The student maintains decorum in all related spaces and situations. This includes being respectful to peers, to teachers, and guests.

Student should use T.H.I.N.K. before comments and questions: (T)ruthful, (H)elpful, (I)mportant, (N)ecessary, (K)ind. Students aim for all five at once. Another way to think of this is the five "U's" - students can lose decorum points if their comments are Untrue, Unhelpful, Unimportant, Unnecessary, or Unkind. The director will use her professional judgment to determine loss of points per above (for example, if a student question is "Untrue," they would not lose a point because they are seeking truth in their question to the teacher).

Common deductions:

• Talking during teacher instruction

• Interrupting the speaker or demonstrator (this includes peers)

• Distracting others' attention from the lesson, demonstration, or activity

• Playing their instrument "out-of-turn" (e.g. when everyone is supposed to be in "rest-position," during silent practice, or the teacher is making a demonstration, etc.)

• Playing their instrument loudly and without purpose, making intentionally poor sounds (e.g. putting the entire clarinet mouthpiece in their mouth and "honking" on purpose)

• Packing up instrument before getting signal from director

How to avoid losing points:

• Always raise hand and wait to be selected by the teacher.

• Use T.H.I.N.K. before speaking

• Play your instrument only at appropriate times (if unsure, raise hand and ask)

The student is prepared for their class, for the lesson, for the procedures, and for performance. This includes having all necessary materials and procedures in place.

Student should ensure they have everything they need for school and from the band supply list for class, home practice, and performances. They should make sure they are ready in time for class, rehearsal, and performance activities by following procedures and expectations in a timely manner.

Common deductions:

• Student is missing their: band binder, sheet protectors, ultra-fine expo, pencil, band music, band book, instrument (or drum sticks, or reeds, etc.), homework assignment, or other item needed

• Student is last to be set up and in rest position to begin warm-ups or lesson

• Student has not practiced and is not ready for the presented material

How to avoid losing points:

• Be in-place, on-time, in-a-hurry, with all materials

• Follow entry, set-up, and take-down (striking) procedures in a timely manner (i.e. prepared to start, prepared to leave)

• Practice daily to ensure preparedness for lesson, performance, or playing test

The student is prepared for their class, for the lesson, for the procedures, and for performance. This includes having all necessary materials and procedures in place.

Student should ensure they have everything they need for school and from the band supply list for class, home practice, and performances. They should make sure they are ready in time for class, rehearsal, and performance activities by following procedures and expectations in a timely manner.

Common deductions:

• Stepping over (or onto) another person's instrument

• Being careless with equipment

• Leaving a mess behind

• Refusing to participate (i.e. not serving the needs of the ensemble)

How to avoid losing points:

• Clean up after yourself

• If you see a mess that isn't yours, pick it up or ask for help (if asked, offer to help within your ability)

• Be kind and helpful to your peers and teachers

• Assist each other with procedures (including clean-up)

• Take care around each other's equipment and safety

• Take care of your own equipment (clean/swab your instrument) and safety

How to add points:

This category will allow students to add points. It is on a case-by-case basis, but is available to all students. Here are some examples:

• After school assistance - help clean or organize the room after school for at least 20 minutes (1 point per 20 minutes of assistance)

• 3 sentences on How, Why, and What they practiced

• One page essay on a piece of music that they are learning. They need to explain who wrote it, what they think it is about, and whether or not they like the piece

• A one page review of music from a movie, game, artist, or musical group

• Pass a playing test of the director’s choosing

• Coach a peer or younger peer for 20 minutes

Students may offer proposals to receive an additional leadership point toward their  grade and may have it applied to the current or prior week, up to 5 points maximum each week.