Columbia Center Rotary Branch

Music & Arts Center Policies

Attendance

The program at the Music & Arts Center is designed to be comprehensive and goal based, so that students may gain skills which will enrich both their education and their lives.  It is because of this that we ask that students miss as few classes as possible.  Students who continually miss class and are not excused will be placed on Attendance Probation for a period of one term following the term which caused their probationary status to be invoked.  Should the pattern of absence continue a conference with the Branch Director will occur to determine eligibility for future enrollment.

Examples of excused absences include:

• Illness
• Family Emergency
• Conflict with school events (games, practices, concerts, conferences, etc) – this does not include private, club-based sports
• Transportation Problems

If students are enrolled in a weekly class they must not miss (unexcused) more than three (3) classes in one term.  If students are enrolled in a class which meets twice weekly they must not miss more than five (5) classes in one term.  This is considered on a per-class basis, not on fulltime enrollment.  Family vacations, church events and similar occurrences may be excused by the instructor (not the Branch Director) provided that the instructor has received notice at least seven (7) business days prior to the absence.  This allows the instructor to brief the student on what they will miss lessening the chance of the student getting behind in their instruction.

School Activities vs. Club Activities - (only for those students in Fresh Trash/Con Brio/Advanced Marimba)

Students who participate in Fresh Trash, Con Brio, Advanced Marimba or other SHOWCASE ENSEMBLES are asked to be equitable in their absence from rehearsals because of games, practices, rehearsals or performances for their respective schools.  Students who choose not to follow this policy may be removed from the ensemble and not be reinstated.

PRACTICE VS. PRACTICE- If the conflict is between practices which occur simultaneously between club and school the member is responsible for choosing which activity is more important to attend.  (if there is a game coming up, you should make arrangements to miss your entire MAC rehearsal to attend all of your practice, vice versa too)  If at all possible students should strive to spend time at both practices/rehearsals as it can be detrimental to all groups (School and MAC) to miss practices/rehearsals.

PRACTICE VS. GAME/PERFORMANCE- No matter whether it is for School or MAC activities, students should attend the game or performance which they have been preparing for.

GAME/PERFORMANCE VS. GAME/PERFORMANCE- This decision should be left to the student to decide.  All avenues should be explored in possibly attending both, even in limited capacities, but no penalty will be given to students who are not able to attend MAC events because of school-based conflicts.

Academic Standards for Participants in Showcase Ensembles

Members of Fresh Trash and Con Brio, in addition to other Showcase Ensembles which may begin throughout the year will be held to an academic standard for participation in any extracurricular or travel performances or tours including but not limited to the National Conference.  Students must be passing all classes and have a minimum GPA of 2.5.  In addition, students must be current on their class work or have a written contract with their teacher stating how they plan to become current.

Tuition & Fees – Payment of

Tuition and any additional fees such as transportation, membership or extended drop-in must be paid in full prior to the first day off attendance.  Unless a payment plan is developed a late fee of $5 per week will be assessed until payment is received in full.  Parents on a payment plan have only until the last scheduled day of class for the term to bring their accounts current.  Students with past due accounts carried over to a new term will not be allowed to attend classes and will be assessed a $25 service fee.

Tuition & Fees – In the Event of Cancellation

If a class or camp is cancelled for any reason by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties parents will receive a full refund of all tuition and fees associated with the class or camp.  If a parent cancels enrollment in a class more than 2 weeks prior to the start of the activity they will be assessed a fee of $15 or 25% of the full tuition rate, whichever is greater.  If a cancellation occurs less than 2 weeks prior to the activity a fee of $30 or 50% of the full tuition rate will be assessed.  If after the fee is assessed there is a credit remaining that credit will remain in the account of the child for their next activity.

Tuition & Fees – Refund/Transfer of Credit

Parents seeking a refund on the credit of their balance will be assessed a $25 service fee by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties.  Parents do have the option of transferring any credit they have accumulated at the Music & Arts Center to any Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties program including Club Discovery (Preschool), Club Care (Licensed Child Care) or the Main Branch or Bobbie Littrell Teen Center (Drop-In Programs).

Discipline

The goal of the discipline policy as the Music & Arts Center is to have a clear and concise strategy in dealing with situations before they become more serious problems.  It is our expectation that through this discipline program students’ will learn about the choices they make in life and how those choices might affect themselves and others around them.  The MAC Discipline Policy is available for review by parents, please contact the Branch Director for more information.

Parent Concerns/Suggestions                                              

If you have concerns or suggestions regarding the program at the Columbia Center Rotary Branch Music & Arts Center you are encouraged to contact the Branch Director to resolve any issues.  If you feel that your issue has not been resolved you should contact Brandy Ramos, the Director of Program Services for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties at (509)543-9980.

Club Closure - Holidays

The Columbia Center Rotary Branch will be closed on the following holidays:

• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving and the Day After Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day
• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• 4th of July
• One floating holiday (likely to be the day before or after Christmas)

Club Closure – Weather

In the event of inclement weather the Columbia Center Rotary Branch Music & Arts Center may open late, close early or be closed entirely.  If the Kennewick School District is Closed the Music & Arts Center may also close for the day, although every effort will be made to open no later than 9:00am for All-day services.  If the Kennewick School District enacts a Late Start or Delay, every attempt will be made to open the Club at 8:30am for AM Kindergarten students to enroll in the full day program at the MAC.  Please listen to the radio for announcements regarding the KENNEWICK SCHOOL DISTRICT only.  Once the announcement has been made and you would like to find the status of the MAC you may contact Ron McHenry after 7:00am at 509-301-3920. 

In case of an ice storm/freezing rain event (similar to February 2005) the Boys & Girls Club may close early for the safety of staff and students.  Once contacted, parents will have no less than 45 and no more than 90 minutes to make arrangements for their child to be transported from the Music & Arts Center.

No School Days/Camps

The Columbia Center Rotary Branch will provide No School Day Activities and Camps to bridge the time between as many out-of-school and in-school days as possible.  This is a fee based service because of the significant cost increase of operating for a full day.  Hours of operation through June 2008 will be 7:30am to 6:30pm.  Beginning in June these hours will change to 6:30am to 6:30pm.  Sign-up sheets will be available for all relevant No School Days.  A minimum number of students must attend for our club to remain open for the day.  In the event of closure, the Pasco Club will always be open.