On the road to San Antonio

Carol Widener, Alamogordo High School choir director, leads her students in the early morning rendition of the national anthem at the Bataan Death March Memorial opening held March 21, at White Sands Missile Range.

[What]

Cant believe this is happening. State testing starts this week. Hopefully she has no seniors going. If she does then the school district is saying that a fiels trip is more important then a students education. How sad. Seniors have testing Wednesday thru Friday.

[slowpokey]

Please come out and support these young people.

[Nomad2]

I know how supporting students and their activities goes, but to take them out of school for a performance like this when they have mandatory exams coming up is a little over the top. Could they not schedule the appearance for another week? Administration folks are going to have a fit, you wait and see.

[Sassy]

I'm sure they will be allowed to make this up, much like the football players are allowed to when they miss assignments and tests when they have to travel out of town. But Juniors will be testing Monday through Wednesday so the school will be open. Why don't you call and whine about it. This is a huge honor for these kids to be invited to do this. Be nice if What and Nomad could show a little community support instead of voicing their negativity. While thousands of dollars support the football and basketball teams little is alloted for the choir program. Meanwhile these kids excel anyway and are offered this great opportunity. Way to go AHS choir!!!!!

[Choir Mom]

This could be a chance of a lifetime for these kids....singing at an NBA game. How often does an opportunity like this come along?

They are leaving Thursday and are only missing two days of school, and will be allowed to make up their testing upon their return.

Plus the way the budgeting of the school funds is happening all over the country and especially New Mexico, I am hoping that programs like Choir and Band will continue on.

This group did a lot of fundraising for this trip. Go out to Walmart today and buy some chocolate from a choir member. You would be contributing to creating a wonderful memory.

[Duece of Spades]

Cool. It will be an experience they will never forget.

[pureasmud]

At one time in the past, when a school group went out of town, or especially out of state, they had to justify it educationally. When a group travels out of state and competes in a sanctioned, adjudicated competition, and has the chance to hear other groups and be in a clinic with outstanding teachers, it can be justified, even if classes are missed. This will be to sing a one minute rendition of the national anthem, hardly a top piece of choral literature, and to watch an NBA game. In doing so, students will miss standardized tests that are NOT like missing your geometry quiz. This had to be approved by the superintendent and the board to go out of state. They see worth in it, obviously. I would like this group go compete against some decent choirs and sing some good literature. This is an easy trip. Travel 600 miles and not have to be accountable.

[whatever]

pureasmud wrote:

At one time in the past, when a school group went out of town, or especially out of state, they had to justify it educationally. When a group travels out of state and competes in a sanctioned, adjudicated competition, and has the chance to hear other groups and be in a clinic with outstanding teachers, it can be justified, even if classes are missed. This will be to sing a one minute rendition of the national anthem, hardly a top piece of choral literature, and to watch an NBA game. In doing so, students will miss standardized tests that are NOT like missing your geometry quiz. This had to be approved by the superintendent and the board to go out of state. They see worth in it, obviously. I would like this group go compete against some decent choirs and sing some good literature. This is an easy trip. Travel 600 miles and not have to be accountable.

God forbid kids have any fun. Ok Scrooge. Bah Humbug. We get it. You don't approve.
It's not like they are using your money to pay for it. Get over it.

[whatever]

pureasmud wrote:

At one time in the past, when a school group went out of town, or especially out of state, they had to justify it educationally. When a group travels out of state and competes in a sanctioned, adjudicated competition, and has the chance to hear other groups and be in a clinic with outstanding teachers, it can be justified, even if classes are missed. This will be to sing a one minute rendition of the national anthem, hardly a top piece of choral literature, and to watch an NBA game. In doing so, students will miss standardized tests that are NOT like missing your geometry quiz. This had to be approved by the superintendent and the board to go out of state. They see worth in it, obviously. I would like this group go compete against some decent choirs and sing some good literature. This is an easy trip. Travel 600 miles and not have to be accountable.

Oh, and if your kid is in choir, then don't let them go if you are so against it. If you do not have a kid in choir, shut up. Doesn't affect YOU at all.

[HS Staff]

Let's get this right. Testing is Tuesday thru Thursday for Juniors only. No other students will be at school those days. These students will be able to make up their tests just as if they had missed for any other reason. There will be no school for students on Friday as it is a makeup snow day and only staff has to work. There is no school the following Monday either. Hope to see ALL our students at school tomorrow!!

[FYI]

Tomorrow is official Senior Ditch Day.

[peter]

pureasmud wrote:

At one time in the past, when a school group went out of town, or especially out of state, they had to justify it educationally. When a group travels out of state and competes in a sanctioned, adjudicated competition, and has the chance to hear other groups and be in a clinic with outstanding teachers, it can be justified, even if classes are missed. This will be to sing a one minute rendition of the national anthem, hardly a top piece of choral literature, and to watch an NBA game. In doing so, students will miss standardized tests that are NOT like missing your geometry quiz. This had to be approved by the superintendent and the board to go out of state. They see worth in it, obviously. I would like this group go compete against some decent choirs and sing some good literature. This is an easy trip. Travel 600 miles and not have to be accountable.

I read posts on here more often than I comment but some times can't resist to comment. someone should start a "topix idiot of the day", I bet I know who would win this one, not only ae you dissing these kids, what are you saying about our National Anthem? I know I'll be looking for them on tv all the way here in florida! good luck kids! enjoy the game...go Magic!

[Parent]

FYI wrote:

Tomorrow is official Senior Ditch Day.

There is no such thing as "official" senior ditch day but since you didn't capitalize it I know what you mean. I guess this is a better day than later in the year when seniors really need to be there. Hope nothing bad happens.

[House of Critters]

Experience is educational. Standardized tests are not. Hope they have a great time, the tests will be waiting for them when they return.

[amazing]

What wrote:

Cant believe this is happening. State testing starts this week. Hopefully she has no seniors going. If she does then the school district is saying that a fiels trip is more important then a students education. How sad. Seniors have testing Wednesday thru Friday.

It never ceases to amaze me how many loonies come out of the wood work when they think they know better. At the high school (and this is a high school trip, no middle school students), ALL students will have class on Monday. ONLY THE JUNIORS WILL REPORT TO THE HIGH SCHOOL TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND THURSDAY FOR TESTING. Friday is a snow day and NO STUDENTS will have school on Friday. So, no, administration won't be having a cow, and trust me, administration knew this was going on LONG before the ADN ever even dreamed of reporting it.

[amazing]

And there are makeups available for any juniors who might miss the test due to the trip.

[pureasmud]

And this is educational--how? Remind me how this educational. I stated earlier that in order to travel out of state, a teacher/coach/director had to be able to attach it to educational viability. Music contests qualify. Out of school trips for "fun" may be fun, for sure, but how is it that this qualifies as educational?

[student]

What wrote:

Cant believe this is happening. State testing starts this week. Hopefully she has no seniors going. If she does then the school district is saying that a fiels trip is more important then a students education. How sad. Seniors have testing Wednesday thru Friday.

Its the juniors testing this week not seniors..

[HOC]

And how is filling in a bubble sheet educational? I would much rather my kids have some life experiences, thank-you. How many of these kids have never been out of the state? Checked in and out of a hotel? Handled their own spending money? Calculated a tip (or even just been responsible for leaving one) in a restaurant? Real education is not just book work, and it certainly isn't filling in dots on a test few people care about.

[I_Thaw_A_Puddy_T at]

I dont see a problem with the kids going. It seems from the discussion that not much goes on at school anyway. Might as well be riding a bus to San Antonio I guess. Some other schools handle it a little differently though. My nephew is in the Mayfield Orchestra and Band in Las Cruces and they went to China two years ago over Spring Break and will go to London over Christmas vacation this coming December. I guess San Antonio isn't too extravagant. By the way, the schools don't give them any money to go, just permission. They fund raise it. I'm sure that is the same with our choir too.