Klarinet Archive - Posting 000048.txt from 2007/10

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Lesson Cancellation Policy
Date: Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:39:15 -0400

Dear Lynn,

I totally agree with your policy. I can see how it would work well
for anyone. I have a few other policies I also work into the
mechanics of scheduling and teaching the private lesson:
I ask that the students come slightly before the lesson. The lesson
starts on the hour and half hour. I tell them, "take your time,
you're paying for it, whether you're taking the horn out of your case
or a totally ready to warm up and start. In this regard, the down
beat of the concert is whatever it is. We're not all going to wait
while Johnny or Sara sucks her reed. Teaching punctually is VERY
important.

The other point is that I charge for a no show. If I'm not there and
am the no show, I do a double jeopardy trip to myself. I not only
give them credit for the lesson I missed and didn't teach them, but I
also give them a future lesson for their time and the drive they went
to to get to my place. I think this emphasized the point that it's a
two way street and we both need to be considerate to each other.

Yours truly,

Richard Bush

rbushidioglot@-----.net

On Oct 5, 2007, at 10:39 AM, thomaswinds wrote:

> 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
>
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>

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