Posted on 08/31/2010 10:56:15 PM PDT by Entrepreneur
I’d go with your idea. If your kid gets kicked out of the class then so what? It won’t be the end of the world.
Yep. Extracurricular activities can establish any criteria they want, so long as the same applies to all.
It is like asking if cheerleaders can be culled or band students cut for not participating in fund-raising.
In my day, we had car washes and the like to pay for our marching band travel expenses. Don't make the event, you are cut from band.
Since EXC events are not required you don't have a legal leg to stand on.
Senior prank
That was my attitude until my wife pointed out that it would inhibit the ability of my child to win a performing arts scholarship.
Except it's also a credit class.
I have a daughter that is in the arts. She has been in the pre-pro ballet training track for sometime. This is standard operating procedure for studios like hers. It varies, sometimes we are required to buy 15 tickets for a show. Sometimes we also have to buy an ad for the program. But all of this ‘fund raising’ is done for the studio, and for the ability to pay for the theater, and to put on the show. None of this is connected to a public school.
Is this an extraordinary school program that needs extra funds for costumes? Where is the money going? Usually for our studio, it is to pay for the use of the theater, and the stage crew. The public schools around here already have their own theaters. These types of requirements aren’t unheard of in the world of separate studios that do shows so the kids can get stage experience.
If it is the last year, pay up and be glad it will be the last of it.
|
Still looking for the equivalent in Texas.
Of course arts are "necessary", in the abstract sense, but possible only in a dynamic economic envirenment. The trouble with "starving" artists is that the role beats real work requiring sarifice and effort, and none of the losers actually starve.
I am going to presume that a performing arts scholarship would require your child pursue a performing arts-related degree in college. If this is true, then what about the following questions:
I don't mean to sound condescending but to me the arts in general sounds like a career field where you have a very small handful of people make a lot of money, but 99.9% of everyone else ends up working high stress, low wage type work with no real financial reward for their troubles.
Is it really worth it to bend over backwards and give in when there is a good chance that there might be no real reward for the effort put in?
Here is the key word:
Extracurricular.
As in not required. As in beyond the curriculum...
In addition it is likely the activity isn’t fully taxpayer funded because its - extracurricular. It probably requires additional funding to function and without it the doors close. So if you want your child to participate in it either pony up the costs of your child’s participation yourself or sell the ads to cover the cost. Why is it you think you should get it for free?
I would consider the ‘fundraising’ as the cost for my child to participate. My sons were all in band...they sold candy bars and fruit. If you are opposed to the fundraising, perhaps you can offer to make an equivalent cash contribution. I do believe the music and arts programs very important to a well-rounded education...but if the school district doesn’t have the funds it’s got to come from somewhere or they’ll simply cut the programs.
I will say this...I never allowed them to participate in ‘general’ fundraising drives while in elementary school. I was adamantly opposed to the ‘hard sell’ assemblies held by the promoters where prizes are promised to the highest sellers.
Not when it comes to extracurricular activities.
If you want to participate you have to pull your own weight - at least to some degree...
According to the IRS, a group or club cannot require that a member participate in a fund-raiser nor require that each member raise a certain amount. In addition, the IRS stipulates that a member who does not participate in a fund-raiser would be entitled to the same benefits as those members who did participate.
So because you get credit for taking an extracurricular activity you demand it be free?
I agree completely. However, that's a separate point.
>>Except it’s also a credit class.<<
It is an OPTIONAL credit class. It isn’t like requiring getting credit or grades in History requires selling candy.
If all students do not need to participate then it is subject to whatever the district allows.
What sort of BS is that?
You think the IRS makes group/club participation rules and for that matter could enforce them?
Try that at the girl scouts, boy scouts, FFA or 4H. They are not charities.
Nope. It's just a public HS with self-important theater people. Is that redundant?
If it is the last year, pay up and be glad it will be the last of it
That's likely what will happen, though I'm just p---ed right now. I'm even more irritated that my kid when out and sold an additional ad tonight out of fear of the school, but won't collect until Thursday.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.