CENTER FOR PERFORMING AND FINE ARTS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES “A key goal of the Center for Performing and Fine Arts is to foster the development of each individual’s creative and cognitive expression, as well as a lifelong desire to learn.” REQUIREMENTS Acceptance to the performing and fine arts program is predicated on:
This is an adjunct, specialized program of the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School. Acceptance to the program is not guaranteed to any student and is at the sole discretion of the performing and fine arts faculty. Extensive experience in the arts is not necessary; however, a serious interest in pursuing an art education with intensive study and discipline is critical! Study of the arts requires passion, discipline, commitment, and an active desire to develop individual talents. These attributes will serve the student well as a lifelong learner and contributing member of society, whether or not the individual chooses to pursue a career in the arts. CURRICULUM DESIGN The faculty has made every effort to develop a truly student-centered program. The needs and interests of a diverse group of students are carefully weighed along with the criteria for an intensive, meaningful, pre-professional performing arts education. There are many opportunities for students to develop their skills in a number of different disciplines as well as to focus on one or two areas of concentrated study. Courses are designed to fit into the larger continuum of a well rounded, in-depth, pre-professional arts education. Several courses have prerequisites. The Center for Performing and Fine Arts offers four main areas of concentration: Theatre, Dance, Fine Arts, and Music. Students are strongly encouraged to explore several, if not all, disciplines with their rich array of courses. Individual courses run for a full year and high school courses are equivalent to one credit (unless otherwise noted). Please note that this is a graded program! Students receive letter and number grades for each course at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts. These grades will appear on each student’s transcript and will be part of their cumulative record. The curriculum meets or exceeds all state and national benchmarks and standards. This curriculum has been specially designed for the Center for Performing and Fine Arts. HOURS OF OPERATION The Center for Performing and Fine Arts is in session from 8:30 am through 2:40 pm Monday through Thursday. Hours on Friday are flexible, depending on the schedule for field trips, special projects, residency programs etc. There are no regularly scheduled classes on Fridays. Teachers are not available for conferences during school hours Monday through Thursday. Families who attend the West Chester location are asked to drop off students no earlier than 7:45 am (doors will not be open before then). Families are also asked to respect the time and dedication of Center faculty by arriving on time to pick up students (no later than 3:00 pm). Families who attend via remote access are asked to be online and ready to work by 8:30 am, when regular classes begin.
The Lower School is comprised of students in grades 5 through 8. Students in the Lower School participate in the Center on Mondays and Wednesdays. The Upper School is comprised of students in grades 9 through 12. Students in the Upper School participate in the Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fridays are set aside for teacher planning and professional development, optional field trips, special projects, and performance rehearsals as needed. Students are not required to participate in any activities on Fridays except as agreed to in performance contracts. All Lower School students are required to take a survey course called Integrated Arts. This course is designed to expose students to a variety of artistic expressions, how they relate to each other, and how they influence culture. Each year focuses on a different historical period. This course is team-taught; students enter into a rotation and therefore have the opportunity to explore music, dance, theatre, and fine arts of the period in question. There are numerous creative and performance opportunities within this course. The Lower School typically has four different course opportunities for students in addition to the Integrated Arts program that is mandatory for all Lower School students. Time spent working in each course is estimated at 60 minutes per class, or 120 minutes (2 hours) per week. LOWER SCHOOL MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS 08:30 am – 09:30 am 60 min Period 1 ð Integrated Arts The Upper School typically has four different course opportunities for students. Time spent working in each course is estimated at 100 minutes per class, or 200 minutes (3.7 hours per week). UPPER SCHOOL TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS This schedule may be modified to incorporate a Collaborative Arts course (similar to the Lower School’s Integrated Arts); additionally, workshop offerings such as a Senior Seminar may complement the schedule. ATTENDANCE It is important to note that, for attendance to be counted, students must log onto the PALCS portal every day – including those Center for Performing and Fine Arts students who physically attend a locaction. Please see the PALCS Parent and Student Handbook for school attendance policies and requirements for excused absences. Participation at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts is critical for a successful educational and performing experience. Participation also has a tremendous impact on the class structure and ability to function, since group activities (dance, singing, acting) are an integral part of what we do. Any student who is judged by the performing and fine arts staff to have ongoing or excessive absences for any reason will be asked to leave the program. TARDINESS As mentioned above, students are asked to be ready to begin their school day at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts by 8:30am. If a student is tardy more than four times in a marking period, this may count as an unexcused absence to weigh against the student’s cumulative record. Once again, excessive or habitual tardiness may result in dismissal from the Performing and Fine Arts program. ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE Academic success is a priority at Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School. At the Center for Performing and Fine Arts, we are committed to doing everything possible to support the academic success of students participating in our program. Students must maintain a minimum C average in all core academic classes as well as their performing and fine arts courses in order to participate in the Center for Performing and Fine Arts program. Students who drop below a C in any subject area will be placed on probationary status. Every effort will be made to support the student’s effort to improve his or her grade. If the student is unable to raise his or her grade in a reasonable amount of time (usually within one marking period), the student may be asked to leave the program. Additionally, any student who is placed by PALCS on Intensive Academic Assistance (IAA) may be removed from the program according to PALCS policy. There will be no guarantee of re-admittance if this happens. PROFESSIONAL DEMEANOR One of the key roles of the Performing and Fine Arts Department is to educate and familiarize students with an environment that mirrors professional or “real world” standards and expectations. To that end, students will be expected to conduct themselves at all times with a professional, enthusiastic, and courteous demeanor. Students will be expected to show up for class on time with all necessary equipment, appropriate dress, and materials. Students will be expected to spend any “down time” completing their cyber work or engaged in quiet study that does not in any way disrupt the educational process. All students are expected to support and encourage each other at all times. The Center for Performing and Fine Arts maintains a positive and encouraging philosophy regarding all student efforts. Please note that the faculty and staff will consistently reinforce behaviors that “professionalize” the student, in order to maximize the student’s chances for success in the competitive marketplace. GRADING All classes at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts will be graded. Report cards are issued by PALCS on a quarterly basis. Grades are determined on the following basis: A+ (97-100) A (94-96) A- (90-93) F (anything below a 60) Whenever possible, interim reports will be generated to inform students and families of the student’s general progress at some point mid-way through the marking period. Additionally, the faculty and staff at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts will schedule a minimum of one parent-teacher conference per year. PORTFOLIOS As part of their training and to encourage each student’s success and self-esteem, all students will develop a portfolio over the course of their time at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts. This portfolio may include samples of two- and three-dimensional artwork, acting resumes, monologues, head shots, recordings of musical performances, a repertoire of compositions, DVDs of dance performances, original writings, film projects, and more. At the end of each year, each student (with the exception of graduating Seniors) will be asked to participate in a Portfolio Review with the faculty. This will involve a presentation of highlights of the student’s work as well as discussion of the student’s progress and goals. Parents may observe Portfolio Reviews at the discretion of the student. DISCIPLINE Students are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner that is conducive to learning and exploration of the arts. Discipline problems, including disruptive behavior or unwillingness to participate, will be referred to the Director for remediation. The Director will make every attempt to assist the student in correcting the problem, including but not limited to contacting parent(s). Minor discipline problems will result in loss of privileges and removal from class. For minor discipline issues, students will be expected to develop and implement a corrective plan of action under the guidance of the Center Director. More serious discipline or behavior problems will result in suspension from the Center for Performing and Fine Arts for a period of time to be determined by the Center Director (please note that students will not be able to make up work missed due to suspension from the Center and this may affect their grade). Repeated or major infractions will result in dismissal from the Performing and Fine Arts program at the sole discretion of the Center Director and faculty. Please refer to the PALCS Parent and Student Handbook for a detailed explanation of policies relating to Rules of Conduct. Please note that disrespect of any kind will not be tolerated. See below Consequences of Disruptive, Dangerous, or Disrespectful Behavior or Unwillingness to Participate. Because a serious pursuit of the arts requires discipline and self-monitoring, students at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts are held to a higher standard than other educational institutions or membership organizations. Students who do not have the emotional maturity to function according to this higher standard should avoid the program altogether. Students should note that appropriate behavior at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts is extended to include all areas of the parking lot and surrounding grounds. The Center for Performing and Fine Arts is located in a business community, and a professional demeanor is expected at all times. This also applies to any field trips or outings. BULLYING AND HARASSMENT A paramount tenet of the Center for Performing and Fine Arts is that all students and teachers are treated with dignity, respect, courtesy, and kindness. Students should be allowed to develop their talents in an environment that is professional, with high expectations, but is also nurturing and supportive. Bullying, intimidation, discrimination, or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in dismissal from the program (please refer to the PALCS Parent and Student Handbook). Any student or staff member who experiences any form of discrimination, threat, bullying, or harassment should immediately inform the Center Director. OTHER CAUSE FOR REMOVAL At any time during or following the close of the school year, students may be asked to leave the program if it is determined for any reason that the student’s needs are not being met or the program is not a proper fit for the student. These decisions will be the sole province of the Center Director.
“These policies exist to ensure that students are safe, and that the highest level of teaching/learning can be attained. All information contained herein is intended to provide a general summary of policies and procedures. From time to time, the Center will be required to make changes as deemed necessary in the best interests of our students and will strive to keep students/parents updated on such changes.” Last Updated: 2/11/08
Note: Please detach and return this portion of the policies and procedures handbook to the Center for Performing and Fine Arts with appropriate signatures.
We, ________________________ and ________________________, hereby certify that we have fully read the above Policies and Procedures and I agree to abide by all policies
outlined in this document.
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