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.
Ummm...because public school education just generally sucks for about a hundred reasons?
"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?
"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?
She's paying for it. It is hers.
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!
She is the lead chair and has been practicing all year with the pretense that she would march with the band...now, all of the sudden they tell her she can't.
Would this school tell another 8th grader who is in the band that they can't march in the last parade because they are moving to another town or going to the local Catholic High School? I think not!
Because we don't WANT them to have our kids all day. We don't want them to have that much input and influence. There's a big difference in participation in the school band and them being there ALL day.
her parents pay school taxes too. in sports there are only so many slots and to make the cut means somebody else didn't, i've never heard of anybody being turned down cause the band was full... and i doubt that she would not play as good or better than anybody else so that's not an issue either
Udon't agree with your statement. Since we pay taxes to support the school, then we should be able to join any extra activities they have or give us our money back. Why should I pay for something I'm not allowed to use? Vouchers, vouchers, we want vouchers.
Frankly, I can't sympathize with someone who's opted out of a system but wants to "shop" its perks like a cafeteria. Otherwise, I'm quite supportive of homeschooling.
For one thing, they don't want them exposed to the drugs and sex in public schools now days. You wouldn't believe what public school kids do on road trips and between recitals.
How about the question is, If they pay taxes for the facilities, teachers, and everything else in thier district probably including the band instruments and uniforms, why can't thier daughter take part?
They have every right to participate.
AS a current Public School Band Director - I have been fearing such an circumstance - but have thus far been lucky and have dodged the bullet.
The issue here is a touchy one. In the city of Conway, Arkansas, they have put together a community "home school" orchestra and band. It is supported by home school families and is there to provide just this sort of opportunity.
Keep one thing in mind - at least in my state, if the student isn't registered, the school doesn't receive funding for that student - so the taxpayer reasoning isn't going to fly. Yes, those parents still pay taxes - but they aren't going to the school (property taxes that go directly to schools may be an exception). So what to do?
From my personal and professional point of view - if the homeschooled child wants to participate and fulfills all requirements to do so (attendance to all rehearsals and performances), then more power to them. THe problem comes from most state's interscholastic governing bodies - this applies to athletics as well as musical organizations and the rules for participation.
As the rules currently stand here in Arkansas (local districts may have more strict rules)- I can allow a homeschool child to participate in all activities of my band program EXCEPT marching and concert contests/competitions, region and state honor band auditions, solo& Ensemble festivals, etc. I could let them march at the Friday night football games, parades (if non-competitive), and concerts.
Local districts, though, are not likely to play along (no pun intended) though.
Because that would mean exposing them to people with attitudes like yours.
They want their cake and to eat it too. Eeevil public schools apparently are not totally eeevil.
Once upon a time, local fire departments fielded marching bands. I wish there were more community bands out there -- it's hard to justify the purchase of a BBb bass for one's own amusement. (make that brass bands -- do you recall that scene in Woody ALlen's movie "Take the money and run" where he performs cello with a marching band?) ;)