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Send to friendAll of our performance classes at SCN include co-curricular components, as indicated in the District 303 Course Booklet. This means that there are additional obligations that take place outside of the normal school day. This will include weeknights and sometimes weekends. Examples include: concerts, dress-rehearsals,half-time shows, parades, and invited (out of town) performances. Attendance at these obligations is required, and therefore a part of the student’s grade each quarter.
Non-school events such as work or family events are not excusable conflicts and the student is therefore expected to be in attendance. In many cases extra-curricular school activities such as athletics or clubs are not excusable conflicts. The class has the priority.
Athletes:
Most of the time your conflicts can be worked out successfully. The important thing is to communicate early (not the last minute). A very general rule of thumb is that performances and games take precedence over rehearsals and practices. However please do not make these decisions on your own. Always be in communication with your teachers and coaches.
Scheduling events for a large district such as ours is a daunting task. Our concert dates are chosen one year in advance, and every effort is made to avoid major conflicts with important athletic, drama,and other extra-curricular school events. The music calendar is made available to families no later than June, and usually far earlier. It is therefore incumbent upon the student and family to identify any conflicts and communicate with the coach or sponsor about their co-curricular obligations. Please do not wait until the last minute to do this. It reflects poorly on all of us.
In certain situations where the extra-curricular event is of great importance (for example, district or state athletic meets), discussion between the faculty members may be warranted. The first step in this process requires that the conflict be submitted in writing by the student at least four weeks prior. This will allow adequate time for solutions to be considered. It will sometimes be necessary for the student to make a choice in these situations that could affect either their grade, or their role in the ensemble or team as the case may be, but in the majority of situations a compromise can be achieved. We cannot under emphasize the importance of reviewing all school obligations throughout the year, and more importantly communicating with us as early as possible. If the decision is made that the music practice or performance is excused, the student will need to make up the time via a written "Listening Assignment." Failure to submit the written assignment by the deadline will result in zero credit for that missed obligation. Instructions for written "Listening Assignments" can be found at www.scnmusic.com/node/56.
Finally, students are expected to remain for the entire rehearsal or performance even if their particular ensemble has finished. It is important that our students support each other and learn that part of becoming a well-rounded musician includes learning the role of the listener.
