North Coast School Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 (edited) DD plays clarinet and wants to stay connected to her public school buddies by playing in the public school band. Anyone try to work with their district on this? Experiences good, bad or indifferent? Edited February 19, 2018 by ekmom72 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyP Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Just like pp, homeschoolers in MN have access to sports and music in their district. We don't participate in anything with the public school, but I know several homeschoolers who do. Our community is tiny (pop. 750) and they have a hard time finding enough kids to keep these programs running. Homeschoolers are welcomed with open arms here. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bambam Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Depends upon the state. In TX, I've not heard of it. We have several private homeschool bands - some quite large. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Depends upon the state. In TX, I've not heard of it. We have several private homeschool bands - some quite large. In TX band competitions are UIL and there does not seem to be any way for homeschoolers to participate in UIL activities. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 In Ohio, homeschooled students can participate in extracurricular activities. So, my dd was able to join middle school jazz band (after school activity) but not the concert band class that was held during school. I know high school homeschool students who have joined the marching band, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misty.warden Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 WA is required to allow all homeschoolers access to ancillary services in the district they reside in. If they option into another district they only get to participate if there's room after in-district kids are served. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insertcreativenamehere Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 This is pretty common in MN. My kids aren't musically-inclined but we know homeschoolers who participate in public school band. My son plays basketball at the local middle school and takes one class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet2ndchance Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 My ds's SLP homeschools her daughter and she participates in band through the public schools. We also have equal access to sports and activities through the public schools here. Even if your state does not have those kind of concessions for homeschoolers, I would talk to her band director about it. If your school or district has never had anyone ask about it before, it might help to have the band director on your side before you approach the principal or school district about it. A band director is usually pretty willing to help out a good student to keep them in band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skimomma Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 This varies widely by state and district. Our state requires access to "specials" for homeschoolers. Band would be considered a "special." My local district is extremely hostile to homeschoolers. They know they have to allow "access" to band (and other similar classes) but they make it so incredibly difficult for families that try it that none have made it more than a few months. Your best bet would be to find someone who has experience in your own district before your dc get their hopes up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratford Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 We've had good luck with our school district regarding participation in sports and band; currently, DS participates in the middle school band. Initially, when we asked our district's homeschool liaison, she told us band wasn't possible, since it was a graded class and not a true extracurricular activity. However, when we contacted the band director, he gave permission with the caveat that DS wouldn't get a grade for the class. Not a big deal. It's been a great experience for him, and he plans to continue band through high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Targhee Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 District was good with DS playing in the band, and dd taking art, the first year. The second year they were more reluctant (funds - lots of HSers taking classes but no money from state for them) but still allowed it. Going to try again this year. They do not have to by law in this state, but in WA they did. Ds loves the band, the teachers are great and the administration is nice. I understand the funds issue too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasons Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 My ds plays clarinet in our public middle school band. We live in Minnesota. I called the school the last week of the summer, they enrolled him over the phone, and I dropped him off the following week for rehearsal. Everything has gone smoothly and his teacher and the administration have been helpful. I wasn't fully prepared for the chunk of time taken out of our school day but with some minor adjustments we are back on track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Targhee Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 My ds plays clarinet in our public middle school band. We live in Minnesota. I called the school the last week of the summer, they enrolled him over the phone, and I dropped him off the following week for rehearsal. Everything has gone smoothly and his teacher and the administration have been helpful. I wasn't fully prepared for the chunk of time taken out of our school day but with some minor adjustments we are back on track. Yes, this is especially true if it's mid-morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insertcreativenamehere Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 I wasn't fully prepared for the chunk of time taken out of our school day but with some minor adjustments we are back on track. We only do classes during periods 6 and 7 and afterschool sports. By that time, most of our homeschool work has been completed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Targhee Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 We only do classes during periods 6 and 7 and afterschool sports. By that time, most of our homeschool work has been completed.say, with band there's usually only 1 period it is offered and you don't have control over it. This year ds was in the highest band group which meets at 9:30-10:20 🙄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanDiegoMom Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 We've had good luck with our school district regarding participation in sports and band; currently, DS participates in the middle school band. Initially, when we asked our district's homeschool liaison, she told us band wasn't possible, since it was a graded class and not a true extracurricular activity. However, when we contacted the band director, he gave permission with the caveat that DS wouldn't get a grade for the class. Not a big deal. It's been a great experience for him, and he plans to continue band through high school. Which is funny, since here homeschoolers are only allowed to participate if it's attached to a class WITH a grade. So kids can do band class, drama class, but they can't do sports or robotics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 (edited) I know people who do it but it is multiple days a week and one day is a different time due to late start that day. It controls their schedule. Not all states give access. Edited February 23, 2018 by tess in the burbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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