SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS 
 

INTRODUCTION 

The school’s approach towards discipline is for every student to acquire self discipline and responsible conduct so as to contribute to the overall well-being of all in the school. Every child has the right to expect a conducive teaching and learning environment. Likewise, every student has the responsibility to contribute to that environment.

GENERAL CONDUCT

Briar Thomas Conservatory collaborates with parents and other community members to effectively guide students in the successful development of applied music skills. With this vision in mind, Briar Thomas Conservatory has developed the Student Code of Conduct to clearly communicate the behavioral expectations necessary for maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment. 

Students enrolled at Briar Thomas Conservatory are subject to the rules, regulations, and policies of Briar Thomas Conservatory, anytime:

1. a student is on the premises;
2. a student is being transported to or from the conservatory during a school event; 
3. a student attends a BTC-sponsored event;
4. a student is in attendance at, or participating in a school-sponsored activity.

All students are expected to be a caring, persevering, and forward-looking person. 

All students are expected to make good use of platforms created for your development.

All students must remain respectful and kind. 

All students are subject to the immediate control and direction of teachers, staff members,and/or transportation drivers to whom such responsibility has been assigned by the founder, or the founder's designee. 

FACILITIES 

Leave the areas in school in a better condition and state of cleanliness after use.  

Take good care of school properties and premises. Cost of replacement for vandalized items will be borne by student(s) responsible for the damage.
 
Maintain highest standards of cleanliness at all times on the school premises. Cleanliness includes the maintenance of the immediate surrounding areas.
 
Food and drinks are to be consumed only in the designated areas.
 
CLASSROOM CONDUCT
Work with all your classmates and teachers to achieve optimal outcomes.
 
All students must be punctual for lessons. Attendance will be taken before the start of each lesson.
 
Students must not to leave the classroom without permission by teachers.
 
Students must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
  

MAINTAIN A CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR TEACHING & LEARNING
Keep the classroom clean and neat at all times.
 
Show consideration to others by keeping the noise level low.

CANCELLATION POLICY
Please give a 24-hour notice if you wish to cancel or reschedule your appointment. All cancellations made within 24 hours of the appointed time will be charged for the full amount of your session. Emergency exceptions apply.
 
To cancel a lesson: Parents MUST make all cancellations through the student portal. Please do not email your instructors or admin staff for cancellations 

PAYMENT PROCESSING AND LATE FEE POLICIES

All payments are processed through PayPal Professional. A small service charge will be applied to your transaction, as is customary with credit card processors. 

All payments are due by the 30th calendar day of every month, (28th of February). Failure to pay by the due date will result in a 10% late fee as well as termination of enrollment.

PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS 

Music performance on any level is a mind-body skill and art which is developed through repeated, focused practice. Students are expected to practice daily when taking private music lessons; piano class, strings class, voice class, music theory, sight singing/ear training classes, and instrumental and choral ensembles. Though practice in some applied areas may vary somewhat, each student is expected to practice approximately the equivalent length of their lesson time per day, on his/her principal applied instrument or voice. Success depends on the practice the student does between lessons. Regular unpreparedness for lessons will first result in a parent/teacher conference, and ultimately a termination of enrollment.

RECITAL AND VENUE FEES

It is our aim to offer equal opportunity to all enrolled students. For this reason, we offer on average nine performance opportunities each year to all students. BTC covers student performance fees for all but two of these performances. Our annual recital which is a flat $50 rate per performer, and the ORS recital series (cost for this event varies depending on orchestra members needed). Recital and performance fees are an industry standard and help to offset the cost for instructors added time, venue/ stage hand/ sound and light technician expenses, incidental and equipment insurance, as well as printing programs, backstage necessities for performers, and eliminating the need to sell tickets to family and friends who wish to attend. We appreciate your understanding and willingness in helping to relieve some of this financial burden. The BTC scholarship fund will provide support for families needing extra help covering recital fees. 

SICK POLICY 

If your child is sick we require that you cancel your child's appointment until your child is well. This is to protect our teachers and other students from unnecessary risk.
 
Students are not permitted to attend class if they exhibit any of the following symptoms::
 
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Rash.
• Persistent cough.
• A fever over a certain temperature (typically 101.0 F).
• Obvious contagious conditions, such as head lice or pink eye.
• The inability to participate comfortably in the center’s activities.
• Requiring more care than a teacher can provide.
• Lethargy
• Abnormal breathing.
• Uncontrolled diarrhea.
• Two or more vomiting episodes in 24 hours.
• Rash with fever.
• Mouth sores with drooling. 
• Behavior changes, or other signs that the child may be severely ill. 
• Severe pain or discomfort.
• Yellow eyes or jaundiced skin.
• Red eyes with discharge.
• Weeping or bleeding skin lesions that have not been treated by a health care provider.
• Stiff neck. 
 
Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping kids home when they have any of the following specific diagnoses:
 
• Streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat or other streptococcal infection)
• Head lice, scabies, ringworm.
• Chickenpox.
• Rubella.
• Pertussis.
• Mumps.
• Measles.
• Hepatitis A.
 
A student must be symptom-free of the aforementioned symptoms for 24 hours before returning to class.