Handbook

CLASSROOM RULES AND PROCEDURES

1.      All school district policies will be enforced.

2.      Read the board upon entering the room. Students are responsible for all announcements.

3.      Be in your seat ready to rehearse when the tardy bell rings.

4.      Have your folder and pencil with you every day.

5.      Respect others.

6.      Keep foreign objects out of your mouth. Gum or candy is not permissible during any rehearsal or performance.

7.      The class is dismissed by the director, not the bell.

8.      Stay away from off-limits areas; the office, pianos, practice rooms, and light switches.

9.      Proper singing position is required at all times, sitting or standing.

10. When the director is speaking, you are to listen.

GRADING, ATTENDANCE, ELIGIBILITY

1.      A. student’s grade in choir will be based upon a combination of a daily grade average and a test grade average.

2.      The daily grade average is based upon having your materials, your class participation, and daily written work.

3.      The test grade average includes singing or written tests, rehearsals, and performances.

4.      The daily grade will be affected by not following classroom procedures; other infractions include leaving folders out of slots, chewing gum, leaving your uniform in the choir room after a performance, incorrect posture, or talking during instructional time.

5.      Attendance is expected at all required rehearsals and performances.

6.      The only excuse for missing a required rehearsal or performance is sickness (absent from school), death in the family, or special school activities approved in advance by the director.

7.      If a known conflict with a scheduled rehearsal or performance exists, a “Request for an Excused Absence or Tardy” form should be submitted prior to the activity. In case of an emergency, the excuse must be submitted within 2 days.

8.      A student with an excused absence from a rehearsal or performance will have 3 days to complete make-up work. An unexcused absence will result in a zero for the missed event

9.      a student’s work schedule or lack of transportation is not an excused absence. Any doctor/dental appointment will also be unexcused. Calendars are included in the handbook, so that scheduling conflicts can be avoided.

10. Students who are ineligible for the first time will be placed on probation. A second ineligibility within a semester may result in a change in the student’s choir class assignment.

FUND RAISING

1.      Fund raising is an optional activity provided to assist students financially in their choir activities.

2.      General Fund: Every choir member is expected to earn (or pay) $20.00 to cover choir expenses incurred each school year (awards, supplies, chaperone room costs, administrative invitations to banquet, clinicians, etc.). This amount must be re-earned each year.

3.      Individual Account: Every choir member will be allowed to earn profit over the General Fund amount to be used toward a student’s individual choir expenses—voice lessons, choir trip, banquet, etc.

4.      Turning in money: Only money in an envelope with the name and amount included will be accepted. Never leave money unattended and always be sure to get a receipt. Checks will only be accepted from a choir parent. Fundraising customers should make out checks to the parent, and the parent should then write a check to the Booster Club. Money orders are also acceptable. Always have checks made out to the Sam Rayburn Choir Booster Club unless otherwise instructed.

UNIFORMS

1.      The district will furnish the choir with formal performance uniforms. Each member is responsible for the care and return of his/her uniform. Any hemming or alteration to the uniform is the responsibility of the student. However, fabric may not be cut when hemming or altering uniforms, as the uniform is used for several years and may be needed at a future date for other students.

2.      Students will need to provide black dress shoes to wear with the uniform. For girls, we prefer closed-toed shoes with backs. Boys will also need a tuxedo shirt with a wing-tip collar, and black socks.

3.      Uniforms will be issued when the student returns a signed Uniform Contract and a $5.00 dry cleaning fee.

4.      Uniforms are to be turned in at the end of the year of semester.

5.      Any damaged uniform or any uniform not returned at the appropriate time shall be paid for by the member issued the uniform.

6.      Members must wear all parts of the performance uniform while in public.

7.      The performance uniform must not be worn in public places other than a specified performance area.

8.      The casual uniform is provided by each student. It consists of blue jeans and a choir logo shirt. All students participating in the spring trip and all members of Chorale are expected to have the approved choir shirt.

9.      UNIFORMS ARE TO BE KEPT AT THE STUDENT’S HOME, NOT IN THE CHOIR ROOM.

CHOIR TRIP

1.      The spring trip is an extra-curricular activity, and will involve participation in a contest or performance.

2.      Expenses may be covered through fund raising and/or may be paid for by each individual choir member.

3.      If the majority of a choir (all voice parts being sufficiently covered) is financially committed by the designated deadline, that choir may participate in a performance.

4.      A payment schedule will be established and students will be expected to adhere to this schedule unless prior approval has been granted. Parents will need to furnish a note detailing when payments will be made before an exception to the payment schedule is granted.

5.      All Chorale and ENCORE! Members are expected to participate in the choir spring trip.

CHOIR BANQUET

1.      This banquet will be the annual event at which all special recognition and appreciation presentations will be made.

2.      Awards to be announced will include:

a.       Jason Hale Memorial Award—Outstanding Choir Member

b.      Most Dedicated Girl

c.       Most Dedicated Boy

d.      Chorale Sweetheart and Beau

e.       Senior Recognition Awards

f.        Most Improved Choir Member

g.       Other awards to be determined by the directors

3.      All awards, dinner for invited administrators, decorations, favors, programs, etc., will be paid for from the choir general fund.

4.      All members who have money in their individual account from fund raising may use that money for their own ticket.

5.      All guest tickets (parents and dates) must be purchased.

MUSIC AWARD JACKETS

            A high school student becomes eligible to receive a music award jacket upon recommendation of the music teacher and after successful completion of any one of the following requirements:

            1. Students must serve two consecutive years in Chorale;

            2. Students must participate in any choir for four years;

3. Students earning membership in the Texas Music Educators Association All               Region Mixed, Treble, or Men’s Choir.

Credit for years of participation in other schools will be accepted if the previous schools have participated in similar events. However, one full year of service must be completed in a PISD school for the student to be eligible for an award.