Welcome to the

Stuarts Draft Middle School

Music Program!

Student Teacher
Mr. Doug Ritcher
ritcheda@dukes.jmu.edu
(540) 246-6686
 Introduction Letter
Thursday, March 12, 2019

Dear students and parents,

Greetings from the Stuarts Draft Middle School music program. My name is Mr.
Ritcher and I will be student teaching at Stuarts Draft from March 9th through May
9th. I have an exciting and busy couple of months planned for my time here.

Students, ​I look forward to working with you in developing your many unique
gifts, musical and otherwise! There is a place for each of you in this program and I
am here to help you find it! Never be afraid to visit me in the music room before or
after school, or send me an email.

Parents and guardians, ​thank you for allowing your students to be involved in
our program. You can support your students and the program in a few ways. Ask
me questions whenever needed. I will always respond to email and I am willing to
meet with you or your students to discuss any concerns or questions you may have!
You can also support the program by making sure you can attend our performances
to see our students growth and work!

Parents, guardians and students, ​in this handbook, I have included information
about the months of learning and music making. Please carefully read each page
for class expectations.

After going over each section of the handbook, please sign and fill out the
commitment and contact form on the last page.

Sincerely,
Doug Ritcher
Student Teacher
 Basic Classroom Rules
1. Entering the Room: Students should enter the music room in a quiet and orderly fashion.
2. Beginning of Class: Read the board to begin bell work, read objectives, and/or begin the day’s assignment.
3. Tardy: if you are tardy to class, please fill out the tardy slip that I give to you and hand it to me. You will
only be excused from a tardy if you bring a pass or note from your previous teacher.
4. Class Dismissal: All students MUST be seated and materials put away before the teacher dismisses the
class.
5. Listening/Responding to Questions: Please listen to the entire question before responding with an answer.
Please raise your hand quietly and wait for the teacher to call on you.
6. Come to Attention: When the teacher is standing directly in front of the classroom with a raised hand, all
students should freeze, face the teacher and listen quietly for instructions.
7. When You Need Help/Conferencing: When doing individual work, raise your hand and wait to be called
on. When in a group activity, ask the other members for help first. If the other members do not know the
answer, then raise your hand and wait to be called on by the teacher.
8. Class Materials/Instruments: Students will be assigned an instrument and be given daily assignments during
the duration of this course. They will be responsible for all materials. If any materials/ instruments are lost
or damaged, it is the responsibility of the student to pay for and/or replace it. Please make sure these
materials are well-taken care of. Please keep all handouts that are given out.
9. Student Work and Materials: All paperwork and materials should be kept in the student’s binder.
10. Working Cooperatively: Students are responsible for their own work and will be graded accordingly as
outlined in the course description.
11. SDMS Writer’s Pledge. All students are expected to adhere to the SDMS Writer’s Pledge.
12. Finishing Early: If you finish early with a class assignment, you may quietly get a book from the
bookshelves located in the back of the music room and read silently or work on other class assignments that
are music related. Please be courteous to those who are still working.
13. Substitutes: Students are expected to continue their written work as if the regular classroom teacher was
present. The procedures of music class should still be followed.
14. Yellow Slips: Students who receive a yellow slip for a minor behavioral problem in class will make a
phone call home to their parent/guardian immediately and explain to their parent/guardian what they did in
class. The classroom teacher will be present during this telephone conference in order to answer any
questions that may arise. Yellow slips will be documented and the students will spend the rest of the class
period in ISS. Loss of special privileges will occur.
15. Pink Slips: Students who receive a pink slip for a major behavioral problem in class will be sent to the
office immediately and conference with administration. Loss of special privileges will occur.
 Class Goals
1. Music Theory:​ Students will learn elements of music theory and apply it to the
music they are working on.
2. Instrumental Exploration:​ Students will begin learning the basics of how to
play the guitar. Appropriate materials, technology and resources will be presented
to students in order to develop understanding and performance skills.

3. Performance skills: ​Students will adapt to proper performance etiquette which

may include in-class performances and/or concerts and/or performance projects.

Student showcases are individual performances by students and will be
determined by progress.

Areas of Evaluation/Grading

1. Ensemble Skills/Participation (40%): Ensemble Skills include student preparation,

rehearsal etiquette, and having necessary materials.
2. Class Assignments (30%): Students will be held accountable for all classroom
assignments. Each assignment will have a due date, and the student will have
enough time to complete each assignment if time is used wisely.
3. Performances and/or Performance Project (30%): Performance dates are provided
for your convenience. If there is an EXCUSED absence from a performance, it is
understood that the student will make up the missed work by staying after school
and performing their individual part in front of the instructor within three days of
the missed performance date. A performance is a test evaluating what has been
accomplished in the previous weeks in class. ​Important:​ If a student receives
three yellow slips resulting in class removal, they will not be permitted to
participate in any concert performances scheduled. An alternative written
assignment will be provided that will be equivalent to the performance instead.
Grading Scale: The Standard Augusta County Grading Scale will be used to evaluate
student progress.

A = 100-90

B = 89-80

C = 79-70

D = 69-60

F = 59-0
 Commitment/contact form
For Students:
I _______________________, recognize my responsibility to maintain the
expectations laid out in this syllabus and understand the consequences for my
inability to maintain these expectations.
Signature:____________________________ Date:________

For Parent/Guardian:
I _______________________, recognize my students’ responsibility to maintain
the expectations laid out in this syllabus and understand the consequences for my
student’s inability to maintain these expectations.
Signature:____________________________ Date:________

Parent/Guardian Contact form:

Phone number: ___________________________________

Alternate phone number: ____________________________

Email: ___________________________________________