Klarinet Archive - Posting 000047.txt from 2007/10

From: "thomaswinds" <thomaswinds@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Re: Lesson Cancellation Policy
Date: Fri, 05 Oct 2007 12:39:29 -0400

I also ask for 24 hours notice - actually, by 8 pm the evening before -
unless the child is sick and missed school that day. Basically, it's for
two reasons: 1) teaching parents respect for music and our profession, and
2) teaching kids personal consideration for other people's time. And if
they call me before 8, then I can call someone else who needs a makeup. I
don't make or take phone calls after 9 pm.

I don't charge in advance - I live in a rural area, and people don't always
have that much money up front. Sometimes kids are home without a parent,
and when a brother or sister brings them and they don't have the money with
them, that's ok, too. I know they are good for it. Knock on wood, I have
never had someone stiff me. ;)

But as for what I said originally -

Respect for music - a given - we are not teaching for our health. We are
teaching because we love music. We are teaching because we want the kids to
benefit from that love, etc. etc. etc.

Respect for the profession: It's more the parents than the kids. A lot of
us do rely on lesson money for our income. My parents all know that I do,
that in addition to really liking my job, it's also a business. I file a
Schedule C for it. You would be surprised how many parents come in thinking
of lessons as a hobby or extra-curricular. Then again, maybe not, because
a lot of schools treat Band that way.

The parents can appreciate the time/money aspect if you put it this way -
Ask them if they would like to work for free for a half hour or an hour a
week. A kid knows the answer to that one! LOL I have a printed policy I
give to all new students that mentions that. ;)

I simply explain that when I have blocked that time out for a student, it's
*their* time. I lose that money if they don't show, because I'm just
sitting there waiting. Sure, I can practice. But I can't put any makeups
into that slot if I don't know it's going to be cancelled. Then if a
student wants a makeup lesson, I have to take Still Another slot out of my
time - many times personal time - for their lesson. So technically
speaking, I've spent an hour on them, instead of a half hour (or whatever),
and only been paid for half. Kids see that more clearly than the adults.
It's weird but it's true!!!

With a lot of my students in sports, and with all the marching carp
nowadays, my kids need makeup times a lot. During marching band season, I
usually don't have a full roster. When someone calls out last minute
there's nothing paying the babysitter. Yes, some of us pay for babysitters
while we teach. I used to, my son is 15 now, though, and I could be helping
him with homework.....

It's all give and take, really. I do a lot to save the parents time, too
(and money) - order music & reeds, help them with applications, etc. When I
have to cancel (which is rare - sick or snow), obviously they are not
charged. It works out!

Lynn

------------------------------------------------------------------