Mission Statement
Gator Rockstars is a learning and performance club which seeks to provide students with an opportunity to enjoy the rehearsal and performance of popular music.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will be held on Thursdays from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Pick up is outside the gym. Attendance at rehearsals is extremely important. If a student does not maintain a good, consistent attendance then it will become increasingly difficult, though not impossible, to keep up other students in the club. The attendance policy is as follows:
Per Semester: 1 Unexcused Absence/2 Excused Absences = Dismissal from club
Please be aware that each student’s attendance record starts over after the Christmas break. All absences must be accompanied by a note from a parent, which can be sent through Class Dojo. Without a note, it will be assumed that the student simply did not come to rehearsal and the absence will be counted against the student.
If rehearsals are cancelled, I will send out a message on Class Dojo. Please be sure on your signature sheet to provide at least one phone number where I can contact you but several phone numbers and several e-mail addresses would be good. Thank you!
Student Behavior
Students have the following responsibilities:
1. Demonstrate respect to Ms. M and fellow band members.
2. Exhibit a positive attitude and be invested in what we are working on. Playing music is a physical activity and involves one’s entire body and mind.
Gideon Elementary
As a member of Gator Rockstars, students are an example to the rest of the school. Gator Rockstars are expected to do the following:
1.
Maintain high citizenship grades each six weeks. If a student falls below an 85, he or she will be placed on warning and I will discuss with them and their teacher ways to help improve their conduct.
2.
Pass all classes. If a student falls behind, he or she will be placed on warning and I will discuss the situation with his or her teacher.
3.
Behave in a proper manner at school and during rehearsal.
Performances
Gator Rockstars will have several performances in the spring. I will prepare a calendar for you as I get the dates.
Uniforms
Students need to have a pair of nice blue jeans. Students can wear any school appropriate shirts.
Concerts
Every concert we have at Gideon Elementary will begin at 7:00 p.m. in order to ensure that all families have time to get home and feed everyone before going out for an evening of activity. All students will need to report, in uniform, to the music room at 6:30 p.m. in order to warm-up and prepare for the concert. (This is subject to change.)
Concerts are a great opportunity to teach the students in the band and the families which have come to see the students and learn about concert etiquette. Please join with me in making these concerts not just a fun experience but also a learning experience.
Discipline
The discipline plan for Little Kids Rock is fairly simple. During any given rehearsal each student is permitted a warning and then a rehearsal dismissal. If any students is dismissed from a rehearsal twice during a semester, they will be dismissed from the choir altogether.
Parental Assistance
Of course, every year we are in need of parent assistance with the band. There are many duties which are simply too much for one person to handle. A list of needs is below:
1.
Video recording of concerts
2.
Concert preparation
3.
Party
4.
Any additional events
If you are interested please indicate so on your signature sheet. If I do not call you for any of these duties, please do not take offense. It just means that I have gotten all the help I need. We really appreciate it when our parents get involved in the process of making this a great choir experience for the students.
Band Party
We will have a fall and spring party. The fall party will consist of snacks and sweets while the spring party will have pizza, snacks, and sweets. During these parties the students will watch their prior performances. I will need help with these parties. All choir members will receive a DVD of the performances at the end of the year.
Contact Note
The best way to get a hold of me is through e-mail (
cynthiamessersmith@misdmail.org) or my cell phone which you will receive with the confirmation of your child's admittance to
Gator Rockstars . I am a tech nerd so I check e-mail often. Please be sure to plan ahead as far as contacting me with important questions. If you are simply needing to let me know that your student will not be at rehearsal because they are ill, do not feel the need to e-mail me the night before, just contact me sometime the following day or send a note the next time the student comes to rehearsal. I am not offended when students do not show up, within the boundaries that I have set for attendance, because I like to give them the benefit of the doubt that they are somewhere they need to be.
Calendar
The fall calendar will be emailed to you shortly. Please put this calendar somewhere prominent. I will pass out our spring music and schedule at our fall party.
Ms. Messersmith
cynthiamessersmith@misdmail.org