2024-2025 Harmony Absence Forms

Harmony is a community of musicians, each of whom is equally important to the program’s progress and success. Harmony students are accountable to their peers and should honor their commitments by consistently attending all Harmony activities. This means families should:

• Subscribe to your specific Harmony calendar to understand the schedule.
• Plan ahead to attend rehearsals, retreats, and concerts.
• Complete an online Absence Form each time their student is absent.

Parents must complete a Harmony Absence Form as soon as they know their child will miss a Harmony activity for any reason. Anticipating scheduled absences is crucial for our teachers to be able to plan their rehearsals accordingly and effectively.

If the absence is not planned, then parents must submit this form as soon as possible after the absence occurs.

Click here to submit an Absence Form for a L’Étoile du Nord student.

Click here to submit an Absence Form for a Riverview student.

Attendance Policies

Limits

The Harmony program allows for a limited number of absences per semester. If students accrue more than the allowed number of absences, they may be asked to meet with Harmony’s Program Manager and/or Program Director to create an attendance plan for the remainder of the year.

• Semester 1 (October through the last activity in December) – 4 absence limit
• Semester 2 (January through the May concert) – 5 absence limit

Promptness

To ensure adequate time for set-up, warm-up, and tuning, all students must be present for Harmony rehearsals at exactly 7:50 am every morning in which Harmony programming occurs. Teachers will begin class promptly at 8:00 am.

Performances

Performances are required, and each student must prioritize attendance at these crucial events due to how absences negatively impact the performing experience of the student and the whole group. Missing a performance may result in an extended leave of absence.

Illness

Students should stay home if they are ill and return to their Harmony classes as soon as they recover. In case of long-term illnesses, injuries, or mental health-related complications, extended medical leave can be arranged.

Weather Cancellations

The Harmony program follows the official district calendar of Saint Paul Public Schools and cancels rehearsals when the district cancels school.

• The district typically makes decisions regarding cancellations by 5:00 am at the latest during the morning of the school day in question. In extreme weather cases, the district sometimes decides on this matter the evening before the school day.
• In the event of a district-wide cancellation, Harmony’s Program Manager will email all families and post a notification on the Harmony calendar and website. It is parents’ responsibility to check their email and GTCYS’ website for these announcements.