ATTENDANCE POLICY
The band competes and performs as a unit. If individuals are not present at rehearsals or performances, the entire group is affected. An excused absence will only be granted with prior notification in writing via the bands ABSENCE REQUEST FORM. Emergencies require a phone call as soon as possible. The number to Mr. Rauschuber is: 512-268-2911 x46227. Parents or students need to leave a voicemail message if there is no answer. Please note that this number is only accessed through school hours. In the event of an emergency absence, the student should bring written documentation upon his/her return to school in order for an absence to be excused.
Students that are absent from school must email/call the band director BEFORE the end of the school day in order to be excused from an after-school practice or performance. Acceptable excused absences are as follows: severe personal illness, death in the family, approved school related functions / performances, or a “once in a lifetime event.” Absences that a student wishes to be considered as a “once in a lifetime event” must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the projected absence. Absences from a contest must be requested at least 30 days in advance.
The Director of Bands will make the decision whether or not to excuse the absence in a case-by-case manner. If a student is found to have an attendance problem, regardless of the nature, the student may be excluded from special activities or removed from the band program. There are additional grade penalties for those students who are either late or who miss a required rehearsal, performance or event. Please see the grading policy below:
GRADE REDUCTIONS & CONSEQUENCES
The following grading penalties will be enforced for all marching rehearsals/performances.
If a student is tardy to a band rehearsal or performance:
Should a student be excessively tardy, an email will be sent home and a possible parent-teacher conference may be scheduled. The student will also jeopardize their performance spot as well as their membership in the overall program. It should be noted that if a student is not 100% ready to start a rehearsal or performance, they are considered tardy. This includes having all proper materials needed for a successful rehearsal and performance.
If a student is absent to a band rehearsal:
A student will receive a ZERO for their daily rehearsal etiquette grade and parents / guardians will be notified via email. The student will also jeopardize their performance spot as well as their membership in the overall program.
If a student is absent to a band performance:
A student will receive a ZERO as a MAJOR performance grade. Receiving a zero as a major grade can potentially fail a student in band causing them to be academically ineligible. Students who are absent from a performance will receive an email to their parent / guardian as well as a conference with the Director of Bands. The student will severely jeopardize their performance spot as well as their membership in the overall program.
We can not express it strongly enough just how critical attendance is for band rehearsals and performances. Again, directors are flexible and accommodating to many situations. Communication is key to allowing us to better help you!
**Note that if we advance into the play-offs, students are expected to be at all play-off games at the end of the regular season. If a student misses a play-off game, his/her grade will be adversely affected.
The band competes and performs as a unit. If individuals are not present at rehearsals or performances, the entire group is affected. An excused absence will only be granted with prior notification in writing via the bands ABSENCE REQUEST FORM. Emergencies require a phone call as soon as possible. The number to Mr. Rauschuber is: 512-268-2911 x46227. Parents or students need to leave a voicemail message if there is no answer. Please note that this number is only accessed through school hours. In the event of an emergency absence, the student should bring written documentation upon his/her return to school in order for an absence to be excused.
Students that are absent from school must email/call the band director BEFORE the end of the school day in order to be excused from an after-school practice or performance. Acceptable excused absences are as follows: severe personal illness, death in the family, approved school related functions / performances, or a “once in a lifetime event.” Absences that a student wishes to be considered as a “once in a lifetime event” must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the projected absence. Absences from a contest must be requested at least 30 days in advance.
The Director of Bands will make the decision whether or not to excuse the absence in a case-by-case manner. If a student is found to have an attendance problem, regardless of the nature, the student may be excluded from special activities or removed from the band program. There are additional grade penalties for those students who are either late or who miss a required rehearsal, performance or event. Please see the grading policy below:
GRADE REDUCTIONS & CONSEQUENCES
The following grading penalties will be enforced for all marching rehearsals/performances.
If a student is tardy to a band rehearsal or performance:
Should a student be excessively tardy, an email will be sent home and a possible parent-teacher conference may be scheduled. The student will also jeopardize their performance spot as well as their membership in the overall program. It should be noted that if a student is not 100% ready to start a rehearsal or performance, they are considered tardy. This includes having all proper materials needed for a successful rehearsal and performance.
If a student is absent to a band rehearsal:
A student will receive a ZERO for their daily rehearsal etiquette grade and parents / guardians will be notified via email. The student will also jeopardize their performance spot as well as their membership in the overall program.
If a student is absent to a band performance:
A student will receive a ZERO as a MAJOR performance grade. Receiving a zero as a major grade can potentially fail a student in band causing them to be academically ineligible. Students who are absent from a performance will receive an email to their parent / guardian as well as a conference with the Director of Bands. The student will severely jeopardize their performance spot as well as their membership in the overall program.
We can not express it strongly enough just how critical attendance is for band rehearsals and performances. Again, directors are flexible and accommodating to many situations. Communication is key to allowing us to better help you!
**Note that if we advance into the play-offs, students are expected to be at all play-off games at the end of the regular season. If a student misses a play-off game, his/her grade will be adversely affected.