The School of Fine Arts

                                                               
 
Purpose Statement
 
• To provide a Christian atmosphere with highly skilled instructors in which children, youth, and adults may explore their God-given talents in the arts.
  
• To enrich the lives of students as they are guided by teachers who prepare an age appropriate curriculum in a stimulating and motivating environment.
  
• To offer everyone the equal opportunity to receive quality fine arts instruction.
 
 
Instruction Available
The School offers instruction in violin, piano, guitar, and voice. For further information about voice instruction please refer to the respective brochures located in the Church office.
 
Instructors and Their Availability
The School of Fine Arts is founded on Christian principles and employs skilled professionals of outstanding character as instructors.
Many of the instructors hired by the School of Fine Arts are students at area universities. The School Board hires individuals who intend to teach at least one full school year. However, it is possible that a teacher may leave the school during a student’s tenure. The School Board cannot guarantee the permanent placement of a student with a particular teacher. In the event that a teacher leaves the school, his/her students will be given first priority in working with another teacher in the school.
 
Hours of Operation
Individual lessons will be taught in assigned classrooms of West U. Methodist, Monday through Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Lessons are generally 30 minutes. However, at the discretion of the teacher and with approval of the parent/student and the School Director, a 45 minute lesson may be taught.

Safe Sanctuary Policy
Student’s safety while at our school is of utmost importance. The Administrative Board of the church has adopted a Safe Sanctuary policy governing all church activities in which children participate. The church policy has received approval by the church's insurance company. The School of Fine Arts embraces these guidelines as a means to protect both children and teachers at the School by following certain procedures.
 
Along with performing yearly background checks on instructors, Safe Sanctuary policy requires participating children at all times to be accompanied by more than one adult. It is not financially feasible for the school to provide two adults during private lessons. Therefore, in order for a child to participate in private lessons, the parent must choose one of three options on the Safe Sanctuary form:
 
1)   Sign the waiver portion of the Safe Sanctuary form provided or
2)   Agree to stay in the teaching room during the entire lesson or
3)   Submit the name of an approved caregiver or guardian who will stay in the teaching room during the lesson.
 
By signing the waiver, parents agree that they will be responsible for the safety of their child during the lesson and are willing to let the teacher be the only adult present in the teaching room during that time. Of course, parents who sign the waiver or caregivers are always welcome to stay outside the teaching room and monitor the lesson by listening or watching through the window. The teaching area will be visible for monitoring at all times. However, this does not take the place of a signed waiver form on file or the presence of the parent or parent-approved guardian in the teaching room.
 
In the absence of a signed waiver on file, the parent will be required to stay in the teaching room with the child during the entire lesson. Optionally, parents may specify a caregiver or guardian who may attend the lessons. Parents may change or add approved caregivers by submitting a new Safe Sanctuary form to the Director with the updated information.Should the parent/caregiver of a student without a waiver on file need to leave a lesson early for any reason, the child must leave also. There will be no make-up lesson granted in such a case.
 
The full Safe Sanctuary policy of West U. Methodist is available to those interested. Please contact the church office if you would like to receive a copy.
 
Absence Policy
In consideration of our teacher’s committed schedules, we require at least twenty-four (24) hours advance  notice of any absence.  With proper notice, make-up lessons will occur on the teacher’s designated make-up days.  It is the responsibility of the student and/or parent to arrange the make-up lessons.  At the beginning of the semester, each teacher may designate his/her make-up lesson dates. Make-up lessons will not be granted for “no-shows.” 
 
Please note: Each student will be granted a maximum of two (2) make-up lessons per semester: January- May and September-December.
  
Arrival
Upon arrival, students are to sit outside their room until invited in by the teacher.
 
 
Departure
Parents are expected to pick up their children promptly at the conclusion of their lessons. No one will be supervising children at the beginning or conclusion of lessons. No children are to be left unsupervised on the church playgrounds.
  
Registration 
New Students - The Registration form, Safe Sanctuary form and one time non-refundable registration fee of $25 must be submitted to the church
office in order to receive a teacher interview. Since there are limited
openings, new students will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Those not placed may be put on a waiting list.
 
Returning Students - Registration form and Safe Sanctuary form must be received in the church office before the start of lessons.
 
In the event a student leaves the School for a period greater than 1 year, he/she will be required to pay an additional registration fee to re-enter the School.
 
No student will be admitted to the School after the semester is half completed. Also, no refunds will be given for tuition after the 6th lesson of that semester.
 
 
Review
Each child will be sent home with an evaluation from his/her teacher after the first two months of lessons. The evaluation will offer the parent insight as to how the child is responding to lessons, as well as offer suggestions to assist the parent and child. Early intervention is beneficial if the teacher is concerned about the manner in which lessons are proceeding. The parent is encouraged to contact the teacher directly if there are questions or concerns. (Teacher phone numbers are listed on the last page of this brochure.)
 
Referral
If there are concerns regarding the teacher/student relationship, the participants are encouraged to discuss the situation with each other directly. If the parent or teacher feels his/her concerns were not adequately addressed, the situation may be discussed with the Director of the School. After initially contacting the Director of the School, Janet Lindley, the parent may exercise the option of petitioning the Fine Arts School Board to address his/her concerns.
 
If the Director, in consultation with the School Board, deems it in the best interest for all those involved to sever the teacher/student relationship, the student may be assigned to another school teacher, as long as there is another teacher available.
 
The School of Fine Arts teachers and School Board seek to serve the various needs of their students. It is possible, however, that we may not be able to offer the type of instruction suitable for every child. If this is the case, the School Board is willing to go to reasonable lengths to assist the parent in finding alternatives for instruction.
 
Recital
An end of the year recital is scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 2011 for all School of Fine Arts students. The recital experience is part of the over-all music education of the student and each student is encouraged to participate.
 
Summer Lessons
Summer lessons are optional for students as well as teachers. The summer schedule will be decided between student/parent and teacher, with a minimum of four (4) lessons being taught.