Strategies and Policies for the Indoor Class:
- Adult Participation: This is an adult participation class! Children must be accompanied by a participating adult!!! Adult participation is compulsory, and I will be calling on the adults in the class to help show the children what we want them to do. When the adults unite in any action, the kids are drawn into joining, but when the adults don't participate, the kids see it as an excuse to not participate themselves. The adults are the models of how we want the kids to behave in the class, and must sing and do the moves and behaviors all class long!
- After every song we all throw our hands as high as they’ll go and shout “HEY!” This shows the kids that we just finished a song, and it makes it feels like we just had a strong finish. When all the adults do this, the children will join (eventually). It’s a great way to get everyone on the same page. Adults must do this after every song, so please be prepared.
- Adults must be Covid vaccinated.
- Sick adults and children cannot attend class! You cannot attend if you or anyone you’ve been in close contact with has recently been exposed to COVID-19, even if there are no symptoms present.
- If your child is all of a sudden presenting with unforeseen and surprising symptoms of sickness when you get to the class (this happens), you will need to take them out of the class. I know this can be shocking to them, but Covid is most contagious right when symptoms present, and I need to be proactive about not spreading sickness. If this happens, you can assure them that I'll find a way to get them a makeup when they're healthy!
- Makeups are possible during the quarter or group of consecutive classes in which you are enrolled only (no limits as long as there's space in other classes.)
- Health and Instrument Protection: Please protect children and instruments from unsafe behaviors. At first they will have no idea that the instruments must be handled safely, or what that means. Please keep a lookout and intercede immediately if you any see unsafe behavior.
- Oral Explorations: In order to keep ourselves, our band mates and the band instruments healthy, we're working towards not putting instruments or fingers in our mouths and noses. I realize that many children might not be able to stop themselves at first, or even ever, but we must let them know that that is what we're working towards. Please do go through the motions of stopping them especially the very first times they attempt oral exploration in the class. This will let them know right away that the classroom is a special place where new rules about oral exploration apply. If I find it to be truly necessary, I might gently ask them to stop as well, and hopefully at some point we will have some success in keeping everyone safer, and the instruments relatively sterile and free of harmful moisture and germs. Please remember, I don't expect oral explorations not to happen, but I do hope to begin working towards the goal of trying to get them to stop during class. And thanks for your help with this, I know it's no fun!
-Time to adjust: For many children this is their first class ever, and for others it's like no other class they've been a part of. In order to make these instruments available, which no other class does, children sometimes have to take turns and wait for things. At first this can be quite a challenge for some. Don't worry if at first your child is unable control their urges to try and get what they want when they want it, or if they're upset when they are gently prevented from doing so. Eventually with calm and consistent guidance they will be able take turns on the many instruments. Please don't expect your first preview class to be an indication of how the class will be for you and your child once they adjust to the class and it's rather unique curriculum. Children who need to and are given the chance to eventually adjust are in for a treat!
- Food: Please do not bring any food out in the classroom. If hunger becomes an issue, please step outside and take a little break from the class.
- 1 adult per child only!!! 1 adult with 2 kids can possibly work, let me know if you want to try this. Extra adults can't watch from nearby if they're visible to their child or me, so sorry. (If your child is 1 - 3.5ish years old, you might want to come to the park with only the adult who will be attending the class. Very often kids those ages will not sit through the class when they think they have left their 2nd parent outside of the classroom.)
- Guests: No extra adults or children are allowed into the class without prior permission!
- Cell Phones: No cell phone use except for emergencies or cameras or audio recordings.
- Taking video or pictures of your child is usually fine, but I might ask you to stop if I for any reason if I think it's best for the class. Please refrain from taking images of other children and me without prior permission.
- Email and Text Communication: For cancellations and adjustments that might need to occur, a group email will be used up until an hour before the class starts. A group text will be used starting one hour before class. (Please make sure I have your phone number...)
- You can do a trial class for $31. If you are joining the class when the current quarter is already in progress, you'd be paying for the full number of classes the current quarter and continuing on into the next quarter however many remaining consecutive classes you've paid for (there are no breaks between quarters, classes are ongoing).
- First Come First Served: Your spot in a class is not secured until payment is received. If you've set up a class but haven't paid yet, it's possible you will lose that spot if someone comes along and does secure it with payment before you. Once you've been given the go ahead to register, please make sure to send payment as soon as possible to reserve your spot.
- You can find registration and payment information at: https://www.jsom.com/registrationpayment-options
- Drop-ins are possible as long as I have space at $41 per class.