BJHS MUSIC DEPARTMENT ATTENDANCE POLICY

At Bloomington Junior High School, music performance classes (Band, Orchestra and Chorus) are classes taken for credit and receive a grade.  Further, music performance is a participation class.  Students must be in attendance to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to attain new levels of musicianship.  As noted in our grading policies, part of your student’s grade is based upon his or her attendance and positive participation in class.  The success of any music performance program depends upon the active and positive participation of all the members of the group.  Each member plays a vital role, no matter how large or small, in the overall success and musical presentation of our groups.

If your child is in attendance at school, it is our expectation they will attend their assigned class for music performance.  This attendance policy will be enforced on a yearly basis.  The attendance policy will take into account excused absences such as illness, pre-arranged absences from school, field trips, etc.

Bloomington Junior High School enjoys a flexible schedule that allows teachers the freedom to design educational experiences that best fit the needs of the students.  It is this flexibility that can lead to some confusion.  Please let us explain.

First, students who are enrolled in a music performance class do not have E&R on the days they are assigned to be in their music class.  Students may not choose which class to attend on that day.  Team teachers are not expecting them on the days they are assigned to music classes.  Students attending E&R instead of their assigned performance music class may result in your child being in the wrong place for them educationally.

Second, unexcused absences from music performance classes cannot be “made-up”.  Individual practice is not a substitute for group rehearsal time.  The skills students develop during group rehearsals are ensemble performance skills and cannot be attained through individual practice.

Further, we look forward to seeing your child for each lesson.  We miss the opportunity to help your child develop their musical talents and to watch them grow musically and personally. 

Consequently, the Music Department has implemented the following attendance policy for unexcused absences from performance music (Band, Orchestra, Chorus) classes. 

Eighth Grade

1.       The first unexcused absence will result in a parent/teacher/student conference.  The outcome of this conference will be a performance contract that spells out the expectations for the student and consequences of further unexcused absences.

2.       The second unexcused absence will result in the lowering of the student’s quarter grade by one letter grade.  The student’s parent or guardian will be contacted regarding this absence.

3.       The third unexcused absence will result in the student being removed from the music performance class with the grade earned for that quarter being recorded as per the drop policy.

Seventh Grade

1.       The first unexcused absence will result in a detention and the parents or guardian will be contacted.

2.       The second unexcused absence will result in a parent/teacher/student conference at which a performance contract will be signed that contains expectations for the student and the consequences for further unexcused absences that will include:

3.       The third unexcused absence will result in a quarter grade that is lowered one letter from what the student would otherwise have earned.

4.       The fourth unexcused absence will result in the removal of the student from the class and a grade registered for the quarter in accordance with the drop policy.

Sixth Grade

            Students will have the first three (3) weeks of the school year as an adjustment period before the following policy will be implemented.  Prior to the implementation date, parents will be contacted concerning their child’s absence but no official sanction will be applied unless the absences continue on a regular basis.

After the first three (3) weeks of school:

1.       The first unexcused absence will result in a detention and the parents or guardian will be contacted.

2.       The second unexcused absence will result in a parent/teacher/student conference during which a performance contract will be signed that states student expectations and the consequences for further unexcused absences that will include:

3.       The third unexcused absence will result in a quarter grade that is lowered one letter from what the student would otherwise have earned.

4.       The fourth unexcused absence will result in the removal of the student from the class and a grade registered for the quarter in accordance with the drop policy.