Norco High School Band - Spring 2021 Physical Return on March 22nd

Welcome!!

Dear New and Returning Band Members and Families:

As we get ready to begin the return to campus I have provided some information and links below. I have left distance learning information up since some things overlap.

Please make sure to connect with school, district, and community sources to make sure you have the most accurate information on a daily basis. The following websites are a good place to get information:

CNUSD Updates: https://www.cnusd.k12.ca.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=211960&pageId=1929447

Norco High School Updates:

https://norcohs.cnusd.k12.ca.us/cms/one.aspx?portalId=220917&pageId=5004814

Information for in-person return of band

Below is some initial information to get you started on what to bring for band class. Make sure you review information from the school so you are up to date on the proper safety protocols (distance, masks, etc.).

All Band Periods and Cohorts:

Instruments: Please bring your instrument on your first day back. Although we cannot play (yet), we need to fit our PPE equipment to your instruments. You will be issued this PPE and are expected to have it with your instrument when we are allowed to play. Students that lose it may have to help purchase a replacement. You can take your instrument home after your first on-campus day so you can practice and do assignments at home until we are allowed to play by the district.

We are ok to use our band lockers now. Students that bring instruments may put them in a locker as long as they are not shared and we follow safety and distance protocol in using the locker rooms. 

Class: As you know we are in a bit of uncharted territory so please be flexible and patient as the first days unfold. We are currently not able to play wind instruments so plan on doing some theory, listening, and other desk appropriate work until we can start playing. I will still have expectations for practice and music assignments on smart music. We will still have theory/guard assignments that you can complete at home and at school. The nice part is that we can now work on things together directly. Also know that we will be putting the pieces back together for all the logistical things that we do for band including leadership positions and planning for next school year’s band camp and seasons. If you are present, prepared, and have a positive attitude we will be as productive as possible under these conditions.

Attendance:

On days when your cohort is expected to be here physically, your presence will determine your attendance. When you are not expected to be here it gets a little tricky. Here is what you do:

All class periods should look for the daily link in the class stream of your specific Google Class. It will be a Google form that will ask you to input your name and period. This will be your attendance check-in. Do this for every day you are on "remote" as well as Fridays (All students on remote).

Office Hours:  I will set aside office hours for Monday -Thursday from 10:11am-10:56am to answer questions via e-mail. Friday office hour/class meetings will be held via Zoom and there will be a link posted on your stream. Please note, Even though I must hold a Zoom meet on Fridays, you do not have to attend the Zoom to be counted for attendance. Simply fill out the attendance check-in form located in you Google Class stream for Friday and you are good to go.

Norco High School Jazz Band Schedule for Hybrid Return to School

Below is the schedule listing for Jazz Band members. Please note that you should adhere to your appropriate cohort and am/pm designation. This schedule will start on the day of our return next Monday, March 22, 2021. Please try to make arrangements to be picked up from school promptly at our end time for after school cohorts. 

Cohort A (am): Mondays before school from 6:40am-7:30am in the band room.

Cohort B (pm): Tuesdays after school from 3:00-3:45pm in the band room.

Cohort C (am): Wednesdays before school from 6:40am-7:30am in the band room.

Cohort D (pm): Thursdays after school from 3:00-3:45pm in the band room.

-Remember that all office hour components will apply for jazz, including Fridays.

*I understand that scheduling will take time and it will need to be ironed out for everyone. Please know that your grade will not suffer as we get through this process.

Tentative schedule for 7^th period band (after school):

 Wednesdays from 3:00-3:45pm outdoors.

When I determine a good start date, after school band rehearsals will take place on Wednesdays from 3:00-3:45pm outdoors. We will still fall under the sports conditioning protocols and will most likely be operating as a full group separated into pods of 10 students, while adhering to distancing and masking protocols. At this point we are currently not allowed to play wind instruments, only percussion with certain restrictions.

Please note that I will give ample lead time before starting this for the purpose of diminishing the impact of scheduling changes on students and families. I appreciate your patience. Remember that no grades will suffer due to scheduling as we all figure this out.

I have left distance learning information below as many of the elements will still be in use such as the Google Classroom and Smart Music.

Essential Class Information 

Communication:

For communication it is critical that student and parent contact information in the Q System be up to date as that will be my primary starting point of contact. I will also use district e-mail, and the Remind App. Parents can e-mail me at rkmora@cnusd.k12.ca.us  especially if they are enrolled and not receiving information from me through the Q system.

Band/Guard (Periods 0-3 and 7) Distance Curricula:

Students will essentially be completing performance tasks and other assignments listed in their specific Google Classroom portal. Assignments involve performance tasks along with written assignments. I have attached instructions to the website for those that want information on how to access Google Classroom. It is a good primer on how to use the system overall so you may want start there first if you are new to the platform.

I have posted the distance learning syllabus for all classes on the band website. It gives even more detail about grading and attendance so please consult it as well.

Google Classroom Codes:

Please use the given Google Classroom login codes to enroll in your specific Band Period:

Hours and Contact Information

Dr. Mora E-mail: rkmora@cnusd.k12.ca.us

Band Website: www.bluediamondbrigade.com

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 10:11am -10:56am

Office Hours: Fri from 10:00am-11:00am

Contact Methods: E-mail, Google Classroom