School Packet. Teacher Instructions Principal/Music Specialist Letter Parent Letter and Forms

Transcription

1 School Packet Teacher Instructions Principal/Music Specialist Letter Parent Letter and Forms

2 Any child who has musical potential deserves the opportunity to nurture this musical talent to its full extent. Dear independent or private music teacher, Thank you for your interest in the MusicLink program. This packet of materials will assist you in finding a qualified student to teach through MusicLink. Included in this packet are: 1. Instructions on how to present MusicLink to your neighborhood school (below) 2. A letter to your school principal that will explain how to nominate a student for our program. 3. A letter to the parent or guardian of a prospective student. 4. Two sets of forms (C & D) A neighborhood school is the best place to find a student who will qualify for the MusicLink program. You probably already have a relationship with the school and may personally know the staff there. Other places may be Community Youth Centers or churches. How to Get Started 1. Remove one set of forms C & D from the packet and keep them. Fill in the information on the bottom of the Principal and Parent letters. If you don t know who your coordinator is, enter the address of the National Office (1043 N. McKinley Road Arlington, VA Phone: info@musiclinkfoundation.org) Take the remaining packet to a school near your studio. Ask to speak with the principal. Offer some basic information about the MusicLink program and explain that you are willing to teach, at a reduced rate (half or less of normal fee), a student who: a. has shown musical interest and ability and would benefit from private lessons b. has financial need (this can be determined by the MusicLink Coordinator in a follow-up contact) c. has a supportive parent or guardian 2. Give the packet to the principal and ask if he/she, with the assistance of the music specialist, would nominate one or two students for the program. If the prospective student s family has a computer, the family can nominate their child themselves. The school can use the Parent Letter for this purpose. If the family does not have a computer, the school can send the C & D Forms home for them to complete in hard copy. 3. When students are nominated online, the MusicLink Foundation will be alerted and a coordinator will follow-up with the family to determine commitment and financial need. The coordinator will also find out if there is a need for a practice instrument. If you do not hear from a coordinator within a month s time, you may want to follow up with your school contact to see if they followed through with the nomination process. 4. Once the student nomination process is complete, a MusicLink coordinator will provide the name of the student and contact information. You can arrange for an interview to meet the student and family. 5. At the interview, you can schedule a lesson time and determine what fee you will charge. Even if the family does not have much money for lessons, the MusicLink Foundation suggests at least a nominal fee be charged to foster commitment to lessons. At this time you can explain your Studio Policy. Provide the parent/student MusicLink Forms (C & D) if they have not already completed them online. These can also be mailed to your coordinator. 6. After the interview, or call your coordinator with the lesson starting date, your normal fee for lessons and what your MusicLink student will be paying. This information is not shared with anyone, but used to determine your scholarship donation to the MusicLink Foundation. 7. Once the MusicLink Coordinator gets this information, he/she will complete the link. You will soon receive a packet with your MusicLink ID number and a Discount List, so you can begin taking advantage of the discounts and offers from our growing list of Business Partners. 8. In the spring, you will be asked to complete an evaluation on your MusicLink student. Other than that, nothing more is required. Teach your MusicLink student as you would any other student in your studio. Please do let your Coordinator know if your student discontinues lessons for any reason or if you have any questions or concerns. MusicLink Coordinator: Phone:

3 Any child who has musical potential deserves the opportunity to nurture this musical talent to its full extent. Dear Principal and Music Specialist, How often have you noticed a child in your school who loves music, shows enthusiasm and musical promise and you think: If only I could offer additional musical opportunities for this student! Time constraints limit what can be done. This child cannot afford music lessons. What can I do?, an area piano teacher, is working in alliance with the MusicLink Foundation to create opportunities to allow this child to grow musically through long-term instruction. It begins with a simple nomination by someone who knows the child s musical interest and potential. MusicLink teachers offer music lessons on partial to full scholarship to promising students from preschool through grade 12 who are economically disadvantaged. We ask schools or youth organizations to nominate students to the program who: show interest and enthusiasm when engaged in musical activities demonstrate evidence of financial need (e.g. free or reduced lunch status this information can be provided by parents in our follow up letter) have a supportive parent or guardian The students you nominate are linked with professional music teachers in the community who donate instructional time at a reduced cost for as long as students wish to learn music. The MusicLink Foundation emphasizes long-term musical development and helps provide instruments, music, and music camp scholarships, as needed. Please nominate one or two students online at Click on How to Participate and complete the MusicLink Nomination Form and Potential Talent Profile OR ask the parent or guardian of the nominated student(s) to complete the forms on-line. If the family does not have access to a computer, hard copy forms are included in this packet and can be mailed with the Parent Letter. When returned, please mail to the MusicLink Coordinator. Thank you for your assistance in bringing music lessons to a promising child in need. MusicLink Coordinator contact: Address: Phone MusicLink Teacher contact: Phone:

4 Any child who has musical potential deserves the opportunity to nurture this musical talent to its full extent. Dear,, working in alliance with the MusicLink Foundation is pleased to inform you that your child,, has been nominated for the MusicLink program. MusicLink assists in getting musical instruction to promising students nominated by their school or youth organization. MusicLink offers the opportunity for your child to be taught by a qualified teacher in your community who has agreed to reduce the normal rate for lessons. All MusicLink teachers receive a full criminal background check. MusicLink lessons will continue as long as the student has the desire to learn music. Your child has shown an interest in lessons. He or she will be responsible for preparing for lessons, practicing regularly according to the teacher s directions, and participate in activities planned by the teacher. Music lessons require parental support and encouragement with consistent practice essential for success. Enrollment requires information regarding financial need eligibility for free or reduced lunch. The MusicLink Foundation will assist each student in having an instrument for these lessons. It will also help with discounts on required music and materials. If you are interested in having your child participate in the MusicLink program, please enroll your child at the MusicLink website at: First click on How to Participate. The first bullet shows the Parent/Student Information Form and the Policy Form in red. Click to open these forms and complete them online. Once you submit these forms, a MusicLink Coordinator will contact you and you will have the opportunity to get more information and ask any questions you may have. Congratulations and best wishes for a successful MusicLink! MusicLink Coordinator contact: Phone:

5 FORM C Parent/Student Information Form Today s Date Instrument of choice for lessons Student Name Age Grade Parent Name Address City State ZIP Phone (H) (W) School MusicLink Teacher ID (if available) Financial Information: Our child is eligible for: free lunch reduced lunch Other helpful financial information: Home-schooled family income: Family of 4 less than $44,000 Family of 6 less than $58,500 Other: Part A (To be completed by the parent or guardian) We want to learn what your child is doing outside of school, and what types of musical activities or interests you have observed at home. Please circle the number that you feel most closely represents how often you observe your child in the following activities: seldom or never occasionally frequently almost always My child: 1. remembers and sings tunes from televisions, radio, CD, tapes and so on responds to the rhythm of music by moving, clapping, etc is particularly sensitive to sounds of all kinds, noticing small details in music and everyday sounds notices small details within a musical selection or in environmental sounds enjoys performing for family and friends, and performs with ease enjoys creating or experimenting with tunes, rhythms, or sounds is aware of slight changes in mood, loudness or softness, and sounds of different instruments in music sings, moves or reacts to music with expression shows focused concentration when listening or reacting to music enjoys reworking musical ideas Describe musical activities your child enjoys outside of school, including church choir, music lessons, family activities, etc. OFFICE USE ONLY S T SC Please offer your own evaluation of your child s musical interests and abilities. Additional comments that may be helpful to the MusicLink teacher. Where did you hear about the MusicLink program. Please indicate any questions you may have regarding the MusicLink program.

6 FORM C Part B (To be completed by the student. Not necessary for early childhood nominations.) Student Name Age Grade School Music Teacher(s): MusicLink Teacher ID # (if available) Please answer the following questions. 1. Do you play an instrument? yes no Name of instrument(s): Years played own an instrument? yes no If yes, describe: take private lessons? Teacher: take group lessons? Teacher: take lessons at school? teach yourself? 2. Do you sing in a choir? no yes Where? 3. Do you play in a band/orchestra? no yes Where? 4. List three of your favorite songs, CDs or MP3s. 5. What musical activities do you like? 6. Describe what you like best about musical things you do. 7. What other interests do you have? 8. What else would you like us to know about you? Send completed C & D forms to: Unless otherwise indicated below, please return completed forms to MusicLink Foundation, 1043 N. McKinley Rd., Arlington VA Name: Address: For more information please call: 2013 Joanne Haroutounian. Permission is granted to reproduce this rating scale for the sole use of identification of students for the MusicLink program.

7 FORM D Policy Form The MusicLink program provides lessons at a reduced fee to students who show musical promise. The student is nominated by a school teacher or youth organization leader who notices enthusiasm and interest in music. The program links this student with a music teacher who volunteers to teach at a reduced rate through the MusicLink program. The MusicLink Foundation collaborates with professional music teachers who are members of national music teacher organizations or performing groups to provide quality instruction for MusicLink students. Once this link is in place, the MusicLink teacher assumes responsibility for this student's instruction. The student and his or her parents/guardians agree to abide by the individual policies and guidelines set forth by their MusicLink teacher. Please read over the policy sheet and sign below to show you accept the following requirements as stated. The family will: participate in an introductory interview with the MusicLink teacher to go over specific studio requirements and financial arrangements of lessons. provide financial support for lessons as determined by the program. provide transportation to lessons when applicable. provide a suitable place and time for musical practice. support the child s musical activities at home, school, and in the studio. assure regular attendance at lessons and give reasonable advance notice if a lesson MUST be missed. The student will: arrive at scheduled lessons on time, with required music books and assignments well prepared. maintain consistent practice of music assignments and complete written theory work. participate in performances and other studio activities. The MusicLink teacher will: instruct the student in a manner similar to other students in the studio, with the same student requirements and opportunities. keep the scholarship status of the student confidential within the studio. inform parents of student progress in the program through annual student evaluations. CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE As parent/guardian, we give our permission for to participate in the MusicLink program. I recognize that the MusicLink Foundation s function is to assist in linking our child with a music teacher working independently or through a community music school, college or university, or music business. All MusicLink teachers have been screened through a background check. I understand that the MusicLink Foundation assumes no legal responsibility for claims arising from this instruction, and agree to hold harmless MusicLink Foundation from all legal claims arising in connection with such instruction. Student: Date: Parent: