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@@ -10,59 +10,47 @@ title = "Lesson Policies"
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-## Attendance
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+## Attendance and Scheduling
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-Piano lessons are a commitment between student, family, and teacher. I will do my very best to work with you when there are conflicts but advanced notice is necessary. If you have a lesson time conflict, please let me know with <u>at least 24 hours notice.</u> Failure to notify me of a conflict (and then an absence) will result in a forfeiture of the lesson fee. If you or your child forget about your child’s lesson that lesson time will not be made up and the fee for that lesson will be forfeited. I understand schedules change from season to season, and will communicate with the parents to find a time that works for both student and teacher.
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+If you have a lesson time conflict, 24 hours notice is required. Failure to notify (and then an absence) will result in a forfeiture of the lesson fee. If you or your child forget about your child’s lesson that lesson time will not be made up and the fee for that lesson will be forfeited. If your child is absent from school due to sickness, then lessons will move to an online format. Children must be symptom/fever free for 24 hours in order to return to in-person lessons. Do not bring a sick child to piano lessons! In case of an emergency, please reach out as soon as you can.
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-<b>Please be sure to keep your child’s weekly piano lesson times in mind when you schedule appointments!</b>
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+<b>Be sure to keep your child’s weekly piano lesson times in mind when you schedule appointments!</b>
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-Please be timely! That being said, do not bring your student more than 5 minutes early (unless prearranged) and be prompt at the end of the lesson (again, unless prearranged).
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+Please be timely! Do not bring your student more than 5 minutes early (unless prearranged) - if the red door is open, please feel free to enter. If there is another lesson in session, enter quietly and respectfully. Please be prompt at the end of the lesson as well. Once your lesson time has ended, teacher focus is then on the next student. If you are regularly late to pick up your child a different lesson time can be arranged.
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-## Lesson Formats
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-I am currently offering in person or virtual lessons (online). There may be times that one format or another will work better. Please text me before lesson time if there is a need for a "location" change.
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-## Online Lessons
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-At the time of your child’s lesson, I will either dial them via FaceTime or be available via Zoom. I have my Zoom meetings set up to include a waiting room so that there is no interruption in a previous student’s lesson when the next student dials in. I will always write down what is to be practiced and send it to either the student (for older children) or the parent via email, text, or Facebook Messenger. In many cases (if time allows) I will ask the student to write in their assignment book at the end of the lesson and have them show me. Please help your child remember to keep a pencil on the piano for lesson time.
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+## Lesson Formats
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-## The Exceptions
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+Lessons are currently offered in person or online. There may be times when one format or another will work better due to illness, traffic, or weather. Please reach out before your child's lesson time if there is a need for a "location" change.
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-Sick kids! I go by typical school rules: if they can’t go to school, they can’t come to lessons whether due to sickness or quarantine protocols. If your child is quarantining from school, they are also quarantining from piano lessons and we will move to an online format (depending on how they feel). Children must be symptom/fever free for 24 hours in order to return to lessons. Do not bring a sick child to piano! Let me know as soon as you can and we will convert to the online option that week.
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-Emergencies happen. As with sick kids, if there is an emergency, please let me know as soon as you can and we will either work around it or work on rescheduling that week.
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-Snow days in Loudoun are a bit of a gray area. I usually text with parents the day of the lesson if weather is dangerous. Since we live on a hill with a very steep driveway, I tend to be very cautious and will convert to online lessons if it would be dangerous to meet in person.
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+## Online Lessons
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+Zoom and Facetime are used for online lessons. Zoom meetings are set up to include a waiting room so that there is no interruption in a previous student’s lesson when the next student dials in. Assignments will be written down and sent to either the student (for older children) or the parent via email, text, or Facebook Messenger. The student may be asked to write in their assignment book at the end of the lesson. <i>Please help your child remember to keep a pencil on the piano for lesson time.</i>
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-## Practice
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-Practice is incredibly important. I would like every student to practice at least 5 days a week, 10-20 minutes for the younger children and 30 minutes to one hour for older, more advanced students. I encourage students to find a regular time every day to practice so that it becomes part of their routine. Is your child an early bird? Encourage them to practice before school. Do they need a break from school in the afternoons? Have them practice, it will help stimulate another part of their brain. Practicing the evening of or the day after a lesson is very important. Your child will get the maximum benefit from their lesson if they take the time to reproduce on their own what they learned in the lesson while it is still fresh in their minds.
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-For in person students I will provide a notebook and will use it to write down assignments. I always review expectations and practice goals with the students during their lesson time. All books, notebooks, and extra handouts need to be available for every piano lesson unless previously discussed. I suggest using a backpack, string bag, bin, or tote bag to help keep everything together.
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+## Practice and Supplies
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+Practice is incredibly important. Each student should aim to practice 5 days a week, 10-20 minutes for the younger children and 30 minutes to one hour for older, more advanced students. Please find a regular time every day to practice so that it becomes part of their routine. Is your child an early bird? Encourage them to practice before school. Do they need a break from school in the afternoons? Have them practice, it will help stimulate another part of their brain.
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-## Virtual Recital
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+Practicing the evening of or the day after a lesson is very important. Your child will get the maximum benefit from their lesson if they take the time to reproduce on their own what they learned in the lesson while it is still fresh in their minds.
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-In November/December and again in April/May I will be creating an online recital. Ideally, each student will come to their lesson on a specific week dressed as if they are performing for a recital. I do not have a dress code for this, it really comes down to what the parents and students agree their attire should be. If a student is taking lessons virtually, I will ask parents to record the student's performance and send it to me. I will then post each of these performances on a private YouTube channel and will share the link with each family. This could then be shared with extended family members as well.
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+An assignment notebook will be provided for in-person students. Expectations and practice goals will be reviewed with the students during their lesson time. All books, notebooks, and extra handouts need to be available for every piano lesson unless previously discussed. Please provide a backpack, string bag, bin, or tote bag that is specifically tasked for piano music and materials.
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-If you would prefer your child's face not be shown I can always record them from the back or just record their hands. This is a work in progress!
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## Non-Teaching Days
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-During the school year there are certain days I do not teach either due to national holidays or personal commitments. See below:
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-* September 6 - Labor Day
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-* October 11 - Indigenous Peoples Day
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-* November 19 - AVGE (personal)
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-* November 24-26 - Thanksgiving
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-* December 20 through January 2 - Winter Break
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-* January 17 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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-* February 21 - Presidents Day
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-* April 11-15 - Spring Break
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-* May 30 - Memorial Day
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+During the school year there are certain days the studio is closed due to national holidays or personal commitments. This includes, but is not limited to, the dates below.
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+September 5 - Labor Day
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+November 17 or 18 - AVGE (personal)
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+November 23 - 25 - Thanksgiving
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+December 19 through January 2 - Winter Break
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+January 17 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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+April 3-7 - Spring Break
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+May 29 - 31 - Memorial Day/Graduation activities
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+Please add these to your calendar.
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