VENT: middle school sports tryout

[4forMe]

I'm feeling frustrated with my child's school right now and would like some feedback.

My son has been looking forward to a certain sports tryout all year. He received notification of the date of the tryout. It is on the same date as his holiday band concert which has been scheduled for at least 4 months. There is no way he can make the tryout for his grade as it totally conflicts with the band concert.

I emailed the coach, explained the situation (including that this concert had been scheduled at least 4 months ago) and asked if there was any other way for the band kids to tryout (there are at least 5 per my child that plan to tryout). His response was that he had a hard time reserving gym time due to "all these concerts this month". I checked the school calendar; there are three concerts scheduled, and only one is at our school. There are 10 other days this month that this tryout may have been scheduled with no conflicts.

His suggestion was for the kids to come to the earlier tryout that same day (a tryout for kids that are a grade older than my child). Even if the kids do that and leave a little early, it only gives them @ 20 minutes to clean up, get dressed up in their concert clothes and get to the other middle school where the concert is actually being held.

The cynical part of me believes that this coach didn't even think to check the school calendar because, of course, band kids can't also be athletic. I will also bet that the coach made sure that this tryout didn't conflict with the other team sport that is occuring right now.

My child informed me that the kids talked to the band instructor this morning and he plans to talk to the coach; however, after the email I received, I don't think talking to the coach is going to result in a change of date for the tryout.

I feel my son's choices are to suck it up and go to the older kids' tryout or to skip the tryout. This is definitely one of those life ain't fair lessons that everyone experiences.

I thought about calling the principal just to express my disappointment and to ask if there is any way for this conflict to be prevented next year.

WWYD?

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I would bring my child to the earlier try-outs. It shows how committed he/she is to making the team. I would leave in enough time to get them changed/cleaned up for the concert. Unless your child has a solo front and center, no one will notice a "little" quick clean.

Coaches are people too, maybe they have plans this month that conflicted and or children at different schools. I would not make a big deal out of it though. Good luck to your child whatever you choose.

 

[si-am]

Reserving gym time can be tricky if there are other grades and sports all wanting to use it.

Not a great situation for band students though.

 

[Magic Mom]

I would bring my child to the earlier try-outs. It shows how committed he/she is to making the team. I would leave in enough time to get them changed/cleaned up for the concert. Unless your child has a solo front and center, no one will notice a "little" quick clean.

Coaches are people too, maybe they have plans this month that conflicted and or children at different schools. I would not make a big deal out of it though. Good luck to your child whatever you choose.

This is good advice.This is part of being involved in many different activities. If your son wants to be on the team he has to pick his priorities. That may mean hustling to get from one place to another. Coaches and club/band directors can't work around every other activity. Someone is going to have a conflict no matter what day the tryout is on.

 

[Hannathy]

Go to the earlier tryout, skip the cleaning up, slap on some new deodorant, and get dressed in the car on the way there! Ideal no, been there done that, yep.

It is a pet peeve of mine also that schools do this sort of thing many many times.

 

[golfgal]

I agree, go to the earlier tryout and spiff up the kid as much as possible after-my experience is that he will fit right in with all of the other middle school kids even if he didn't clean up after practice-AXE is their friend in middle school.

If both the concert and the sports team are school sponsored events and you get no where with the band director talking with the coach, I would suggest talking with the principal.

Honestly, I don't think there should be try-outs in a middle school to begin with, but that isn't up to you

 

[4forMe]

I agree, go to the earlier tryout and spiff up the kid as much as possible after-my experience is that he will fit right in with all of the other middle school kids even if he didn't clean up after practice-AXE is their friend in middle school.

If both the concert and the sports team are school sponsored events and you get no where with the band director talking with the coach, I would suggest talking with the principal.

Honestly, I don't think there should be try-outs in a middle school to begin with, but that isn't up to you

How could I forget about bringing AXE?!

This is a sport he's been playing for 5 years, and I just know he is going to be a huge ball of sweat after this tryout (especially his hair!).

I agree that I will encourage him to go to the older grade's tryout. Even if he doesn't make the team, he will know what to expect for next year's tryout.

I appreciate everyone's responses. This is his first year at the middle school, and I don't want to be known as "THAT" mom.