Staley Band Handbook 2023-2024
Staley Band Grading Policy Overview
The Staley Band has multiple grades opportunities each grading cycle. Families are encouraged to monitor your child’s grades (in all classes) and let us know if you have any questions. Note that while Canvas is a great tool for students and grades- only grades found in the Home Access Center (HAC) are official.
EVERY GRADE THIS YEAR WILL BE IN THE MAJOR GRADE CATEGORY
1) Weekly Grades: This category includes any written or playing test for ALL Band students.
2) Performance Grades: This category includes any REQUIRED PERFORMANCE (including any rehearsals related to those performances). Since there are multiple grades for each event it is vital that students attend since there is generally only one or two major performance grades each grading cycle.
Questions over a grade? Contact your child’s director– please note that directors only have access to the classes they are listed as the ‘teacher of record’. If you are not sure who teaches your child’s class please log on to the Home Access Center (HAC) to review or email Mr. Wood and he will forward your message if needed.
- Beginning Band includes all first year musicians- these are periods 1, 2, 4, 6, & 8
- Advanced Band includes all second and third year musicians- these are periods 3, 4, & 5
EVERY GRADE THIS YEAR WILL BE IN THE MAJOR GRADE CATEGORY
1) Weekly Grades: This category includes any written or playing test for ALL Band students.
- written tests, binder checks
- weekly playing tests
- sectionals (advanced band only)
2) Performance Grades: This category includes any REQUIRED PERFORMANCE (including any rehearsals related to those performances). Since there are multiple grades for each event it is vital that students attend since there is generally only one or two major performance grades each grading cycle.
- Beginning Band events in this category include: October Concert, December Concert, March Concert, May Concert, Spring Solo Concert, and the Spring Audition.
- Advanced Band events in this category include: October Concert, High School Combine Night (must attend one of the two), December Concert, All UIL Clinics, All UIL Performances (including Pre-UIL), May Concert, Solo & Ensemble Contest, Spring Audition, and any other performance throughout the year that the Band staff communicate as ‘Required’.
- There will be three grades assigned to each student to assess standard components of the performance. These include, but are not limited to:
- Attendance/Participation Grade (Texas Band TEKS 3.B)
- Concert Etiquette Grade (Texas Band TEKS 5.A)
- Critical Listening Grade (Texas Band TEKS 5.B)
Questions over a grade? Contact your child’s director– please note that directors only have access to the classes they are listed as the ‘teacher of record’. If you are not sure who teaches your child’s class please log on to the Home Access Center (HAC) to review or email Mr. Wood and he will forward your message if needed.
Weekly Grade Category Explained
Types of Tests
Band students are evaluated, monitored, and assessed daily in band. Most of the time in class directors will just offer feedback and tips for improvement. Many other times there will be more formal assessments including playing tests, pass offs, and auditions.
Participation Grade
Student participation deductions are on a case by case basis and the Band staff will follow the campus plan regarding discipline. If a student is having their grade lowered due to refusal to participate we will communicate directly with the student and parents before any changes are made in the grade book. Since directors rarely have problems with students not wanting to participate, this participation grade is rolled into the weekly material grade.
Progress Journals (PJ)
This year we are NOT adding weekly grades for practicing, but we do still have an expectation for our students to have individual practice time 5-6 days a week. Our primary focus in all classes will be our weekly playing check/tests that students take. If students are struggling we may ask to see a student's journals to help establish habits that will lead to success. Please disregard the grading section at the bottom of each practice journal.
An example of our blank Practice Journal is below.
Band students are evaluated, monitored, and assessed daily in band. Most of the time in class directors will just offer feedback and tips for improvement. Many other times there will be more formal assessments including playing tests, pass offs, and auditions.
- Playing Tests will be entered into the gradebook and will typically take place once a week for most band students. In many cases students will take these tests playing ‘down the row’ in front of their peers, but we will also offer students to perform individually for staff or even upload playing tests to Google Classroom. ALL of our tests are for a grade and we DO NOT assign chairs or rank the students.
- Pass Offs are for students to demonstrate required skills to the band staff. These assessments will not show up in the grade book. These lines are set up to be either PASS or TRY AGAIN as students who do not succeed will need to practice more and attempt the skill again next time.
- Auditions are end of year skill based assessments. Our advanced bands are set up as performance based groups and based on how well students perform, not the grade they are in. All students are required to audition.
Participation Grade
Student participation deductions are on a case by case basis and the Band staff will follow the campus plan regarding discipline. If a student is having their grade lowered due to refusal to participate we will communicate directly with the student and parents before any changes are made in the grade book. Since directors rarely have problems with students not wanting to participate, this participation grade is rolled into the weekly material grade.
Progress Journals (PJ)
This year we are NOT adding weekly grades for practicing, but we do still have an expectation for our students to have individual practice time 5-6 days a week. Our primary focus in all classes will be our weekly playing check/tests that students take. If students are struggling we may ask to see a student's journals to help establish habits that will lead to success. Please disregard the grading section at the bottom of each practice journal.
An example of our blank Practice Journal is below.
Rehearsals
This grade also includes any rehearsals or sectionals that take place outside of the school day. Students who regularly do not have items needed in class (three failing participation grades in a row) will have a conference with the Band staff and a parent. If your child is missing something due to something out of their control (like you were not able to make it to the store to buy more reeds) please send them with a note so we are aware of the situation. Special circumstances regarding materials will be handled on an individual case by case basis. If you are unable to get the needed supplies please let us know so we can assist.
Sectionals (Beginning Band Students should skip this section)
Students enrolled in Honor and Symphonic band are required to attend one sectional per week. This is our only time to work with small ‘like instrument’ families.
- When: Students will set the schedule with the band staff to try to find a time with the least amount of conflicts. Since our students participate in so many activities this can be difficult, but the band staff will work directly with our coaches and teachers to ensure that there are minimal issues.
- Sectional Times: Sectionals before school are from 7:30-8:15. Students should plan to arrive by 7:20 so they have time to uncase and warm up before the start. Sectionals after school are from 3:55-4:40. Students should try to arrive in the band hall by 3:50 to uncase and start warming up.
- Exterior Door: The band staff will monitor and hold open the door from 7:20-7:30. Students who are not in the band hall by 7:30 will have to wait for the main campus doors to be unlocked to enter the building.
- Grading: Sectional grades are based on attendance and having your music prepared.
- Attendance: Sectional attendance is mandatory for all Honor and Symphonic Band students. Students who miss more than 25 minutes, are not prepared, and/or distracting to other students will be dismissed from sectionals and receive a zero in the gradebook.
- Tutorials/Excused Absences: We will always work with students so they can attend academic tutorials, athletic games, or other school events. To help us stay organized please let us know as soon as possible if you will miss part or all of a sectional. Teachers are required to provide before and after school options for tutorials/make-up grades. Whenever possible, please try to attend tutorials at a time that does not conflict with the weekly scheduled sectional. Morning tutorial students should report to sectionals and pack up at 7:50 to attend both your morning sectional AND tutorials. Afternoon tutorial students should come to the band hall to remind the band staff where you are, take a band tutorial pass, and return it when you come back to the band hall either later that afternoon or the following day in rehearsal.
- Athletics: We have a rich tradition of having between 70-80% of our band participate in athletics. We STRONGLY encourage all our students to ‘try everything’ in middle school so you can really find what your passion is before high school (obviously we hope it includes band!). We will work with the coaches to work out a schedule so you can attend all events necessary. Students will never be placed in the position where they have to choose between band and other Staley activities since the directors will always reach out to the sponsors/coaches to help find a solution. Athletic games take priority over sectionals and we will work out a dismissal time (or excuse you all together) based on coaches recommendations. Typically or coaches also give priority to band sectionals over practice since we only have one sectional a week and it is part of our student's gradebook. Mr. Wood has worked with our coaching staff for a LONG time and we have a great history of sharing students!
- Transportation: If your child has transportation issues with an assigned sectional time please let us know as soon as possible so we can help find a solution.
Eligibility
To be academically eligible students need to pass ALL classes on their Report Card (RC). If a student fails they will have an opportunity to regain their eligibility by passing ALL classes on the Progress Report (IPR). Note that students who pass all their classes on the report card cannot lose their eligibility based on failing progress report grades. Contact Mr. Wood if you have any specific questions regarding your child’s eligibility.
To avoid confusion, Band students should pass all their classes every six weeks!
To avoid confusion, Band students should pass all their classes every six weeks!
- Extracurricular events (students must be passing to participate) include: All-Region, solo contests, band competitions, football games, and any event involving travel.
- Curricular events (students will participate even if failing a class) include: UIL, Concerts, All-Region master classes, sectionals, and any other event held at Staley.
- Reward Trips/Parties: Only students who pass all their classes on the most recent progress report (IPR) or report card (RC) will be allowed to participate at these events.