CHESAPEAKE
Superintendent W. Randolph Nichols is expected to make a decision in the next few weeks on whether members of the Great Bridge High School marching band will be allowed to travel to Disney World to perform and go on park rides over their winter break.
If parents decide to appeal Nichols’ decision, then the School Board will have final say.
The band has made the trip to play 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, school administrators denied a field trip permit application, citing concerns about safety and proper supervision.
Parents and students went before the board Monday night to ask for permission to go on the trip.
The board discussed the issue briefly in closed session, but Nichols has first say over field-trip permit applications, said board Chairwoman Sheila Hill-Russ.
Trip organizers submitted a new itinerary for Nichols to review Monday afternoon that includes more educational activities.
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Not a Bad Idea.....
For us up here near Hershey Park, and my family south near Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion...this is a pretty good idea for us roller coaster nuts. Keep the kids home since it's dangerous, and we won't have to stand in line so long.
Another reason why the gene pool is becoming diluted with wimpy fat kids...survival of the fittest no longer applies.
Malvo Shootings
Don't forget the chill that the D.C. sniper shootings had upon school field trips everywhere for years, the 9/11 attacks and increasing concern over school security in general in the environment of a litigious society. In a climate of politics trumping purpose, of course the Super will table the problem until the contoversy dies down a bit. It's a cowardly but wholly predictable response. The tyranny of zero tolerance policies finally hits home to average parents who may not be aware that "foolish consistency is the hobgblin of small minds". Did ANYONE read the welcome letter from the Chesapeake School System just mailed out? It was all about "assaults...security...a safe learning environment", admirable, but scary at the same time. The schools seem scared to death of the responsisbility of custody of our children for a few short hours. I don't have any easy solutions but backing off from common sense is counter-intuitive; the pendulum needs to swing the other way.
Amazingly....
....millions of kids go to amusement parks every day without getting hurt. If by chance a band kid did get hurt, why would he have a claim against the city, especially if they sign some sort of waiver? If the park was negligent, they'd sue the park. As others have said, it's far more dangerous to drive than it is to ride a park ride, statistically speaking.
A long time ago....
I went on a band trip to Canada for a band competition. We had the typical High School Drama that is expected with the hormone era of children. The highest jinks were an unintentional dumping of ice out the window onto the head of a constable below. Our doors were taped shut and we were threatened with death if we broke curfew. We did well on that trip and it was a high point of my high school adventure.
This is a high point for these hormonal-charged teenagers high school adventure. They are paying for the trip (as we did) and we signed waivers (as they should). When we "played" outside of our "assignment" we wore our street clothes. They should also be in street clothes to play at Disney World.
Superintendant...let the children play.
Like I said
The Sup. is NOT going to let anything happend that will put a smear on the School Board in Chesapeake that he heads up while he is at the near retirement age. He's ole school. I believe in safety, but the bus could roll off a bridge on the way. Is there any difference? NO!
He's not going to go for it.
I feel the kids should go and get on the rides and parents sign waivers/hold harmless agreements. These are not middle school children!
I say - LET THE KIDS HAVE FUN!!!!!
Hope that he
Has enough sense to give them permission! If not I hope that some of the parents go and take the kids! Some of those kids may never get the chance to go. If he does'nt give them permission the I also hope that the band may say fine, we won't go at all!
I hope that learn the theme music to the "Empire Strikes Back", play it at football games and dedicate it to the school board! HA
The suspense..
of them being told they can't ride anything is killing me. What do you think the answer will be if they have to go into a close session to discuss? Local leadership at it's best......Vote them all out next time around.
Chespeake School Band
I understand that the children's parents are footing the bill to Florida and if Nichols says no rides, then let him pay to have the band go to Florida.
Music is Education
This is a litmus test to see if Nichols views music and music activities as educational or not. Can Nichols see beyond the SOL's?
Disney Trip
The superind. of the Ches. Pub. Schools is "old school" and will most likely deny the students' plea to ride any rides. Do you think at this close to retirement age he will risk having anything "happen" while on his watch? Of course not! Kids can't even go on a school trip to a theme park and do what kids do - ride rides.