The band director should decide on which trips to attend by polling parents at the beginning of the school year, before committing to the trips. That way, if some parents cannot pay for the trip, the band director will know whether he has the proper complement of band members to compete successfully in the band competitions. If not, the band should decline to attend the competition.

I have a couple of questions. Does the band leader/instructors pay for themselves or do the stundents pay for them? What if you have multiple children in the wind ensemble does it double($4000)? Board Member Katie Stylianou why must the wind ensemble attend two competitions in one year? Your answer is they can fundraise but that easier said than done especially in these economic times. Every team/club tries to fundrasie for thier particular interest and the parents end up contributing more than they should. We already pay for parking at the school ($150 for students to park "pay to play") if you do not play a sport or join a club. What does parking a vehicle have to do with playing on a team sport or joining a club?

While Kinnelon in and of itself is a relatively "wealthy" town, asking families to pay up to $2000 for a couple of band trip seems a little exhorbitant. While I fully support the Arts and have a child in this particular ensemble, it is asking alot of families that might have other financial responsibilities, like children in college, or children going to college in the near future. I believe that the school/Band, should try to agree on a venue for a trip where families do not have to make choices based upon the financial burden it might incur, but based upon keeping the unit intact so as to present themselves the best they possibly can.

I don't get it. My child was in the KHS choir. The kids would be polled on where to go on a trip and would present it to their parents. The parents wouldn't pay and the kids didn't go. They participated in a local festival and their field trip was NYC, the end. The choir students were encouraged to participate individually in county, regional, all state, etc. choruses and the parents picked up ALLl costs-including transportation to auditions/rehearsals, audition fees, food and rooming costs. I agree with Mr. Dama, if there aren't enough students, how will they compete? Aren't there enough instrumental competitions closer to home? If the kids want to go on a trip together, they can do that on their own time or go with Mr. Jackson when he has his trip over winter break.

I am absolutely sick and tired of the Kinnelon School District and how they treat the Arts and Academics. The teachers and administrators should be embarrassed. This District is embarrassed by the ARTS. If it is not a sport the District does NOTHING to recognize individual achievements in the ARTS or Academics, yet Joe Lacrosse, or Luke Swimmer etc, always gets a press release from our athletic director. Never do we see press releases by our Principals or Teachers regarding the ARTS or ACADEMICS. The BOE clearly supports this process. Take a look at the budget. $1,000,000 spent on after school athletics and less than $50,000 on the ARTS. Disgraceful! The BOE should drop all arts and any honors classes along with AP since they don't give a hoot about anything but athletics. Then use the savings for a turf field and another track.

I agree with Static. At the end of the day, how many of our students end up playing sports at the university level. It's a Shame more emphasis isn't put on the arts.

In the U.S., the Arts have always been shoved to the bottom of the totem poll. Emphasis is on physical competition and winning. There is limited understanding that the Arts offer many of the same growth opportunities for students such as cognitive, reading & math skills, self-discipline, economic and job opportunities, community interaction, social development, as sports. The Arts are a vehicle for contemplating the future, as well as the past: "if you don't learn from history, you are more likely doomed to repeat it".

Hello from a senior in the Wind Ensemble!
Let's clarify a few things. For starters- there is only one trip! We are not taking two trips and there never was a plan to take two trips. So before we start attacking the instructors (who I can tell you are incredibly talented and do not deserve this slander) let's understand. The real question at hand was whether or not the Disney trip was too expensive. Once this was overruled, the TRIP WAS CANCELED. As disappointed as we (the ensemble) are, we understand the safety and financial concerns that come with a flight to Florida.

This being said, the trip was then changed to Virginia. Again- we are NOT taking two trips. This was never an option.

Now whether or not people believe we should spend the $500 on a trip to Virginia, that is something that we can actually argue about. A "big trip" as we call it in the high school comes every other year. So while yes, this is a lot of money, keep in mind that the instructors do not ask for it every year. Also remember that this is a field trip, which qualifies the experience as optional. If you do not want to go, fine. If you cannot afford it, there are other options. For one, we do 2-3 fundraisers a year, which can significantly reduce costs. On the other hand, it is made very clear that any student that struggles financially can seek help. Kinnelon is very accommodating to all walks of life.

So before everyone starts bashing the teachers and the program, get your damn facts straight.

Listen up Senior, you and others at KHS participating in the arts have been getting screwed by KHS for years. I believe the BOE should pay for everyone to go on the trip to represent KHS. Problem in this district if it is not a sport it does not get paid for by the school. This is not about teachers it is about the BOE and the leadership at KHS not being fair to the arts. How many press releases has KHS issued to recognize the accomplishments of individual students in Athletics compared to individual students in Academics or Arts. Likely 10,000 to One. Just look at the Budget. All the seniors in the ARTS and Honors and AP classes should go to the next BOE meeting and ask them why the are ARTS and Academic achievements not recognized by the administration and the BOE. Oh and when the BOE tells you about school spotlight, keep in mind they do the same for Athletics so do not fall for that baloney. Actions speak louder than words. So far based on the districts actions they are embarrassed by Academic and Art achievements.

It is amazing to me that no one on this forum or especially on our Board of Education asks us how we fel about these trips - just assume you have all the answers. I don't know why Mr. S or Mr. L (our directors) even push for these trips - it is a ton of work for them and they don't even get any respect from teh Board - hope they know we appreciate their effort! You guys are the best!!!!