The Virginian-Pilot
©
CHESAPEAKE
The Great Bridge High School marching band can travel to Florida to perform in the Orlando Citrus Parade and in Disney World's parade down Main Street, but students won't be allowed on the rides, school officials say.
The Great Bridge band has played in both parades over winter break every four years, for the past 16 years. Their performance in the Citrus Parade is broadcast on national television.
But parents say when they applied earlier this year for a field-trip permit for the students, it was denied. Band members and their parents said they were told again last week that the trip was off.
The rejection had been based on a school division rule put in place in 2006 that bans trips to amusement parks and water parks, school spokesman Tom Cupitt said.
The rule was in response to incidents that happened elsewhere in which students were injured on park rides, he said.
Cupitt said school division officials have now decided to allow the band members to travel and perform, provided they don't go on any of the park's rides.
"They can do it, as long as once they're done with the performance, they get back on the bus and go to the hotel," Cupitt said.
He said the school division is concerned that there may not be enough supervision for the 159 students signed up for the trip. Between 35 and 40 people have volunteered to go as chaperones, trip organizers said.
Band parent Robin Berens said Wednesday that no one involved with the band had been informed of the latest change.
Whether just being allowed to make the trip is enough for students and their parents remains to be seen. Some plan to take their concerns to the School Board at its Aug. 25 meeting.
For seniors in the band, four years of work, including daily after-school practices in the fall and daylong sessions of band camp during the summer, build up to the Disney World trip, said senior Geoff Smith, who plays the trumpet.
Students, and even some parents, have worked part-time jobs to help pay for the trip, he said.
"It was my light at the end of the tunnel, my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow," he said. "You're going to take a bunch of high school students during Christmas and New Year's Eve to Disney World, and tell them they can't go on any rides?"
"It would still be fun," he said. "But it wouldn't be the same."
Alicia Wittmeyer, (757) 222-5216, alicia.wittmeyer@pilotonline.com
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Why Not?
I don't understand why it's OK to let the wrestling team go to Las Vegas and "really have a good time" and the marching band can't ride a roller coaster? Go investigate that trip and you will be surprised at what all went on!
I do think it's time for all officials on the school board to either step down or stop sitting on opportunities that open the door to our community.
The band was invited last year to Beijing, China as part of the Olympics opening ceremony, but the school board said NO! What IDIOTS! The band was one of only 6 bands from the United States to be invited! Imagine the publicity they could have brought to our little town!
I'm DONE!
Marching Wildcats
As the parent of a recently graduated Great Bridge Marching Wildcat, I am saddened by the recent decision of the Chesapeake School Adminstration to allow the students to march in two parades in Orlando, but to prevent them from enjoying the rides while there. The repeated invitation for Great Bridge to participate in these parades is an honor and highlights the consistency and quality of the band program at the school. Marching band members practice with a dedication that rivals that of any sports team, but in addition, they and their parents work tirelessly to raise funds to support the program and its ancillary activities such as the purchase of musical instruments, guest performers and trips. Thus, the funding for the trip to the parade is completely financed by the students and parents. I can understand the administration's desire to provide a safe environment for all students, bu
Give it up!
I spoke to a school board member who quoted the school board's attorney as saying "releases are not worth the paper they're printed on!" This trip is a huge, unnecessary liability issue. Reagardless of how many people show up to the next board meeting and complain, the bottom line is that the board will go into a closed session to be briefed on all possible legal ramifications. Afterward, the decision to deny the trip will be upheld. They are not going to budge, not because they do not care about the kids or parents, but because they can not assume the liability. Save your breath and don't waste your time. It is a done deal! A multi-million dollar lawsuit would cripple the already underfunded school budget. The board's decision, although unpopular, is prudent.
Wow
I graduated from Great Bridge High in 2004, and I was in the Marching Wildcats the whole time I was there. Mr. Carroll is an awesome director and because of his experience, I am sure that allowing the band to continue the tradition that we have upheld for so long would not cause any problems for Chesapeake Public Schools. I don't understand how you can compare a trip to Disney to other amusement parks. Let's look at how many people come to Disney each year and how many are actually hurt? It is not fair to assume that there aren't enough adults to watch these kids. They are in High School now it's not like they are too young to handle themselves. There are plenty of wonderful band parents, just like there have always been, to watch over the already hard working, mature bad students at an amusement park. This is Disney, not some carnival ride. I'd be more afraid to go to the Chesapeake Jubilee and I bet half
What a concept!
Our church's academy took the seniors on a missions trip to France this summer. A few kids, regrettably, did not meet the academic and disciplinary standards they were given, up front, to meet and did not get to go. I love private schools--they don't have to rewrite the rules or make an exception every time someone falls short of the standards. Cheers, MGM, who knows a senior class can go abroad for a week and a half without incident!
GB Band
Here is the list of Chesapeake School Board Members. They are responsible for the rule-making for the Chesapeake Public School System. This decision and other decisions go beyond common sense. We have to start holding our public officials accountable through the election process. For me, I am voting against each and every one 2010/2012.
Dr. Sheila G. Hill-Russ - email: hillshg@cps.k12.va.us
Mr. Harry A. Murphy - email: murphhaa@cps.k12.va.us
Mr. C. Jeff Bunn - email: bunnchj@cps.k12.va.us
Mrs. Barbara Head - email: headbab@cps.k12.va.us
Mrs. Brenda J. Johnson - email: johnsbrj@cps.k12.va.us
Mr. Jay Leftwich - email: leftwja@cps.k12.va.us
Mr. Thomas L. Mercer - email: mercethm@cps.k12.va.us
Mrs. Christina F. Pullen - no email, 549-0268 (H)
Mr. Michael J. Woods - email: woodsmij@cps.k12.va.us
How about wrestling?
If we are worried about kids getting hurt...we MUST put an end to high school wrestling. Oh, but wait, if we terminate wrestling, Great Bridge High School would surely close! Come on school board...do you have the guts to also shut down wrestling, football, and basketball?
What a JOKE
When I read this article I just had to laugh. Another boneheaded move by the Chesapeake Public School System. I have friends in the Chesapeake School System and I always hear how incompetent the leadership there is. Just look at the Administrative positions (Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent, etc..). Everyone was born and bread in the city. Talking about the same old ideas over and over again. I can see however, being an administrator myself in a different school system, why the School Board is canceling these types of trips. My MOTTO is "Children First"; Think about the kids and the hard work they put into a parade like this. They deserve the joy of going on a ride at Disney world. I honestly don't have the words to describe further feelings about this because this case is so asinine.
The real problem
The real problem here is that a school regulation has been established and needs to be followed. For whatever reason, the administration made a determination of what they thought was best. I've been in school administration before, and many decisions are difficult to deal with, and when parents who don't always understand every detail they create problems. It is part of the learning environment to follow policies and procedures, as these students will always have policies in the work world they must abide by that they don't always understand. The parents should support the policies of the administration and teach their children to do the same. If they don't agree to policy then don't go on the trip, arrange your own trip, or find another school to send the children to. We have too many winey children and parents today that think the world revolves around them and their wants/rights. That
Lets put them all in a bubble at birth.
Granted I graduated from H.S. in 1965. I've played sports, played in the band and been on amusements and am still alive today without any lawsuits against anyone. I also work where we train police recruits. It amazes' me how many adult men that want to be police officers never played an organized sport, never been in the military, never been in a fight, never climbed a wall, fence or tree, etc.etc. Just what the heck are you parents/leaders of kids today trying to do by overly protecting them to where they can't even go on amusements at Disney world. Just what have these kids really learned the first 18 years of their life? This is sad, very sad.