It is my fundamental belief that a positive working environment can only be fostered through mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutual effort. The rules and classroom procedures below are designed to promote this sort of positive working environment, and to demonstrate my respect, trust, and commitment to the hardworking students of the SHS Bands.
CLASSROOM RULES
- All students are welcome in our class. No person should ever say or do anything to exclude or belittle someone else in our class.
- Our classroom, instruments, uniforms, and other resources belong to the SHS Bands community. They should be treated in a way that shows respect for the items and for the members of our community.
- Students should come to rehearsal prepared, with their instrument, music, a pencil, a productive attitude, and any other necessary materials. Doing so promotes learning both for you and your peers.
- Students should arrive early to rehearsal and set up so that music-making can begin at the beginning of rehearsal. However, extenuating circumstances arise. If for any reason you need to miss a rehearsal or arrive late, please communicate in advance with Mr. Cappabianca and accommodations can be made.
- Depending on their severity, violations of these rules may be dealt with by the teacher, or may have larger consequences such as detention or involvement of school administration.
- Following these rules yields an environment that is fun, safe, productive and fair for all members of the SHS bands community.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
- When students enter the room, they should use the remaining passing time and the first five minutes of the period to first go to their lockers and unpack their instruments, then warm-up and take any other necessary steps to prepare for class.
- Before the start of class, I will always write out the schedule for the period. I will hold myself to this schedule because I know how frustrating it is to be stuck in an endless cycle of "Just one more time!"
- For curricular ensembles, students should be ready to play five minutes after the period starts. For extracurricular ensembles, students should be ready to play at the very start of rehearsal.
- I will always end class three minutes before the end of the period, so that you have sufficient time to pack up and make it to your next class.
- The band room should always be left as clean or cleaner than you found it.