Printable Version of handbook and excuse form:
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| excused_absence_form.doc |
Lecanto High School 2014-2015 Band Handbook
Welcome to the 2014-2015 Lecanto High School Band. This handbook should inform as well as prepare the students and parents for the upcoming band season. Through this we hope to further our communication between the director, instructors, students and parents. We ask that you please read through all of the following information carefully.
Classes
Band Dues
All students are responsible for annual band fees that go towards the general expenses of the band. Dues may be fully worked out through fundraisers that will be provided throughout the year, depending on how many the student participates in.
What are our dues used for?
Member in good standing:
All dues must be paid from the previous year for participation in the current band season. If debt carries over, students will be placed on the school indebtedness list which disallows participation in band, band banquet, all school dances, field trips, graduation and other school functions.
(Students who would like to participate in the end of year band trip must have all debts paid by a date to be determined later. Everyone else must be paid before the band banquet. All dates vary from year to year.)
“Good Standing” status will be void for those who do not finish a full semester. Future participation will be forfeited along with awards, trophies, and Tri-M Membership. All uniform parts must be returned, or paid for in full, including jackets, shoes, shirts, etc.
Attendance
The success of the band program strictly depends on the attendance of each member. Each absence results in loss of practice, information, changes, new drill spots, etc. When someone is not there, the band is forced to take a step back and re-teach what was missed. Absence is strictly enforced by the director and will be reflected in the student’s grade in the following ways:
Unexcused absences may only be made up through a hand written 800-word essay that will be due the following week.
If the student is involved with any other sport we can work with the coach on the practice times. However, full participation in the band practice before a competition is required.
If the student is participating in tutoring after school that meets during after school practice, the student must return to band practice directly after the tutoring session with a signed note, with time stamp, by the tutor in charge each day.
Note: Only 3 absences shall be made up for partial credit. If absences are in excess, the student may be taken out of the band program.
Plagiarism on make-up work is Illegal! If a student is caught plagiarizing, an automatic grade of zero is applied and actions are reported to the administration. ALL PAPERS ARE EXAMINED!!!
We need to have advanced knowledge if a student is going to be absent so that schedules for the band can be scheduled accordingly. For doctor’s appointments, weddings, etc. there is an Excused Absence Form attached to the end of the Handbook. This needs to be filled out and turned in no later than one week prior to the date the student will be absent, or the student will not be excused.
Deviation of these standards will forfeit membership in band for future years.
Parent Pick-up
- Students may be picked-up or dropped-off behind the bandroom. Students should arrive at the designated areas in time to be ready to practice precisely when practice begins or whatever time is given for any other event. Please make sure transportation is taken care of for each practice or event. Transportation should be available no more than 15 minutes after the practice or event has ended.
Sectionals/Lessons
Discipline
Hierarchy of leadership:
Presence
Presence is the way we are perceived by others. The band is under the watchful eye of the public at all times. Whether on the field or off the field we are always being judged.
-Proper etiquette is expected while watching other bands perform. Respect for the performers should be shown at all times.
-Students must stay where the director places them.
-No friends or family shall sit with the band.
-Students need to be aware of the game for chances to play the fight song.
-Students should also pay attention to the director and the drum major.
Equipment
-Drums need to maintain a clean shell and must have cover on at all times except for games and competitions. Report cracked or broken heads to the director or instructor.
-Guard equipment must stay neatly packed in the bags unless being used.
All equipment of any kind remains school property unless cleared by the director. Each student is responsible for all equipment loaned out to them. If lost or stolen, the student will be charged for the replacement.
Fundraisers
The quality of instruments and student education are heavily relied on the fundraisers that are held throughout the year. Portions of fundraiser profits may be used for membership dues and end of the year trips. Only students may take advantage of fundraiser profits towards dues. All students are expected to participate in fundraisers. Participation in fund raisers is HIGHLY RECOMMENED!!!!!
*If you and your family are in a financial hardship, please do not hesitate
to come and see me.
Field Trips – Games, Competitions, Parades, End of the Year Trips, etc.
-No Student shall participate in any field trips without a completed and updated emergency form and physical.
-All students will adhere to the school code of conduct on and off school grounds.
-Busses shall be left cleaner then they arrived.
Remember that you are representing yourself, the band, Lecanto High School, Citrus County and the State of Florida.
-Chaperones – Must have chaperone papers filled out through the district.
LHS Band Website: http://www.lecantohighschoolband.com
-If your child does not like to give you information, almost everything we do will be on the webpage. Please check the webpage often.
Band Boosters
A Band Booster is a parent whose sole purpose is to support the band as a whole, by way of fundraising. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm in the band room. Every parent is invited to join the monthly meetings. Meetings consist of discussing and voting on certain fundraisers and purchases pertaining to boosting funds for the band. The money raised through the Boosters fund somewhere around 80% of the events we attend and the equipment that we use. Our program could not survive without the help of our Band Boosters. The Band Boosters are also asked first, if they would like to chaperone the end of the year field trip.
Welcome to the 2014-2015 Lecanto High School Band. This handbook should inform as well as prepare the students and parents for the upcoming band season. Through this we hope to further our communication between the director, instructors, students and parents. We ask that you please read through all of the following information carefully.
Classes
- Fall
- Instrumental Techniques I-IV (marching band)
- Percussion (drum class) 2nd block
- Eurhythmics (marching band)
- Colorguard 2nd block
- Band I-IV(marching band)
- Wind Instruments (brass/woodwinds) 4th block
- Instrumental Techniques I-IV (marching band)
- Spring
- Instrumental Ensemble I-IV
- Percussion (drum class) 2nd block
- Orchestra I-IV (concert band)
- Wind Instruments (brass/woodwinds) 4th block
- Instrumental Ensemble I-IV
- Exceptions:
Band Dues
All students are responsible for annual band fees that go towards the general expenses of the band. Dues may be fully worked out through fundraisers that will be provided throughout the year, depending on how many the student participates in.
- New Students - $225
- Veterans (2nd, 3rd and 4th year member) -$200
- Concert Band - $50 (participation in marching band cover concert dues)
What are our dues used for?
- Buses
- Competition fees
- Uniform cleaning
- Instrument repair
- New Instruments
- Colorguard equipment
- Colorguard uniforms
- Gloves
- Shoes (1st year members)
- Instructors
- Clinicians
- Etc.
Member in good standing:
All dues must be paid from the previous year for participation in the current band season. If debt carries over, students will be placed on the school indebtedness list which disallows participation in band, band banquet, all school dances, field trips, graduation and other school functions.
(Students who would like to participate in the end of year band trip must have all debts paid by a date to be determined later. Everyone else must be paid before the band banquet. All dates vary from year to year.)
“Good Standing” status will be void for those who do not finish a full semester. Future participation will be forfeited along with awards, trophies, and Tri-M Membership. All uniform parts must be returned, or paid for in full, including jackets, shoes, shirts, etc.
Attendance
The success of the band program strictly depends on the attendance of each member. Each absence results in loss of practice, information, changes, new drill spots, etc. When someone is not there, the band is forced to take a step back and re-teach what was missed. Absence is strictly enforced by the director and will be reflected in the student’s grade in the following ways:
- Band Camp is Mandatory for a spot on the field for marching band.
- Practices: Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30pm – 6:30pm
Unexcused absences may only be made up through a hand written 800-word essay that will be due the following week.
- Unexcused absence = -11 points from final grade
- Make up = + 5 points
If the student is involved with any other sport we can work with the coach on the practice times. However, full participation in the band practice before a competition is required.
If the student is participating in tutoring after school that meets during after school practice, the student must return to band practice directly after the tutoring session with a signed note, with time stamp, by the tutor in charge each day.
- Football games:
- Unexcused absence = -21 points from final grade
- Make up = + 5 points
- Competitions:
- Unexcused absence = -26 points from final grade
- Make up = + 5 points
- Loss of eligibility to go on field trips
Note: Only 3 absences shall be made up for partial credit. If absences are in excess, the student may be taken out of the band program.
Plagiarism on make-up work is Illegal! If a student is caught plagiarizing, an automatic grade of zero is applied and actions are reported to the administration. ALL PAPERS ARE EXAMINED!!!
- Concerts:
- State = final exam for first 9 weeks
- Christmas concert = final exam for second 9 weeks
- FBA = final exam for third 9 weeks
- Spring Concert = final exam for last 9 weeks
- Excused Absences:
We need to have advanced knowledge if a student is going to be absent so that schedules for the band can be scheduled accordingly. For doctor’s appointments, weddings, etc. there is an Excused Absence Form attached to the end of the Handbook. This needs to be filled out and turned in no later than one week prior to the date the student will be absent, or the student will not be excused.
- Work:
- Students Not Enrolled in the Class:
- Students in good standing:
Deviation of these standards will forfeit membership in band for future years.
Parent Pick-up
- Students may be picked-up or dropped-off behind the bandroom. Students should arrive at the designated areas in time to be ready to practice precisely when practice begins or whatever time is given for any other event. Please make sure transportation is taken care of for each practice or event. Transportation should be available no more than 15 minutes after the practice or event has ended.
Sectionals/Lessons
- Sectionals may be made a week in advance by section leader, instructor or director.
- Every student is expected to be at his or her planned sectional.
- Full participation is needed for any type of improvement to be seen.
- Students need to be open and flexible for private, one on one lessons with section leaders knowing that the section leader needs to fulfill their required lesson hours.
- Each lesson will be an hour. You are expected to have at least 2 lessons during the marching season.
Discipline
Hierarchy of leadership:
- Band Director
- Instructors
- Drum Major and Assistant Drum Major
- Section Leaders
- Band Boosters
- Each other
- School discipline
- Bus
Presence
Presence is the way we are perceived by others. The band is under the watchful eye of the public at all times. Whether on the field or off the field we are always being judged.
- Off the bus
- Halves
- In the arc (Warm ups for Guard and Percussion)
- Walking to the gate
- Off field (Shows)
-Proper etiquette is expected while watching other bands perform. Respect for the performers should be shown at all times.
- Stands (Games)
-Students must stay where the director places them.
-No friends or family shall sit with the band.
-Students need to be aware of the game for chances to play the fight song.
-Students should also pay attention to the director and the drum major.
- 3rd Quarter
Equipment
- Horns, Drums, Guard equipment
-Drums need to maintain a clean shell and must have cover on at all times except for games and competitions. Report cracked or broken heads to the director or instructor.
-Guard equipment must stay neatly packed in the bags unless being used.
- Mouth pieces, Reeds, Sticks, Valve oil, Gloves etc…
- Water bottle must be with student and filled at all practices.
- Dotbook must be with students and completed with correct dots at all practices.
- A hat and non-denim shorts are a must for after school rehearsals.
- If any school property is lost and/or damaged, student will be responsible for replacement.
- UNIFORM
All equipment of any kind remains school property unless cleared by the director. Each student is responsible for all equipment loaned out to them. If lost or stolen, the student will be charged for the replacement.
Fundraisers
The quality of instruments and student education are heavily relied on the fundraisers that are held throughout the year. Portions of fundraiser profits may be used for membership dues and end of the year trips. Only students may take advantage of fundraiser profits towards dues. All students are expected to participate in fundraisers. Participation in fund raisers is HIGHLY RECOMMENED!!!!!
*If you and your family are in a financial hardship, please do not hesitate
to come and see me.
Field Trips – Games, Competitions, Parades, End of the Year Trips, etc.
-No Student shall participate in any field trips without a completed and updated emergency form and physical.
-All students will adhere to the school code of conduct on and off school grounds.
-Busses shall be left cleaner then they arrived.
Remember that you are representing yourself, the band, Lecanto High School, Citrus County and the State of Florida.
-Chaperones – Must have chaperone papers filled out through the district.
LHS Band Website: http://www.lecantohighschoolband.com
-If your child does not like to give you information, almost everything we do will be on the webpage. Please check the webpage often.
Band Boosters
A Band Booster is a parent whose sole purpose is to support the band as a whole, by way of fundraising. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm in the band room. Every parent is invited to join the monthly meetings. Meetings consist of discussing and voting on certain fundraisers and purchases pertaining to boosting funds for the band. The money raised through the Boosters fund somewhere around 80% of the events we attend and the equipment that we use. Our program could not survive without the help of our Band Boosters. The Band Boosters are also asked first, if they would like to chaperone the end of the year field trip.