Marking Period 1 Marking Period 3
Marking Period 2 Marking Period 4
Band lessons are 30-minute pullouts, and they are held at specific times rather than specific periods. A student being pulled out for a lesson at 1:15, for example, will have time to go to their regular class, turn in homework, go to their 30-min lesson, and then return to the same class for another 45 minutes. This structure allows students to be successful in both band lessons and regular class instruction. Students should always take a "lesson notice" to carry with them to use as a hall pass when traveling to and from lessons.
Lesson Policies:
1. Band students are required to attend lessons as part of their participation in band.
2. Students receive a grade for lessons that is included in their band class grade.
3. Students may be excused from lessons under the following circumstances:
a. A test or quiz is being held in their regular class
b. The student is expected to present a project/report in the class.
c. A parent may request their child be excused from a lesson during a particular class.
4. In order to be marked "excused", the student must return their lesson notice to Mr. Hanna with their teacher's signature on the back.
5. Students who have missed lessons should attend a "make up" lesson when they are available.
Band Lessons Rationale
Band lessons are an essential ingredient in our band program. Most students are at the beginner level and do not take lessons on their instrument outside of school. As such, it is not possible for students to be successful learning an instrument without the instruction given during instrument lessons.
Band lessons are in small groups of same or like instruments. The lessons focus on both issues specific to the task of playing that particular instrument as well as broader information and skills that are necessary for all band students to develop.
Band lesson times will rotate from week to week as shown on the schedule. Every attempt will be made to avoid pulling a student out of the same class more than once every 4 weeks. Mr. Hanna believes that core subject classes are very important, and wants his band students to excel in not just band but every class. To that end much effort is spent trying to give students the best possible band experience with the least possible disruption to their academic success. Please contact Mr. Hanna (hannas@ufrsd.net) anytime you feel there is a problem with your student's ability to both attend lessons and excel in their core classes.