Policies

ATTENDANCE

(MARCH 14, 1979)

“It is expected that at least one music teacher or representative from each music department sending students to a festival, will be in attendance at all times during said festival. It is the responsibility of this (these) individual(s) to inform the appropriate host committee member where he/she/they can be reached throughout the festival. Failure of the school to allow at least one representative to attend and be responsible for that school’s student participants will result in the disqualification of all students attending said festival. Any exceptions to this policy must be cleared with the host of the festival.”

 

 

 

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

(ADOPTED 8/98)

“Any student found to be in possession of, and/or under the influence of any controlled, substance while participating in an NHMEA event, will be immediately removed from said event and may be denied the privilege of participating in any future NHMEA events, following notification of the proper authorities.”

 

 

 

HOME EDUCATION STUDENTS IN NHMEA FESTIVALS

(Adopted 6/6/12)

 Home education students may participate in NHMEA festivals and events provided the following conditions are met:

  1. The student must reside in the local school district, and must be living with the parents or legal guardians in the family residence.
  2. The student must meet local school participation requirements as set forth in the NHMEA application and audition guidelines.
  3. Applications must be signed and supported by the local school’s music educator and administrator, who will jointly determine the student’s eligibility.
  4. D. Exceptions to the above policies should be appealed in writing directly to the appropriate NHMEA Chairperson at least 30 calendar days prior to the application deadline for the event. Decisions will be made on a per case basis. 
  5. If it is decided that a parent or guardian will be the student’s chaperone at an overnight event, proof of criminal background check (within the previous 12 months) will be provided to the Festival Chairperson at the time the registration paperwork is due.

 

 

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION & GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

(DRAFTED AND ADOPTED BY THE NHMEA EXECUTIVE BOARD 1994)

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

The New Hampshire Music Educators Association policies do not discriminate in educational programs, auditions, and music festivals on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or handicap. Any person having inquiries concerning these policies should contact the NHMEA president.

Any person who feels that they have cause to file a complaint of discrimination should present the complaint in accordance with the NHMEA Grievance Procedure.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

   1. Any participant in an NHMEA sponsored event, who believes that actions taken by the NHMEA or its designates are not in compliance with regulation requirements for nondiscrimination may file a formal complaint.

   2. The individual who has a complaint, and is unable to resolve the issue, may address the complaint in writing to the NHMEA chairperson in charge of the event at which the alleged discriminatory incident took place. This formal complaint should be made within fifteen (I5) business days of the event.

   3. It will be the chairperson’s responsibility to investigate the circumstances of the complaint, and respond to the complaint no later than five (5) business days after receipt of the complaint. Records of the investigation will be kept by the chairperson.

   4. The complainant will no later than five (5) business days after the chairperson’s response:

        a) accept the decision, in writing, addressed to the chairperson of the event.

or

        b) disagree with the decision, in writing, addressed to the chairperson of the event and to the President of NHMEA.

   5. If a resolution has not been reached, the chairperson will immediately request the NHMEA President to review the complaint. The President will schedule a meeting to take place within five (5) business days of the receipt of the request for review. The meeting participants will include the complainant, the chairperson and the President. Records of this meeting will be kept by the NHMEA President. The President will render a decision no later than (5) business days after this meeting.

   6. The complainant will not later than five (5) business days after the President’s response:

        a) accept the decision, in writing, addressed to the NHMEA President.

or

        b) disagree with the decision, in writing, addressed to the NHMEA President.

7. If a resolution has not been reached, the NHMEA President will present the complaint to the entire NHMEA Executive Board at the next scheduled NHMEA Board Meeting. The President will inform the complainant as to the time and place for this meeting.

8. The NHMEA Executive Board will make a decision within five (5) business days of the close of the meeting, which shall be final. The NHMEA President will insure that the complainant receives a written copy of the decision. Records of this meeting will be kept by the NHMEA Secretary.

 SUPERVISION AT OVERNIGHT FESTIVALS (IN HOTELS, MOTELS, DORMS, ETC.)

(ADOPTED 10/09/97; Revised 8/2/22)

All students participating in festivals requiring overnight stays will be housed in hotels, motels, dormitories, etc, the cost of which will be reflected in registration fees for said festivals. Supervision is the responsibility of the sending school district. 

  1. Students will be assigned to hotels (or overnight facilities) grouped by school. It is the responsibility of the sending school district to provide a minimum of one music teacher from the music department to provide supervision to all of the students from their school. A school music teacher will be required to stay in the same hotel with their students. For students that do not belong to a public/private school program, adult supervision is still required and the supervisor will be determined on a case by case basis. (see HOME EDUCATION STUDENTS IN NHMEA FESTIVALS).
  2. Professional security guards will be employed by NHMEA between the hours of 11: 00 PM until 7: 00 AM at the ratio of one guard for every two hundred students. Representatives from sending schools are also required to be on site any time their students are in the hotel.
  3. Dean of Students will be assigned to each hotel (or overnight facility) at all times and will be available to students should the need arise.
  4. A nurse will be on duty, under the auspices of NHMEA, at the lodging for students between the hours of 10:00 PM until 6:00 AM.
  5. Any requests for exceptions due to special circumstances must be submitted to the festival chairperson in writing at least 45 days before the event. The festival chairperson will submit the request to the NHMEA Executive Board for consideration at their next regularly scheduled meeting. 

 

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION

(OCTOBER 13,1994)

Each school is responsible for providing transportation to and from any NHMEA event. Students are not permitted to drive during any NHMEA event, or ride in any student driven vehicle. Students participating in an NHMEA event must be accompanied* and transported, to and from the event, by an adult authorized by school personnel. Transportation during an NHMEA event will be arranged through the festival host and/or chairperson.

Failure to comply with this transportation policy may result in non-participation of the student in the NHMEA event.

If weather is a concern it is the responsibility of each school district to determine whether or not a school will participate in the event.

*See NHMEA Director Attendance Policy