The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K TABLE OF CONTENTS I. How To Use Your Handbook..........................................................2 II. Organizational Structure..................................................................2 Administrator Reference Guide ................................................................................. 4 Enrollment Contracts, Financial Aid, & Tuition ............................................................. 8 Communications ................................................................................................... 10 Special Events ...................................................................................................... 12 III. Everything You Need to Know About the School Day and More..............................................................................................................13 Schedule ............................................................................................................. 13 Curricula Matters .................................................................................................. 17 Student Assessment .............................................................................................. 19 IV. Student Citizenship and Behavior Guidelines...................21 Student Citizenship ............................................................................................... 21 School Policies ...................................................................................................... 27 Music Program Expectations and Guidelines .............................................................. 32 V. Topic Index ..........................................................................................38 Acknowledgment of Understanding .............................................40 1 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K I. HOW TO USE YOUR HANDBOOK The Crowden School Family Handbook serves as your guide to Crowden. It is intended to educate students and families about Crowden’s organizational structure and school life, and to establish our policies and practices. All parents/guardians and students are expected to abide by the policies and procedures as stated here. This handbook cannot cover every possible situation a student, faculty or family member, or the school may encounter in the course of the school year. Many decisions, policies, and situations are left to the good judgment of the faculty and the administration. Guidelines and rules may be altered under certain circumstances when the Center deems it appropriate to do so. If you are unsure to whom you should address a question or request, just check the Administrative Overview section below. II. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE The Crowden Music Center (CMC) The Crowden Music Center, also known as CMC, or simply Crowden, is our nonprofit “umbrella” organization. You probably know that Anne Crowden founded The Crowden School in 1983. It was such a good idea that over the years we couldn’t help sharing our music and special community with an increasing number of people, and the organization grew and grew. After we bought our own building, we realized we had become a pretty big (comparatively) operation! So we incorporated as the nonprofit Crowden Music Center in 2001. Our Mission The Crowden Music Center combines music and education to develop, nurture, and inspire students of all ages, and provides essential support to the musical life of the community. The Crowden School (TCS) As new or returning families, you already know quite a bit about The Crowden School. A day school for grades four through eight, TCS combines an intellectually engaging academic curriculum with a distinguished music program for students of strings and piano. TCS is divided into the Lower School (grades four and five) and the Upper School (grades six through eight), although students regularly interact and collaborate with other grade levels. Ethics of the School In the interest of creating and sustaining an equitable and just community, The Crowden School follows these selected Principles of Good Practice as established by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS): 2 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K To respect, affirm, and defend the dignity and worth of each member of the school community To establish, publish, implement, and monitor policies that promote equality and justice in the life of the school To support the ongoing education of the Board, parents/guardians, and all school personnel To value each and every child, recognizing and teaching to his or her learning style, ability and life experience To adhere to local, state, and federal laws and regulations that promote equity To develop in our students a sense of responsibility for equity and justice in the broader community Crowden Center for Music in the Community (CCMC) CCMC offers an extensive range of after-school, weekend, and summer lessons, classes, ensembles, and camps, and also provides many local music teachers and organizations with rehearsal and performance space through our facility rental program. Altogether, CCMC serves over 1,000 children and adults each year—including many TCS students. You’ll notice that many of your favorite TCS faculty members also teach through CCMC, too. Many families choose to schedule CCMC private lessons directly after school, which makes life and picking up the kids much easier. CCMC is a member of the California Assembly of Local Arts Agencies and an associate member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts. As a National Guild member school, the Crowden Center for Music in the Community is committed to making high-quality arts education available to all. Building, School, & Office Hours The building is open from 7:40 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. on Saturdays, excluding holidays. The building is equipped with an electronic security system. Students may not enter before 7:50 a.m. Additional building hours to accommodate special performances and rentals are arranged through the Director of Artistic Administration. School Hours The school day runs 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Main Office and Phone Hours 7:45 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. CCMC Office Hours 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. on Saturdays. 3 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Administrator Reference Guide School Secretary Janet Ceja-Orozco [email protected] (Extension 101) The School Secretary serves as the first point of contact for people entering the building, and is responsible for smooth functioning of day-to-day office activities and applying quite a few band-aids. All visitors to the campus, parents/guardians included, are required to check in at the main desk. The School Secretary maintains TCS student information, and tracks TCS attendance, late arrivals and early departures, and visitor logs. Contact the School Secretary: to leave a message for a student or faculty member to change your contact information to post materials on the Community Events bulletin board with general requests Principal Brad Johnson ([email protected]; Extension 123) The Principal is responsible for the oversight of TCS faculty and the operations of school programs. The Principal also works closely with faculty, the school counselor and parents/guardians of the school to address the intellectual, social, and physical well being of students. The Principal is responsible for all school-related policies. Director of Music Eugene Sor ([email protected]; Extension104) The Director of Music is responsible for TCS music programs and the oversight of TCS music faculty. Questions, concerns, and requests regarding music at TCS should be addressed directly to the Music Director. School Counselor Monica Frame ([email protected]; Extension 125) The School Counselor provides support services for students, parents/guardians, faculty, and administration with regards to the emotional, social, behavioral, and developmental issues. 4 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Finance Office Debra Mauro, Director of Finance ([email protected]; Extension 126) Maria Danielson, Staff Accountant ([email protected]; Extension 110) The Finance Office handles all questions about tuition payments, tuition owed, and other school fees. Please see the friendly folks in finance to make a payment or to ask questions about billing. If you have questions about your tuition assistance or need to make modifications to your tuition payment plan, please make an appointment with our Director of Finance. Admissions Heidi Mattson, Admissions Coordinator ([email protected]; Extension 122) The Admissions Coordinator acts as primary contact with all prospective students and families, and coordinates all student admissions and financial aid. Contact the Admissions Coordinator with admission, enrollment, and financial aid questions. Community Programs Administration Eugene Sor, Director ([email protected]; Extension 104) Will Betts, Program Assistant ([email protected]) Crowden’s Community Programs Director and Program Assistant administrate all programs and faculty of Crowden’s after-school, weekend, and summer music instruction. Contact the helpful CCMC office for information on after-school and/or summer classes, camps, and ensembles, including the John Adams Young Composers Program. Crowden’s community programs are a rich—but little known—source of parent participation hours, by the way! We especially welcome volunteers before and during Sundays @ Four concerts. All general inquiries regarding community classes and events may be may be directed to [email protected] or 510.559.2941. For Sundays @ Four and Very First Concerts information please visit our website or email [email protected]. Director of Publications and Public Relations Jen Strauss, [email protected] The Director of Publications and Public Relations is responsible for Crowden communications, including publications and newsletters, promotional materials, advertising, press releases and media relations, the website, and programs. Contact the Director of Publications and Public Relations: to submit a newsletter entry Submissions should be emailed to [email protected] no later than 11:00 a.m. the Wednesday prior to publication. with questions about the website with any requests or suggestions on how Crowden can improve communications with our Crowden communities 5 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Building and Grounds Juan Rodriguez, Supervisor ([email protected]; Extension 116) Jorge Mendoza, Building and Grounds Assistant The Building and Grounds department not only maintain Crowden’s building and grounds, they build us beautiful desks, dry-erase boards, and other physical improvements including our music library. If you notice anything in need of repair, please contact the Building and Grounds Supervisor. Development Office Marion Atherton, Interim Director (matherton@crowden; Extension 120) June Wiley, Manager, Institutional Gifts ([email protected]; Extension 113) Dave Waugh, Development Associate ([email protected]; Extension 121) Crowden—and The Crowden School—could not survive without contributions from individuals and institutions in the broader community—tuition does not cover the full cost of a Crowden education. The Development Office is responsible for raising money to support general operating expenses for both The Crowden School and our community programs, as well as for special programs and projects. Our fundraising program includes special events during the year and an Annual Fund Campaign each fall. Participation is the heart of the Annual Fund. We aim for 100% participation and expect that every TCS family will contribute as generously as it can. In addition to fundraising, the Development Office maintains TCS alumni records and organizes alumni events. The Development Director is responsible for assuring that volunteer/parent efforts are coordinated with overall Crowden fundraising activities. Contact the Development Office: to inquire about gifts to the Annual Fund, scholarship funds, in-kind donations, employer matching gifts, memorial gifts, bequests, and other forms of giving to provide alumni news or inquire about the Alumni Program CMC Director of Artistic Administration Michel Taddei ([email protected]; Extension 114) The Center’s Director of Artistic Administration oversees Crowden’s public programs, including Community Music Day, our outreach programs in local schools and community centers, off-site student performances, our instrument collection, and the music library. Contact the Center’s Director of Artistic Administration: to request loans or maintenance of the CMC musical instrument collection for questions about the CMC Music Library for questions about CMC off-site performances for questions about CMC outreach programs in local schools and community centers for information about Very First Concerts or Community Music Day 6 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K CMC Associate Director Marion Atherton ([email protected]; Extension 119) CMC Executive Director Doris Fukawa ([email protected]; Extension 111) The Executive Director is the Board’s sole employee, hired to implement Crowden’s vision and mission. The Executive Director is accountable to the Board for everything that happens within the organization, and oversees operations and the administration of Crowden employees. The Executive Director also serves as the organization’s ambassador to the greater community. Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees sets the direction and policies of the Crowden Music Center, but does not engage in daily governance of TCS. The Board also oversees the financial health and stability of CMC by approving budgets, tuitions, fees, salaries, and long-term financial planning. Board Memberships: Board members are elected annually and include family, parents/guardians, alumni parents/guardians, and community members. Board Committees: The Board operates through monthly meetings as well as more frequent meeting of committees designated by the Board Chair. Committees research and discuss issues, and then make recommendations to the Board at its monthly meeting. Tuition: Tuition for TCS is set by the Board of Trustees to cover a major portion of annual operating costs. The high ratio of teachers to students in the music and academic programs means that the bulk of money is allocated to faculty salaries. The remainder is applied to operational costs. Each year the Board of Trustees sets tuition for the following school year at a monthly meeting. Returning families are notified of the rates and required to post a deposit by a specific date. If you have questions or comments for the Board, please leave a message for Board Chair Jacob Pak in his mailbox at Crowden. 7 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Enrollment Contracts, Financial Aid, & Tuition The Crowden School strives to ensure that processes for reenrollment, financial aid, and tuition payment are as easy and transparent as possible for families. Please read this section carefully for important policies and deadlines. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask us. Reenrollment TCS students are invited to reenroll each year at the discretion of the administration (please see the enrollment schedule below). By signing an enrollment contract, the parent(s)/guardian(s) agree to all conditions of enrollment and tuition payment schedules as stipulated, including: Compliance with TCS policies: By signing an enrollment contract, you agree that you and your student will comply with school policies as set out in this handbook. It is understood that The Crowden School may, on occasion, issue additional policies that you and your student will be expected to follow. Failure to comply with these policies may result in dismissal or disciplinary action for your student. Disclosure agreement: It is understood that the well-being of each child at The Crowden School is of the greatest concern to all parents/guardians and staff. By signing an enrollment contract, you agree to disclose to the Principal in a timely fashion any conditions that may affect your child’s academic performance or threaten his or her well-being or the well-being of other students. The Crowden School agrees to keep such information confidential unless the Principal deems that withholding such information might risk harm to your student, other students, or employees. Payments: Parent(s)/guardian(s) select and commit to a tuition payment option on enrollment contracts, and agree to be bound by all tuition policies and payment deadlines. For specific payment schedules and penalties, please read our “Tuition” section below. Parent Participation: Parent/guardians agree to commit volunteer hours to Crowden. Numerous events and activities run on the energy and goodwill provided by our parents, who help with set-up, clean-up, receptions, photography and videography, and much more. Parent participation at The Crowden School is beneficial for the school community and your child, and we hope that it is an engaging and rewarding experience. Required Hours: 30 per enrolled student, 40 for families with two or more children enrolled, 15 for single-parent families. Volunteer hours are pro-rated for mid-year enrollment. The volunteer coordinator organizes parent participation opportunities through volunteerspot.com at the beginning of the year, and email communication for new opportunities that arise during the year. Parents unable to participate may pay the school $12.50 per hour in lieu volunteer service, and are billed in December and May if no volunteer activity has been recorded. Volunteer hours must be recorded in the binder at the school secretary’s desk. 8 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Withdrawals: In the event that your student withdraws from The Crowden School for any reason, the request must be in writing. Parents/guardians will be responsible for tuition as follows: 50% after April 1 100% after July 1 Tuition Tuition is set by the Board of Trustees to cover a major portion of annual operating costs. The low ratio of students to teachers in the music and academic programs means that the bulk of money is allocated to faculty salaries. The remainder, including the $1,000 program fee, is applied to special school events and operational costs. Each year the Board of Trustees sets tuition for the following school year. 2014-2015 Tuition Lower School Upper School $20,950 $22,950 Crowden offers two different tuition payment schedules: our annual plan (two installments) and monthly plan (ten installments). Families are billed according to the payment plan selected. Monthly payment plans are subject to a $300 administration charge. Late payments are subject to late fees as described below. Please direct questions about tuition payments to Debra Mauro, Director of Finance and Operations (510.559.6910 ext. 126 or [email protected]). Late payments/returned checks Payments not received by the due dates shall result in the assessment of a $15 per month late fee until the payment is brought up to date. Returned check charges of $25 per check apply for all checks returned due to insufficient funds. In the event that your account becomes overdue by 30 days or more, The Crowden School reserves the right to: 1. refuse enrollment to your student, 2. deny participation in musical performances, 3. withhold transcripts, and 4. withhold recommendations until payments are made current. These actions do not relieve you of your financial obligations. Financial Aid Financial aid is based on musical and academic potential, the commitment of the student and parents, and the financial need of the family. Awards are revised annually, and the Financial Aid Committee requires an application and financial statement each year. Provision of continued aid is based on yearly qualification, musical and academic growth, and adherence to the school’s standards. Parents/guardians are obliged to inform the school if there is any significant change in the family's income level or eligibility for aid during the school year. 9 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K In the case of divorced or separated parents, the school requires that both parents/guardians complete all required forms. The school will consider the assets of both parents/guardians before making any award, and will not be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. If either parent/guardian has remarried, we also consider the assets of the step-parent, bearing in mind, of course, the obligations of that step-parent to his or her children from previous commitments. Questions about the school’s financial aid policy should be addressed to Heidi Mattson (510.559.6910 ext. 122 or [email protected]) or Debra Mauro (510.559.6910 ext. 126 or [email protected]). Please direct questions about individual awards to Marion Atherton (510) 559-6910 ext. 119 or [email protected]). Communications Clear and frequent communication among Crowden students, parents/guardians, faculty, private teachers, and administration is crucial. Please note that email is absolutely the best way for parent/guardians to contact faculty with individual questions or concerns! Primary means of (and resources for) communications include: Email Email is increasingly used as a means of quick, and sometimes last-minute, communication. Crowden is committed to protecting the privacy of our families, and will not display or distribute email addresses of individuals other than staff members. We also try to limit mass email communications to important news, updates to or changes of information, and occasional CMC concert announcements. Faculty and staff initiate private email correspondence with families as necessary and appropriate, and email is the best way for you to contact faculty members, too. Student Directory We distribute a TCS Student Directory every year that includes contact information for students, family members, and TCS faculty. Families may specify what contact information, if any, Crowden should publish in the Student Directory. Crowden will not release any contact information to members of the outside community, and the Student Directory is disseminated only to TCS families, faculty, and staff. Administrative and staff contact information is included in a separate section of the directory and can also be found on our website. The information in the Student Directory, as well as administrative and staff contact information, should be considered confidential and not for personal use. Families may not disclose any TCS student contact information to any person, or permit any person to examine or make copies of this information. Families should not contact faculty and staff members on private home or cell phone numbers, but instead send an email. Print Publications TCS Weekly Newsletter The weekly newsletter, published every Thursday, is a vital means of communication between the school and TCS parents/guardians and students. Please read it carefully every week for important information on all aspects of TCS life: 10 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K upcoming concerts, rehearsals, field trips, fundraisers, special events, tests, birthdays, and more. We also love to highlight our students’ many and brilliant achievements in the weekly newsletters. Please submit a newsletter entry for any upcoming concerts, soccer tourney wins, acting debuts, or other news. To submit, just send an email to our Director of Publications at [email protected]. The deadline for weekly newsletter submissions is 11:00 a.m. the morning prior to publication. The Director of Publications likes to quote our ever-eloquent TCS students in print, so please also submit humorous statements for the newsletter’s “Overheard” feature. (Only appropriate quotes will be printed, of course, regardless of comic value.) The weekly newsletter is emailed to families every week. Crowden Letter Published twice a year, the Crowden Letter is the primary publication of CMC, with in-depth stories on Crowden programs and people, as well as alumni news and upcoming calendars. Scheduled Meetings The staff, faculty, and administration at The Crowden School value effective communication between home and school. We have scheduled regular opportunities throughout the year to meet with parents/guardians and discuss pertinent school matters. Parents/guardians should contact the appropriate teacher for questions and concerns related to a particular class. The school counselor is available to discuss social, emotional, and/or academic concerns, and to facilitate communication with the school regarding sensitive issues. If, after an initial conference with the teacher, additional discussion is necessary, a meeting should be arranged with either the Principal or Director of Music. The Crowden School schedules these formal meetings and conferences: Back-to-School Night Back-to-School Night is a full orientation for parents/guardians, with overviews of academic programs, citizenship expectations, school policies, and parent participation hours. Eighth Grade Meeting In September, we meet with eighth grade families to discuss the high school application process, fundraising plans and expectations, graduation and the yearbook. Parent-Teacher Conferences Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled in the middle of each semester. Parents/guardians meet with each teacher for a brief period; the school counselor is also available for conferences. Members of the music faculty hold conferences during the morning music periods. Conference sign-ups are maintained by the School Secretary, and are typically available at least two weeks in advance. 11 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Website Our website, www.crowden.org, is also a great source of information (and often downloadable forms you may need) on special events, calendars and schedules, supporting Crowden, community programs, our talented faculty, and so much more. We strongly encourage you to bookmark our TCS announcements page, www.crowden.org/TCS/students/newsletters.htm, where we post important announcements and corrections on a regular basis. You can also find handy links to VoluteerSpot, Thinkwave, and other parent resources. Bulletin Boards We have bulletin boards dedicated to community programs, TCS, and broader community events in the main lobby. Room, class, and rehearsal schedules are typically posted on the TCS board. Music faculty may also post specific practice requirements there before testing. If you’d like to post a flyer for an outside organization or concert on the Community Events board, please submit it to the School Secretary for approval. Only approved materials will be posted. Special Events TCS students and families participate in quite a few special events throughout the year, in addition to student performances. Our regular non-musical school events include the following: Welcome Barbeque is a strictly social event that enables new and returning students, parents/guardians, teachers, Board members, and staff to become acquainted. Community Music Day is Crowden’s largest public outreach event of the year, attracting more than 1,000 people annually. The entire Crowden School community typically contributes to the production of success of this very fun day in many ways—students perform, staff our popular “Instrument Petting Zoo”, and fundraise (usually with a bake sale), family members volunteer in a variety of ways. The Holiday Party is celebrated just before Winter Break. We have an all-school potluck dinner, followed by an informal evening of music featuring some favorite Crowden musical traditions. Roughly every two years, Crowden holds a Gala to raise much-needed funds for our artistic programs and student scholarships. The success of our Gala is very much dependent upon the energy, dedication, and time of our TCS families, who help by soliciting auction items, sponsors, volunteering behind-the-scenes and at the event itself. Photo Day happens once a year, although it sometimes takes two days. All-school, class, and individual photos with instruments are taken. Families may order prints directly from the photographer. Students are required to wear concert dress for the all-school photo! 12 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Stepping Up/Stepping Out Ceremony is an informal celebration for Lower School fifth graders who will “Step Up” into Upper School the next year, as well as for departing students and faculty. Graduation takes place after the last day of school. The sixth and seventh grade classes play music in honor of the graduates. In some years the eighth grade class also performs a class play as part of their culminating activities. Student Fundraising: each year, the eighth grade class raises funds under the supervision of a faculty member to provide a community service to the school. Fundraising activities have included bake sales, dances, and many other industrious endeavors. The class then purchases a meaningful gift for the school, as a token of their appreciation and to leave a class “legacy” for the Crowden community. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SCHOOL DAY AND MORE III. Schedule The school day runs 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. five days a week. Music training takes place 8:00–10:00 a.m. daily. Academic subjects and chorus classes are taught from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Music Announcements Students assemble in the auditorium at 8:00 a.m. each morning for music announcements. Morning Meeting Morning Meetings, held at 9:50 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, bring the school community together and set the tone for the day. These meetings keep everyone informed about school activities, personal accomplishments, birthdays, and concerns within the school and the greater community. This gathering preserves the spirit of the school. Arrival & Departure Parents/guardians are responsible for their child’s safe arrival to and return home from school. Parents are also responsible for arranging before- and after-school child care for their student. Please do not leave your child unattended before 7:40 a.m. or after 3:45 p.m. Check‐in Students and faculty should arrive by 7:55 a.m. Students must be seated quietly in the auditorium before music announcements at 8:00 a.m. The School Secretary maintains all attendance and tardy records. 13 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Departure At the end of the school day, students should be picked up from the Rose Street entrance, where a faculty or staff member will wait with them until 3:45 p.m. Students who have written parent/guardian permission on file may leave school at the end of the day without an adult. Permission to leave must be renewed each year. All students who leave Crowden on a bicycle or skateboard must wear a helmet. After 3:45, any child who has not been picked up will be escorted back and signed into AfterCare. At no time is any child permitted to wait unsupervised in front of the school. Students who leave Crowden after dismissal at the end of the school day may only return that same day if accompanied by an adult. Traffic Safety & Parking The Crowden Music Center resides on a busy main thoroughfare. Please use the greencurbed bay in front of the school when dropping off or picking up students. Adults who park on the opposite side of the street must accompany students across the street. Both double parking and U-turns in front of the building are illegal and dangerous; do not double park as that impacts school bus safety during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times. The Crowden School, the Jefferson School, neighbors, and the Berkeley Police Department are in agreement about these issues. Crowden School parking-lot spaces are generally reserved for staff and faculty, and are not available for personal convenience parking during the day. There is ample parking in the neighborhood. Beware of parking restrictions in front of The Crowden School and the Jefferson School and note the sign designating street-sweeping days. Out of consideration for our neighbors, please avoid parking—even temporarily—in such a way as to disturb families in the vicinity. This includes parking in illegal areas, driveways, or in any way that inconveniences or obstructs the neighbors. For the same reason, please do not honk to get your child’s attention when you pull up. Please note that Rose Street and surrounding areas are regularly patrolled by Berkeley traffic and parking officials. Families are responsible for resolving any parking fines incurred. We encourage carpooling. Check the student roster for other families in your neighborhood. We are also pleased that some students and faculty members ride bicycles to school! Absences & Tardiness Ample vacation time is provided in the school calendar. Parents/guardians should not take children out of school unless it is absolutely necessary. Unnecessary absences may cause a child to fall behind in his/her work, and it is not justifiable to ask teachers to prepare assignments ahead of time for a non-essential absence. Parents/guardians are required to report student absences by phone or email before 8:00 a.m. on the day of absence. The School Secretary publishes planned absences in the daily Today at Crowden, which is distributed to faculty and staff. Prompt attendance is of supreme importance for all classes, including the morning music assembly in the auditorium. Each student is a vital component of a class/ensemble and must be in his/her place on time. Repetitive tardiness jeopardizes the progress of the entire group, and may result in 14 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K inadequate preparation for activities and performances. Students must serve a detention after three tardies in a semester. Persistent tardies beyond this point will result in parent conference and possible suspension. Attendance is a standard component of music and academic classes and is considered part of a student's overall grade. Tardy students will be responsible for catching up on missed material, and may not be allowed to participate in class activities or ensemble performances, as applicable. Child Release for Medical or Other Reasons Parents/guardians must notify the school secretary by email at least 24 hours in advance. As a courtesy, we ask that the teacher(s) of any classes your child will miss are also informed. To avoid disrupting learning and for the safety of our students, parents/guardians requesting to pick up a child prior to the scheduled dismissal must come to the front desk to sign the “early sign-out book”; a staff member will retrieve the child from class. All releases are made at the front desk. At no time will any child be released to anyone at the classroom door. If anyone other than the child’s parent or legal guardian is to pick up the child, the parents/guardians must authorize this action in writing. The written note should include the authorized person’s name, address, phone number, and relationship to the child. Child Release to Adults Other than Parent/Guardians Parents/guardians must provide the school with the list of those authorized to pick up their child. This list should include each authorized individual’s name, phone number, and relationship to the student. Identification may be requested by the school at the time of pickup. This policy is strictly enforced for the protection of all Crowden students. Parents/guardians should keep their authorization lists up to date. The front desk should be informed in writing of any changes of authorized persons and telephone numbers. The addition of any designated drivers must be made in writing. Messages to Students The school will give messages to students during the course of the school day, provided such messages are received prior to 3:00 pm. However, we ask parents/guardians to reserve sending messages for emergencies only and not to call with changes to a student’s afternoon schedule as a matter of routine. Lunches & Snacks Students may eat and drink during morning break and lunch. Students bring their own lunches, utensils, drinks, and snacks to school; we are unable to provide students with disposable plates, cups, utensils, or napkins, so please make sure your student is prepared. Please bring food in appropriate, microwave-safe, reusable containers. All student lunches and snacks should be clearly labeled. Microwave ovens are available for student use, but since lines for the microwaves can be long students are encouraged to bring food that is ready to eat. The Crowden School endorses low-trash lunches and the use of reusable and recyclable containers; again, be sure reusable containers are labeled with your child’s name. To maintain a clean campus, students may not eat in the classrooms or on carpeted areas during the school day. During school hours, students are not permitted to enter the 15 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K kitchen/staff room. On the rare occasions when students are permitted to enter the kitchen—i.e., for cooking class or special events—they must be accompanied by an adult. Health & Food Safety The Crowden School discourages the consumption of candy and sodas during the school day and asks that parents/guardians make healthy choices in terms of food brought to school parties and events. Food should be nutritious and served in appropriate quantities to avoid waste. Please follow these guidelines from Kaiser-Permanente’s Healthwise Handbook when preparing food for a class party or special event at school: Food poisoning is caused by bacteria that grow in food that is not handled or stored properly. Bacteria can grow rapidly when certain foods, especially meats and dairy products, are not prepared carefully or are left at room temperature between 40 and 140 degrees F. Follow the 2-40-140 rule. Don’t eat meats, dressing, salads, or other foods that have been kept for more than two hours between 40 and 140 degrees. Recess Recesses occur after every two class periods. It is the student’s responsibility to stay within view of a supervising adult or faculty member during these breaks. AfterCare Program The after-school program, known simply as “AfterCare,” begins at 3:45 p.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m. Students not enrolled in AfterCare must leave the school grounds by 3:45 p.m. or parents/guardians will be charged for after-school care. The AfterCare program coordinator makes sure that all students who wish to do homework during the after-school hours are given ample opportunity to do so; there is also supervised recreation outside. AfterCare is available on a limited basis on concert nights. Students will be required to sign up in advance on these evenings. TCS does not provide snack. Parents/guardians should provide extra snacks for students who stay in AfterCare and provide for dinner on concert days. Students are expected to follow appropriate school behavior standards, and may not be permitted to take part in AfterCare if those are not respected. AfterCare Charges & Sign-Out Procedures The charge for AfterCare is $6.50/hour for pre-registered students; $8.00/hour for drop-in care. All students must be picked up by 6:00 p.m. or parents/guardians will be charged $8.00 per minute for every minute they are late in retrieving their child. Students will only be discharged to parents/guardians or to an adult whom the parents/guardians have specified in writing. The adult must come to the library personally and sign out the student. This not only helps guarantee the safety of your child (which is always paramount), it helps prevent incorrect billing and further hassles for you. Crowden will not release any student unless an approved adult comes in person for pickup, so please don’t call and ask that your child wait in the lobby or in front of school! 16 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Curricula Course Descriptions and Syllabi Course descriptions are available on our website and distributed each year on Back-toSchool Night. Individual assignments, adjustments to course syllabi, and special classroom events are posted on Thinkwave.com by individual teachers throughout the year. Counseling Services The counselor conducts age- and gender-specific group sessions in order to help develop strong social skills, and to discuss or address specific matters as needed. The counselor also acts as Crowden’s contact person for outside professionals (e.g. therapists and psychiatrists), provides observations about the child’s functioning at school, and assists Crowden staff in understanding and implementing recommendations for special needs. Counseling for students is available on a drop-in basis for: talking about troubles and worries, assisting with social issues, addressing behavioral problems, and addressing learning difficulties. Counseling for parents is available on a drop-in basis for: discussing a family matter which may affect the student’s school life, a resource for questions and concerns about social and psychological aspects of middle school life and child development. Field Trips Field trips enrich subject curricula and the school experience, and our students take frequent educational adventures! Students’ safety is always of primary importance. Most field trips occur within the normal academic day, but occasionally trips begin or end outside of school time. Parents/guardians should read times carefully and arrange for timely delivery/pick up of students. Students will be reminded if they need to bring a bag lunch, and/or wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. Students who are required to take medication during a field trip must have it on file according to our school policies. Permission Slips All students must return a signed permission slip before participating in school field trips—no exceptions will be made. Crowden’s insurance company does not permit permission given orally, by phone, or by email; written permission is required. Requests to opt out of any school trip must be made in writing. Chaperones/Drivers A designated number of chaperones will be asked to accompany and supervise the students on each trip. The number of chaperones is determined by the faculty member in charge and depends on the nature of the trip and space availability. Unfortunately, chaperones’ spouses or partners, children, or guests cannot necessarily be accommodated. Parent volunteers who transport students during the course of the school year must complete the Transportation Form, mailed out over the summer and available at the front desk. The school secretary verifies automobile insurance forms before each trip. 17 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Homework & Practice Homework is assigned at the discretion of the teacher to enrich the classroom experience, to help students achieve mastery of the given material and to review daily lessons. Students may be asked to work on a portion of long-term assignments over a weekend. Careful home practice is crucial to the success of our musical endeavors at TCS; students both benefit from and contribute more fully to our music program if they are prepared for their coachings, rehearsals, and concerts. During class time, our music teachers specify how best to accomplish personal goals during home practice. We realize that preparation for school music classes needs to be balanced with homework and private music studies so that students are not overburdened. Academic and music faculty members coordinate homework and practice loads to avoid overburdening students before and after concerts. In general, homework is assigned daily, using the guidelines below. Lower School: approximately 60 minutes daily Lower School students learn how to write down homework assignments, complete them, and turn them in punctually. Homework is assigned regularly and adjustments are made accordingly throughout the year. Lower School students will typically be asked to practice at home for a total of 20 minutes per day. Upper School: approximately 120 minutes daily Typically, homework and practice should not exceed 120 minutes of consistent, uninterrupted effort. Upper School students spend no more than 60 minutes per school night on homework, and will typically be asked to practice at home for a total of 60 minutes per day. Part of the Upper School experience is adjusting to specialized content-area teachers. Upper School students learn that each teacher has different expectations for class participation and homework. Some teachers assign homework as part of what develops from the day’s classroom discussions; others find giving a weekly assignment sheet more useful. By the time students reach Upper School, it is part of their academic responsibility to write down homework assignments. If a student is regularly exceeding these guidelines, teachers should be advised so that appropriate adjustments can be made. Note that at the beginning of the year and after holidays some students take longer to adjust to the demands of their new or changing schedules. Healthy playing habits are of prime importance to all performers. We urge families and private teachers to communicate promptly with the school if a student exhibits any signs of strain or if there are concerns about his or her participation in school activities. Storing Personal Property Each fourth grader is provided with a labeled open cubby in the homeroom. Every fifth through eighth grade student is assigned a locker and combination lock, both of which are school property. Combinations to the locks are kept on file at Crowden in case the student forgets the combination. Personal locks are not permitted. Students must lock their lockers at the end of each school day. Students are not permitted to store their personal belongings 18 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K behind the secretary’s desk or in the office. Each grade has a shelf for storing lunches and students are expected to check them daily. Instruments storage is available as follows: Lower School violinists/violists on shelves in the homeroom classroom, Upper School violinists/violists in the closet in the history classroom, all cellists store their instruments in the auditorium, basses store their instruments in the bass closet outside of the Dalby Room. Planners Every student is given a personalized planner at the beginning of the school year. Important dates of school events (e.g. holidays, concerts, Parent-Teacher Conferences) are included. The planner has space for students to write homework assignments for each class on a daily basis. Teachers may occasionally write notes home in the planner for a parent to sign. Parents/guardians are encouraged to look over their child’s planner on a regular basis. Textbooks, Supplies, & Miscellaneous Expenses Tuition covers the cost of textbooks and workbooks. In general, families purchase binders, dividers, graph and binder papers, pencils, highlighters, music stands (labeled with the student’s name, please), a mute, rosin, and soft cloths (for string instruments), and other supplies. We suggest that each student carry a tote bag for music and music equipment (rock stops, shoulder rests, etc.) only. Periodically, students will need to buy a new supply of paper, pencils, and pens. Families may incur miscellaneous extra expenses during off-site performances such as the Junior Bach Festival. Crowden supplies music folder, manuscript paper, calculator, and spiral notebooks. Students should come to school prepared with the materials they need. Student Assessment Grading The academic school year is divided into two semesters, fall and spring. Parent-Teacher Conferences are held twice a year. Academic and music teachers post grades and comments throughout the year on Thinkwave.com. Log-in instructions and passwords are distributed to parents/guardians and students at the beginning of each year. Progress reports and final grades are posted on Thinkwave mid and end of each semester. Grades at Crowden generally reflect a balance of three components: a student’s individual growth, a student’s standing within the class, and a student’s standing within his or her individual potential and the teacher’s expectations. Parents/guardians will be notified before the end of the semester if their child is likely to receive a failing grade. Students who fail a course may be asked to repeat it, do summer work, or in other ways demonstrate successful mastery of the material. Testing Lower School students may take tests and quizzes as part of the evaluation of their progress in the core subjects, and as preparation for the Upper School programs. In addition to providing teachers with a means of evaluation, these tests and quizzes allow students to gain subject mastery and improve study skills. Beginning in fourth grade, standardized tests are administered to students in the spring of each year, with the results for individual students mailed to their parents/guardians. 19 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Exams, tests, and quizzes are also part of the Upper School academic program, and the test schedule is discussed at faculty meetings. In general, teachers strive to limit tests and quizzes to two a day. Quizzes do not carry the weight of a test, and usually assess completion and understanding of homework or class assignments. Tests may require more time for review and mastery. Students are expected to learn the difference between a quiz and a test in terms of the preparation time needed for each. At the end of the semesters, students take finals—generally one per day. In addition to tests and quizzes in content areas, students take standardized tests yearly. If a student seems to be studying too frequently for tests, teachers should be informed so appropriate adjustments can be made. Academic honesty is integral to The Crowden School. As members of the Upper School, students are expected to understand the difference between an honest exchange of ideas and academic dishonesty (detailed in the Academic Honesty section, page 23). This understanding exists to protect the integrity of each individual as well as the Upper School community. The administration and faculty reserve the right to consider disciplinary action when any infraction involving academic dishonesty is discovered. 20 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AND BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES IV. Student Citizenship The Crowden community will not tolerate the following behaviors: Disrespect to others Offensive, abusive, or foul language Verbal or physical harassment Teasing or insulting others; derogatory remarks; “bullying” Defacing or damaging school or personal property Stealing Inappropriate clothing; offensive or racist messages Leaving campus without supervision/permission Possession or use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal substance Possession of weapons or dangerous objects of any sort Lower School Lower School students learn to be accountable for their actions and choices, to treat each other and their environment respectfully, to finish class and homework assignments, and to cooperate with faculty, staff, and administration. Lower School students are taught to take responsibility for their behavior and the well-being of their classes. As the students mature in Lower School, they begin to share responsibility for the welfare of the entire school community. If a student has difficulties meeting these expectations, or following these guidelines, parents/guardians will be informed in a timely manner and appropriate actions will be taken to resolve the problem. Upper School Upper School students are expected to support The Crowden School mission. They are accountable for their choices and actions and must treat others with respect, complete class and homework assignments punctually, and cooperate with the faculty, staff, and administration. At no time will the safety of others be allowed to be compromised. Upper School students act as role models for the Lower School students. Upper School students grow into their positions of leadership with greater responsibilities awarded to them as they move from sixth to eighth grade. They learn to share in and to take responsibility for the welfare of the school. 21 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Academic Honesty Academic honesty is integral to the school. Students are expected to understand the difference between an honest exchange of ideas and academic dishonesty. This understanding exists to protect the integrity of each individual as well as the school community. The faculty reserves the right to consider disciplinary action when any infraction involving academic dishonesty is discovered. During all tests and quizzes, backpacks are propped against the walls and students are separated. Students must neither talk during tests nor look at another student’s work. Children found to have been dishonest will lose the grade on that piece of work and may be subject to further disciplinary action. It is also considered academic dishonesty when a student allows another person to copy work. Plagiarism, a form of academic dishonesty, is the copying of four or more words without attributing them to the original author. Students who plagiarize material will be disciplined for academic dishonesty. Behavior Guidelines for Dress Rehearsals, Guest Visits, & Concerts Because it is a privilege to share music with each other, and because we take pride in our musical achievements, we show our respect and appreciation in the following ways: Students who are audience members must be accompanied to concerts by an adult. We listen attentively, giving our full attention to performers. Clapping and cheering are encouraged. Distracting behavior and conversation are inappropriate while pieces are in progress. We remain seated unless expressly directed to prepare for an onstage performance. Audience seating arrangements may vary during concerts. Parents/guardians are requested to help supervise their child’s behavior and support good concert etiquette. It is very helpful if the audience can help put away chairs after a school performance. Glowing citizenship remarks and grades may be noted in grade reports for exemplary rehearsal and concert behavior, but inappropriate or rude behavior may result in lowered student citizenship grades and disciplinary action. These rules of conduct apply any time a student is on campus, participating in or attending a school event on or off campus, officially representing the school, and traveling on school-authorized transportation. If a student has difficulties meeting these expectations or following these guidelines, parents/guardians will be informed in a timely manner and appropriate actions will be taken to resolve the problem. Birthdays/Invitations If a student wishes to celebrate a birthday at school, parents/guardians should make arrangements with the student’s teacher. Any classroom activity planned for a birthday or other celebration should include the entire class. 22 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Bringing Materials to Class /Tardiness Students are required to bring necessary materials and supplies to every class period. It is especially disruptive when music class participants fail to bring their materials to class, as each class member is vital to the component of an ensemble or orchestra section. Materials necessary for each class include completed or in-progress assignments that are being worked on during the school day. Students who use a computer to complete an assignment are expected to submit a hardcopy of that work. If hardcopy is impossible or impractical, a copy on a flash drive may be submitted to the instructor. Failure to bring proper materials wastes valuable class time and will be addressed as a discipline matter. The school provides a five-minute passing period between classes so that students may consistently arrive on time. All students will be seated and ready to begin at the start of class. After the first two weeks of school, students will be expected to be responsible for their own schedules. Students who are late to class are subject to an afternoon detention. Excessive tardiness will be noted and addressed by an academic and/or music administrator, and may affect class grades. Campus Safety Safety and security is everyone’s responsibility. Students, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians are requested to report violations promptly to the administrator in charge. Appropriate action may be the means of averting a disaster. All visitors on campus must register at the office and receive a visitor’s badge; in the event of an unauthorized person on campus, the Berkeley Police Department will be notified. Supervision Students are not allowed to leave school property without adult supervision at any time during school hours. Students should remain within eye contact of adults during the school day and notify adults about their location on the premises. At no time are students to be onstage, backstage, in the kitchen, or in classrooms without adult supervision. Care of School Property, Buildings, & Grounds Fundraising and fees from the Crowden Music Center community provide the school with thoughtfully chosen equipment and facilities. Students should show their appreciation by taking care of the books, musical instruments, furniture, equipment, grounds, and heritage building so that each subsequent class inherits the building and contents in good condition. Students are expected to pick up after themselves, help set up the classroom as instructed, clean lunch areas, and help tidy classrooms at the end of the day. Any student who defaces, damages, or destroys school property will be required to repair or replace the damaged item and will also face disciplinary action. Gum is not allowed on campus. Cell Phones & Other Electronic Equipment Students may not use cell phones during school hours, and should keep these items in backpacks or lockers until they leave school. If you feel that a cell phone is necessary for 23 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K your child’s security, the phone must be enclosed in your child’s backpack and turned off. It will be confiscated if taken out, or in use during school hours, including during AfterCare. Students are asked to leave CD players, MP3 players, radios, electronic games, personal computers, and other valuable items at home. These devices will be confiscated if they are used during school hours without faculty supervision. This includes lunchtime. Crowden cannot assume responsibility for items that are broken, lost, or stolen. Copy Machines Copy machines are for staff and faculty use only. Students are not permitted to use the copy machines. Faculty members are expected to make necessary copies before class periods begin, and should not send students to make copies during either instructional or free times. Dating/Romance Guidelines Although it is normal and healthy for middle school students to develop an interest in romance and sexuality, it is not appropriate for students to conduct romantic relationships on school time. Such behavior distracts both those involved and onlookers from their learning, and creates an uncomfortable social environment during recesses and breaks. Students are not allowed to kiss or engage in other forms of inappropriate physical affection on campus or during school-related events off campus. Students are expected to know the difference between friendly and inappropriate hugs and to use good judgment, but ultimately that determination lies with the supervising adult, and students must obey given directives. Dress Codes & Demeanor Clothing should be neat, whole, clean, and modest. See-through clothing, visible underwear, cleavage, and bare midriffs are inappropriate. Shirt straps must cover all undergarments. Skirts and shorts must be at least mid-thigh in length, and sagging pants are not permitted. Shoes should be worn at all times and should allow students to play safely in all playground activities. T-shirts and other clothing should not display words or drawings that are offensive, inappropriate, or in poor taste. Hats of any sort are NOT permitted to be worn inside school building, including classrooms. Hats may be worn outside the school building. The administration reserves the right to determine whether student clothing is appropriate for school. Parents/guardians of students whose clothing is deemed inappropriate can expect to be called to retrieve the student from school or to bring a change of clothes. General Concert Dress Code Students who arrive for a concert inappropriately dressed will not be allowed to participate in the concert. The general dress code for all performances is as follows: Girls: Black Crowden School sweatshirt in good condition, with a white collared blouse, a black skirt or dress slacks, black stockings or socks, and black closed-toe shoes with low or no heels. Girls must not wear open-toe sandals or skirts that are above the knee, too tight, or slit. Boys: Black Crowden School sweatshirt in good condition, with a white collared shirt, neat black pants, black socks, and black closed-toe shoes. No sandals or sneakers allowed. 24 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K New Crowden School sweatshirts are distributed before the first concert in October. Crowden t-shirts are worn at the annual Spring Concert and distributed to students the week of the concert. Solo Performance Dress Code Girls may wear skirts, or dresses, blouses and dress slacks. No spaghetti straps, lowback or strapless dresses, or skirts/dresses with side slits that extend above the knee. Hems should be at or below the knee. See-through clothing is not permitted, and any lace must have a solid backing. Boys may wear dress shirts, dress slacks, sweaters, and vests. No athletic attire (including sneakers) is allowed for any student. Shoe heels must be low enough to comfortably walk and easily maintain one’s balance. Dance Dress Code The dress code for dances is the same as the regular school dress code. Drugs/Alcohol/Cigarettes Policy Any student possessing or using drugs, tobacco, or alcohol on the campus, or at any authorized school activity, is subject to immediate expulsion. This includes any student who uses drugs or drinks off campus and returns to campus, or who is found to be using drugs or alcohol off campus at any time while representing Crowden. Flammable Materials Firecrackers or fireworks of any description, lighters, matches, or any flammable materials are not allowed on campus. Employees will immediately report any student infractions to the Principal, Vice Principal, or Director of Music, as applicable. Possession of Dangerous Items The possession of items that may be considered dangerous in any way is strictly forbidden. This includes, but is not limited to, laser pointers, guns, knives, and chains. Recycling Every classroom has a bin for paper, and there are bins for glass and aluminum recyclables on the patio. Crowden is working toward a sustainable model of education and encourages employees, students, and families to be civic-minded in terms of recycling. Recycling is critical for the environment and helps increase self-awareness and an understanding of the value of the limited resources we share. School Telephone Use Students are discouraged from making unnecessary phone calls during the school day. Students may use the front desk telephone during lunch or immediately before or after school with permission from Crowden faculty or staff. Messages for students must be phoned through the front desk. No student is allowed to use the phone unless there is an adult at the desk. 25 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Student Discipline Good citizenship is part of Crowden’s educational philosophy. Students learn from the Crowden faculty and staff about good classroom and playground behavior. Most behavioral issues at the classroom level are resolved through the collaborative efforts of the teachers, the counselor, and the students. When problems do arise, parents/guardians are notified in a timely manner. Generally, the following steps are taken: The teacher gives the student a warning. Children who have repeated disciplinary problems may be detained during lunch period or after school. The teacher may phone the family to discuss the matter further or write a note in the student’s planner for the parent to initial or comment on. If there is not adequate improvement, the parents/guardians will be called for a conference. Depending on the circumstances, this conference may be with the teacher, the school counselor, a team of teachers, and/or an administrator. In extreme cases, a student may be suspended for one or more days, or permanently dismissed. The consequences of undesirable behavior may include probation, detention, suspension, or expulsion. The use of these consequences varies according to the offense, context, and student’s record. Probationary periods are assigned for defined periods of time and for specific purposes and are agreed to by faculty, and/or administration. The specifications of the probationary period may be written in a student contract. Suspensions are of two types: 1. In-School Suspension occurs when a student reports to the Main Office the day of the suspension and is assigned tasks that are considered appropriate by the faculty and administration. Parents/guardians will be notified in the case of an In-School Suspension. 2. At-Home Suspension occurs when a student remains at home and does not come to school. Parents/guardians will be notified in the event of an At-Home Suspension and asked to take the student home. During a suspension, students do not attend classes or school activities. They are assigned an unexcused absence for each day they are suspended. Students are responsible for completing any work assigned during the suspension period and for turning it in punctually. When it is determined that a student is unable to maintain the academic and musical standards and citizenship expected at Crowden, they may be counseled out or expelled. Expulsion is the abrogation of the relationship between the school and the student/family. The administration makes all the decisions regarding expulsion based on the recommendations of the faculty, expert advice, and any other relevant information. 26 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K School Policies Animals on Campus Due to concerns about health, child safety, and campus cleanliness, pets must not be brought onto the school grounds. Bicycles/Skateboards/Scooters/Skates/Unicycles For the safety of everyone on campus, skateboards, bicycles, scooters, skates, shoe-skates, and unicycles must not be used on campus at any time and must be stored appropriately during the day. For safety reasons, bikes are never to be stored in the auditorium, classrooms, or hallways. For security reasons, bicycles must not be left on school property overnight. Change of Address or Other Contact Information It is important that the school be able to contact you at all times in case of illness or emergency. It is your responsibility to keep us informed of changes in work and/or home addresses, telephone numbers, and persons authorized to pick up your child. Please notify the front desk whenever any contact information, including email address, needs to be updated. Child Abuse: Mandated Reporting The California Penal Code (section 11166.5) requires all educational and child care employees to sign a statement to the effect that they have knowledge of and will comply with the provisions of Penal Code section 11166 that require reporting known or suspected instances of child abuse. Employees exercise strict confidentiality regarding child abuse and its reporting, and will not discuss any aspects of the report or situation with any other employee or the family itself. For more information on child abuse and mandated reporting, please consult the Alameda County Child Abuse Prevention Council’s website at www.alamedasocialservices.org/public/community/partners/accapc/mandated.cfm. Child Custody Unless informed in writing to the contrary, the school shall presume that parents/guardians have equal legal rights in regard to the custody of any student. To encourage privacy, a letter signed by both parents/guardians (guardian, if applicable), setting forth the custody agreement, will be satisfactory. If a joint letter is inconvenient, a copy of the court order will suffice. Class & Music Placements The academic and music faculty determine what class and music placements are in the best interest of the students, the balance of each class or ensemble, and the school. The faculty and administration are responsible for final placement. Promotion to the next grade is conditional upon a student’s achievement record, maturity level, good citizenship, and consistent attendance. The administration reserves the right to make the final decision in these matters. 27 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Emergency Preparedness Fire and Earthquake Drills Practice drills are held at the school. Students are trained to evacuate the buildings and assemble with their teachers on the turf at the north end of campus (earthquake) or on the lawn (fire). Earthquake Preparedness On the first day of school, each student should bring his/her own personal Earthquake Kit in a standard-size backpack labeled on the outside with the child’s first and last name. If your child has a prescription medicine in the backpack, please place a large “P” next to his or her name. Emergency Backpacks are due on the first day of school. These backpacks are stored in a shed outside of the school building and will be distributed in the event of an actual emergency. Harassment Policy The Crowden School is committed to providing a learning environment that is free from harassment in any form. Any harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, or veteran status is contrary to the school’s standards of conduct and is unlawful. Harassment of any student, faculty, staff, or family member by another student, faculty, staff, or family member is prohibited. The school treats allegations of harassment seriously and will review and investigate such allegations in a prompt, confidential, and thorough manner. While a charge of harassment does not create the presumption of wrongdoing, substantiated acts of harassment will result in disciplinary action including immediate expulsion or dismissal from the school or termination of employment. Any form of intimidating or harassing conduct between Crowden School community members, whether done in person, in print, or electronically is subject to response by the school administration. Harassment occurs when an individual is subjected to treatment or a school environment which is hostile or intimidating because of the student’s race, creed, color, national origin, culture, physical disability, gender, or sexual orientation. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, any or all of the following: Verbal Harassment: derogatory comments and jokes; threatening words spoken to another person. Physical Harassment: unwanted physical contact, assault, deliberate impeding or blocking of movements, or any intimidating interference with normal work or movement. Visual Harassment: derogatory, demeaning, or inflammatory posters, cartoons, written words, drawings, or gestures. Sexual Harassment: this includes all unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. 28 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K It is the responsibility of The Crowden School to: Implement this policy through regular meetings with all administrators, ensuring that all understand the policy and its importance. Make all faculty, staff, students, and parents/guardians aware of the policy and the commitment of the school to its strict enforcement. Remain watchful for conditions that create or may lead to an offensive school environment. Establish practices designed to create a school environment free from discrimination, intimidation, or harassment. It is the student’s and parent/guardian’s responsibility to: Conduct himself or herself in a manner that contributes to a positive school environment. Avoid any activity that may be considered discriminatory, intimidating, or harassing. Consider immediately informing anyone harassing him or her that the behavior is offensive and unwelcome. Discontinue conduct immediately if informed that the conduct is perceived as discriminatory, intimidating, or harassing. Report all incidents of discrimination or harassment to a teacher or any member of the staff or administration, including the Executive Director. Internet Policy & Computer Use The Internet connection at Crowden is intended to support educational activities only. The use of school Internet accounts must be consistent with the school’s educational objectives. Students are expected to use the Internet in a responsible manner. Students are not allowed to reconfigure or modify the settings, appearance, or function of school computers and software without adult permission. Lost & Found A lost and found is maintained throughout the year. Every two months, unclaimed items are donated to charity. This donation generally includes dozens of virtually new sweaters and jackets, as well as shoes, lunch boxes, and hats. Families are asked to label all items with their child’s name so that students can easily identify their belongings in the lost and found. Parent/Guardians on Campus We want to encourage a strong community with appropriate communications and interactions between the school and its families. To accomplish this, the school has the following guidelines for parents and guardians on campus: Parents/guardians picking up a child early should come to the front desk. Children may not be picked up from the classroom because such dismissals can disrupt classroom activities and make it difficult for Crowden to account for the presence of all students on campus. Children are not permitted to wait unsupervised for early pickup. 29 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Classes should not be interrupted at any time. Messages, late lunches, forgotten books, and homework should be left at the front desk. The privacy of teachers’ classrooms and work areas should be respected. Please do not enter empty classrooms. Media Release Forms During the year, TCS students are occasionally photographed, filmed, or recorded for use in various media, including radio, television, printed promotional materials, and websites. Parents/guardians receive a media release form over the summer with the option to either grant or refuse Crowden the right to publicize materials featuring their child for promotional or public usage. If for some reason a parent/guardian would like to change permission preferences in the middle of the school year, s/he must fill out a new media release form. Medical Information & Policies The Crowden School wants to ensure the health and safety of all our students. It is important to provide us with complete medical information and emergency contact information for your child’s safety and well-being. Crowden must have on file the following information from families: Verification of medical insurance Yearly medical update form (contains information about allergies and medications) Emergency contact information Student immunization forms Written consent to administer medications Students who are feeling ill should report to the front desk. The office staff will notify the parent(s) if necessary. If a student presents with fever, parents/guardians will be notified to pick up the student. No student will return to class if they exhibit fever or flu symptoms. Immunizations All students enrolled at Crowden must have an immunization card on file. The California Department of Health enforces its “no-shots, no-school” policy. Updated medical information is requested every year; forms are distributed in the summer. New students and seventh graders must show proof of updated immunizations or they may not attend school. Effective July 1, 2011, all students entering grades 7-12 must obtain the Tdap (Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diptheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis) vaccine booster. As of July 1, 2001, state law requires that all children entering daycare and kindergarten must show proof of immunization for chicken pox. Children who have had chicken pox and are immune must present a note from their doctor. 30 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Medical Insurance The Crowden School does not carry medical insurance for families and requires every student to carry his/her own. The student’s medical insurance verification form, yearly update form (with information about allergies, medications, etc.), the locator card, and the student’s Immunization Form are kept on file. Medicine on Campus All medications must be kept at the front desk. Crowden students are not allowed to carry or store medication on campus at any time, with the exceptions of inhalers and EpiPens that are required for the treatment of allergy symptoms. Non-prescription medication (Advil, Tylenol, etc.) may be distributed for minor discomfort if written consent from the parent/guardian is on file. If a student requires prescription medication during the school day, it must be brought to school in the original container along with a doctor’s note. All medications must be clearly labeled with the child’s name and clear instructions for quantity and time it should be taken. Visitors and Guests All visitors to Crowden are required to register at the front desk. Visitors are asked to sign a registration book indicating purpose of visit, time of entry, and time of departure. All visitors who require access to school grounds beyond the lobby, including parents/guardians, must wear visitor tags visibly. Visitors may not enter classes when they are in session, except by prior arrangement with the teacher. Music Program Expectations & Guidelines Music Curriculum from a Developmental Perspective We currently have a spiral music curriculum at Crowden—all of the topics below are taught at every grade level with increasing complexity as students mature. Instrument Classes develop the ability to: Approach technical challenges efficiently and understand how to use practice time to the best possible advantage. Many practice strategies are carefully explored, including but not limited to slow practice, use of the metronome, and playing in varied rhythms. (For string players, this includes specific but varied bowings at different tempi, and specific left-hand games/exercises.) Support the instrument (or the body, if seated at the piano) in a balanced way for maximum technical efficiency, agility, and optimal sound production. Play with facile yet stable left-hand position for string players; a solid frame in all positions, accurate but flowing shifting, ability to hear and to measure across intervals. For pianists, this includes appropriate articulation and voicing, accuracy, and fluidity, with ample finger strength and correct hand positions. Play with a facile bow hold and technique in a variety of bow strokes (detaché, martelé, spiccato, etc); use a straight bow, understand how to divide the bow, understand the use of bow speed in relation to pressure and distance from the bridge; use a variety of bow strokes in a range of dynamics. 31 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Play all chromatic, major and minor scales from memory (for string players: in tune and eventually in three octaves) with a variety of bowings and/or rhythms. Play with vibrato at various speeds as appropriate to the music (strings). Make a supported sound. Shape phrases. Play in a variety of musical styles and characters. For violinists: read the alto clef fluently and play viola. Ensemble Classes develop the ability to: Play accurately and expressively as a group: breathe together; use eye contact and body language to give/take appropriate cues; communicate mood, and sound quality. Learn how to rehearse efficiently; how to play in tune (in different temperaments for string or mixed string /piano groups), compromise/discuss diplomatically and respectfully, phrase as an ensemble, tackle technical and musical challenges as a group, make musical decisions about phrasing and style, decide when to lead and when to follow, play out or blend; balance the various voices in the ensemble with inner voices as the core of the sound. Read a score. Play with character and an understanding of style appropriate to the period/composer. Orchestra Classes develop the ability to: Participate actively in sectionals, rehearsals, and concerts (by making eye contact and accurately following the conductor’s cue, playing with the character and articulation the conductor has indicated, notating orchestral parts accurately, and practicing and preparing meticulously and adequately at home). Prepare for an audition or concert through home practice and sectionals. Lead a section as a principal player or blend as a section player. Play with character and an understanding of style appropriate to the period/composer. Chorus Classes develop the ability to: Demonstrate appropriate conduct during rehearsals and performances (communicate respectfully with the conductor and other colleagues, maintain proper decorum, take bows together, enter and exit the performance area in an orderly manner, etc.). Fine-tune the ear; recognize intervals; sight sing. Sing with fine technique (good vocal support, appealing sound quality). Further explore ensemble skills. 32 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Play with character and an understanding of style appropriate to the period/composer. Musicianship and Composition Classes develop the ability to: Identify and accurately notate (in student’s own compositions) key signatures, time signatures, clefs, modes, intervals, dynamics, chords, and chord progressions. Identify and employ basic compositional forms and techniques. . Analyze basic musical forms. (N.B.: Many of our students have scored well on the AP Music Theory exam upon completion of Level V!) Music History Classes develop the ability to: Become a sophisticated listener. Identify various periods and styles of music with a thorough understanding of historic context /perspective (concurrent developments in religion, politics, philosophy, technology, and art, for example). Recognize and identify individual composers’ contributions and innovations. Inform student’s own playing and approach to music of various styles. Overview of Student Performances Student Performances take place periodically throughout the year. Evening concerts are usually followed by receptions in the Dalby room. Basically Baroque is a concert evening prior to the Junior Bach Festival auditions, and features chamber, choral, and orchestral works from (primarily) the eighteenth century, with a focus on J.S. Bach. This concert offers an opportunity for students who have studied figured bass or continuo to demonstrate their skills. Junior Bach Festival is an independently produced, off-campus event held in conjunction with J.S. Bach’s birthday. It features student performers from all over Northern California who have successfully competed in professionally judged Festival auditions. Since the School’s early years, TCS has contributed performing choral and instrumental ensembles to the Junior Bach Festival. For detailed information on Junior Bach, please see the Junior Bach Information section (page 36). Solo Performances allow every student in the school the opportunity to perform a solo piece chosen by the student and her/his private teacher. We provide an accompanist and rehearsal time during regular music program hours. Please read the solo performance information (page 35) carefully, and share it with your private teacher. Piano/Composition Concerts feature the efforts of students in piano ensembles, and those whose compositions (primarily solo and chamber works) were created in Musicianship and Composition levels IV and above. Musicianship teachers and music faculty coaches assist students in preparation for their performances. 33 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K The Spring Concert is our big, end-of-the-year musical extravaganza, involving chamber music, the Upper and Lower School choruses, and orchestra. This concert, typically held offsite in a superb acoustical setting, features Upper School students in particular. Private Musical Instruction Students are required to study their major instrument(s) with their own teachers outside of school. If desired, the school can recommend teachers for private lessons. The school respects and supports the special relationship each student has with his or her chosen private teacher. Lines of communication are open; where there may be differences in approach or philosophy, the private teacher’s opinion is always honored, first and foremost. Any changes in private instruction should promptly be reported to Lisa Grodin. Being Prepared for Music Class Materials for music classes include two sharpened number two pencils, a music stand (with the exception of bass players and pianists), neatly marked and taped music, music folder, a mute, an extra set of strings, and tissues if necessary. Cellists are also required to bring a rock stop. Students should have access to a metronome for home practice, but need not bring one to school. It is advisable for the student to keep extra copies of marked music in a safe place, in case of emergencies. A tote bag is highly recommended to carry music and supplies. Dress Rehearsal Guidelines A dress rehearsal is a final run-through of music in concert order before a performance, and is usually held during regular school music hours. Concert clothing is not required at a dress rehearsal. Dress rehearsals are mandatory; if a student misses a dress rehearsal prior to any concert or performance, he/she may not be allowed to perform in the actual concert and the student’s class and citizenship grades may be lowered accordingly. Please avoid scheduling appointments, music lessons, or visits to high schools on dress rehearsal dates. School Concert Guidelines Call and Performance Times Most concerts take place in the evening beginning at 6:30 p.m., with a 6:00 p.m. call time for participants. Warming Up Student performers will be assigned warm-up rooms and instructions for each school concert. It is the student’s responsibility to stow his/her instrument safely out of harm’s way. Being Prepared Students will be held accountable for appropriate concert dress and for bringing his or her neatly marked, taped music to each rehearsal and concert. Failure to fulfill these responsibilities may be reflected in the student’s music and citizenship grades, and the student and/or the affected ensemble may not be permitted to perform. 34 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Student Supervision For your child’s safety, all students, performers and audience members, must be accompanied by an adult when attending a school concert. Faculty must be informed if someone other than a parent/guardian plans to supervise your child during a concert. Sleep‐Ins Students who participate in evening concerts are typically excused from the first hour of morning music the following day, and are not expected at school until 9:00 a.m. The school will provide supervision for students who must be dropped off at school between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. Solo Performance Information Solo performances offer students a chance to perform their solo pieces for supportive parents/guardians and peers in our school community. These concerts occur during the second semester. Students choose and study their solo pieces with their private teachers outside of the day school, so it is crucial that the private teachers are acquainted with the following school guidelines for solo performances. The school counts on families to help communicate with private teachers about solo arrangements. Selection of Solo Repertoire The chosen piece must be submitted to the Director of Music no later than three weeks prior to the student’s Solo performance. The piece should be well within the student’s grasp, both technically and musically. Except in the case of a sonata, the music should be learned and performed from memory. If the student has difficulty memorizing music, modifications may be made in discussion with the Director of Music. Time Limits Lower School performances are limited to five minutes per student. Sixth and seventh grade students are limited to seven minutes. Eighth graders are allotted up to ten minutes. Judicious cuts in the piano accompaniment may be necessary in order keep a given piece within the time limit. Any exceptions to the above should be addressed to the Music Director at least one month in advance of the Solo Night concert in question. Junior Bach Information The Junior Bach Festival features student performers from all over Northern California who have successfully competed in professionally judged Junior Bach Festival auditions (typically held at the end of January or the beginning of February). Choral groups and chamber ensembles of over sixteen members are required by the festival to submit a recorded audition, but all other ensembles must audition in person at the time and date assigned by the festival. The festival performances take place during two weekends in March in venues throughout the Bay Area. Since the school’s early years, TCS has contributed performing choral and instrumental ensembles to the Junior Bach Festival. The study of Bach is essential to fine classical music training; festival auditions can provide useful experience and valuable feedback for young 35 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K performers. The Crowden Director of Music assigns participating ensembles well in advance of the auditions. All rehearsals and concert dates are mandatory for Junior Bach ensemble participants (including members of the Upper School Chorus, should that group be assigned to participate). If an ensemble member has to miss an assigned rehearsal, audition, or concert for any reason other than illness or injury, the student’s ensemble and citizenship grades may be lowered and the ensemble may not be permitted to perform. Outside Enrichment Workshop Guidelines TCS ensembles occasionally participate in additional outside enrichment opportunities. When a group agrees to participate in such an activity, the same rules for assigned rehearsal, audition, and performance responsibilities will apply as for Junior Bach. Musical Instruments & Insurance Instrument Insurance The Crowden School does not carry insurance for the loss of or damage to students’ instruments. Loss of or damage to an instrument, whether accidental or otherwise, is the responsibility of the owner or user (or borrower, in the case of Crowden instruments). The student’s insurance verification form is due the first week of school. Instrument Care Instruments should be kept in good playing condition and kept in their cases when not in use. An extra set of strings should be carried in the instrument case at all times. It is the student’s responsibility to stow his/her instrument safely out of harm’s way during the school day, off-site concerts, and school concerts. String instrument cases are to be left under or on top of tables, away from doors and foot traffic. Instruments that are temporarily out of their cases should be placed in a secure fashion along the walls and away from foot traffic. Cello and bass endpins should be put inside the instruments when not in use. Piano and harpsichord lids must be carefully closed and covered after music classes. Borrowing Instruments The Crowden Music Center has instruments available to enrolled students; please contact the Director of Music with inquiries. All violin students in grades five through eight will learn to read viola clef and play the viola during their studies at Crowden. Violas will be assigned to those who need them. Any borrowed instrument then becomes the responsibility of the student. Instruments must be signed out with a parental signature signifying assumption of financial responsibility before removal from CMC campus. Off‐Site Performances TCS students frequently perform off-site concerts, occasionally during normal school hours. These events are very important for sharing with the larger community what it is we do at Crowden, both at TCS and CCMC. Off-site performance serves several functions: It is an effective tool for recruitment and admissions It is useful for fundraising and cultivation of supporters It provides performance experience 36 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K It is a form of community service It raises Crowden’s public profile Families will be contacted by the Center’s Director of Artistic Administration in advance of any off-site performance opportunities; there is an expectation of additional time being devoted to musical activity at TCS or CCMC for those asked to participate. Crowden families bring a tremendous wealth of associations and communities both professional and social, and these can provide interesting opportunities for activities and performances outside of the school curriculum, or off-campus. We welcome suggestions of concerts to promote the visibility of Crowden or to serve the larger community. These activities must be approved, scheduled, and organized through the school or the Center, however. This policy ensures that performances bearing the Crowden name are fully prepared and reflect well on the student performers in the moment, and also provides a positive representation of CMC in general. If you have an idea for an event or collaboration, please contact Director of Artistic Administration of the Center, Michel Taddei, at [email protected]. Following administrative discussion and approval of the event, he will coordinate scheduling, communications, rehearsals and coaching, transportation, and any other requirements for the activity. Tours Every other year, seventh and eighth grade students may be invited to participate in a concert tour. Tour destinations and itinerary are determined by TCS Music Administration and the Executive Director. Faculty and staff accompany the tour as chaperones. Previous tours have visited Sweden and Denmark, France, Italy, New Zealand, England and Scotland, Canada and the Pacific Northwest, and parts of the U.S. 37 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K V . TOPIC INDEX Organization Structure Crowden Music Center .............................................................................................. 2 The Crowden School ................................................................................................. 2 Crowden Center for Music in the Community ................................................................ 3 Building, School, & Office Hours ................................................................................. 3 Administrator Reference Guide................................................................................... 4 Enrollment, Tuition, Financial Aid Policies..................................................................... 8 Communications .................................................................................................... 10 Special Events ....................................................................................................... 12 Everything You Needed to Know About the School Day Schedule Music Announcements ............................................................................................ Morning Meeting .................................................................................................... Arrival & Departure ................................................................................................ Check-in ............................................................................................................... Departure ............................................................................................................. Traffic Safety & Parking .......................................................................................... Absences & Tardiness ............................................................................................. Child Release for Medical or Other Reasons................................................................ Child Release to Adults Other than Parent/Guardians .................................................. Messages to Students ............................................................................................. Lunches & Snacks .................................................................................................. Health & Food Safety.............................................................................................. Recess ................................................................................................................. AfterCare Program ................................................................................................. 13 13 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 16 16 16 16 Curricula Course Descriptions & Syllabi................................................................................... Counseling Services ............................................................................................... Field Trips ............................................................................................................. Homework & Practice.............................................................................................. Storing Personal Property........................................................................................ Planners ............................................................................................................... Textbooks, Supplies, & Miscellaneous Expenses.......................................................... 17 17 17 18 19 19 19 Student Assessment Grading ................................................................................................................ 19 Testing ................................................................................................................. 20 Student Citizenship & Behavior Expectations Student Citizenship General Citizenship ................................................................................................ 21 38 The Crowden School F A M I L Y H A N D B O O K Academic Honesty.................................................................................................. Behavior Guidelines for Dress Rehearsals, Guest Visits, & Concerts ............................... Birthdays/Invitations .............................................................................................. Bringing Materials to Class ...................................................................................... Campus Safety ...................................................................................................... Care of School Property, Buildings, & Grounds............................................................ Cell Phones & Other Electronic Equipment.................................................................. Copy Machines ..................................................................................................... Dating/Romance Guidelines ..................................................................................... Dress Codes & Demeanor........................................................................................ Drugs/Alcohol/Cigarettes Policy................................................................................ Flammable Materials .............................................................................................. Possession of Dangerous Items ................................................................................ Recycling .............................................................................................................. School Telephone Use............................................................................................. Student Discipline .................................................................................................. 22 22 22 23 23 23 23 24 24 24 25 25 25 25 25 26 School Policies Animals on Campus................................................................................................ Bicycles/Skateboards/Scooters/Skates/Unicycles ........................................................ Change of Address of Other Contact Information ........................................................ Child Abuse: Mandated Reporting ............................................................................. Child Custody ........................................................................................................ Class & Music Placements ....................................................................................... Emergency Preparedness ....................................................................................... Harassment Policy ................................................................................................. Internet Policy & Computer Use ............................................................................... Lost & Found ......................................................................................................... Parents/Guardians on Campus ................................................................................. Media Release Forms .............................................................................................. Medical Information & Policies ................................................................................. Visitors & Guests.................................................................................................... 27 27 27 27 27 27 28 28 29 29 29 30 30 31 Music Program Expectations & Guidelines Music Curriculum from a Developmental Perspective ................................................... Overview of Student Performances ........................................................................... Private Musical Instruction....................................................................................... Being Prepared for Music Class................................................................................. Dress Rehearsal Guidelines...................................................................................... School Concert Guidelines ....................................................................................... Sleep-Ins .............................................................................................................. Solo Performance Information.................................................................................. Junior Bach Information .......................................................................................... Outside Enrichment Workshop Guidelines ................................................................. Musical Instruments & Insurance.............................................................................. Off-Site Performances............................................................................................. Tours ................................................................................................................... 39 31 33 34 34 34 34 35 35 35 36 36 36 37
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