Oneta Ridge Middle School Choir Syllabus

Choir Director: Mrs. Karissa Parkhurst (918) 259-4360; kparkhurst@baschools.org Planning Hour: 6th Hour (1:50 – 2:40) Monday – Friday Contact Information: I love to be in contact with parents and volunteers at all times during the school year! Often the best way to handle misunderstandings or hard times in the classroom is through very open communication with home and school. However, there are a few limitations to the ways in which I will contact parents and volunteers:

• The absolute best time to contact me is during my planning hour by phone or email. If you cannot get through to me at this time, I will do my best to respond to you within 24 hours.

• I will hardly ever respond to “emergency” contacts the nights of concerts, field trips, or auditions. All information you will need to be successful at concerts and auditions will be provided for you in plenty of time. If you are ever unsure of a time or place for an event, please check the website and Facebook page before contacting me.

• I make use of an application called Remind 101 which texts all subscribers with reminders and important information.

• Besides days when we are on trips and I am communicating with chaperones, I will never respond to a parent (or student) through a personal text message. I consider this an inappropriate way to handle communication between a teacher and parent.

Four Cornerstones of Oneta Ridge Middle School:

1. Be respectful of self and others. 2. Be responsible, prepared, and where you need to be. 3. Be a positive and engaged learner. 4. Be caring, compassionate, and encouraging.

Mission: The mission of the Oneta Ridge Middle School Choir program is to create self-sufficient, knowledgeable musicians and to foster a love of music in all students. Objectives: (What students will be able to do at the end of this course of study.) Students will sight-read new pieces of music with 70% accuracy. Students will rehearse with appropriate rehearsal etiquette 9 out of 10 times.

Students will perform choral literature from all genres. Students will perform concerts with exceptional, professional concert etiquette. Expectations: Based on Oneta Ridge’s Four Cornerstones, the ORMS Choir Mission, and the ORMS Choir Objectives, there are certain expectations in ORMS choir to aid students in achieving the Cornerstones, Mission, and Objectives: Rehearsals: Productive rehearsals are essential to any good choir program. A productive rehearsal involves every student on-task at all times. Students will be considered on-task if they are in their seats, with their music and a pencil, responding appropriately to the director. Students who are not on-task will receive deductions in their grades. The use of gum and cell phones is prohibited during rehearsal because both of these items are detrimental to the rehearsal efforts of the choir. If these items are used during a rehearsal, appropriate measures (including detentions and referrals) will be taken to insure appropriate rehearsal technique is restored. Attendance: Prompt attendance is expected at all daytime rehearsals (normal class time). If a student enters the classroom after the tardy bell, he or she must sign the tardy notebook stating date and reason for tardy. If a student receives 3 tardies, he or she will be assigned an after-school detention per school policy. An additional detention will be assigned for each tardy after 3. Supplies: Each student will be provided with a colored folder. The student is responsible for the upkeep of his or her folder throughout the school year. Any damage done to the folder will be assessed at the end of the school year with fees determined for each student to replace the binder, if necessary. Each student will also need a pencil at each rehearsal.

Music: Supplying enough music for every student in the choir program is a costly endeavor. For this reason, it is imperative each student take great care of their music. Each piece of music will be assigned to each student through a filing system. If, for some reason, that piece of music is damaged or destroyed when returned, there will be a small damage fee assigned to the student. Concerts: There will be several concerts throughout the year. Attendance at these concerts is required and is a large part of each student’s grade. Attached is a list of the concert dates as known at this time. If a concert date changes, information will be sent home and posted on the website, as well as the Facebook page. It is recommended that parents and guardians take concerts very seriously. The students will have worked exceptionally hard to present their music to their family and friends, and should be treated with respect and

admiration. During concerts, it is not appropriate to talk, use cell phones, or use flash photography during performances. Attire: All choirs have the same required attire for formal concerts. Everything must be dress code appropriate. Failure to adhere to this dress code will result in the lowering of the student’s concert grade. The dress code is as follows: Girls: All black (either black dress or black skirt or pants with a black dress shirt) NO jeans, shorts, or capris Dresses and skirts must be below the knees Black pantyhose must be worn when wearing a dress or skirt Close-toed black dress shoes NO jewelry or hair accessories of any kind

(with the exception of plain ponytail holders, bobby pins, and small stud earrings)

All hair must be pulled out of the face Boys: Long-sleeved black dress shirt Black dress pants NO jeans, shorts, or capris Black dress shoes Tie will be provided Attitude: Due to the group nature of any choir, it is important everyone in the choir has a positive attitude. There will be times throughout the year that a choir performs a song not everyone in the choir enjoys; however, it is not appropriate for a student to refuse to perform any song (religious customs exempted). The expectation is that all students will contribute positively to the choir of which they are a member. If a student chooses not to contribute positively, it could affect their grade. Mrs. Parkhurst will uphold her side of this by choosing to have a positive attitude with all of her choirs. Grades: Grades will be calculated as follows: Daily Grade: 30% of final grade Daily Written Work: 30% of final grade Sight-Reading Tests: 12% of final grade Concerts: 20% of final grade Semester Test: 8% of final grade The daily grade starts at 20 points for each day (making 100 points for the week). If a student is ever in violation of one of the Four Cornerstones, he or she will receive a 5-point deduction for each violation. He or she will also be required to sign the discipline notebook. Once a student has signed the discipline notebook on 3 separate occasions, he or she will be assigned a detention.

The daily written work also starts at 20 points for each day (making 100 points for the week). This work will be in the form of a bell work worksheet given to the student each Monday. Each student will be expected to complete the designated work for each day on his or her own time before the bell rings. Mrs. Parkhurst will then go over the work in class. Each student’s paper will be taken up at the end of each week for a grade. It is important each student keeps his or her bell work paper for the entire week. If a student is absent, he or she should check in the absence folder for any bell work they missed. There will be one Sight-Reading Test every month. These tests will consist of a student speaking or singing the given sight-reading based on the specific time of year and choir. Students will be properly prepared in class long before Sight-Reading tests take place. Students will be asked to speak or sing in front of the class for these sight-reading tests. However, a student is always welcome to schedule a separate time before or after school to take the test privately with Mrs. Parkhurst. The dates of each sight-reading test are attached. Concerts are a required part of the choral curriculum and are worth 10% of the student’s final grade. Because the students are receiving the schedule now, any arrangements should be made to insure attendance at the required concerts. If a student chooses not to come to the concert, they will receive a grade of “0” for that event. There is no make-up offered for an unexcused concert absence. Sporting events, parties, and other rehearsals are considered unexcused absences. There are a few concert absences considered excused absences: if the student is sick or if there is a family emergency. In these cases, the student will be given a make-up assignment to complete in place of the concert grade. Eligibility: Students may only perform in contests and honor choirs if they are eligible in all their classes. The Academic Report will be monitored each week by Mrs. Parkhurst. She will inform any students if they are ineligible to perform by providing them with a small ineligibility slip prior to the week they are considered ineligible. Parents are not required to sign or return this piece of paper. Required concerts (with the exception of Large Group Contest) are not subject to eligibility. If a student is ineligible, he or she is still expected to be at the required concerts. Activities: The choir program will be participating in the following extra activities this year. Most of these are optional, but will only enhance a student’s experience in the choir program.

• Fundraising o The ORMS Choir Program will be participating in one catalog fundraiser

this year through Cherrydale Farms Fundraising. In order to have a healthy, functioning choir program, each student is expected to raise $120 either by fundraising or the opt-out program (donations). At the time each student raises his or her $120, they will not be required to pay fees for the remainder of the school year with the exception of lodging for honor choirs.

• Circle the State with Song (CTSWS)

o In the month of February, choir students throughout the state come together as regions to circle our state in song. Students will learn 8 different songs in class which will be performed at the festival in February. The cost to join is $45. There are a limited number of students allowed from each school so spots will be reserved on a first come, first served basis.

• OMEA Children’s All-State auditions o Students who participate in Circle the State with Song also have the

opportunity to audition for the OMEA Children’s All-State Chorus. Students audition for this Chorus by recording a CD with Mrs. Parkhurst who then sends it in to be judged. There is no cost to audition. If a student is asked to join this choir, they will spend a weekend in a hotel in downtown Tulsa learning new music and performing for the OMEA convention. The cost for students who make it is an additional $30. A parent or guardian will be expected to stay in the hotel with their student for the duration of the convention. Hotel cost information will be given upon entry into the chorus.

• Eastern District Honor Choir (EDHC) � For students in 7th and 8th grade, this audition will be similar to the

OCDA All-State audition and will help students prepare for All-State. Auditions are $10, with an additional $10 registration fee if the student is accepted into the choir.

� For 6th grade students, Mrs. Parkhurst will audition any students who wish to participate in the Middle School choir of the EDHC. She will choose 3 sopranos and 3 altos. The cost for students who are accepted into the choir is $15. There is no cost for a 6th grade student to audition.

� The concert for EDHC will be on October 21 in Muskogee. Participants in the choir will spend the day rehearsing with clinicians in Muskogee. Parents will pick their children up after the concert.

• OCDA District Workshop o The Broken Arrow Vocal Music Department is offering an OCDA Junior

High All-State workshop this year. It will be a one-day event held in October where students will work on perfecting their All-State audition pieces. Admission to the workshop is free.

• OCDA Junior High All-State auditions o All 7th and 8th grade students have the opportunity to audition for the

OCDA Junior High All-State Choir. This choir is comprised of top students from across the state who come together the 2nd weekend in January to sing under the direction of world-class directors. This is a 2-step audition process where each student sings portions of 3 different pieces for judges. The first audition will be November 1st at Centennial Middle School. The second audition will be in Oklahoma City on November 18th. The audition fee is $15 per student. If a student is accepted into the choir, he or she must pay an additional $45 registration

fee. Parents will not accompany their students to the hotel for this convention.

• Men’s Night Out o The Broken Arrow Vocal Music Department will be offering a Men’s

Night Out this year in October. This will be a required performance for students in Men’s Choir. Students will spend the day of October 6th at the BAPAC rehearsing for the concert as well as hearing other male performers from various choirs throughout the district and state. A concert for parents will take place that night.

• Solo/Ensemble Contest o In late February or early March, students are offered the opportunity to

sing a solo to participate in the Solo & Ensemble Festival which is held at NSU. Mrs. Parkhurst will pick the solo for each student as well as teach it to them using a digital file of the song and accompaniment. The student will then travel to NSU to sing for a judge who will give them a rating. The cost to participate is $10.

• Large Group Contest o In late February or early March, some choirs will be participating in the

OSSAA Large Group Contest. This contest takes place at Union High School and consists of two songs performed onstage for three judges as well as one sight-reading piece performed for a single judge. All members of choirs who participate in this event are required to attend unless they are ineligible. The only cost will be however much each student needs to spend on lunch at Woodland Hills Mall.

• Heartland Music Fest o Each year, the ORMS Choir Program participates in the Heartland Music

Fest at Frontier City. Each choir will begin the day by performing 2-3 songs for judges at a performance space in Oklahoma City. Students and chaperones will then spend the remainder of the day at Frontier City. The choir will travel by bus to and from the performance and amusement park. The cost is usually between $50 and $60.

Field Trips Students will participate in several field trips throughout the school year including rehearsals, contests, and performances. To save the time and resources of the ORMS Choir Program, each student will only need one permission slip, which will encompass the entire year worth of field trips. This all-encompassing form can be found at the end of this document and is due by August 29 with the syllabus form. Media Release Throughout the school year there will be opportunities for students to have pictures or videos taken with the choir on various activities. All pictures and videos taken at choir events will be monitored by Mrs. Parkhurst. In order to publish these pictures on the Broken Arrow Schools’ website, Broken Arrow Choir website, ORMS Choir Program newsletters, and ORMS Choir Program’s Facebook page, each student will need

to complete a media release form, which can be found at the end of this document. This form will be due by August 29th. Officers: At the beginning of each year, the choir program elects student officers for each class. The offices and duties are as follows:

• President: Takes attendance and notes if Mrs. Parkhurst is gone, plans class parties, serves as liason between the class and Mrs. Parkhurst, takes attendance at concerts

• Librarian: Organizes, checks out, and checks back in all music

• Treasurer: Communicates to class anything about money, helps take in all money items

• Historian: Keeps track of various class things, takes pictures at all events, helps with ORMS Choir Program scrapbook at the end of the year

ORMS Choir Calendar 2014-2015 August 29 – Syllabus forms due

September 5 – All audition forms due

September 18 & 19 – Sight-Reading Test #1

September 16 – OMEA Audition Recordings from 2:45-3:45 in the choir room

September 20 – EDHC Auditions at Muskogee High School

September 23 – OMEA Audition Recordings from 2:45 – 3:45 in the choir room

September 30 – EDHC Middle School Auditions from 2:45 – 3:45 in the choir room

October 3 – Fundraising Kick-Off!!

October 6 – Men’s Night Out

October 9 & 10 – Sight-Reading Test #2

October 14 – Fundraiser forms and money due

October 21 – EDHC Concert at Muskogee First Baptist Church

October 25 – OCDA All-State workshop; Sinbad and Take 6 concert

November 1 – OCDA Auditions at Centennial Middle School

November 4 – Patriotic Concert at North Auditorium

November 6 & 7 – Sight-Reading Test #3

November 11 – Veteran’s Day Assembly

November 18 – OCDA 2nd Round Auditions

December 17 – All-School Caroling January 8-10 – OCDA All-State Choir in OKC January 21-23 – OMEA Children’s All-State Choir in Tulsa January 31 – CTSWS at the BAPAC

May 8 – Spring Concert at North Auditorium

April 18 – Frontier City Field Trip

Broken Arrow Public Schools (BAPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following people at BAPS have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: The Executive Director of Human Resources should be contacted for all non-student and/or employment related issues at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. The Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services should be contacted for all student issues except those related to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. The Director of Special Education should be contacted for all student issues related to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. Inquiries concerning non-discrimination can also be made to the United States Department of Education's Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

Please fill out and return to Mrs. Parkhurst by August 29 for a portion of a daily grade: Student: I, ____________________________________, have read the entire HMS Choir

Syllabus and agree to abide by these expectations.

Signed: ______________________________

Date:_______________________________

Parent/Guardian: I, ____________________________________, have read the entire

HMS Choir Syllabus with my student and agree to encourage him or her to abide by these

expectations to the best of my ability.

Signed:________________________________

Date:__________________________________

Return form to (sponsor name) Karissa Parkhurst Form Due Date: Friday,

August 29, 2014 Classroom teacher name (if other than sponsor)_______Parkhurst_____ Grade ___6th, 7th, & 8th _

Broken Arrow Public Schools Activity Permission Form

My student, (Name) : Last First Middle

has permission to attend: Activities with the ORMS Choir Program at designated place of activity Activity Location

Leaving designated date at designated time from designated leaving place to designated arrival place Day/Date Time Location

Returning designated date at designated time from designated destination Sponsor Karissa Parkhurst Cost determined by field trip Special Instructions Watch for notes home! Parent/Guardian/First contact _ __ Relationship:

Phones:(H)______________ (W)________ __ (cell/other)_________

Parent/Guardian/Second contact _ __ Relationship: _______

Phones:(H)__________ (W)__________ (cell/other)__________ Does your student have any chronic or significant health problems, or any physical limitations that should be considered for this activity? yes/no (if yes, please specify) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Will your child need any routine or “upon request” medication while participating in this activity? yes/no (if yes, you must supply the medication as directed below and complete the section below *) Name of Medication Dose/amount of Medication Enter time to be given

or “Upon request” _______________________________________ _________________________ _______________________________________ _________________________

_______________________________________ _________________________

*Note: Student medications may not be repackaged by school personnel for activity trips. The student’s

routine medication bottle can not be sent from the health room. Therefore, the parent/guardian

must provide health services personnel with only the amount of medication needed for the field trip

in a properly labeled “original” container. While health services personnel do not routinely go on activity trips, they will ensure that the medication is given to the staff member designated by the Principal to administer medication during the activity trip. Students may not carry or self administer medications on field trips unless previously authorized to do so at school.

Authorization for Treatment

I hereby authorize any physician, surgeon, or dentist on the medical staff of Saint Francis Hospital at Broken Arrow or nearest medical facility to administer any emergency treatment, procedure or medicine necessary and advisable. I also authorize the use of an ambulance, if necessary, to transport my child. I further agree to pay for all services provided for my child. If this is not satisfactory, please list specific emergency instructions in the event that you cannot be reached. _______________________________________________________________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian: Date H 38 Revised 4/06, page 1

Student Carried Medication Oklahoma law and Broken Arrow Public Schools’ policies allow certain school employees to administer medications as long as specific guidelines are followed. Oklahoma law does not address physician approved student carried and self administered medication other than inhalers. When physicians and parents request that medication be student carried and self-administered, this policy will be followed.

• Carrying medication or self-administration of medication without specific prior permission is strictly prohibited.

• Only those medications that are considered to be life sustaining such as inhalers or epi-pens may be carried by students in grades PreK-8.

• Controlled substances may not be student carried and self-administered under any circumstance. Controlled substances must be administered by designated school personnel.

• No experimental or investigational drug without proper FDA approval or expired medication will be self administered at school.

• Student carried medications must meet the labelling requirements described in the medication policy.

• A completed “Permission for Student to Carry and Self Administer Medication” or an “Inhaled Medication Administration Form” must be on file in the Health Room for any medication carried by a student in grades PreK-8 or for any medication carried more than ten days by a student in grades 9-12. A new form is required each school year. In the event of a change in dosage amount or time of administration, a new form must be completed. Note: If a “Permission for Student to Carry and Self Administer Medication” or an “Inhaled Medication Administration Form” is completed, a “Request for Administration of Medication During the School Day” is NOT needed.

• A Certified School Nurse may grant permission for students in grades 9-12 to carry a daily dose of non-prescription medications and/or prescription medications that are taken ten days or less upon written authorization of a parent or guardian. Requests to self-administer such items as vitamins, herbs, and nutritional supplements will require written instructions from a licensed physician.

• It is the responsibility of the prescribing physician and the parent/guardian to educate the student regarding all aspects of self-administration and custody of medications.

• Medications may not be self-administered in a manner other than that specified on the label without written instructions from a licensed physician.

• The school district and its employees and agents shall incur no liability as a result of any injury arising from the self-administration of medication by any student.

• Any student who carries an approved medication is responsible for safeguarding that medication. Employees of Broken Arrow Public Schools will not be responsible for monitoring administration, effects, custody, disposal, or any other aspect of student carried medications. These responsibilities rest with the student and parent or guardian.

• Permission to carry medication may be withdrawn for failure to comply with any aspect of this policy. Self -Administered Inhaled Medications in the Absence of a Certified School Nurse

• It is the responsibility of the prescribing physician and the parent/guardian to have educated the student regarding all aspects of self-administration of medications.

• Medications may not be self-administered in a manner other than that specified on the label without written instructions from a licensed physician.

• When ordered by a physician and requested by a parent/guardian, non-nurse employees will provide access to inhaled medications for the purpose of self-administration upon request of the student.

• Non-nurse employees of Broken Arrow Public Schools will not be responsible for assessment or determination of the student’s condition prior to or after self-administration of a medication.

• Students will be allowed to self-medicate as requested by the physician and parent/guardian in the absence of a school nurse.

• The student may do peak flow readings if requested by the parent/guardian or physician.

• A parent/guardian will be notified as soon as possible when a student self-medicates due to unavailability of a school nurse.

• The parent/guardian will determine if the student is able to resume school activities. Inhaled Medications Administered by Non-nurse School Employees

• It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to instruct designated school employees regarding all aspects of the student’s inhaled medications.

• Medications may not be administered in a manner other than that specified on the label without written instructions from a licensed physician.

• When requested by a parent/guardian, non-nurse employees will administer inhaled medications upon request of the student.

• Non-nurse employees of Broken Arrow Public Schools will not be responsible for assessment or determination of the student’s condition prior to or after administration of a medication.

• The student may do peak flow readings if requested by the parent/guardian or physician.

• A parent/guardian will be notified as soon as possible when a student receives medication from a non-nurse employee due to unavailability of the school nurse.

• The parent/guardian will determine if the student is able to resume school activities.