Changs in Reservations

[theostwalts]

We are booked for 10/29/05 - 11/6/05. We have been planning this trip since the first part of this year. Our oldest dd is a rising freshman in high school and will be in marching band. She started band camp today and the information sent home says that attendance at all games are required. Of course the last regular season game is Nov. 5th. If the team makes the playoffs, then that could extend at least 2 more weeks. I am trying to decide if we should change our plans or just let the school know that we have had a family vacation planned now quite some time. Should I move our plans back or keep them like they are? Opinions please......

 

[HoneyPooh]

I probably know what her band director will say. I missed a game for my sisters wedding when I was in HS marching band and my punishment was to be left out of the band pictures for the yearbook that year. BD didn't care that the wedding was planned for a year. OTOH, if your band is non-competitive and you have a nice band director.... Hope you get it worked out!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

It really depends on the band policy. My DS15 is graded on attendance, so missing out on a scheduled event with the band affects their grade. Even with that in mind, I wouldn't hesitate to miss a band event in favor of a family event. As wonderful as band is, and as important as a sense of responsibility to the group is, it is much more important to put family first.

 

[swilphil]

I would keep your plans. Your daughter could offer to do some sort of extra credit while in WDW, something musical. I would call now and let the band director know. If they wanted to be strict about this policy, they should have sent letters out in the spring when your daughter enrolled in band.

 

[Wendy*Darling]

I would call tomorrow and ask to speak to the band director about it. You are giving them plenty of notice and most of the time they do have "alternates" who can shaddow your daughter in practices before that last game and march in her spot. The earlier you talk to them, the more flexible they will be. I was in band all through high school and college and I know my school was very strict, missing a game for anything other than illness with doctors note meant you failed. I don't agree with that policy as there are just too many other reasons that you could need to miss that are truly legitimate reasons and not just a situation of wanting to skip to go out for pizza with friends or something. I do remember one situation with a parent fought with the band director on it and won. This was a straight a student (who went on to be valedictorian) and who missed a game because he received an award from the state science fair and the event was on a game day. The director threatened to fail him and both of his parents were at the school in a blink fighting mad that the director would even consider ruining their son's 4.0+ GPA over a football game!

 

[Avalanche]

I'm sure when you planned this trip you already considered the pros and cons of her missing school. She might have a major test or paper due while your gone in another class which might hurt her grade. You are worried about what the band director might think about missing a game, but she's going to be missing classes too.

When you plan a trip during the school year, the chance of it effecting her grades is a chance you take.

I was in marching band (a very competitive band) and my junior year I missed a practice because I went to see the BEE GEES (1978) and my grade was dropped two letter grades due to attendence. That was the only day I missed.

 

[swilshire]

Our band directors would go ballistic if the kids missed a regular game. It messes up their drills and confuses the other kids. This is my sixth (and hopefully last) year as a band mom and it has been tough.

The only one I've been able to win on is keeping them from scheduling a competition during our Fall break each year. They have been a little snippy about it and made it sound every year like our kids are the only ones that travel during the break, but I've managed to keep the schedule clear. Just fought that battle again for this year, since our 2 week band camp ended last Friday.

If you could reschedule your vacation, it would be much easier on your child.

Sheila

 

[minnie61650]

It depends on BD and the school policy.
My dd's BD was notified of our older daughter's upcoming Oct.wedding shortly after summer band camp.
dd would have missed just one competition. She just had a small part in the Pit since she didn't even take band class. She played violin in orchestra.
The BD would not excuse her. She dropped out of the marching band so she could attend her sister's wedding.
Linda

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I would keep your plans. Your daughter could offer to do some sort of extra credit while in WDW, something musical. I would call now and let the band director know. If they wanted to be strict about this policy, they should have sent letters out in the spring when your daughter enrolled in band.

i agree with this
thye should have told you along time ago and if your trip was planned before you got this notice thats what i would tell them