Registration

Why is registration no longer available at my child’s school during the late registration period?

The program may not be available because there were not enough registrants during the registration period. Alternately, the program may already have the maximum number of students enrolled.

The program is not offered at my child’s school. Can my child attend the nearest school which offers the program?

No, programming is not offered to students who have requested taking classes at a neighbouring school.

I live in North Vancouver but my child is homeschooled/attends a private school/attends an elementary school in a neighbouring district. Can we apply?

No, only students who attend the NVSD schools that offer the program may register.

My child will transfer and attend a different NVSD school which offers the program next September. How do I register?

Please contact bandandstring@sd44.ca.

Why does Band start in Grade 5 when Strings starts in Grade 4?

Band is only offered to Grades 5-7 because by the time students are in this grade, most students have the breath support to be able to play band instruments. Younger than this age, students can often become discouraged because they find it extremely difficult to make a sound.

Payment

How can I double check that I registered successfully? How can I get my receipt?

Please see “Payment History” at School Cash Online.

While registering, I signed up to pay by instalments, but my checkout cart shows $0. Why did that happen?

The checkout cart shows $0 because you are not paying anything on that date. Please continue to complete the checkout process. The first payment will come out on the 1st of the following month.

Can I extend the instalments further than September 1?

No, the final instalment will occur on September 1.

How long does it take for the payment to appear in my account?

Depending on your bank, it may take 3-5 days for the payment to clear. If you are paying by instalments, the first payment will come out on the 1st of the following month.

I withdrew my child from the program, how will I get my refund?

Refunds are made in the manner received. For example, if you paid by credit card, that card will show the refund. If paid by instalments, the instalments will be refunded separately.

I will be receiving a refund, but the credit card I used has been cancelled. What do I do?

School Cash Online does not store credit card information, therefore the Finance Department is unable to process the refund onto your new card. Please contact the Finance Department, at finance@sd44.ca.

Why is there no refund after the Late Registration deadline?

Given that Band & Strings is based on a user pay model, all staffing and budgeting decisions for the school year are finalized. As a result, the stated refund/withdrawal deadlines are not negotiable.

Do I need to pay a damage deposit every year?

Damage deposits cannot be transferred from year to year so a new damage deposit is necessary for every year you rent a district instrument. Damage deposits are refunded to the original payment method in the summer between years. If there are any issues with refunding to the original payment method then the district issues cheques and mails them to families in the fall; please make sure your address information at your school site is up to date.

Scheduling

What if I register my child and it turns out the schedule doesn’t work for my family?

The schedule for the following year will be posted on the website in mid June. If the schedule does not work for your family, you may receive a full refund if the withdrawal form is received by your child’s school on or before June 15.

Are classes ever scheduled after school?

No, there are no after school classes. Classes are held twice a week. Typically one class is scheduled before school, and one during.

What happens when my child goes to the class during school? Will they miss classwork?

Classroom teachers are aware of the Band and Strings program and generally do not introduce new material during these times.

More information

What are the benefits of my child being involved in a Band or Strings program?

The Elementary Band and Strings program is one of the finest instrumental programs in British Columbia and complements the BC Ministry of Education's Arts Education curriculum.

This program offers a wonderful opportunity for students to receive instrumental instruction in a group setting and represents the start of an exciting musical journey that they can follow through to the end of their secondary school years.

As research has conclusively revealed over decades, involvement in a music program can benefit children’s academic and social-emotional development, providing an opportunity to develop a child’s musicianship and creativity. (Hallam, S. 2016).

Further, there is a strong correlation indicating that music education promotes social skills, teaches discipline, and elevates confidence for children.

Research has also shown, that musical training early in life improves how the brain processes sound. The benefits of early exposure to music education last well into adulthood, years after the training has ceased.

With this, the study of music in an ensemble has been shown to increase the capacity of memory, enhance perseverance, and self-expression.

Who are my child’s teachers? What experience and credentials do they have?

The NVSD Band and Strings teachers come with an impressive range of music experience and training. They are both active musicians as well as certified B.C. teachers. All Band and Strings teachers have education degrees as well as specific instrumental music training.