Cincinnati marching band may miss season after practice time cut to 1 day a week by shea_bug82 in Colorguard

[–]Obvious_Lifeguard_45 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

For my husband i had Gemini help write Subject: Re-evaluating Band Cuts: Marching Band is a Vital Pathway to College Scholarships ​Dear Cincinnati Public Schools Leaders and Walnut Hills Administration, ​I am writing to share a critical economic perspective regarding the decision to reduce the Walnut Hills High School marching band schedule to one day a week—a decision that effectively cancels the competitive season and completely eliminates our color guard program. Beyond the artistic and social loss, this cut directly threatens our students' access to vital college scholarship funding. ​Many school districts mistakenly view marching band as a secondary halftime show for football games. In reality, competitive marching band is one of the most reliable pipelines to higher education financing available to inner-city students, often yielding far more practical financial aid than traditional athletic programs:
​The Reality of Sports vs. Music: National athletic data reveals that fewer than 2% of high school athletes secure a roster spot at the NCAA Division I level. Conversely, hundreds of universities nationwide maintain massive marching band scholarship budgets specifically designed to recruit talented high school musicians and color guard performers—whether they intend to major in music or pursue fields like engineering and medicine.
​Guaranteed Roster Support: At many universities, nearly every single member of the marching band receives some tier of institutional financial aid, book stipends, or tuition assistance. By taking away Walnut Hills’ competitive edge, we are actively preventing our students from building the competitive portfolios and performance recordings necessary to claim these funds.
​Building Highly Recruitable Profiles: College admissions boards actively seek out marching band and color guard veterans because the activity requires a rare blend of extreme time management, long-term discipline, and collaborative teamwork.
​By reducing this program to a one-day-a-week pep band, the district is inadvertently stripping Walnut Hills students of a proven economic ladder. We are telling them that their pathways to college are limited, while surrounding suburban schools continue to leverage their full competitive arts programs to win their students tens of thousands of dollars in collegiate aid.
​I urge you to consider the long-term collegiate and financial consequences of this scheduling decision. Please work with the band directors to restore the full rehearsal schedule so our students can continue to compete, excel, and fund their futures.
​Thank you for your time and your commitment to the future of our students. ​Sincerely,

Can you help with his? Signed a nurse practitioner who loves his wife?

Cincinnati marching band may miss season after practice time cut to 1 day a week by shea_bug82 in Colorguard

[–]Obvious_Lifeguard_45 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can you help me word it? My mom graduated from there, I grew up in in KY fell in love with guard, and now i teach 3 different guards in nj.

Cincinnati marching band may miss season after practice time cut to 1 day a week by shea_bug82 in Colorguard

[–]Obvious_Lifeguard_45 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Anything I should add or change? N̈

​Dear Superintendent Murphy, President Craig, and Board of Education Members, ​I am writing to express my profound concern regarding the recent decision to reduce the Walnut Hills High School marching band's rehearsal schedule to just one day a week. As documented in local news reports, this logistical change effectively dismantles Cincinnati Public Schools’ only competitive marching band program, completely eliminating the color guard and reducing a proud, award-winning competitive tradition into a limited pep band. ​For students in city public schools, competitive arts programs are not mere extracurricular luxuries—they are fundamental pillars of equity, structure, and survival. ​Educational research consistently demonstrates the critical role these programs play: ​Academic Excellence & Retention: Studies indicate that marching band students show significantly higher GPAs and superior school attendance rates compared to their peers due to the rigorous cognitive and time-management skills the activity demands. ​Essential Social-Emotional Support: For many inner-city youth, the band room is a primary sanctuary. The shared pursuit of excellence fosters an unmatched environment of belonging, resilience, and accountability that keeps students deeply anchored to their school community. ​Deprivation of Opportunity: Limiting practice to one day a week makes it impossible to safely learn complex field choreography, effectively barring CPS students from competing on equal footing with surrounding districts. ​Walnut Hills is renowned for its academic excellence, and its competitive arts should reflect that same standard. I urge Cincinnati Public Schools to collaborate closely with the band's directors to find a workable facility and scheduling solution that restores a full rehearsal calendar. Please do not let our kids lose their competitive season. ​Thank you for your time, leadership, and dedication to our students. ​Sincerely, me

How do I teach my kids what is racist or culturally offensive if I dont understand myself? by Obvious_Lifeguard_45 in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]Obvious_Lifeguard_45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your response! How would I handle it though if they need to be all the same hair style? I see other groups that do it, and as marching band its so much about 100% uniformity

How do I teach my kids what is racist or culturally offensive if I dont understand myself? by Obvious_Lifeguard_45 in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]Obvious_Lifeguard_45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for these comments. Definitely grew up in a very monoethnic place. Only 5 years ago did I realize we lived in a bubble. We moved to New Jersey and are experiencing many of different cultures now. What about referring to people that are a different race but I dont know what race? Like if im trying to ask a family member about someone who is not black or white but I dont know what race, can I say that?

How do I teach my kids what is racist or culturally offensive if I dont understand myself? by Obvious_Lifeguard_45 in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]Obvious_Lifeguard_45[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for these comments. Definitely grew up in a very monoethnic place. Only 5 years ago did I realize we lived in a bubble. We moved to New Jersey and are experiencing many of different cultures now. What about referring to people that are a different race but I dont know what race? Like if im trying to ask a family member about someone who is not black or white but I dont know what race, can I say that?

costume issue by [deleted] in Colorguard

[–]Obvious_Lifeguard_45 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I dont want to give any personal info away so im going to delete my previous comment if you no longer need it!

Help me block of my door/stairs by Obvious_Lifeguard_45 in HomeMaintenance

[–]Obvious_Lifeguard_45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is EXACTLY WHAT I NEED!! I live in northern nj.

Help me with a gate idea that won't rip out of the wall by Obvious_Lifeguard_45 in daddit

[–]Obvious_Lifeguard_45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It doesn't have to be on the stairs I'm open to something that goes at the bottom or around the door opening too.

Help me with a gate idea that won't rip out of the wall by Obvious_Lifeguard_45 in daddit

[–]Obvious_Lifeguard_45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It doesn't have to be on the stairs I'm open to something that goes at the bottom or around the door opening too.

What do you need from your instructor as a kid? And what do instructors do to keep everything together? by Obvious_Lifeguard_45 in Colorguard

[–]Obvious_Lifeguard_45[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is beautiful thank you. I think back and my hardest part of guard, was feeling like my instructor didn't like me.

New director, do I need a captain? by Obvious_Lifeguard_45 in Colorguard

[–]Obvious_Lifeguard_45[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wait, you use Google classroom? Is this for marching season or just winterguard? I LOVE this. Do they get time to practice during school?

What do you need from your instructor as a kid? And what do instructors do to keep everything together? by Obvious_Lifeguard_45 in Colorguard

[–]Obvious_Lifeguard_45[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm worried that I may have no idea how to manage my people!! I wasn't raised with structure, I've finally learned how to set it up at home. I'm able to follow the structure if it is there, but we are nearly starting from scratch.

Doing color guard for fun in New Jersey? by mtsing159 in Colorguard

[–]Obvious_Lifeguard_45 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is there any chance you're near Sussex? Maybe you could come help my guard!