Home-schooled girl fights for band spot

Lincoln Journal Star ^ | June 18, 2005 | Kendra Waltke

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Here's the question: If parents want their kids involved in school-based activities, why not send them to the school?

Being a veteran public school marching-band person myself (about 15 years of my past life), there is a tangible "esprit de corps" that involves school spirit: representing ones school and playing/participating to one's best ability to represent that school. Same goes for school sports.

[nuconvert]

This is stupid.

[DoughtyOne]

Reason 42,583,722,508,681,306

I literally hate the people who run this nation's education system

[MikefromOhio]

if they pay taxes into the school system, then she should be allowed.

but I think these parents are trying to make some stupid point. Being in the school band means you WANT to represent that school. Obviously she doesnt or else she would go there.

[Oberon]

Here's the question: If parents want their kids involved in school-based activities, why not send them to the school?

Ummm...because public school education just generally sucks for about a hundred reasons?

[Chiapet]

"Here's the question: If parents want their kids involved in school-based activities, why not send them to the school?"

I agree with you. You're either in or you're out. YOu can't really choose to keep your kids out of the public school, and then pick and choose which programs you want them to participate in. Why not get together with other home-schoolers and form your own band?

[Horatio Gates]

I know of two instances where a public school had no problem letting home schooled student athletes participate in team sports

[Future Snake Eater]

YOu can't really choose to keep your kids out of the public school, and then pick and choose which programs you want them to participate in.

Fine, then they should have their tax dollars spent on education refunded to them.

[Poser]

"Here's the question: If parents want their kids involved in school-based activities, why not send them to the school?"

Uh... Because the education sucks?

What do I win?

[Clara Lou]

I literally hate the people who run this nation's education system
That's a very strong statement. What about this particular case has you so upset? [I think the school district is wrong and will lose if this goes to court. Of course, it depends on the particulars.]

[Chiapet]

"Fine, then they should have their tax dollars spent on education refunded to them."

Hah. I only wished that was the way it worked. That means that all the tax dollars I contribute to government welfare programs would be refunded to me because I'm not a recipient of welfare benefits. I won't hold my breath waiting for that to happen...

[Clara Lou]

YOu can't really choose to keep your kids out of the public school, and then pick and choose which programs you want them to participate in.
Actually, you can in some cases. Public school systems can provide services to private school students provided that those public school services rendered don't establish or support a particular religion.

[jra]

My kid had a home-schooled teammate on his baseball team. Pleasant kid, great parents.

[Blzbba]

"Uh... Because the education sucks?

What do I win?"


You, sir, are the winner of the Master of the Obvious Award! Congratulations!!!

[Future Snake Eater]

Well considering your "the district's way or the highway" approach to this family, I would say it's the least you could agree to.

And if that's not good enough, then how about she takes some sort of academic placement test against the others in the band. Whoever she outscores she can replace. That seems fair, too.

[beavus]

If she can't be in the band, or participate on other public school activities, then then her family should be refuned that percentage of her taxes that goes to public schools.

She's paying for it. It is hers.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Ummm...because public school education just generally sucks for about a hundred reasons?

Then why entrust them to the PUBLIC SCHOOL BAND TEACHER?!

[demkicker]

This girl, as well as all home schooled kids, deserve to participate in extra-cirricular activities if they rightfully earn a spot in the activity/team.

Her parents pay school taxes and the district should not be able to legally deny her participation (taxation without representation). I hope her parents sue the pants off of this school district and WIN!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Being in the school band means you WANT to represent that school.

Exactly my point!