Middle School Music Expectations

• Students will attend Music class, on-time, for the full duration, as scheduled
• Students should be distraction-free during class (no texting, web surfing, eating, etc.)
• Students should be prepared to engage in face-to-face dialog, with their webcam on for the duration of class; no distracting backgrounds or attire that takes away from the focus of the class session
• The student’s screen name (Zoom) will reflect their given name for attendance purposes
• Students will comply with deadlines, written and verbal instructions, and will adhere to our school’s academic honesty policy
• All other classroom rules as stated in the Classroom Covenant apply in all settings (e.g. discussion board, Zoom, in-person)
  • Please see: https://sites.google.com/saintbrigidsf.org/music/student-expectations

Any assigned work will be listed on the student’s virtual homework board, available from their homeroom teacher. Students are responsible for checking their school email and Google Classroom daily for updates (I recommend checking once at the beginning of the schoolwork-day and once at the end).

Grading

• Students are credited 15 points per Zoom class session; failure to attend will ultimately result in a zero. Up to two “zero” grade class sessions may be dropped from the student’s grade at the end of the Trimester.
  • As stated in the Music Department Academic Policy and Expectations document: “Students who miss three or more music sessions during a Trimester must complete an alternative assignment for each day missed (beyond two) or they will receive a zero for the third absence and all subsequent absences. Make up work for missed class sessions are assigned at a ratio of approximately 10-15 minutes for every 30 minutes of class time missed. This work may be assigned in addition to any assignments that were given during class.”
• Approximately 60% of the Distance Learning grade is based on participating in Zoom class sessions; the remaining 40% is based on the quality of a student’s assignments/assessments
• Students should generally expect to complete up to 15-30 minutes of Music homework per week and/or to practice an instrument for approximately 30-45 minutes per week (broken into 10-15 minute practice sessions).
  • Assignments may take the form of essays, journal reflections, presentations, music theory “worksheets,” performance videos, discussion questions, music composition projects, and/or practice logs. Assignments/Assessments will be worth a total of 15 points or 30 points.
  • I will provide one optional Pass/Fail 5-point assignment per week for students who wish to bolster their grades or enhance their studies. These points will not replace missing/deficient assignments, but will be added to the total grade; failed optional assignments will not be counted against the student
    • These assignments cannot be re-done or made-up, and must be turned in on time to be considered; optional assignments may not come in late.
  • Please note: Larger projects will be completed in at least two phases. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the assignment on the suggested/requested timeline to ensure that they do not have too much Music work to complete on a particular evening/during a given week.

Please see the Music Program’s Academic Policy and Expectations document, available as a PDF at this web address, for all policies and expectations, including class rules and late work:

https://sites.google.com/saintbrigidsf.org/music/student-expectations

• I will strive to have grades posted in Schoolspeak for your review every two weeks. It is the family’s responsibility to review and discuss your student’s grade. I am here as a support to answer any questions that you may have: bdc@saintbrigidsf.org
• If your child falls below a C- you can expect to hear from me by email and/or by phone.
• Students and/or parents are welcome to schedule and attend a 15 minute Zoom office hour session with Mr. D-C during Distance Learning, for tutoring and/or other questions. When a student schedules a session, it is cleared with the homeroom teacher. Sessions are recorded and retained for the school’s record.
  • Appointments must be booked by 5pm on the previous day in order to be honored.

Office Hours:

• 9:15-10:00am Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
• 2:30-3:00pm Monday-Friday