J.R. Arnold High School Band Program
Rehearsal/Performance Attendance & Grading Policy
This document should serve as an informational tool to help Band and Auxiliary
families with issues related to attendance at band/color guard/dance functions
and how this connects to a students successful completion of any class in the
department of bands, including Eurhythmics (color guard/dance class) and
Percussion class. Please feel free to set up an appointment to discuss any
questions you have concerning this policy (850.236.3063).
It is expected that members of any performing ensemble in the band program will attend every rehearsal and performance in its entirety. Students who have genuine conflicts with a rehearsal or performance should observe the procedures outlined below. After reaching high school, students must be aware of the commitment to after-school rehearsals and performances. Band is a performance class. Unexcused absences, lack of cooperation, and continued discipline infractions can result in a lowered or failing grade, denial of participation, or even dismissal from the performing group. During the fall semester especially, we are very, very serious about attendance because of its impact on quality. A performers presence at these rehearsals cannot be inconsistent if they expect to remain performance ready and ultimately in the performance line-up.
Attendance Philosophy/Policy
Attendance at practices and performances is mandatory. Any exception to this policy will be at the discretion of the director. If an emergency should arise which would cause tardiness or absence from a rehearsal or performance, you should make every attempt to notify the director of the situation as soon as possible. If you have a personal conflict of importance on a rehearsal or performance date you will need to notify the director in writing at least four weeks in advance of the time you want your request to be considered (considered does not necessarily mean granted). In making your request give the director enough information to adequately assess the situation. I have a family thing is not enough information. We all have family things. If it is an emergency I will be glad to help. In general I am very judicious (stingy!) about allowing students to miss performances for any reason. Because Band is a performance-oriented class, it is virtually impossible to make up a missed performance. If a students absence is given excused status, they will be required to complete an alternate assignment to make up the missed time. It is the responsibility of the absent performer to contact the band office for that assignment. Remember, any student who misses any portion of a rehearsal is subject to replacement for an indeterminate length of time if a qualified alternate is available.
Excused Absence Criteria
1) Personal illness
2) Death of a relative
3) Observance of a religious holiday
4) College Visits ONLY for rehearsals IF prior arrangements have been made with the Director.
5) Emergency circumstances which, in the judgment of the band director, constitute good and sufficient cause for absence from band.
WORK IS NOT a valid excuse to miss school therefore it is invalid for missing rehearsals or performances.
There are only two excuses that do not need prior approval:
1) Death in the family
2) Sickness which will cause the student to miss a rehearsal or performance (please call the Band Office to inform us of your sick day)
If a student leaves school early due to illness, he/she should call the band office and inform the director so rehearsal adjustments can be made. Any unexcused absence from rehearsal will lead to the performer being held out of that weeks performance. Any unexcused absence from a performance will lead to a performer being pulled from the performance line-up for an indeterminate length of time possibly for the remainder of the season. We will not divert teaching time from those who have been in attendance in order to mainstream those who have not been in attendance back into the performance line-up.
Grading Policy
Because any performing arts class is considered co-curricular, a portion of the class is held during the school day while the remainder of the class is held outside the traditional school day. The State of Florida Department of Education stipulates, this course generally requires students to participate in extra rehearsals and performances beyond the school day. As such a students grade is directly linked to attendance at these functions. Listed here is an explanation of students grading criteria for these performing arts classes in the Department of Bands.
Each student will start the 1st quarter with 100 points. The following is a breakdown of point deductions for each infraction:
Unexcused absence from practice .10 pts
Unexcused absence from performance ..30 pts
Tardy to practice ..2 pts
Tardy to performance .4 pts
Unprepared for rehearsal (no instrument, music, etc.) .....5 pts
Any student who is excused from a performance will be required to complete a make-up assignment when they return to school. These assignments will be distribute by the Band Office prior to an absence if prior notice is given otherwise, the student will be given the assignment upon their return to school. NOTE: All school policies regarding the amount of time a student has to complete their make-up work are applicable here. Please refer to the J.R. Arnold High School Student Handbook for these criteria. A person who misses half of a practice will be counted as absent.
As a re-cap, although this policy may appear to be laden with stipulations and requirements, it is important to remember that attendance is the cornerstone of quality in any fine arts performing group. In order to continue the outstanding local, regional, and national reputation the J.R. Arnold High School Band Program enjoys, we must all serve as a sentry against allowing unnecessary conflicts to erode the total band attendance at these rehearsals and performances! Your help and understanding in this endeavor is GREATLY appreciated.
Sincerely,
C. Jason Bennett
Director of Bands
Arnold High School
550 Alf Coleman Road
Panama City Beach, FL 32407
Band room: 850.236.3063
School fax: 850.236.3068
bennecj@bay.k12.fl.us