Syllabus-8th+Grade

Viroqua Schools Band Department Bradley A Thew  100 Blackhawk Drive  Viroqua WI 54665  608.637.1632 (w)  __bthew@viroqua.k12.wi.us__  __ www.viroquabands.wikispaces.com __

**Viroqua 8th Grade Band** **2011-2012 Syllabus** __**CLASSROOM RULES:**__
 * 1) ALL students will display Courtesy & Respect for others and equipment at all times.
 * 2) All students will be in regular attendance at __all__ scheduled classes, with __all__necessary equipment.
 * 3) Truancies (unexcused absences) will result in the loss of 2% of your semester grade for __**each**__ unexcused absence.
 * 4) Students must attend all performances. Students who miss a performance should have their absence approved IN ADVANCE by presenting Mr. Thew will a written excuse from the parent/guardian, at least five (5) school days prior to the performance. The ONLY excuses that will be accepted will for “ONCE IN A LIFETIME EVENTS” (weddings, confirmation, funeral, etc.). These “once in a lifetime” determinations will be made by Mr. Thew.

__**GRADING POLICY:**__ Points earned in a grading period are divided by the total number of points possible to determine a percentage grade. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Daily Work: 10 points per day 20% <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Lessons: 25 points per lesson 35%  <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Performances: 100 points per performance 35% <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">__**Grading Scale**__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">95-100 A  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">93-94 A-  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">91-92 B+  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">87-90 B  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">85-86 B-  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">83-84 C+  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">79-82 C  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">77-78 C-  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">75-76 D+  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">71-74 D  <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">69-70 D-  <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Below 69 F   <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__**ALL**__ extra-credit points will raise a student’s grade no more than 1/3 of one letter grade, and will only apply if __**ALL**__ regular classroom requirements have been meet.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**Home Practice:** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">All students in the VMS 8th Grade band are expected to practice weekly. All student instruments will go home on NON-Band rehearsal days. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Student assignments for the week will be available on the Band's web-site (beginning Sept 21st). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**It is the student's responsibility to practice. It is the parent's responsibility to make sure your child takes practice seriously.**

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**Calendar of __Required__ Events** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Date__ __Event__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">December 5th MS Band, Choir & Orchestra Concert – 7:30 pm – VHS Gym <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">April 16th 5th Annual Band-O-Rama – 8:00 pm - VHS Gym <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">May 28th Memorial Day Parade & Program – 9:45 am – Viroqua

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**Lessons:** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">In addition to the SmartMusic testing, students will receive regularly scheduled lessons with Mr. Thew. All students will be assigned a lesson time. This will involve being pulled from another class. Please do not be alarmed. Studies have proven that students who are pulled from other courses for lessons tend to perform better and receive higher grades than their non-music studying peers.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**Communication:** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Without clear communication lines Mr. Thew cannot keep everyone informed. The Band's web page is an excellent tool to check if you have a question. The Middle School and High School Band's web site is www.viroquabands.wikispaces.com. If you need to contact Mr. Thew, please remember email is the fastest way to reach me. Second fastest is by phone. If you need to see me in person, email or call and we can set a time to meet. This process will make for faster and more accurate communication.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**Final Thoughts:** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">My goal is to make music making with your child an intense, powerful and fun activity. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">With your help we can make this happen. If you have any ideas that you feel could make the VMS Bands better, please feel free to communicate these ideas with me.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Please complete and return the portion below to Mr. Thew by Friday, September 23rd, 2011 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">I have read, and understand, the course outline, grading policy and expectations.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Parent Signature:__Date:___

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Parent Email:___

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Students Name:___