Block Scheduling?

[NewCrabber]

It gets my dander up, too. Knowing they have that kind of power and control - under the guise of giving the student/parents a choice. Some choice. I've looked at this upside down and sideways and I'm with you, there is nothing that will change my view of the situation.I am, however, still waiting to hear if my son will be excused from participating in the concerts. Both the principle and the vice have been contacted by the teacher and have yet to respond.

[CrabbyJ]

This is the first time I've ever heard of block scheduling.I'm amazed that the school systems are enforcing mandatory participation on saturdays, along with requiring a certain dress code for their participation. I really think it's overstepping their boundaries as a school system to expect parents and children to be in agreement with this type infringement on personal time.I'm also amazed that it's so wide spread and so many other posters have dealt with it or had to participate in similar circumstances in their schools. Aren't the parents in an uproar and going to the school complaining at board meetings, etc.? I just can't see how the majority of the parents aren't attempting to fight the system on something like this. Have their been any meetings or formal complaints from the parents?

[JojoA]

I might be missing something here, but isn't chorus an optional class? Can't he just not take it if the concerts interfere with his schedule? We were required to be in chorus/choir until 9th grade, then it was optional. We had 3 concerts a year and were required to dress in "church clothes". But we all had these since we all went to church. My kids have 3 concerts a year and have the same dress requirements. If it so happens that we can't attend a concert, I notify the teacher in person as soon as I get their schedule to let them know that we have a prior commitment. Also if you talk to the principal in person and explain that you have to work when these concerts are on and have no means of transporting them to the concert, they should understand. They cannot expect you to change your life to fit around a single school event.But as for nice clothes, I find lots of nice things at thrift stores and off the clearance racks at the amll. I also shop Target and K-mart and watch their clearance racks as well. I found most of my son's school cloths at Sears, kahki's for 5.99 a pair and T-shirts at Kmart for 4.00 a piece! That was a sweet deal! To bad my daughter wasn't as cheap......

[NewCrabber]

I don't know yet if other parents have complained about this, but I'll find out after I hear back from them. Right now I'm following the rules of the student handbook which states that parents must follow the chain of command when there is a complaint or concern. After expressing my thoughts about this to the teacher, her response was a sigh and something like, she was expecting this or thought this might happen. Nonetheless, she tried to convince me of the reasons it is important to the rest of the chorus that all children participate in the concerts. Chorus isn't optional here in middle school (participating in the concerts used to be until this year). My son is in the 6th grade. My other is in the 7th, but he doesn't have it this quarter. I'm curious to see if the requirements remain the same by the time he does have that class.

[kitty_LHC]

The school I teach at is in the process of changing back to a regular "period" schedule from a block schedule. The block schedule apparently isn't conducive to standardized tests. *sigh* But since some students won't graduate on time if we just switch back we have two 45-minute classes in the morning followed by two hour and a half block classes midday, then two more 45 minute classes in the afternoon. It's stupid and everyone hates it except for the one person who came up with it. Nobody is admitting to that though. However, we are a split campus. The other campus is a couple of miles away so during the 45 minute classes, if a bus is late, the students miss half their classes. It wasn't so bad last year when we only had block classes but it's a noticable absent in the short classes. ARGH!As far as your situation is concerned, I am all for raising standards an expectations. I think the more introverted kids benefit from facing their fears and performing as a group. I think expecting kids to dress nice for concerts is reasonable. I think expecting kids to perform in concerts is reasonable. However, if the school wants conformity in dress, they should provide the uniforms. If the students are all wearing their best clothes and look nice I don't see a problem. Why do all students have to attend all concerts--and why is it for a grade? I think the students should be able to sign up for one concert a year or semester or something like that. That way the families involved could fit it into their schedules. I can see why your mad. I hope you aren't the only parent complaining. Can you imagine if art classes had the same requirements? Or theater? (Everyone has to buy their own costumes!) If it works and your school goes through with it, I'm going to require all my students go on a filed trip to England to see where Shakespeare was born and wear black tie! That's a great idea.

[NewCrabber]

I'll definitely let you know. If you have a mandatory trip to England, I want to chaperone. I'll even wear black tie!