Guidelines for the Brewton Elementary School Orff Ensemble

GUIDELINES FOR THE BREWTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ORFF ENSEMBLE

(Revised, 10/16/15)

Please note: With your child’s selection into the group, both you and your child have already agreed to the following guidelines as was stated in the brochure and on the permission form. Please do not return this form. It is yours for future reference!

ATTENDANCE. Students must attend and be on time for all rehearsals and performances. Attendance is required of all members of this ensemble and will be checked at the start of every rehearsal, which will promptly begin at 3:00. During the year, however, family emergencies, illnesses, etc., are unpreventable. If a child has to miss a rehearsal, he/she will need to bring a brief note from his/her parent/guardian, not a sibling, other relative, friend, neighbor, etc., explaining the reason for the absence, or the parent/guardian may arrange an informal conference before school, after school (before 3:30), or during the director’s planning time (2:00) before the child’s next practice. Excuses written by siblings, friends, neighbors, etc., will not be accepted and the absence(s) in question will be considered unexcused. Students and their parents are responsible for contacting the director for any information that was missed during their absence. Students are allowed three (3) unexcused absences and six (6) excused absences per semester. Two (2) tardies will be counted as one unexcused absence. Students who exceed the number of allowed excused and unexcused absences will be expelled from the group. The director (on a case-by-case basis) will make the final determination as to whether an absence will be excused or unexcused. If a student establishes a pattern of consistent absences without any notice, it will be assumed that he/she is no longer interested in being in BESOE and will be expelled without further notice from the director. Students who quit BESOE or are expelled from the group for any reason will not receive end-of-the-year recognition or certificates.

REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES. All students must follow all rules and procedures for rehearsals and performances.

PERFORMANCE ATTIRE. Students must purchase a BESOE T-shirt (for informal performances) and other required group attire. Please adhere to the following guidelines for more formal performances: Boys: Black dress slacks and either white, weather-appropriate button-down shirts or white Polo-style shirts (no plain T-shirts), dark shoes and socks. BESOE T-shirts must be tucked in. Girls: Black dress slacks or skirts and either white, weather-appropriate blouses or white Polo-style shirts, dark shoes, black or white socks, stockings/tights. BESOE T-shirts and blouses (depending on the style) must be tucked in. For less formal performances, BESOE T-shirts blue jeans and tennis shoes should be worn.

BEHAVIOR. BESOE members will be representing their parents, their teachers, their school and the Brewton community. They must show exemplary behavior at all times (this includes music classes and any school function where students will be representing the Brewton Elementary School and the BESOE). Misbehavior will not be tolerated in any form. Students who show signs of having behavior problems either in regular music classes or in BESOE will be permanently expelled from the group. Also, students who are referred to the office at any time by any faculty or staff member for any reason will be placed on probation. Subsequent office referrals will result in a student’s expulsion. Good behavior must be shown at all times. The director reserves the right to deny enrollment to any student, or expel any BESOE member (or perspective BESOE member) with a history of discipline problems.

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND CONFLICTS. Students should not request enrollment in BESOE if it will cause conflicts with other after-school activities/commitments (sports, after-school tutoring, jazz dance, etc.). Students who choose to play spring sports (baseball/softball, in particular) should withdraw themselves from BESOE. We want to encourage students to participate in things that interest them; however, they must learn the importance of honoring a commitment. It is unreasonable and unrealistic for students to think that they can be everywhere and do everything. Should it be found that students are participating in conflicting activities with BESOE, they will be immediately expelled from the group.This policy will be strictly enforced.No exceptions!!! Situations where students with prior commitments still wishing to join BESOE will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and must be discussed with the director before clearance can be given for enrollment.

REMIND (FORMERLY REMIND 101). Remindallows communication between the BESOE director and parents about important information about the group. This is a convenient feature because teachers can contact parents at a moment’s notice whenever necessary and it saves paper and ink. Now, both teachers and parents can communicatewith each other via Remind’s chat feature. If you have a smartphone, you can download the Remind app. If not, you can always receive Remind messages via E-mail. Excuses or other notes from parents can even be sent via Remind. Teachers never see parents’ cell numbers, nor do parents see teachers’ or other parents’ cell numbers. Written notices about upcoming performances will be sent only when detailed instructions need to be discussed. Students’ enrollment or re-enrollment in BESOE is incomplete until their parents enroll in Remind. Once they enroll in Remind, parents will receive confirmation notices of their children’s enrollment into BESOE. Students who are not officially enrolled or re-enrolled by the November 6th deadline will not be allowed to participate and all paid fees will be refunded.

Failure of a student/parent or guardian to adhere to these guidelines may result in the student’s immediate expulsion from the group.