*Rant* My daughter's teacher is going to fail her before school even starts...

[Lisa loves Pooh]

But school hasn't started, I have never heard of such a stupid thing, it would be different if school had officially stared but this takes the cake. So I DO understand why she signed her DD up, it isn't like the school session has officially started. And since when do you have to clear with the beloved band director you summer plans. In my experience from what I have seen with friends that are in band, these directors have a "god" complex. They need to be dealt with.

All I can see coming out of a complaint is that the student being kicked out of band. It isn't a requirement to graduate. The class exists for the sole purpose of being an extra-curricular activity that has the privilege to utilize a school period for music practice. It is a HUGE commitment. Your dd isn't obligated to do it to graduate--but she would be shirking her duties by how you schedule things.

It is called life.

You can complain---but I really don't think you would have a leg to stand on. The county or state likely kept that schedule for football to allow time for the schedule to work with the playoff calendar and such. Marching band's performance venue is the football game.

While I am sorry that your dd is faced with this, it is time to deal with it as a grown up. What may happen is that he isn't allowed to fail her, but he may be allowed to drop her from the performance aspect of Marching Band which would be 100% justified. Sooo what is more important? The mouse in August or Marching Band?

If one of the football players chose Disney--they would not be playing football. They knew the schedule when they signed up and either are committed or not.

 

[golfgal]

But school hasn't started, I have never heard of such a stupid thing, it would be different if school had officially stared but this takes the cake. So I DO understand why she signed her DD up, it isn't like the school session has officially started. And since when do you have to clear with the beloved band director you summer plans. In my experience from what I have seen with friends that are in band, these directors have a "god" complex. They need to be dealt with.

They don't have a God complex they are just doing their job. The kids signed up for band, they are not MADE to join the band.

I am sorry but you guys let your school band dictate what you do with your summer. Wow, I am d=sorry but my time is mine and no one tells me what to do with it. When school officially starts then yes. Other than that too darn bad. But then again and no offense to anyone but my kids wouldn't be caught dead in band. Sorry. Not a real popular thing down here where I live
maybe up north it is different, but down here not so much.

Sorry but Fl has a LOT of marching bands and it is really sad that you won't allow your kids to be in band. There have been study after study done about how learning a musical instrument helps brain development and that students in band do better in school than those not in band.

Fall sports start here before school starts too. When you have a late start, after Labor Day, like we do and winter isn't too far off, sports and activities start early. You wouldn't be on a team long if you missed 2 weeks of practice for anything.

The girl never should have signed up for band in the first place.

 

[powellrj]

If you make the commitment to be in band, football, volleyball, whatever it may be then you need to be there when expected. It's not just band, it's the fall sports too. Practices start well before school starts and you are expected to be there. These schedules and expectations shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. At least they aren't in my area. Families should know what they are committing to and then be willing to follow through. If it doesn't fit into your summer schedule, that's fine. But then don't participate.

my kids didn't even do band and I know what a commitment it is, which is why they didn't do band.

As for football starting before schools starts, I graduated in 77 and even then football started before school started. It has always started on the same week every year.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The difference between the band and fall sports is the grade. If my sons skip Football practice, they don't play. OP's daughter misses Band and she gets an F. That is total Bull!

She is missing 2 GAMES, not practice. Huge difference.

 

[mhsjax]

FYI, she is NOT missing 10 days of practice, she is only missing 2 home football games. There is no practice after they get back from the 5-day overnight camp.

In the State of MI, legislation was passed so that school is required to begin AFTER Labor Day because too many students were missing school to go on vacation over Labor Day. This falls into the EXACT reason that bill was passed, so students COULD NOT BE PENALIZED for taking a family vacation. I know for a FACT that my daughter is not the only student missing at least one of these games. I know for a fact that in the past, students were offered to write a 3-page report to make up for a missed performance so their grade would not suffer. I hold a position on the band board and I know that this band director has made other arrangements for other students. He is not extending any other option to my daughter as he has made in the past to other students.

I think some people didn't read your post, they got to the missing something at school and their eyes glazed over. I did see that your DD isn't missing practice but just the games and I stand by what I said for that reason. Games should not be starting before school. Practice yes but games no, this is why I agree with you, IT IS GAMES PEOPLE. NOT PRACTICE. THey should be starting games before the official start of school, IMHO

And I am well aware of sports and commitments, I have 3 on different sports teams and we attend all practices, and my DD is in cheerleading where being sick isn't even an option during competition Unlike other sports, because if she is sick then the whole team goes with her or anyone else, the fyler can't fly without their bases and they don't have extras like most sports, so please don't anyone preach to me about commitment. I don't know of many other sports where that happens, band probably yes but football or something else, sure just send in another player, so I think I do know what commitment is. One poor girl went through competition with a broken wrist. That is commitment.

 

[mhsjax]

They don't have a God complex they are just doing their job. The kids signed up for band, they are not MADE to join the band.



Sorry but Fl has a LOT of marching bands and it is really sad that you won't allow your kids to be in band. There have been study after study done about how learning a musical instrument helps brain development and that students in band do better in school than those not in band.

Fall sports start here before school starts too. When you have a late start, after Labor Day, like we do and winter isn't too far off, sports and activities start early. You wouldn't be on a team long if you missed 2 weeks of practice for anything.

The girl never should have signed up for band in the first place.

I would love to know where you got that I wouldn't allow my kids in band. You seem to know everything about everything, including what I will and won't let my kids do. Wow, how did you learn that. What I said was that my kids wouldn't be caught dead in band, how did you get I won't allow them.

Also I grew up in Florida, I never said that they didn't have bands did I, where did you get that. I am well aware of what we have, I go to high school football games My kids have freinds in High School. YOu assume way too much.

 

[Christine]

Games should not be starting before school. Practice yes but games no, this is why I agree with you, IT IS GAMES PEOPLE. NOT PRACTICE. THey should be starting games before the official start of school, IMHO

In a perfect world, you are correct.

But, they are starting the GAMES before school. They obviously have permission to do this, many school districts already do this so they can fit everything in for Fall sports, and it is part of the commitment. I think the OP would have to have the games stopped by the school board to get out of this.

 

[StacyMarie]

If you make the commitment to be in band, football, volleyball, whatever it may be then you need to be there when expected. It's not just band, it's the fall sports too. Practices start well before school starts and you are expected to be there. These schedules and expectations shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. At least they aren't in my area. Families should know what they are committing to and then be willing to follow through. If it doesn't fit into your summer schedule, that's fine. But then don't participate.

Band is a school activity that is GRADED. Football, volleyball, and whatever other sports you are talking about are not graded. School does not officially start until after Labor Day, thus my child's grades should not be effected until the FIRST day of school on, not before.

 

[golfgal]

I'll bet that the marching band qualifies as a summer class as well as a fall class, so the "no school before Labor Day" doesn't apply.

In our school it just counts for the first trimester grade, nothing in the summer but the reality is if you have a competitive marching band they need to practice in the summer because there are not enough hours in the day once school starts and this way it allows kids to be in sports and marching band if they want.

FYI, she is NOT missing 10 days of practice, she is only missing 2 home football games. There is no practice after they get back from the 5-day overnight camp.

In the State of MI, legislation was passed so that school is required to begin AFTER Labor Day because too many students were missing school to go on vacation over Labor Day. This falls into the EXACT reason that bill was passed, so students COULD NOT BE PENALIZED for taking a family vacation. I know for a FACT that my daughter is not the only student missing at least one of these games. I know for a fact that in the past, students were offered to write a 3-page report to make up for a missed performance so their grade would not suffer. I hold a position on the band board and I know that this band director has made other arrangements for other students. He is not extending any other option to my daughter as he has made in the past to other students.

The legislation was passed so the tourist industry could have another long weekend of business not so kids don't miss school-don't fool yourself thinking otherwise. We have the same law here. If you are on the band board then you knew full well that those games were required and because you are on the band board my guess is that the director isn't offering your DD the same consideration because you should have KNOWN better. Also, "in the past" doesn't matter, maybe he changed the policy. The point is now is now.

If you are on the "band board" why couldn't you get the OK before you scheduled the vacation.

Clearly you knew the rules then.

I would ask your dd which she wants to drop- Disney or band.
I can't really say much more about it since I totally disgree with schools putting such a high importance on a "band" grades, its not like its science or math. Anyway your dd made the commitment and yes its seems unfair that the school year hasn't begun but since part of her class participation is being at the performances she needs to face the consequences. You said she has been to practice everyday and to camp, was all that for the school's marching band? If so I don't see how you can be upset about something starting before the first day of school since se has been required to do something all summer for this class, sorry OP.

What about the kids that are going to make a living doing something with band, for them their band grade is more important then their math or science grade. We have probably 20 or 30 kids from our band every year go into either music education or music performance in college and maybe a couple go into a math or science field. Your comment is pretty ignorant quite frankly.

Our kids are in week three of all day band practices and have 3 more weeks go. No one schedules vacations from mid-July to the start of school. There are about 30 kids out this week for All-State Band Camp and another dozen or so out for All-State Choir but those are the only exceptions. One girl missed band camp last week and has now been kicked out of the band. Band camp is mandatory and her parents chose to schedule a vacation that week, sorry, no go. No refund either.

Would you schedule a 2 week vacation during a sports season??

 

[Cindy B]

High school band parent here:

This is why my son does honors show band.. all indoors, no games, only uniform is black suit and specific performances during the year (3 concerts, middle school meetings and graduation)

If you pick the oboe, you are are guaranteed no marching band. The oboe is not a marching instrument.


I would check to see if the school has different band classes such as symphonic band, honors show band, advanced wind ensemble or such like that.

In fact our school doesn't really make a big fuss about football or the marching band. I do know that marching band has summertime committments and some games/scrimmages so it would be important to show for these committments.

The band contract is pretty lengthy and does detail every performance that they are required to attend.

 

[StacyMarie]

If you are on the "band board" why couldn't you get the OK before you scheduled the vacation.

Clearly you knew the rules then.

I took my band board position just a month ago, our vacation has been scheduled for over a year.

Once again, she is not missing the practices, she will know the entire routine before we leave for Disney. She is missing 2 games, 1 of which happens to fall on Labor Day weekend. She will not be the only child gone out of 150 students, I guarantee it!

 

[Christine]

Band is a school activity that is GRADED. Football, volleyball, and whatever other sports you are talking about are not graded. School does not officially start until after Labor Day, thus my child's grades should not be effected until the FIRST day of school on, not before.

This is true and I'm in the same boat.

But, if I decided to go to WDW the week before school starts, I would totally expect the cross country coach to cut my son. He might not, but he has every right to do so.

 

[ZuZugal]

This is a long one, lol....


This year, after she gets home from the mandatory 5-day overnight camp, we have 2 days and then we leave for Disney for 10 days. We will be getting back from Disney 2 days before school starts so she will not miss any school BUT while we are gone she will miss the first 2 home footballs which happen to be BEFORE the school year even begins. When I notified her band director over a month ago, he never got back to me until yesterday. His response is he has to FAIL my daughter for the marking period for missing those 2 first home football games because they are "required" performances. FAIL MY DAUGHTER BEFORE SCHOOL EVEN STARTS????

Doesn't sound like you are new to the band program...and looks like your notified the director of your situation a month ago but he never got back to you?? I would have been calling/emailing daily...not waiting a month for a response.

Also, did you not know of the "rules" going in about missing performances? Surely you received some paperwork about the program, talked with other parents or students about the "rigors" of the program explaining that you can't miss.

My 2 oldest play HS golf, and their season starts before school. We absolutely knew this long before they were even freshman. Not sure how you could not have know.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I guess for me, when my dd signed up for band, and this was in Texas, she was excited about it and I would not dream of messing with her HS time. She would be completely bummed out to miss the games. I also expected her to follow through with the rules of the commitment she signed up for.

For the record, I do not take my kids out of school for vacations in MS or HS and that would include before school starts practices.

I don't see a difference in whether school has started or not. If you sign up for something you better be there. That is just my personal philosophy.

 

[Allison]

Band is a school activity that is GRADED. Football, volleyball, and whatever other sports you are talking about are not graded. School does not officially start until after Labor Day, thus my child's grades should not be effected until the FIRST day of school on, not before.

Sorry, I don't buy that argument. But, that's just me. Of course, we are all entitled to our own opinion. Band has officially started before the actual opening of classes and graded performances have also started. Did you not know there were grades assigned to these performances? We know well ahead of time that each performance is worth 100 points. If you don't show up, you don't get the points.

 

[golfgal]

I think some people didn't read your post, they got to the missing something at school and their eyes glazed over. I did see that your DD isn't missing practice but just the games and I stand by what I said for that reason. Games should not be starting before school. Practice yes but games no, this is why I agree with you, IT IS GAMES PEOPLE. NOT PRACTICE. THey should be starting games before the official start of school, IMHO

And I am well aware of sports and commitments, I have 3 on different sports teams and we attend all practices, and my DD is in cheerleading where being sick isn't even an option during competition Unlike other sports, because if she is sick then the whole team goes with her or anyone else, the fyler can't fly without their bases and they don't have extras like most sports, so please don't anyone preach to me about commitment. I don't know of many other sports where that happens, band probably yes but football or something else, sure just send in another player, so I think I do know what commitment is. One poor girl went through competition with a broken wrist. That is commitment.

Half our band marched last fall with H1N1 and it IS a big deal if one person misses because it throws off the show and there aren't "reserves" to just "throw in". The shows they do are complicated and difficult and you can't just learn it in an hour, unlike cheerleading where they just stand on the sidelines and shake pompoms.

I would love to know where you got that I wouldn't allow my kids in band. You seem to know everything about everything, including what I will and won't let my kids do. Wow, how did you learn that. What I said was that my kids wouldn't be caught dead in band, how did you get I won't allow them.

Also I grew up in Florida, I never said that they didn't have bands did I, where did you get that. I am well aware of what we have, I go to high school football games My kids have freinds in High School. YOu assume way too much.

Gee, maybe the "my kids wouldn't be caught dead in band" comment and the fact that you said that band isn't popular there when I know there are a LOT of top bands in your area-maybe just not at your school??

I am sure your kids think band is for geeks but in areas where band is popular it is FULL of the "popular" kids. The past I don't know how many homecoming kings and queens have ALL been in our marching band. ALL of the top kids in the classes are in marching band. I could make similar comments about cheerleaders just being airheads to perpetuated that stereotype but I know better unlike your "knowledge" about marching band. The kids on the football team here always tell the kids in band that they could never do that because the band kids work so hard.

 

[Christine]

Off topic here but I sure wish my kid could be in marching band. The private Catholic High Schools in our area don't do marching band. I'm sure he would love it...

 

[golfgal]

Sorry, I don't buy that argument. But, that's just me. Of course, we are all entitled to our own opinion. Band has officially started before the actual opening of classes and graded performances have also started. Did you not know there were grades assigned to these performances? We know well ahead of time that each performance is worth 100 points. If you don't show up, you don't get the points.

On top of which my kids would KILL me if I told them they were missing 2 weeks of band .

 

[golfgal]

Off topic here but I sure wish my kid could be in marching band. The private Catholic High Schools in our area don't do marching band. I'm sure he would love it...

Is there another school around you that might allow him to do that? I know that most of the Catholic schools here that don't have their own programs for things, music, sports, etc. often form cooperative agreements with the public schools so kids can participate.

Band is such a wonderful option. The opportunities the kids have in band are just amazing. Our band kids have traveled all over the WORLD with our band. When my oldest was 14 he had a concert on the Great Wall of China-can't do that on the football team .

 

[StacyMarie]

Thank you all for your opinions and input. I am fairly new to this particular band program and do see valid points from all your opinions. In the end, it is up to my daughter. It is her choice to take the F or to drop the class. I will post what response I get from the principal but in the end, it is my daughter's choice and I can almost promise she will drop. An F is not an option for her, her report cards are important as are good grades for colleges to look at.