Band of Brothers
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Band of Brothers Purpose
Goals – To enhance individual care by providing each student with at least three significant adults – a Band Dean, a Band Mentor, and a Guidance Couselor – who will monitor and support the academic, social, spiritual and behavioral growth and development of each student – To strengthen the bonds of the Rice Family Spirit across all classes regardless of age – To create opportunities for all seniors to be trained and to serve as leaders – To provide more leadership development opportunities for underclassmen – To advance each student’s interpersonal relationship skills Band System Terminology – Band System Asst. Director: The leader responsible for the assisting the Director with Student Senate and Student Co-Curriculars – Band Dean: A faculty member chosen to oversee the effective development of a Band – Band: A group of approximately 120 students in 9th through 12th grade – Mentor Group: A multi-divisional group of approximately 25 students within a Band (formerly known as “homeroom”) – Student President: Senior serving in the top student leadership position – Student Vice President: Seniors serving in the top student leadership group – Band Captain: Seniors who will lead students within a Band – Mentor Group Captain: Senior Leader who will lead students within a Mentor Group – Senior Leader: All seniors within a Mentor Group Band System Facts – Each student will be assigned to the same Band his entire time at Rice. – Each student will have the same Dean his entire time at Rice. – Each Band is overseen by a Dean. – Each Band has five Mentor Groups, each overseen by a – Each Mentor Group will contain 9th, 10th, 11th, & 12th grade students. – There will be two senior Band Captains in each Band, elected by their fellow seniors. – There will be approximately five seniors in each Mentor Group; these Senior Leaders will be responsible for supporting the effective functioning of their Mentor Group, working with their – There will be one Senior Leader from each Mentor Group assigned as the Mentor Group Captain, responsible for coordinating the leadership functions of the Senior Leaders in ther Mentor Group, and for representing their Mentor Group in Band governance activities. – There will be approximately 120 students in each Band. – Mentor Groups will meet each day (Monday, Tues, Thursday and Friday) for 15 mins. – Mentor Group meetings will be a time, first and foremost, for building camaraderie across divisions; it will also be for school announcements, tutoring, discussion, and activities. Mentors will monitor and support the academic, social, spiritual, and behavioral growth of the students in the Mentor Group. – Band Deans will assist Mentors in their support of students, and they will oversee the effective running of the Band. – Band Deans and Mentors will serve as another point of contact and support for parents. – School counselors will work closely with Mentors and Deans to support the students. – School administrators will continue to be responsible for making official decisions on the academic, social, spiritual and behavioral development of the students. – When parents have a concern, they may choose to contact their son’s
Competitions & Band Meetings – Bands will participate throughout the school year in friendly, positive competition designed to build camaraderie within and among the Mentor Groups and Bands, to encourage student involvement and participation in Band and school events and activities, and to strengthen the Rice Family Spirit throughout the school. – Competition may be in the form of sports, academics, service, school spirit, talent shows, etc. – Band Meetings will be scheduled throughout the school year. (2 bands every Wednesday, alternating) – Band Meetings will be designed and organized by the Band seniors. – Band Meeting activities may include: skits, speakers, sporting events, service projects, student achievement recognition, etc.
Questions & Answers Will students lose their class identity? No. The school will continue to hold many activities by class, including the academic curriculum, sports, lunch periods, Class Meetings, Class Mixers, Junior/Senior Prom, etc. Will all students become leaders? Yes. The school recognizes that there are many different levels and styles of leadership. At the conclusion of his junior year, each student will participate in an in-depth Christian Brother Leadership Training Program that will prepare him for his role as a senior leader. Underclassmen will also be called to lead in various capacities throughout their high school life. Will the daily schedule change because of the Band System? Yes. While class time will remain essentially the same, the time allotted for Mentor Group and Band activities may necessitate other changes in the schedule. Does the Band System really work? Yes. Our extensive research indicates that it can have a positive, transforming effect on a school family; how effective that change is depends on the leadership and effort of the student body. For more information on the Band of Brothers, please contact program director, Mr. Bob Riker '85. |
