1

MES UKULELE CLUB 2017-2018INFORMATION & APPLICATION

KEEP THIS PAGE!

Dear 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students, Parents and Guardians,

The MES “Blue Lava Strummers” Ukulele Club is open to all 3rd, 4thgrade beginning Ukulele students, AND member returning Ukulele Club members from last school year.No previous Ukulele experience is required, however, students are asked to provide their own instrument.If a student wishing to join has a financial hardship, possible assistance can be discussed with Mr. Vita. Practices will be on Tuesdays after school, from 4:00p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Practice (on school days) will be held throughout the school year and performances during school and after school and will conclude after the first week of May (2016). Here is a list of performance eventsstudents are expected to attend:

  • MES 3-5 Grade Assembly on Thursday, December 7, 2017 (during school @ 2:30 p.m.).
  • Winter Holiday Concert on Thursday, December 7, 201 (evening after school, 7:00 p.m. @ MES).
  • Fine Arts Festival Concert on Saturday or Sunday (TBA), March24 or 25, 2017 @ Brooke Point HS.
  • MES K-2 Grade Assembly on Thursday, May 10, 2017 (during school @ 2:30 p.m.).
  • Spring Concert on Thursday, May 10, 2017 (evening after school, 7:00 p.m.).

Parents should only allow their students to join Ukulele Club if they intend to be at all after school performances. If there is a known conflict, please discuss it with Mr. Vita before joining. The first after school Ukulele Club practice will be held after school onTuesday, October 10th at 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Though Ukulele Club is voluntary, and not a graded subject, it is an extension of the music curriculum and a valuable learning experience for your student. As it is voluntary for student members, it is also voluntary for me. For these reasons, student member attendanceat all rehearsals and performances is expected, unless the student has a fever, contagious illness, and/or will miss school that day for an excused absence. If your student has no fever, a minor sore throat, seasonal pollen allergy or other minor discomfort, they are expected to attend rehearsal to learn information, and rehearsal cues – they will be expected to participate, but not to sing vocals for common sense reasons.

Ukulele Club students should be picked up no later than 5:10 p.m. after Ukulele Club practice.

Ukulele Club should be fun and educational for all students, but it is also an activity that teaches commitment and responsibility to students. As such, I ask that parents/ guardians ENSURE your child makes it to rehearsals and performances on time.

MES 2017UKULELE CLUB APPLICATION INFORMATION – KEEP THIS PAGE!

WHAT STUDENTS NEED FOR UKULELE CLUB:

Students in the Ukulele Club will need a Ukulele to practice at home. MES does have Ukuleles for use in the classroom, but these will not be available for home use. Ukuleles can be (affordably) purchased at the Guitar Center (Fredericksburg), Bang Music (Stafford) or on Amazon.com. Please refer to the attached information on purchasing a Ukulele. Purchasing a poor-quality instrument can end up becoming a discouragement to Ukulele students. An acceptable Ukulele can be purchased for approximately $60

Parent Volunteers Needed!

Please indicate if you are able to volunteer, whether just one time, or more, to chaperone at morning practice (if I have a bad traffic morning, supervisors are needed!), after-school events or as administrative help (take role, sort paperwork, etc...). There is a place to indicate this on the Ukulele application/agreement.

Please Sign-Up for Ukulele Reminders from “REMIND.COM.” SEE ATTACHED REMIND INFO.

Please read and discuss the attached agreement with your child. The agreement is also the permission slip and must be turned in before the student attends their first Ukulele practice.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I’m confident that chorus will be an exciting, fun, and educational experience for all members.

Mr. Vita

PLEASE SIGN-UP FOR “REMIND.COM” USING INFORMATION PROVIDED! PARENTS OF RETURNING STUDENTS SHOULD SIGN-UP AGAIN (FOR THIS YEAR).

Ukulele Club information will also be posted to the Moncure Music web site

(TURN THIS PAGE IN TO MR. VITA NO LATER THAN Friday, October 6, 2017)

MES 2017 – 2018 School Year Ukulele ClubAgreement

Student/Parent/Guardian Agreement:

We are here to sing and learn. I will come to practices and performances on time, prepared and ready to learn. As a member of the MES chorus, I will respect other chorus members, our teachers, and personal and school property. I will attend all performances and practices to the best of my ability even when it means getting out of bed a little bit early!

Attendance Policy: Students with 3 or more unexcused absences may be dismissed from chorus. Parents/Guardians should send a note or email message addressing absences of their child. If a student is well enough to attend school, they are expected to be at practiceand performances on the same day. Students are expected to perform in ALL scheduled performances regardless of other activities they may join in the spring.

Student Commitment: I will follow these rules to the best of my ability and I understand that failure to do so could result in my dismissal from Ukulele Club (STUDENT SIGNATURE REQUIRED).

Student Signature: ______

PRINT STUDENT NAME: ______

Homeroom Teacher’s Name ______

STUDENT SIGNATURE REQUIRED ABOVE

------

Parent Agreement: I have read and discussed the attached agreement and scheduled events with my student. I understand that he/ she must attend weekly practices, arrive on time to practices, and attend all performances. I further understand that the Stafford County Public Schools Student Code of Conduct applies to all before and after school Ukulele Club activities.

(PARENT SIGNATURE REQUIRED BELOW).

______has permission to be a member of the Moncure Elementary Ukulele Club.

(Student’s name – Please Print)

Parent/ Guardian Signature______

PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE REQUIRED

Phone Number (cell/home) ______

Date ______

(Parent) E-mail address______

(Parents) I can help with:

_____ Tuesday afternoon practices (as needed).

_____Chaperoning for concerts & performances.

If you are willing to help out, but do not have Internet access, please send a note.

I can be reached by email at

Or by phone at (540) 658-6300