Crap in a bag.
*sigh*
Saturday mornings is Daddy and daughter go to ballet time. Its nice morning, she goes to a nice school, and really really enjoys it.
So after class, we get a sealed letter. NO letter sent home from the school has ever been sealed before, so I already know its not good news.
Her school is closing down permenantly. The spring recital I was looking folward to is canceled. Last day of class is, of course, sarah's birthday. Oh the remainder of classes are moved from 10am to 4pm on Saturday......
*sigh* She's not going to be happy. But while I do have the option of dropping out and getting a refund, I'm going to let her take all the classes left. Sarah really likes ballet.
Guess I'll have to find another school for her if she wants to continue....
Saturday mornings is Daddy and daughter go to ballet time. Its nice morning, she goes to a nice school, and really really enjoys it.
So after class, we get a sealed letter. NO letter sent home from the school has ever been sealed before, so I already know its not good news.
Her school is closing down permenantly. The spring recital I was looking folward to is canceled. Last day of class is, of course, sarah's birthday. Oh the remainder of classes are moved from 10am to 4pm on Saturday......
*sigh* She's not going to be happy. But while I do have the option of dropping out and getting a refund, I'm going to let her take all the classes left. Sarah really likes ballet.
Guess I'll have to find another school for her if she wants to continue....
posted by at 11:57 AM
22 Comments:
Wow, that does suck....
However, I do think that they handled it well by offering the full refund.
Kudos to them. Obviously there are some major issues they have run into in not being able to continue. That is terrible..
I hope that you can find another ballet studio that can meet Sarah's needs for FUN while learning ballet.
Yeah thats the biggest concern: meet needs/have fun.
Kim works with several people that have taken ballet for many many years and the stories they tell did make me a bit hesitant about letting her. I dont think sarah will be a ballet star some day(unless thats what she wants), but I want her to have fun and do some different things as a kid.
So this school was nice. But the letter ended with her hoping to get non-profit status so she could reopen at schools and such, cutting her costs down....
We'll see.
Thanks.
Sounds like you are making a good decision, letting her enjoy the rest of her classes. If I were you, I'd start asking around now. It is hard to find a good place that encourages FUN, as well as learning the steps! Good luck!
Arg. Not what you need.
Oh man, that's awful. I'm so sorry to hear it.
As one of those who spent a lot of years (9 to be exact) taking ballet, tap and jazz lessons....
Keep at it until she adamantly doesn't want to continue. I can't begin to tell you the benefits I received with dance----self discipline, regular exercise, a creative outlet (plus the costumes for all the recitals!!).
Being tall and an early bloomer, I was fortunate to be able to pass through that really gawky awkward stage with grace, and I really think it was due to years of dance training. :-)
Thanks gals.
Yeah, its just a of finding a NICE one. I'm sure Attila, you could tell horror stories of some instructors or schools....
Hey Carm...
Just wanted to say that with karate we are now at our third club. With any sport and any club you find some you like and some you don't. You will find some things you agree with and some you don't.
We know that all that matters is the well being of our children. Therefore we get out of it what is good for them and so long as it is and they are having fun we stay. As soon as there is a problem or they are no longer getting what they need we leave.
Bottom line...these places forget they are providing a service for a fee. They forget all the wonderful things they say your child will receive if you go with them. Make them deliver on their claims or as far as I am concerned they void their own contracts.
The first club we went to for 4 years it was awesome in the beginning I would highly recommend them to people. Then as the money came in and the business grew the quality went down. We had serious issues with alot of things. Although that sensei always said he would never let anyone out of a contract, we had no trouble getting out of a contract that still had 14 months on it. This was because he knew that we knew he was not making good on many many aspects of his brochure offers. He would never have won in a court setting. Could have even ended up with damages for hindering a child's self esteem.
The other place we were at for 2 years the teaching was absolutely excellent I had no problem with it. The problem was my child was not happy there. Sure he was improving and learning as a martial artist but he was not happy. I pay for my child to be happy while he learns and to enjoy learning. So we left.
Now he is at place number 3..he loves it .as you can read in my latest posting he lives there.!!!We shall continue there and I will continue to pay my fees for him as long as he is happy.
My long winded point?? .....When you find another place just keep that in mind. NO place is forever. Your child's happiness and the company's success at delivering on what they say they will do... should be your guide to a good school....
Always remember you are PAYING them...a lot of these places act like they own you.
Thanks quinn, I appreciate it.
But this place it hasnt even been a year, which is why its sad.
I would NEVER allow my child in any place that has a contract, kartae, ballet, whatever. I find it pretty repugnant to use them for child events. Its a big turn off.
I dont mind them for certain events, say like for her recital- its a commitment for a dress and time to practice. But for the overall activity, heck no.
While young....sarah's starting to express interest in soccer and t-ball....so we;ll see.
It seems all of the places around here only use contracts...there is no way around them...except to then read them over and have them write in all your stipulations before signing.
We did sign a one year contract for my son with this school..but we refused the automatic debit of payments ( never ever allow those)...and we did not give post dated cheques....we pay monthly cash.
That way if push ever came to shove in a court of law you have the upper hand as by not doing those other things and by them agreeing they basically have voided their own contract.
Soccer is huge where I am. Both for the boys and the girls. Kids love it..what kid doesn't love to run and chase and kick a ball?????
Only problem here with soccer was shortage of field times due to high volume of kids in it and also the schedule practices are always wicked times like dinner time sunday nights etc etc. and also it is only seasonal.
Which is why we love karate as it is year round none stop.
My son does other sports through the school programs..ie) basketball, soccer, skating,skiing..so he does get a chance at other things.
Some places use contracts. Some dont(at least in karate). My wife has gone to places that dont. And they've worked out well.
Its why I like places that dont. You can vote with your pocket book real quick if they dont meet your expectations.
Thats why I liked this place. We tried her out in a town recreation program. We joined her place the next session after the town one ended.
We like to let her explore now and see what she likes...I dont expect a gymnastic star or a ballet one...
Carm-
As for the button. I am pretty sure I just right clicked it off of someone else's blog. I tried to retrace my steps and find the person who had the three buttons on one of their posts. Try right clicking the one on my blog and saving it to your computer, then you can add it to a post. If that doesn't work, let me know and I will try to find that other one again. I am bad about trying new blogs out of the comments and then forgetting where I go. Hope that works.
Wow, sorry to hear about that. My youngest had to change schools because it was closing down. Low enrollment.
Man, that is a bummer. Sweet that you care so much though.
And now onto what I was mostly thinking.....
BWAAAAAAHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAHAAAAHAAAAA!
YOU said "crap in a bag!" HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
Hee hee! Well used! It's catching on like wild fire!
Poor little sweetie!
I know some kids that were home schooled. They very good at ballet. For a while they took classes at the studio, but when the pressure to stay rail thin got really bad they started taking lessons on-line. It's something you might want to check out as an alternative.
Just a thought....
:}
Aw man.
I hate that...you find something they like at a place everyone likes and it goes under.
Hope you find what you're looking for.
Queen:
THanks, I'll give it a go.
Trish: thats just it, low enrollment. Not much I can do about it, other than find another school or hope she reopens later on.
Blessed:
What did you expect? "crap in the bag" seemed like the most approriate response to teh matter...
HK: pressure to stay thin? I'd pull sarah in a heartbeat if that were the case.
Nikki: thanks.....
*gasp!* He responded! Thanks!
My word verification is "somhow." Closest I've ever seen to a real word!
I usually respond. Lately I havent....apologies.
THats cute verification....
Haha Carm, you'd be wrong! I stayed with the same acadamy for the entire 9 years and loved it to death!
Your lucky Attila. At least two of the mrs coworkers can tell horror stories....
Gald you enjoyed it....And what do you mean you PASSED that gawky awkward stage, looks like your still in it....
Don't make me come down there and whup your heinie! I have bunny slippers and I know how to use them!
Oh yeah? Dont make me send MORE snow your way.....Considering your hogging it now....whats another couple feet for you....
*grin*
Besides, Its not your bunny slippers I'd be afraid of.....
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