School Policies and Etiquette 2021-2022

These etiquette guidelines and school policies enhance the smooth running of the Hong Kong Suzuki Music Institute (HKSMI) and ensure the best musical learning experience for you and your family. Kindly indicate your acknowledgement and agreement to these policies on the google registration form.

Calendar

1. 36 lesson weeks within 40 school term weeks between mid-August and the end of June. Please consult the yearly calendar for specific details. Weeks beyond 36 are used as teacher-absence makeup, please be available if needed.

2. Summer term dates are announced yearly, but generally run from about July 1st to August 15th.

3. Special events, such as concerts, workshops, parent seminars, are scheduled as they arise and may periodically replace group classes. These events are considered part of the curriculum and group classes are not rescheduled.

Tuition Fees

1. Tuition is paid in either one 36-week installment, or in two 18-week installments. A non-refundable deposit is due in May to renew your position for the following musical year, it is deducted from the term 1 tuition.

2. Refunds are not given within the two 18-week installments. Therefore, families are responsible for 18-week packages of lessons at a time.

3. If you intend to withdraw from HKSMI, please notify the school as soon as possible. Withdrawals are only allowed between weeks 18 and 19 of the musical year.

Attendance

1. Attendance at both private lessons and group classes is mandatory by both parent and child, until the child is 11.

2. If a significant number of lessons or group classes are missed (more than 1/3rd), the family will be notified of probation and if attendance does not improve their position may not be renewed for the following musical year.

3. Instrumental program: A mandatory lecture series is required for all new families. This is normally presented over 6 weeks on Saturdays. Once the parent finishes the lecture series the child may attend regular group class. If you do not attend all the lectures the material missed will be covered during your private lesson time. If there is significant non-attendance your position at HKSMI may not be renewed.

Online Lessons

2019-2020 changed our musical education landscape and online lessons became normalized. We want to offer flexibility to our students going forward. HKSMI strives to provide in-person lessons whenever reasonable.

1. If there is significant social disruption (civil unrest, epidemics, other) that makes in-person lessons unfeasible, HKSMI may move to online lessons for private and/or group classes as need be. As much notice as possible will be given, however in some circumstances the notice may be short. Notice will be sent by email and whatsapp.

2. Private lessons: Families will have an option of private online lessons during time periods of social disruption even if in-person lessons are still provided. Otherwise in-person lessons are highly recommended. Occasionally, a student may schedule an online lesson for another reason upon mutual agreement with their teacher. Due to technical setup, online lessons must be arranged in advance.

3. ALL Group Classes: If group classes are in-person no online option or rescheduling will be available.

4. The missed lesson and attending parent policies for in-person lessons applies equally to online lessons.

5. If there is significant technical difficulty (more than 50% of lesson is missed), then that lesson will be added to the cancellation list and follow those guidelines. Technical difficulty does not mean an automatic make-up.

6. Occasionally, if a teacher is required to stay home (ie. minor illness), they may opt to give online lessons and the student will have the option of taking their lesson in their own homes, or at HKSMI if the studio is open.

7. Online lessons are seen as equal to in-person lessons as the instruction is provided by a professional HKSMI teacher, there will be no reduction in price or reschedules provided due to the format of the class.

Attending Adult Policy

1. The Suzuki philosophy seeks to strengthen and enhance the bond between parent and child through music education. Therefore the attending adult will ideally be a parent, grandparent or other close relative.

2. Early Childhood Classes: students are highly encouraged to attend with a parent or relative but due to the nature of the class a paid person (ie. helper or nanny) is welcome to be the regular attending adult.

3. ALL OTHER PROGRAMS: Students must attend with a parent, relative or family friend (non-paid). They may only attend any class (lesson OR group) with a paid person (ie.helper or nanny) with prior notification to a MAXIMUM of TWICE PER ACADEMIC YEAR. If the child attends a third time with a paid person (ie.helper or nanny) in lieu of the parent they will be sent home without instruction, no rescheduled lesson or refund will be provided.

Missed Lessons

1. HKSMI has an official no-make up policy for lessons missed by the students, or for lessons cancelled due to weather or other social disruptions (ie. civil unrest, epidemics, other).

2. Private lessons missed by the teacher will be rescheduled before the end of June. You will be given a reasonable number (2) of reschedule options within our calendar. If reasonable attempts by the teacher to provide the lesson are exhausted the student forfeits the lesson.

3. Group classes which are rescheduled due to teacher absence (when no substitute teacher is available), will be rescheduled on the same day and time at the end of the year in June, or during a single day public holiday. If it must be rescheduled to a different day or time it will go ahead if 50% of the class agrees to the reschedule, and it will be considered made up for all classmates. If appropriate, students may attend a different group class instead, but this is not guaranteed.

4. Cancellation/Reschedule List: There will be a reschedule/cancellation list maintained by each teacher in order to mitigate some student-missed lessons. However, this is based on availability and not guaranteed. Only lessons with 2 or more days advance notice are eligible for the reschedule/cancellation list. Short notice is not eligible.

5. Parental Attendance during Student Absence - the parent may attend the lesson in lieu of the student. In this case please speak with your teacher so they are prepared to help you continue your own personal learning.

Health Policy

1. Illness: lessons missed due to illness will not be made up. Please keep in mind that if your child is not well enough to attend school they will unlikely be well enough to learn, please keep them home.

2. Fever: Kindly refrain from attending HKSMI within 24 hours of a fever, even if fever reducing medicine is given. During the COVID-19 pandemic this is extended to 72 hours without fever reducing medicine.

3. If you, or your child, are recovering and well enough to learn but unable to come to HKSMI, you may contact your teacher about an online lesson, or the parent may take the lesson instead.

4. During outbreaks when in-person lessons continue, appropriate measures will be taken and all persons entering HKSMI will be required to adhere to them. These might include 100% masking (bring your own mask), hand washing before entering the studio, hand sanitizer use, and temperature check. During implementation of these procedures, compliance will be mandatory, anyone who refuses to adhere to them may be asked to leave the studio and not be granted a make-up lesson.

5. If a quarantine order is in place, no one who is under quarantine will be allowed into the HKSMI premises.

Weather

1. In case of Black Rainstorm/Typhoon Signal 8 or 10 all classes are automatically cancelled and not rescheduled.

2. In case of Red Rainstorm/Typhoon Signal 3, all classes will go ahead as normal.

Exams and Competitions

1. HKSMI teachers will not prepare students for exams or competitions.

2. There is a graduation system in place within the Suzuki method to provide feedback and certificates.

Outside Teachers

1. Pre-instrumental and instrumental students: Please do not study your instrument outside of HKSMI with another teacher, doing so may result in dismissal from HKSMI.

General School Etiquette

1. Footwear – carpeted classrooms require socks or indoor shoes.

2. Please be reasonably quiet in the hallways inside and outside the school.

3. Parents are expected to help their child learn and maintain appropriate behaviour.

4. Please bring a notebook to all lessons if one is not already provided for you.

5. Snacks are to be eaten in the reception area. Please do not bring them into the classrooms.

Electronic Media

1. Lesson spaces and concerts are considered a media “oases.” Please set your mobile or other devices to “do not disturb” during class time. If you expect an important message, excuse yourself and take it in the reception area.

2. If you would like to record or videotape a portion of the lesson, kindly seek your teacher’s permission to do so.

3. Taking notes on paper is politer than on a mobile and also ensures better comprehension of the material.

Class Etiquette

1. Please be as on time as possible. The start of class is designed to calm the children and ready them to learn.

2. All adults in the room are expected to fully participate in the class including singing, dancing, actions etc.

3. We do not encourage strict discipline in these classes. If your child becomes disruptive, simply take them outside

   of the room for a few minutes. They are welcome back whenever they are ready.

Instrumental Program: Private and Group Class Etiquette

1. Masterclasses: A lesson with more than one child-parent team. Parents should take notes on all lessons. Teaching points may be repeated, expanded on, and new ones will be presented that can help you overall. The entire lesson time, including when the parent or another child has their turn, is considered a collective learning time. Therefore, parents and children are expected to stay for the entire lesson.

2. Children are not expected to sit entirely still during their non-active phase of the lesson but they should not be disruptive. If your child becomes disruptive please take them outside for a few minutes to calm down.

3. Group Classes are as important as your master/private class, please take notes and practice at home.

4. Group Class: If your child does not know a piece they may be asked to sit and observe, this is normal and they are still learning while listening and watching the other children play. Observing is still participation.

Concert Etiquette

1. Several times a year HKSMI will host concerts. Concerts are special events in every child’s musical development. Please plan to be on time and to stay for the whole concert. For STEP 1, please stay as long as possible.

2. Performers should dress in a professional manner and be well prepared, to show respect for their audience.

3. Audience members should be reasonably quiet, silence electronic devices, and only move about between pieces.

4. The same etiquette applies for online concerts, please keep your microphone turned off if you are not the soloist and be attentive to your friends who are performing. If you must move around, please turn off your camera.

Home Practice and Observation

1. Early Childhood Program – No formal “practice” is expected but singing the songs and actions will likely happen naturally.

2. Pre-instrumental Program –Time to set a basic practice habit and listening routine (5 mins or so. Daily). Simply review any of the activities from class.

3. Instrumental Program – Daily home practice and listening is expected. Parents and children should practice together.

4. Observation of other lessons is highly encouraged. Please be prepared for observers in your lesson time. Observers should be quiet and non-disruptive.

   Last Updated May 2021