Spring Semester 2008

Hello Parents and Students!

Hopefully, you all had an enjoyable winter break and are excited to get back into band!!

There will be several changes to our rehearsal methods as many suggestions have come in asking for primarily two things:

More communication and a more focused and respectful rehearsal environment.

Firstly, this blog/website hopes to fill the communication gap between myself, Mrs. Lee and all of the Parents by keeping you up to date with Upcoming concerts, Outstanding Students, Current Music as well as practice assignments.

Secondly, in an effort to keep a more orderly and respectful teaching and learning environment, all disruptive behavior will be met with the following actions:

1. First, the student(s) will be asked ONCE to refrain from any further disturbances. These include but are not limited to:

Talking
Playing out of turn
Distracting fellow students
Rude Comments or Behavior
Etc...

2. If the student(s) continues to be disruptive, they will be assigned a report. The report must have the follow criteria:

1 full page (no spaces)
Hand written
Blue or Black ink
Cursive legible penmanship
Due at the next rehearsal

3. If the disturbances do not cease(in either one particular class period or over a series of rehearsals), parent involvement will be necessary . Ranging from, phone conversations, parent rehearsal attendance and ultimately, if the behavior does not improve removal from the program.

It is not my intent to exclude any student(s) from participating in the band program.

Hopefully, the reports will act as a deterrent to necessitating more severe action. And oddly enough, several students asked if they could write a report as extra credit!

I have had the pleasure of working with these students since September and know them all to be good, decent people and with improved rehearsal structure and behavioral policing, this semester will continue to foster a learning atmosphere.

Enough with the negative!

I am also introducing a "Student of the Week" program to identify and recognize outstanding students!!

The requirements are the following:

Perfect attendance for the week
Outstanding Behavior
Complete practice records, turned in on time and properly filled out

Each student is provided with a practice record each week, asking them to specify the amount of time they practiced their instrument on each specific day, then requires a parents signature for authenticity. The minimum number of minutes to be practiced each day varies on the ensemble the student participates in and is shown on the practice record.

The reward for meeting all three requirements are:

Be featured on this website, including a photograph and brief bio. Some students have asked if they can include artwork and/or music clips of them performing. All of which is possible with approval.

Second, they will be entered into a drawing to receive a $20 gift certificate to a local music store. Cash will not be given, so kids, stop asking!

Also, they will be able to assist conducting while warming up the band!!

Ways for the students to distinguish themselves are to exceed the minimum daily practice requirements and/or opting to write a 1 page report.

For parents who have students learning percussion. We have decided to move all percussion students to one rehearsal on Monday mornings. Percussion techniques are so different from wind instruments that my fear is that these students have not been receiving the attention they deserve. Also, having them meet together will allow us to work on ensemble music for both the Beginning and Intermediate bands. This will also reduce the transition time between numbers and ensembles during concerts. Mr. Faires has also graciously offered to allow us to use some of Juan Diego's percussion equipment for concerts.

Lastly, soon this semester, we will be taking a band field trip. The exact date or venue have not been determined but be prepared for further information.

Thank you all for your continued support and assistance. It is truly a privilege to work with this outstanding students. If you have any questions, concerns, comments or suggestions feel free to contact me at mr.sausedo@gmail.com

Thanks again,

Mr. S