Neutra Elementary

Mr. Rickard - Music

Mr. RickardWelcome to the Music Classroom website. I consider it a great privilege to work with your children and the amazing staff that are here at RJ Neutra. You can expect your child to be growing in his/her appreciation of music as well as ability to sing, play instruments, read music notation and even get some physical activity as we move to music. If you are interesting in seeing more detailed information on the Music Standards for CA, please see Useful Links. In addition to our weekly music classes, we offer a Grade 3-5 Children’s Choir which normally meets right after school Tuesday through Friday.

A bit about me: I was born in South Dakota, where I helped out in the grain fields from a very early age. I also found myself at the piano very young, trying to play songs I knew. This love for music grew, and I got my Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of South Dakota, after which I taught K-5 Music for 4 years. I then switched to high school choir and band for several years. I decided to pursue my second love, math, and got a BS in Math Education and then taught high school math, as well as some middle school math for the next 14 years.

Now, back in the elementary music classroom, I am finding it so refreshing to be sharing my musical talents and passion with the students here at Neutra.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife, my three grown children, and my two grandchildren. I also love dirt biking with my family and other friends who share that passion. I am blessed that my wife shares the same love for music that I do, and we are able to find many opportunities to put these talents to good use.

Spirit Rally Music Presentations
Spirit Rally Musical Presentations

Music Classroom Expectations and Discipline Policy

Students are expected to exhibit the following behaviors at all times when in music class:

  1. Walk into class quietly, in a line and sit in their assigned seat.
  2. Be prepared to do their best for each activity that we do in class.
  3. Abide by our school’s “Choose to Be Nice” character traits, which are:
    1. Kindness
    2. Friendship
    3. Courage
    4. Patience
    5. Respect
    6. Acceptance
    7. Honesty
    8. Responsibility
    9. Teamwork
  4. Handle the classroom instruments with care to avoid damaging them.
  5. Listen carefully to the teacher’s instructions, and follow them.

When students have chosen to not meet the above expectations, I will use the discipline policy as described below:

Discipline Policy

  1. Verbal warning from me.
  2. Move the student away from the problem by doing one or more of the following:
    1. Have student sit with a different group or by himself or herself
    2. Ask the student to sit down during the activity
    3. Give him/her other activities to perform by themselves.
  3. Council with the homeroom teacher, and discipline according to the rules of the student’s room and his/her teacher.
  4. Call parents
  5. Write a written referral and send to office.
  6. Refer student to Vice Principal.
 
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