The Brewton Elementary School Recorder Class
The Brewton Elementary School Recorder Class is a course for 3rd and 4th grade students who wish to pursue further musical opportunities and learn to play the soprano recorder. Students will learn proper recorder technique, as well as music theory and other musical concepts, which students are expected to know upon joining the band at BMS. Students will also develop a repertoire of music as they progress through each class. Students will also be singing, moving and playing other instruments. All students are expected to participate in all activities and must complete all homework assignments (written or on the recorder).
CLASS MEETING DAY AND TIME
Classes will be held every Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the music room unless there is a scheduling conflict. A letter will be sent to those accepted into the class that will give the date the classes will begin as well as other important information.
SELECTION PROCESS
This group is open to any serious-minded third or fourth grader who purchases a recorder and other required materials, and is willing to consistently attend classes. Depending on the number of students to enroll, the class may be divided into smaller groups to maximize effective instruction, with one group having class on one Tuesday, and the other group on the next Tuesday, and so on. Auditions are not required; however, students’ behavior during regular music classes will be heavily considered for their enrollment into the class and application for enrollment may be denied for students with behavior problems. Students should also be self-motivated and possess a desire to learn. Self-discipline is also expected since students will be required to practice at home and participate in other class activities that will involve listening and following directions. Students who meet the behavior requirements will be accepted into the group once their permission form and fees have been received. Class size may be limited and students will be enrolled on a first-come-first-served basis as their forms and fees are turned in. The actual start date of the classes will be announced at a later date when class materials arrive.
REQUIRED FEES AND MATERIALS
Students must purchase a recorder and a Recorder Karate book. The recorder fee is $7.50, which includes a recorder, cleaning rod and Recorder Karate book. The fee must be sent with the permission form in order for the student to be enrolled in the class. Checks can be made payable to BES. In addition, students will need: a blank CD (CD-R), two (2) pencils and a 1” three-ring binder (with pockets) in which to keep their pencils, recorder books, CD’s and other recorder class handouts. The instructor will provide all other materials needed for the weekly classes. Interested students who took recorder the previous year and still have all their materials are welcome to re-enroll. Students who wish to continue where they left off the previous year but lost their belts may be required to retake their tests to earn replacement belts.
ATTENDANCE
Musical concepts will be taught, as well as musical pieces for the recorder; therefore, attendance is very important to the success of this class. Regular attendance to classes is expected of all students. Absences due to illness, family emergency, prior commitment, or death in the immediate family are considered excused with a note provided by the parent or guardian. The instructor should receive this note before the child’s next class. Absences for which excuses are not provided within the required timeframe will be considered unexcused. Students will be allowed six (6) excused absences and three (3) unexcused absences per semester. If students establish a pattern of excessive absences without any notice, it will be assumed that they are no longer interested in being in the class and will be expelled without further notice from the instructor.
PICK-UP AFTER CLASSES
Students must be picked up promptly after each weekly class. Pick-up will be on the north side of the building (third grade pick-up area facing Jackson Street). Students who are excessively late being picked up will be expelled from the class. Parents of students who normally walk home should make acceptable arrangements to have their children picked up since a crossing guard will not be available after 3:15 p.m.
STRIKES
Strikes will be issued to students who engage in in appropriate or off-task behavior, which can include (but will not be limited to): talking or playing during instruction, failure to follow directions, or failure to come to class with all required materials. One strike results in a yellow mark; two strikes result in an orange mark; and three strikes result in a red mark. Students will be allowed no more than nine (9) strikes or three (3) red marks during any given month. Students can have strikes removed by making an effort to focus on correcting any inappropriate behavior. Strikes may not be removed if a student earns an orange mark during a class. Any student who exceeds nine strikes or three red marks will be permanently expelled from the class. Parents will be notified.
EXPULSION
Students can be expelled from recorder class for (but not limited to) the following reasons:
· Failure to purchase a recorder and other required materials
· Failure to bring their recorder and other materials to class more than three times during the semester
· Exceeding the number of allowed excused and unexcused absences during the semester (see attendance policy)
· Exceeding nine (9) strikes or three (3) red marks in any given month
· Failure to consistently practice and/or complete homework assignments
· Failure to participate in all class activities
· Failure to follow any other policies of recorder class
REMIND
Parents are required to enroll in Remind (formerly Remind 101), a service allowing the teacher to communicate pertinent information about the class to parents. This saves paper and copier ink. To enroll, simply text @bespipes to 81010. Your child’s enrollment in the class will then be complete and you should receive a confirmation text. Students will not be officially enrolled in the class until their parents have enrolled in Remind. Students who are not officially enrolled by the deadline may not participate, and all paid fees will be refunded.
The Brewton Elementary School Recorder Class