The Virginian-Pilot
©
CHESAPEAKE
The Great Bridge High School band parents' latest attempt to get their children to Disney World over winter break has been rejected, according to a letter from Superintendent W. Randolph Nichols to the president of the band parent association.
In the letter, dated August 29, Nichols said he could not approve a field-trip permit based on the parents' latest trip itinerary because Great Bridge Principal Janet Andrejco and band director Rob Carroll were no longer supporting the trip.
"Without Mr. Carroll's endorsement, I am unable to approve the revised itinerary," Nichols wrote. "Plans for such trips must reflect a cooperative effort between the band director, the building principal, and parent support groups."
Carroll told parents in a meeting earlier that month that he no longer wanted to pursue the Florida travel plans, according to the letter.
The new itinerary included more educational activities than the initial plan.
The Great Bridge High marching band has traveled to Florida over winter break to perform in the Orlando Citrus Parade and in Disney World's parade down Main Street every four years for the past 16 years.
But this year, the band's first application for a field-trip permit was denied.
School officials cited a rule put in place in 2006 that banned trips to amusement and water parks because of safety and supervision concerns, said school spokesman Tom Cupitt. Cupitt said students could go on the trip as long as they didn't ride rides; parents said they had been told they were banned from going on the trip completely.
At a School Board meeting Monday night, Nichols said he had formed a committee consisting of parents from multiple school groups, such as band and athletics, and school personnel to revise the division's field-trip policies.
"I think this is the best way to go," said School Board Vice Chairman Harry Murphy. "It gives us input from all stakeholders."
The committee is expected to complete its work by the end of October, and its recommendations will likely be presented to the board in November, Nichols said.
Alicia Wittmeyer, (757) 222-5216, alicia.wittmeyer@pilotonline.com
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Again,
Ira, you don't know of what you write. I've been independent in mind, since childhood. My parents reared me to be so. I've never even followed a so-called fashion, even as a student. You just can't deal with anyone disagreeing with you. You really do need to get a life. I don't think persons disagreeing with me on any subject are being used. I think their opinions are based on what they sense as valid to them. That's every one's right. Stop trying to trump someone in disagreement with you, by using juvenile insults & statements based on nothing other than your twisted logic.
My sides hurt now
Hey twomiler, tell us the one about tort reform not being needed again. C'mon, I love that one.
Obama is going to vote for anything that helps him politcally and will dodge any thing that may be a detriment to his career. He listened carefully to what people wanted to hear and repeated it. Listen to his replies in the future.
This my friend is the same old song and dance. Your being used.
My reference
to Obama, was in response to another post mentioning Obama. When you experience, first hand, kicking in doors with the authorization of no-knock warrants, as I have, on many occasions, then perhaps your belittlement of my opinion on the Frederick issue, would carry a little weight. Mary, Obama knew these companies were acting under the directions of the USA government. That's why he voted that way.
am
Why do you think it is difficult for these types of events to proceed? Same reason your doctor has trouble operating: Lawsuits.
While you chide us w/ your imagined free health insurance via the goverment, perhaps you should spend some time educating yourself as to why it is so expensive.
Check out
protectpatientsnow.org
as a start. I am not here to educate you on all of your issues but I am willing to lend a hand here in there in hoping I can help you become a better citizen. Quit posting and do some research.
Cancel ALL sports
They better cancel all sports. I know that in high school I got more banged up from playing sports than I ever did on a band trip. (Which included a trip to Disney).
Good job, way to punish the kids who work hard.
It's always the lawyers
Lawyers are the ones that stop us from having a normal and enjoyable life. My youth baseball league is almost out of business paying insurance in case some dollar thirsty lawyer comes after us. This is the same for the school liability, there is never a shortage of lawyers to mess it up for the rest of us.
speaking of staying on subject
It sounds to me like you are trying to start an arguement on what you THINK twomiler was saying. Nah! You wouldn't do that would you?
Do your homework!
I am amazed at how ignorant some of the claims are that have been posted. Learn how your government works! The school board is an elected body of citizens who serve for what amounts to be a monetary stipend. The board operates autonomously from the government. School employees, from the superintendent, principals, and teachers etc. are employees of the school board, not the City of Chesapeake. The reason for having a school board is to maintain autonomy so that government does not interfere. The only "hold" that the state and federal governments have on education is through minimal funding which is dwindling every year. The more funding dwindles, the less influence government will have. City council has always cooperated with funding and has not used funding as a pawn to influence education-related decisions. Sorry Great Bridge band. There is good reason for the decision whether you
Ira
He was commenting on somebody's earlier assertion that "things will get worse with Obama" -- so he is staying on point. I could level the same charge -- what does this instance have to do with tort reform? How would "tort reform" solve this? That argument makes about as much sense as "public schools are bad for America" and this is a result of "socialism". At times, I wonder if some of the people here actually know the true meanings of the words they use. How on earth does socialism come into play here? Much less the presidential race? And as a
reason for homeschooling? What type of lesson are you teaching? Take your ball and go home? But back to tort reform. I am eager to hear what torts you intend to reform, and how. How would reform solve this problem? Do you attack negligence? Where do you draw the line? Usually "tort reform" is an argument made for medical malpractice claims (which actually is not a
No more band!
Make a stand! Quit the Band! Deny my child a chilhood due to political, touchy feely, left wing, lawyer induced lawsuits etc etc.
The longer the public who suffers and pays the price for what this nation is becoming stands around and allows it to happen the worse it will get.
Do not like my opinion? Then do as those who are destroying this country would do and call Lowell "The Hammer" Stanley!