K-8 Music Participation Recognition

This recognition is given to any Nebraska school that serves any combination of grade levels K-8, whose music program demonstrates high involvement in elective music activities. This award wishes to recognize the effectiveness of programs that offer additional music opportunities that foster continued vertical articulation of participation and provide foundational benefits to secondary music programs, as well as those that excel in the recruitment and retention of students. Schools that demonstrate they meet the criteria will be awarded each year and may reapply for the award at the same or different level of membership each year. Schools selected, if called upon, agree to assist NMEA as a resource on the topics of programming, scheduling, recruitment and retention of music students. Serving as a resource might include examples of:

• How scheduling allows students to stay involved in music
• How the school, administration, and faculty recruit students into their music department
• What kind of curriculum is used to retain students

This is a self-nomination application that requires verification from a school administrator. The application is online and must be completed by October 1 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.

Application coming soon!

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

All music staff in the school building must be members of NMEA.

CRITERIA

To accommodate the varying classifications from elementary to middle level schools, school building classification is based on the previous year's individual school building’s enrollment, beginning with the lowest grade level that offers elective music classes. For this award, an “elective” music class is to be considered a non-required music opportunity. These elective music classes can be offered during or outside of the school day. General music classes that are required of all students, as part of the school’s accreditation, are not included.

Elective Classes may include groups such as: World Drumming Ensembles, Folk Dancing Clubs, Guitar or Ukulele Classes or Ensembles, Musicals, Choir, Strings, Band, Orff Ensembles, Recorder Ensembles, etc.

• EXAMPLE: If a K-8 school began offering elective music classes or opportunities in 3rd grade, building student enrollment would include grades 3rd-8th. If enrollment of all students in grades 3rd-8th is 74, the school would be classified as a "micro school". If they had 48 students participating, they would be considered for participation recognition.
• EXAMPLE: If a PK-5 school began offering elective music classes or opportunities in 4th grade, building student enrollment would include grades 4th-5th. If the building student enrollment of all students in grades 4th-5th is 200, the school would be classified as "Mid-Sized School". If 80 students are participating, the school would be considered for participation.

CLASSIFICATION OF SCHOOL SIZES

Like the High School Participation Recognition, please note that school sizes are not reflective of the teacher teaching in multiple schools, but the school itself. This is not reflective of all of the schools in the district. This is based on the participation of all elective non-required music classes.

• Micro School (0-74 Student Enrollment): 55% of possible students in elective music classes
• Small School (75-149 Student Enrollment): 55% of possible students in elective music classes
• Mid-Sized School (150-299 Student Enrollment): 40% of possible students in elective music classes
• Large School (300-599 Student Enrollment): 35% of possible students in elective music classes
• Macro School (600 and above Student Enrollment): 25% of possible students in elective music classes

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The application must be signed and verified by the school building principal. Building Student Enrollment is calculated by:

• The total of all students, beginning at the lowest grade level with an offered elective music opportunity to the highest.
• Percentage of student involvement in those elective music opportunities
• Classifications of school size within those grade levels of non-required music opportunities offered.

EXAMPLE: Each student participating in elective music classes may only be counted once. For example, if John Doe is enrolled in both vocal and instrumental music ensembles, he may only be counted once total.