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Band attendance

Posted by RGVeryFrustrated on 7/31/2026, 8:15 am

I don’t know if I’m looking for advice or sympathy but here it goes:

Our summer band attendance has been terrible this year. We have been told to “keep encouraging attendance and reaching out to parents” but HD has zero plan or policy in place for those who are chronically late or absent and on the same token doesn’t have anything in place to encourage or reward those who DO show up because we have already had students catch that they can start skipping band camp without consequences.

At the end of the day I’m just an assistant so I’m staying in my lane. It’s just frustrating. Am I overthinking this? Does everyone just constantly reteach material to students as they decide to show up to practice?

Re: Band attendance

Posted by Observer on 8/3/2026, 6:00 pm, in reply to "Band attendance"

I think the advice to concentrate on the attending students and be thankful for them is right.
As far as sympathy, you deserve much.

Re: Band attendance

Posted by NOPE! on 8/3/2026, 1:10 pm, in reply to "Band attendance"

We reduced competitive numbers this year and told our students if you have attendance issues you get put in an alternate spot that day with zero questions asked.

We have had zero issues since we made this change. Some kids think they are invincible and we took that leverage back this year.

Re: Band attendance

Posted by Been there on 8/2/2026, 8:59 pm, in reply to "Band attendance"

I taught with a guy like that. Drove me nuts. As the assistant, if you're trying to enforce something the HD won't, you're wasting time and energy. Yes, it will hurt the program if there is zero accountability. I didn't do a ton of teaching to those who missed, I expected them to figure it out for themselves. Maybe in your concert class you can have higher standards.

When you have your own program, trying to enforce something your principal won't back is similarly futile.

Remember this in the spring when deciding whether to stay or find a new job.

Re: Band attendance

Posted by Well on 8/2/2026, 10:15 am, in reply to "Band attendance"

Do your best with what you have and get out next year.

Re: Band attendance

Posted by Me on 8/1/2026, 2:26 am, in reply to "Band attendance"

Well, what’s your plan? A consequence that actually burns and then the kid quits?

Re: Band attendance

Posted by I never on 8/1/2026, 4:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Band attendance"

Worry about the outcome of consequences, as long as they’re fair and consistently applied. If students quit because there are high standards, that’s okay. If students quit because they don’t have the grit to get up every morning, be on time, and make every rep count while dealing with being uncomfortable out in the heat that’s okay. Those are the kids that will hold you back come October. If students quit because they don’t want to be held accountable to performing their music at a high level or because they are physically out of shape to deal with the pace and intensity of what we are asking them to do then so be it. The ones who stay through all the challenges mentioned are the ones who possess the winning mindset that leads to greatness come October. Marching band isn’t for everyone.

Re: Band attendance

Posted by hmmm on 7/31/2026, 1:51 pm, in reply to "Band attendance"

Well the TRUE consequence for missing is the fact they miss information and they are not getting to learn or reinforce new skills.

If a kid can't march a spot then they shouldn't be in a spot or at least have to shadow someone.

but staying in your lane is the best bet. I would just make sure that you are teaching the kids that ARE there instead of worrying about kids that aren't.

This situation sucks but you have to make the best of it.

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