MINEOLA M.S. BAND
STUDENT - PARENT
HANDBOOK
Melissa Fisher
Middle School Director
fisherm@mineolaisd.net
Chris Brannan
Director of Bands
brannanc@mineolaisd.net
Jim Best
Assistant Director/Percussion Director
bestj@mineolaisd.net
Welcome back! We, as your band directors, are very excited about this upcoming school
year! In this handbook, you will find an overview of our expectations for you as a
Middle School band member, as well as other important information about this school
year. Please read the following information. Then, sign and return the consent form, as
well as the medical release form, and return both of them to school by Friday, August
29th.
MEMBERSHIP IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND
Students are required to have completed one year of beginning band in order to
participate in Middle School Band. Students will not be allowed to change their
schedule after the 1st week of school. Any schedule changes due to testing scores or
other special circumstances will be done only at the discretion of the directors and only
with principal approval.
DISCIPLINE
All Mineola ISD students are expected to have outstanding behavior in and out of
school. Mineola Band students represent the band program as well as the school
district. Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated at any time or for any
reason. Disciplinary measures will be taken in accordance with the M.M.S. student code
of conduct.
BAND HALL RULES AND EXPECTATIONS
1. Be in your seat on time, with all necessary equipment, ready to start rehearsal.
2. Be attentive and participate fully everyday.
3. Demonstrate proper playing habits on your instrument at all times.
4. Treat other people, their property, and school property with respect.
5. Keep all gum, candy, food, and drinks out of the band hall.
6. Instruments should be taken home every night and on weekends.
7. Handle only your personal instrument.
DAILY REQUIRED MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
1. Instrument in good repair- traditionally colored instruments (lacquer or silver).
Non-traditional colors will not be accepted. Oboes, tenor/bari saxes, French
horns, euphoniums, and tubas are provided by the school.
2. All necessary supplies for your instrumento Brass- mouthpieces and valve oil.
o Clarinets and Saxes- at least 3 good reeds at all times.
o Percussion- all necessary sticks and mallets.
3. Band folder with all necessary music, band book, and a pencil.
GRADING POLICY
Grades in band will be taken and recorded in accordance with the MMS Student
Handbook. Grades for all Middle School Band members will be based on a combination
of the following:
1. Objective Sheets- Students are required to practice outside of class for this
course. Objective sheets detail what should be practiced for a particular time
frame in order to improve certain playing skills or fundamentals, and to stay on
the same level as the class. Objective sheets will count as test grades. Failure to
pass off objectives by the due date will result in a zero for the
objective. Objective sheets must be kept in the student’s band folder at all
times, and may be checked by a director at any time. Due dates are final.
Objective sheets will be used to determine a student’s readiness for promotion
in band.
2. Daily Participation- Students are required to have all necessary materials for
band class each day. Weekly grades will be taken for class participation and
having all materials for class. Not having materials may result in completing an
alternate assignment for band class that day.
3. Tests- Most tests in band are playing tests and are considered
performances. Playing/chair tests will be a big part of a student’s grade each 6
weeks.
4. Performances- Band is a performance- based class, therefore, attendance at any
band performance is mandatory. All performances- concerts, contests, pep
rallies, football games, etc. will be counted as test grades. A list of performance
dates are included in this packet, and they are also listed on the MISD Band
Page. Please make necessary arrangements to make sure that your child can be
at each of these events. Excused absences will only be made for
extreme/emergency circumstances and must be approved in advance by the
director.
PERFORMANCE ATTIRE
1. Pep Rallies/Football games- students should wear their 2014-2015 band t-shirt.
2. Concerts- students should wear nice dress clothes that follow the MISD student
dress code. No jeans, t-shirts, or tennis shoes please.
3. Contests (UIL/Pre-UIL) Boys- Black polo or button up shirt, tucked in.
Black slacks
Black dress shoes
 Girls- All black dress or skirt & top.
Dress or top must have sleeves.
Black slacks or capris are also allowed.
Black dress shoes
INSTRUMENT CARE
School instruments are owned by Mineola ISD. Students are expected to take care of
their instruments properly.
For both school and personally owned instruments, if the instrument is broken or not in
working condition, we can send it to the shop to be repaired. Parents are responsible for
all repair costs for personally owned instruments. We will hold the child’s instrument
until the repair bill has been paid in full or the parent contacts the band directors to set
up a payment plan.
ELIGIBILITY
TEA and UIL have very strict policies when it comes to eligibility issues and events that
are deemed “extracurricular.” Some activities the band participates in are curricular or
academic, and others are extracurricular. Either way, in order for a student to fully
participate in the band program, he/she must make a 70 or higher in all of their classes
at each grade check. Grade checks will occur at the end of each 6 week grading period.
BAND BOOSTERS
The Mineola Band Boosters are the support organization for the Mineola ISD Band
Program. All parents of band students are automatically considered a Mineola
Yellowjacket Band Booster. The Band Boosters are involved in raising money for band
trips, scholarships, summer band camps, and other financial needs of the band that are
beyond the responsibility of the school district. It is impossible for this organization to
function as it was intended without the support from all band parents. Each parent that
has a child in the MISD Band Program (6-12) is asked to help the organization in any way
that they can throughout the year. The Mineola Band Boosters meet at 6:00PM on the
2nd Tuesday of each month at the Middle School Band Hall, unless otherwise called by
the Booster President or Mr. Brannan.