CHS Choral Website

Attendance Policies

During the school day all of the choral music classes follow the standard attendance rules and requirements of Chantilly High School and the Fairfax County Public Schools.

As a co-curricular program, assignments, rehearsals, activities, concerts, and outside events often extend beyond the standard school hours. Students are responsible for their participation in these co-curricular activities and will be held accountable for all work that takes place in those sessions. These activities and assignments are an extension of the regular classroom and all attendance and grading policies do apply.

After School Attendance:

Students are required to attend all scheduled rehearsals and activities. Note: the calendar of events is not all- inclusive. Reasons for absence is limited, and except in the case of emergency, must be pre-arranged AND approved.

	Request for other excused Absences:
1.	In a non-emergency, the request is to be made in writing at least two days prior to the particular rehearsal to be missed.
2.	The student must have pursued all possible methods of avoiding the conflict.
3.	When presenting your request, understand that it may, or may not be approved. Be willing to accept the answer of no if it comes.

In cases of other academic conflicts or responsibilities, students should strive to schedule make-up work and other class assignments on days they do not have required scheduled rehearsals.

NOTE: In the Co-curricular attendance policy, any unexcused absence may result in the lowering of a students grade and may also carry disciplinary statutes as well.

Make-up work is possible, but will be very demanding. Any make-up work will be assigned by the directors.

Unexcused tardies will be handled in the same way for both regular class and after school rehearsals. Three unexcused tardies will be equal to an unexcused absence. Unexcused absences affect students academic assessment. Letter and bar requirements are also related to this policy. An unexcused absence from an ensemble performance may result in a student grade averaging to an "F" for the quarter grading period.

Standard Chantilly Choral After School Rehearsal Schedule

Monday	2:30 - 4:00 PM Chantilly Combo 4:00 - 6:00 PM Touch of Class (Subject to change—TBA)
Tuesday	3:00 - 5:00 PM Mass Choir Rehearsals (TBA)
Wednesday	2:30 - 4:00 PM Untouchables and Soft Touch (Club) All Choirs—Sectional Activities TBA
Thursday	2:30 - 4:00 PM Chantilly Combo 2:30 - 4:30 PM Touch of Class
Friday	3:00 - 5:00 PM Magic Touch

These are weekly scheduled rehearsals. Additional rehearsals, meetings and training sessions will be called throughout the year, and attendance is both expected and required.

Co-Curricular and Extra-Curricular Activities Policy

In addition to the daily required class schedule, which is governed by normal school policy, a regular rehearsal schedule, outside of the daily class time, is a required part of this class. These rehearsals are a part of your grade, and must be attended. This policy must be strictly followed in regards to attendance and its relation to other school activities and functions. Tardies are included as a part of the attendance policy.

Students are required to attend all rehearsals scheduled outside of class time. Absences should be avoided. Please note, as a class requirement, rehearsal times are not times for other appointments, other class make-ups, or personal work schedules.

II.

Students must be on time. “On time” means dressed for the task, warmed up/stretched and physically prepared before the posted rehearsal time.

III.

Proper Attendance means proper preparation. There is a dress code (Show Choir - Dance shoes and dance clothing in most cases.) In addition, you must always have all required materials when you come to rehearsals—music, pencils, assignments, etc.

IV.

You leave rehearsal only when you have been dismissed. Please note that communication with the director is key to every successful facet of this attendance policy

In cases that relate to other school activities, (ie. Sports, Cheerleading, SGA, etc.), ALL ABSENCES MUST BE PRE-ARRANGED IN WRITING, ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING FORMAT:

1.	A proposed rehearsal schedule must be presented to the directors, sponsors, and coaches prior to any given season, or group activitiy. It must contain the regular practice schedule for that team or group, and it must include all games (meets, etc.). The basic premise of split rehearsal time will be set upon a maximum of a 50% split of rehearsal time. That usually translates to about one hour of after school choir rehearsal out of the regularly scheduled four hours a week.
2.	The schedule will be finalized, and approved by the director and coach/sponsor and then will be implemented. This will include a printed form SIGNED by your director, coach/sponsor, and your parents.
3.	In cases where another group’s rehearsals or practices are changed due to unforseen events (e.g. weather), you are required to attend the regularly scheduled rehearsal. The same is true towards other group’s activities if we change our regular schedule.
4.	-GAMES take priority over rehearsal. -PERFORMANCES take priority over practice. -In cases where both a game and performance exist at the same time, the student may choose the event they participate in without consequences from either side. Please note, as a class, alternative assignments will be required to fulfill the grading policies. Please note: This does not include competitive trips or “Jazz and Pizzazz”. Students are expected to set these group activities as a priority, and are required to make provision to participate in these events, as they are an important part of your overall grade.
5.	You are responsible for working out the conflicts with us. Do not take this lightly as it will affect your grade.

Chantilly High School Extracurricular / Co-Curricular Split Schedule Policy

To accompany split schedule request form.

During the course of any given school year Chantilly High School students often participate in more then one activity at a time. The following department policy addresses any situation in which a student participates in more then one extra curricular activity and/or co-curricular class.

It is first the responsibiltiy of the the student to work directly with the directors, teachers, coaches, or sponsors of the two conflicting activities to resolve all possible conflicts in advance of a season or activity.

In the cases where a conflict cannot be resolved or avoided, an equitable and appropriate split will be set to best meet the maximum particition of the student in both programs.

In most cases a fifty percent split of the overlapping time is equitable. However, arrangements will be examined on a case-by-case basis and a final split will be established according to the overall number of after school hours met by both activities. This part of the policy applies primary to rehearsals and practices.

When a practice/rehearsal is in direct conflict (meaning they happen at the same time) with a game/performance, the game/performance will always take precedence.

On those occasions where a student has a conflict between a performance and/or a game, the student has the freedom to decide which activity they will participate in. This decision will not be impacted by negative consequences (i.e. detention, grade lowering, etc.) from the director, coach, or sponsor of the activity. Students in co-curricular classes will still be responsible for meeting all of the academic requirements of the class.

Thank you for your time, flexibility and understanding as we work together to best meet the needs of our students and our programs, and for assisting the students in managing a busy and demanding personal schedule.