one week to complete their detention from the day assigned. Failure to serve detention will result in the student being banned from using the cubby. Any student who violates a cubby room ban will receive a referral.

Also note - anything found in the cubby room that should not be there will be permanently removed. Please do not store valuables in the cubby room; this is used by approximately 200 students each day and is not secure.

South Medford Instruments

Students who use South Medford band instruments are expected to take extra special care of these instruments. Percussion instruments and tubas are not allowed to be taken home by students. Pre-approved instruments by Dr. Sharer are allowed to be taken home by students, but must be returned the following day (sometimes multiple students use the same instrument). Cases should always be completely closed and zipped, when applicable, to protect the instrument. Students who do not take care of their South Medford band instrument will lose all instrument privileges and may be fined for any damages.

Also note - all South Medford instruments have an assigned and labeled cubby (or other designated storage location). If you are using a South Medford instrument, please be sure to return it to the appropriate location after each use.

South Medford Uniforms

Students who use South Medford band uniforms are expected to take care of their uniform. Students are not allowed to take their uniform home. Students are expected to hang up their uniform correctly, report any missing snaps or buttons, and generally take care of it as if it were their personal property. Each uniform is valued at $400; students who misuse or damage their uniform may be subject to fines.

Seating Chart

All band classes have assigned seating. You will receive a seating chart the first week of school. Seating charts will change periodically as needed.

Tardy Policy

South Medford High School has a new school-wide tardy policy. All classes will use this new policy. For this course, the definition of tardy is as follows:

Tardy = not in assigned seat, area, or at practice pad after the bell

Tardy = materials not ready after the bell

Tardy = talking after the bell

Students who are tardy (as diagramed above) will be asked to sign a tardy sheet. Students who are tardy will be asked to remain after class for 1-2 minutes to review the tardy policy with Dr. Sharer. Here is a brief review of the South Medford school-wide tardy policy:

1st Unexcused Tardy - Student held after class 1-2 minutes. Teacher re-teaches expectations of punctuality. Loss of points for starter activity.

2nd Unexcused Tardy - Student held after class 1-2 minutes. Teacher re-teaches expectations of punctuality. Loss of points for starter activity.

3rd Unexcused Tardy - Student held after class 1-2 minutes. Teacher re-teaches expectations of punctuality. Loss of points for starter activity. Parent is contacted.

4th Unexcused Tardy - Teacher fills in tardy slip and gives to Student Management. Student is assigned lunch detention. Parent is contacted.

5th Unexcused Tardy - Teacher fills in tardy slip and gives to Student Management. Student is assigned lunch detention. Parent is contacted.

6th Unexcused Tardy - Teacher fills in tardy slip and gives to Student Management. Student is assigned lunch detention and Saturday School. Parent is contacted.

Talking in Class

There are ample opportunities during every rehearsal for students to talk, ask questions, socialize, and relax. Students are not allowed to talk or make extraneous noises during the following times:

At the beginning of class, after the bell
When Dr. Sharer is on the podium
When Dr. Sharer is talking
When Dr. Sharer is teaching

Consequences for violating the talking rule include:

1st Offense - Verbal warning, review of rules with Dr. Sharer
2nd Offense - Verbal warning, review of rules with Dr. Sharer
3rd Offense - Conference with parent
4th Offense - Conference with parent
5th Offense - Referral

Class Conclusion

During the last five minutes of each class, Dr. Sharer will allow students to put away their instruments, music, chairs, stands, and sound equipment (as instructed). As soon as each student has completely stored all instruments and equipment, they are to return to their assigned seat. Once Dr. Sharer deems the rehearsal room, cubby room, and all other band areas satisfactory, he will dismiss the class. Students are not allowed to leave class until this dismissal. As long as students comply with this procedure, this dismissal will coincide with the bell. If students do not comply, individuals and/or the entire class maybe held during passing time to complete any unfinished tasks.

Practice Rooms / Practice Policy

Practice rooms (and sometimes the band room) are available for individual practice before school, during lunch, during 7th period, and after school. Students who play tuba and percussion are not allowed to take their instruments home and are expected to practice at school during the designated times.

Daily practice is crucial for a student's musical development and success as a musician. Students should have a daily practice routine for their instrument or voice that is just as important as homework, house chores, or video games. It is recommended that each band student practice at least 30 minutes per day, 7 days a week.

Grades

(1) Rehearsal Grade (daily class grade) - includes class participation, class preparation, homework, practice time, all materials brought to class, attitude, cooperation, starter activity, and rehearsal assessment.

(2) Performance Grade (concert grade) - includes performance assessment, dress rehearsals, and concert attire.

Each student will receive a rehearsal grade for every class meeting and a performance grade for every performance. Unexcused absences are equivalent to a zero. Students with excused absences will be allowed to make up any missed assignments, but it will be the student's responsibility to make these arrangements with Dr. Sharer. Students who do not make up missed assignments will receive a zero.

Average rehearsal grade = 40% overall band grade
Average performance grade = 60% overall band grade

Cell Phones / iPods

Cell phones and iPods are not allowed in the band classes. On certain occasions, Dr. Sharer may allow students to listen to iPods. These occasions will be announced ahead of time. Cell phones and iPods used in band classes will be confiscated by Dr. Sharer. Students will be able to retrieve their cell phone or iPod as follows:

1st Offense - Student picks up from Dr. Sharer at 3:45pm
2nd Offense - Student picks up from Dr. Sharer at 3:45pm
3rd Offense - Student picks up from Student Management at 3:45pm
4th Offense - Parent picks up from Principal after conference

Food, Drink, Gum, & Trash

Not allowed in the following band areas: rehearsal room (aka band room), uniform storage room, instrument storage room (aka cubby room), music library, or practice rooms. The only exception is water. Please place your trash in the trash cans! Do not leave trash in your cubbies, in the band room, on the floor, in instrument cases, or any other inappropriate locations. Who do you think picks up the trash that is not thrown away? Failure to comply with the above rule will have the following consequences:

1st Offense - Verbal warning, review of rules with Dr. Sharer
2nd Offense - Verbal warning, review of rules with Dr. Sharer
3rd Offense - Parent contacted, detention with Dr. Sharer
4th Offense - Written notice of last chance, detention with Dr. Sharer
6th Offense - Referral

Respect Rule

The South Medford Band Golden Rule! Respect People and Respect Property!

Appendix - 2nd Period, Jazz Combo (Suitz)

Setup Assignments

These people are responsible for the following tasks before class begins:

Trumpets - Put away all unneeded chairs and stands
Saxophones & Trombones - Setup sound system (mics, stands, cords, speakers, etc.)
Piano - Setup piano (or keyboard when instructed)
Guitar - Setup guitar amp
Bass - Setup bass amp
Drums - Setup drumset

Tear Down Assignments

These people are responsible for the following tasks at the conclusion of each class:

All winds - Put away sound system (mics, stands, cords, speakers, etc.)
Piano - Put away piano (or keyboard when instructed)
Guitar & Bass - Put away amps
Drums - Store drumset (when instructed)

Appendix - 3rd Period, Concert Band

Appendix - 4th Period, Percussion Ensemble

Materials

The following materials are required. Every student must bring the following materials to every class meeting:

Pencil
Notebook or loose leaf paper
Folder or three-ring binder to store music
All music and handouts
Snare Sticks (recommended brand = Vic Firth SC1 General)

The following materials are optional, but highly recommended. Students will need the following items to excel in this course. Otherwise, students should make arrangements with their classmates to borrow these items when needed:

Metronome
Drumset Sticks (any brand)
Timpani Sticks (recommended brand = Vic Firth T3 Staccato)
Swizzle Sticks (recommended brand = Vic Firth SD12, Swizzle G)
Yarn Mallets (recommended brand = Mike Balter 14 Medium Blue)
Bell/Xylo Mallets (recommended brand = Malletech OR45R White)
Marimba Mallets (recommended brand = Innovative 300's, 2 pair)

Appendix - 5th Period, Wind Ensemble

Appendix - 6th Period, Jazz Ensemble (Big Band)