Klarinet Archive - Posting 000049.txt from 2007/10
From: "Cheryl Cifelli" <cifelli-c@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Lesson Cancellation Policy
Date: Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:11:15 -0400
I also have the same policy as Richard Bush. That sends a very loud =
message to the kids involved and they have seen me have to do it before.=20=
Dr. Cheryl Cifelli
Director of Woodwind Studies
Assistant Director of Bands
>>> Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net> 10/05/07 2:39 PM >>>
Dear Lynn,
I totally agree with your policy. I can see how it would work well =20
for anyone. I have a few other policies I also work into the =20
mechanics of scheduling and teaching the private lesson:
I ask that the students come slightly before the lesson. The lesson =20
starts on the hour and half hour. I tell them, "take your time, =20
you're paying for it, whether you're taking the horn out of your case =20
or a totally ready to warm up and start. In this regard, the down =20
beat of the concert is whatever it is. We're not all going to wait =20
while Johnny or Sara sucks her reed. Teaching punctually is VERY =20
important.
The other point is that I charge for a no show. If I'm not there and =20
am the no show, I do a double jeopardy trip to myself. I not only =20
give them credit for the lesson I missed and didn't teach them, but I =20
also give them a future lesson for their time and the drive they went =20
to to get to my place. I think this emphasized the point that it's a =20
two way street and we both need to be considerate to each other.
Yours truly,
Richard Bush
rbushidioglot@-----.net=20
On Oct 5, 2007, at 10:39 AM, thomaswinds wrote:
> I also ask for 24 hours notice - actually, by 8 pm the evening =20
> before - unless the child is sick and missed school that day. =20
> Basically, it's for two reasons: 1) teaching parents respect for =20
> music and our profession, and 2) teaching kids personal =20
> consideration for other people's time. And if they call me before =20
> 8, then I can call someone else who needs a makeup. I don't make =20
> or take phone calls after 9 pm.
>
> I don't charge in advance - I live in a rural area, and people =20
> don't always have that much money up front. Sometimes kids are =20
> home without a parent, and when a brother or sister brings them and =20
> they don't have the money with them, that's ok, too. I know they =20
> are good for it. Knock on wood, I have never had someone stiff =20
> me. ;)
>
> But as for what I said originally -
>
> Respect for music - a given - we are not teaching for our health. =20
> We are teaching because we love music. We are teaching because we =20
> want the kids to benefit from that love, etc. etc. etc.
>
> Respect for the profession: It's more the parents than the kids. =20
> A lot of us do rely on lesson money for our income. My parents all =20
> know that I do, that in addition to really liking my job, it's also =20
> a business. I file a Schedule C for it. You would be surprised =20
> how many parents come in thinking of lessons as a hobby or extra-=20
> curricular. Then again, maybe not, because a lot of schools treat =20
> Band that way.
>
> The parents can appreciate the time/money aspect if you put it this =20
> way - Ask them if they would like to work for free for a half hour =20
> or an hour a week. A kid knows the answer to that one! LOL I =20
> have a printed policy I give to all new students that mentions =20
> that. ;)
>
> I simply explain that when I have blocked that time out for a =20
> student, it's *their* time. I lose that money if they don't show, =20
> because I'm just sitting there waiting. Sure, I can practice. But =20
> I can't put any makeups into that slot if I don't know it's going =20
> to be cancelled. Then if a student wants a makeup lesson, I have =20
> to take Still Another slot out of my time - many times personal =20
> time - for their lesson. So technically speaking, I've spent an =20
> hour on them, instead of a half hour (or whatever), and only been =20
> paid for half. Kids see that more clearly than the adults. It's =20
> weird but it's true!!!
>
> With a lot of my students in sports, and with all the marching carp =20
> nowadays, my kids need makeup times a lot. During marching band =20
> season, I usually don't have a full roster. When someone calls out =20
> last minute there's nothing paying the babysitter. Yes, some of us =20
> pay for babysitters while we teach. I used to, my son is 15 now, =20
> though, and I could be helping him with homework.....
>
> It's all give and take, really. I do a lot to save the parents =20
> time, too (and money) - order music & reeds, help them with =20
> applications, etc. When I have to cancel (which is rare - sick or =20
> snow), obviously they are not charged. It works out!
>
> Lynn
>
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