Jackson Middle School Choral Department
3504 Corn Valley Rd.
Grand Prairie, Texas 75052
Ph: (972) 264-2704 ext. 7573 Fax: (972) 343-7599
sandra.davis@gpisd.org
August 29, 2007

Dear JMS Choir Parents,

Welcome back! Last year was a big year with Superior Contest Ratings across the board – Let’s make this year even bigger!!!

The following choir classes will be offered this year at Jackson:
?Select Girls Choir
?Select Boys Choir
?7th/8th GradeGirls Choir
?7th/8th Grade Boys Choir
?6th Grade Choir

This year we will be working on vocal and choral technique, sight-reading skills, rehearsal, concert, and contest etiquette, essential elements of music, and building musicianship, teamwork, and Positive Relationships.
We have a big responsibility to maintain our reputation and tradition of excellence, to take it further, and make it even greater. To do so, it will require hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm from our Choir members as well as the support of all our parents.

PARENTS ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR SUCCESS! Help your child by doing the following things:

1. Concerts – Make sure your child attends all concerts. ALL concerts are REQUIRED.
Please plan ahead and come to the concerts and see your child perform.
Your child may act like they don’t care but your presence shows them YOU care!

2. Eligibility – I will BUG your child about passing ALL of their classes and representing our group
in the best possible way both on and off stage. Ineligible students miss out on so much.
Since choir is a team effort, when your child misses a concert or contest, it affects the
whole choir in a negative way. Please be aware of your child’s academic progress and
any behavior issues.

3. Fundraising – Successful fundraisers help us pay for field trips, contests, and BUSES and can
lower your out of pocket expenses. Fundraisers actually save you money while
helping us better serve your children. Please help fundraise!!

4. Chaperons – We need chaperons for every field trip. Your child may not want you to chaperone,
but I DO! Please make sure you have completed a Texas Safe Schools Project Form
online – Just go to the Jackson Home Page, click on PTA, and then click on
Volunteers and that will take you right to the form.

Please take a few minutes to glance through the Choir Handbook and then help your child earn an easy 300 points toward their daily grade by returning the following forms:
Choir Commitment Form: Fill out completely, sign and return by Friday, September 21.
Transportation Forms: Fill out all 4 pages, sign pages 2 and 4, and return by September 21.
Uniform Money: Fill out form and return with money ASAP or by September 21 at the latest.
YOUR CHILD AND THEIR SUCCESS AND SAFETY WILL ALWAYS COME FIRST IN MY CLASSROOM!!
Choir Handbook updates and revisions will be posted online.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any question, comments, and concerns.

Don’t forget to have your child return the signed VIDEOTAPING/AUDIOTAPING of STUDENT (FORM 5) and A STUDENT VOLUNTARY DRUG TESTING REQUEST (FORM 7) to their advisory teacher if they have not already done so. Form 5 is for Choir Website Pictures and Form 7 is for Competitions.

Have a great year!!
Mrs. Davis, JMS Choir Director

JMS CHOIR RULES!!!
1. Absolutely No eating, drinking, or gum chewing in the choir room, practice rooms, and concert facilities.
2. Be on time, in your assigned seat, with your folder & pencil in hand, ready to begin when the bell rings.
3. Talk only when appropriate and with permission.
4. Remain in your assigned seat unless you have permission to do otherwise.
5. Respect yourself, your classmates, your teacher, and their property. Always!
6. Take care of and be responsible for your binder and music, uniforms, choir room, books, and equipment.

REWARDS for outstanding performance, participation, and behavior:
1. Melody Money
Accumulate lots of this and use it to bid on prizes in our Choir Auctions which are noted in our choir
calendar. Individuals that surprise Mrs. Davis by going the extra mile will get paid in Melody Money for
their efforts. Write your name on your Melody Money and keep it in a safe place.
Lost or stolen Melody Money will not be replaced.
2. Pizza Parties for first class that completes 20 punches on Encore Chart.
This is a Group effort requiring high level of participation, good behavior, and cooperation.
A class will have to earn 5 magnets for noteworthy efforts that deserve an ENCORE in order to get their
chart punched! When a class wins this competition, each group starts over again with a new chart.
3. Treats, stickers.
4. Special Classroom Responsibilities – Leadership Roles
5. Earn the privilege to go on FUN CHOIR TRIPS (Six Flags, etc.).
6. Positive notes home to parents.
7. PRIDE in knowing that you gave your best, made a difference, worked hard and became a better musician,
made a positive contribution, and well-represented your Choir and your great school.

CONSEQUENCES:
1. The first time a student chooses to break a rule,
Step One - student will receive a warning.
2. Each additional time a student chooses to break a rule,
Step Two – Refocus Area
Step Three – Detention and Parent Contact
Step Four – Office Referral/ISS

Student Agendas will be used to record detentions and parent contacts. All Jackson Step Rules will apply.

RUDE, CONFRONTATIONAL, AND EXCESSIVELY DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR including and not limited to assaulting classmates or teacher (physical or verbal), insubordination/defiance, using profanity, and possessing illegal items or substances will result in an IMMEDIATE REFERRAL to the DISCIPLINE OFFICE! Students who consistently disrupt will not only lose their incentive privileges but will be ineligible for participation in contests and field trips.

CHOIR CLASSROOM PROCEDURES:
Beginning Procedure
1. Walk in the Choir room quietly.
2. Pick up your Choir binder.
3. Drop off your stuff only at the designated location:
1st and 2nd rows on the floor under the table. 3rd and 4th rows on the table.
4. Begin bell work quietly. The assignment will be posted on the whiteboard in the same place every day.
Mrs. Davis does not start the class. The bell does not start the class. YOU start the class.
5. Always strive to give 110%

End of Class Procedure
WHEN YOUR ROW IS CALLED:
1. Quietly put away textbooks and binders without dropping them.
2. Any paperwork you need to turn in should be placed in your class basket. All money should be turned in
to Mrs. Davis personally. Also you may use this time for any other questions.
3. Collect your personal stuff and quietly return to your seat.
4. Check your area on and underneath the risers and throw away any trash.
5. You are not dismissed until you are seated and Mrs. Davis dismisses your row.
6. Quietly leave the room in an orderly manner with ABSOLUTELY NO RUNNING OR PUSHING!
No purses, books, gym bags, etc. will be allowed on the risers or any other location other than the designated area. Backpacks are allowed only in 5th period (Athletes only) and 6th period.

Getting Quiet Procedure
When you see me raise my hands, that is your signal to immediately get quiet, raise your hands, and focus your attention on Mrs. Davis.

Getting My Attention During Class Procedures
Raise your hand and be patient. I will do my best to call on you as soon as possible, but I may not always be able to interrupt the flow of our learning the instant you raise your hand.

Hall Pass Procedure – Improving in choir requires 100% participation everyday. When students leave the classroom to go to the restroom, their lockers, to use the telephone, or for any other reason, they are not participating in class and disrupt the flow of learning. To ensure better participation in choir and fewer interruptions the following system will be used.
1. Every student has 6 hall passes to use during each six weeks.
2. If you need to use a hall pass, ask me only once and ask nicely, or you may lose all your hall passes for the
six weeks.
3. It is up to Mrs. Davis to decide whether or not a student may use a hall pass.
4. Hall passes may not be used during the first and last five minutes of a class.
5. Students who run out of hall passes before the end of the six weeks will not be allowed to leave the room.
Passes that are lost or stolen will not be replaced. Arrangements will be made for students with special needs and also for ABSOLUTE emergency situations.

MUSIC AND SUPPLIES
1. Choral music and binder
Students need a ½-inch 3-Ring binder. They are responsible for them, just as they are responsible for textbooks in other classes. Lost or mutilated music or binders must be paid for and replaced by the student. All music and binders will remain in the Choir room unless special permission is given by the teacher.
2. Pencil
Students should have a sharpened pencil at the beginning of each class. It is a good idea to leave the pencil in the Choir binder. Since choral music is used for many years, marking in the music must be non-permanent. Erasable pens are not acceptable.
3. Pencil bag
Students need a pencil bag that has 3 holes to put into a notebook binder. It should have a zipper or other closure on the side. This will keep our pencils in our binder.
4. Spiral Notebook (50-100 pages)
Keeps bellwork organized.

UNIFORMS
Uniform requirements are designed to reflect a professional attitude and appearance. A uniform is essential not only for the group appearance, but also for each student’s attitude, self-esteem, and pride in the Choir.
All Choir students are required to purchase the informal Choir uniform which consists of the JMS Choir t-shirt ($15) and jeans, even if they still have last year’s Choir t-shirt.

SELECT CHOIR GIRLS ONLY will need to purchase their formal dress in addition to their t-shirt. The total cost for both items will be $65. Formal wear will be worn for major concerts, competitions, and other outside performances as needed.
IF LAST YEAR’S DRESS STILL FITS, YOU ONLY NEED TO PURCHASE THE CHOIR T-SHIRT!!!!!!!!

SELECT CHOIR BOYS will need to purchase their formal uniform (Tuxedo shirt, cummerbund, and bow tie) in addition to their t-shirt. The total cost for all items will be $35.
IF LAST YEAR’S FORMAL WEAR STILL FITS, YOU ONLY NEED TO PURCHASE THE CHOIR T-SHIRT!!!!!!!!

FUNDRAISERS and RESPONSIBILITY
This year we will have fall and spring fundraisers. This money can go toward the costs of music, travel, contest entry fees, accompanist fees, etc., and also offsetting the cost of uniforms and trips to SIX FLAGS and HURRICANE HARBOR.
All students are expected to help raise money because all students benefit from the money raised. Before each fundraiser, a letter will be sent home explaining products and when the money will be due. Any student who wishes to participate may need a signed permission slip. It is understood that the money students raise must be protected from theft and loss, is not for personal use, must be turned in promptly to Mrs. Davis. There will be incentives to participate in fundraising.

DEADLINES
Deadlines are a fact of life. In Choir they are noted on permission slips, T-shirt forms, etc. Please make note of them.
Do not lose the opportunity to go on trips, etc. because you were inattentive to the deadline.

PERFOMANCE ETIQUETTE GUIDELINES:
? Be on time for all performances.
? Wear appropriate attire. Shirts must always be tucked in.
? No gum chewing, eating, or drinking.
? Walk on the risers quietly.
? No giggling, laughing, talking, or turning around to look at people behind you.
? Always keep your eyes on Mrs. Davis.
? Ignore other Choir member’s mistakes.
? Students are expected to remain in attendance for the entire concert.

ATTENDANCE WILL BE TAKEN AT THE END OF EACH CONCERT.
Parents and other guests are also asked to stay until the end of the concert.
DEMONSTRATE APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AS A PERFORMER AND AS AN AUDIENCE MEMBER.
ALWAYS REPRESENT YOUR SCHOOL AND YOUR CHOIR WITH PRIDE!!

CONCERT ATTENDANCE POLICY
Failure to be present at the end of a concert will result in a lowering of the student’s grade for the class, unless special permission is granted from the director. Most of our performances will be held in the evenings and attendance for all Choir students, regardless of eligibility or grades, is MANDATORY. Choir is a performing art and the performances are an extension of class time. Concerts are our final test following many hours of intense rehearsal. Unlike a WRITTEN Test, a concert cannot be made up. Concerts are a time for evaluation, and absence from a concert is the same as absence from an exam, except that there is no opportunity to make it up. Concert dates are set well in advance, so plans should be made early. If a conflict arises, the student must bring a note from home at least two weeks before a concert in order to be excused. Since much of your academic grade depends on participation, failure to participate in concerts and programs could result in failure of the course. Students who must miss performance MUST provide the choir teacher with a note, signed by a parent, for the student’s grade not to suffer as a result of the absence. Please let me know two days in advance if transportation is a problem so a ride can be arranged. Students will be excused for only the following reasons: Major illnesses or extreme family emergencies. Students must bring a note stating the reason for missing a performance. Forgetting to come, not having a ride, not having a uniform, playing a baseball game (or any other sporting event), other concerts (church or community), or baby-sitting, family vacations, birthdays, visiting relatives, too much homework are NOT ACCEPTABLE excuses. An unexcused absence from a concert will result in a “0” for their performance.
If a student has an excused absence with a written note from a parent of guardian, a concert make-up project will be assigned in order to make up the grade. One week will be given to complete this project from the time it is assigned.

MAKE-UP WORK for MISSING A CONCERT (EXCUSED ABSENCES ONLY) To make-up a grade for missing a concert, students will be required to write 3 pages typewritten (using 12 point font, double spaced) or 5 pages if handwritten. If students decide to handwrite their report, it must be neat and legible. Students will be graded on the following: content/accuracy, spelling, punctuation, grammar, and neatness.
The writing of this report is not a punishment but is make-up work required to receive credit for the missed concert. There will be no exceptions made for any student.

Make-up work will generally involve research on a composer and should include:
Composer’s complete name, dates of birth and death, the composer’s birth country and where they spent their career,
the composer’s childhood and early musical training, some titles of compositions the composer wrote, and
some personal facts about the composer

GRADING POLICY
All students are expected to earn their grade by actively participating and demonstrating proficiency. Remember that choir is a class that a student chooses to participate in, and therefore, requires commitment and dedication on the part of the student. No grades are based on “talent” alone. There will be no free grades given.

Each six-weeks grade will be computed from the following:
50% Participation (daily work and effort, use of good choral skills,
binder/pencil check, cooperation, attitude, and respect)
50% Assessment of skills (written work, tests, quizzes, singing, sight reading, performances, and concerts)

SOLO & ENSEMBLE CONTEST and ALL-REGION CHOIR
These optional challenges for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders have $5 fees.
Once you have paid the fee, if you choose not to participate, there will be no refund.
All Select Choir Students are expected to participate in Solo & Ensemble and audition for All-Region Choir.

CHOIR COMMITMENT FORM

Please detach and return this form by Friday, September 21 for 100 Points!
If you bring this form in by Wednesday, September 5, you will also receive Melody Money!

I have reviewed the responsibilities of a JMS Choir member, including the attached calendar, and
I am willing to participate and support the program in every way. I understand that
for the JMS Choral Department to uphold the highest standards of musical excellence, teamwork and
commitment are essential ingredients and thus, all performances are required of each member.

____________________________________________ _______________
STUDENT SIGNATURE DATE

____________________________________________ _______________
PARENT SIGNATURE DATE

Please complete the information below and indicate which parent would be the best/easiest for me to contact. Please help us by writing neatly.

Student Name (print) _______________________________________ Period ______

Best Parent to Contact ______________________________
Relationship to Student ________________
Work Phone # _______________________
Cell Phone or Home Phone# ______________________

Parent Email Address ___________________________________________________________
(if you wish to receive Choir updates from me )

Parent Volunteers
I am interested in assisting with choir activities. Please contact me concerning the following:

_____ Chaperone a trip or contest _____ Provide refreshments

_____ Assist with uniforms _____ Parent helper at concert

_____ Assist with fundraisers _____ Help with transportation