My monkeys have been virtually kicked out of their Gymnastics and Ballet/tap classes.
My oldest has been going to this particular instructor/business for about seven years with the three younger ones following as their age allowed. Each year it was the policy of this business (essentially, a husband/wife team of instructors) to hold a place in the following year for each child enrolled in the current year. That means that your kid was guarunteed a spot in the next year's class (assuming your account was in good standing). Any other kids could enroll at any time if the classes weren't too big.
This was great for them and the students. They were sure to have a class of kids that were used to their teaching methods, at the appropriate skill level for their age, used to the schedule, more likely to attend regularly (b/c they knew or were friends with the other kids in class), and had a history of being a reliable source of income.
Apparently, this year was different or so I'm guessing. I didn't exactly get any explanations.
During their open enrollment, when any kid that hasn't been enrolled before can sign up, I was busy. Add this to the fact that I didn't get any notices at the end of the year or any notices during the summer (via snailmail, email, phone, etc..) that I needed to attend any enrollment events. This equals to me not giving a toad's ass about their open enrollment days.
Days go by.....and I see a kid last week in the ballet/tap uniform. I think to myself, "Holy poopsicle! We missed the first week of practice." I looked at the schedule I was given at the end of the year and sure enough....I got the date wrong in my head (i thought the start date was this weekend). I emailed the (wife) instructor to apologize for missing and to request the exact time for all the ballet, tap, and gymanstics classes (just in case they switched some class times around and in case any four of mine were moved up to a higher skill level).
I was informed that all the classes were full. There was a waiting list as well.
So, not only did they bump my monkeys out, but also put them at the end of the line.
Why?
Then I got to thinking about all the playdates (their kid is the same age as one of mine) they made excuses to miss. I got to thinking about some of the comments the instructors made about my kids. (at the time seemed harmless) I got to thinking about how I wouldn't let the (husband) instructor intimidate me when we had a string of tardiness (I was paying HIM for poop sake, not the other way around). I got to thinking about the difference in attitude between the instructors and us. We view it as fun, yet still a challenge. They act like the performances/recitals are a matter of life and death (they're not performing at Carnegie Hall for crying in the mud!)
I got to thinking about the bitch that made a big stink about the instructors in the newspaper in May (she wrote a letter to the editor in which she claimed the instructors were not only bad teachers, but mean as well). I phoned the instructors to give support in their favor until they started making other comments. Well, if you don't know already, I tend to have a big, fat fucking mouth. I told them that it was tacky of the bitch to display her gripes publicly like that, but that their attitude toward the bitch's family, especially toward the children, was worse (there were intimations and hints about making life for the family very difficult...its a small town).
So I'm left with thinking/assuming that I caused this or that we aren't the kind of people they want in their classes.
My monkeys really like Gym and one girl really loved ballet and tap. Two of my others were already asking to join the ballet and tap classes, too. They were visibly disappointed when I told them. The boy was more so because its the one place he can vault up in the air without getting in trouble and he gets to mess around with other boys (he still thinks girls have cooties).
We really don't have any other dance/gym options besides this business (we live too far away). We're done, unfortunately.
I guess we'll have to try TaeKwonDo. But won't I have to join the class with them out of self-preservation? (hardy har har) We have even given piano lessons some thought. Although, I prefer to stick with physical activity.
I'm really upset about it. My kids did nothing. It was me....all me.
happykat posted on Aug 26, 2006
| views: 493
Comments
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Broncostar said on Aug 26, 2006....
Sorry to hear that; it seems that the world becomes less personalized every day and regulars are forgotten. Good luck at finding new activities that your children will still enjoy!
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LadyGamer said on Aug 26, 2006....
I hate your town.
It seems anyone with a spine not bolstered by money someone else earned for them is below contempt.
I wish you could live here. I have THREE good studios close by just for gym alone. Even more for dance. AND My gym has karate classes in the same building for the munchkins while you excercise. How cool is that?
Come live here and we'll play cards every WEEKEND! Please?
You did what you felt was right. These assholes are in the wrong. Yes, your children are missing out on a fun activity they enjoyed, but that wasn't YOUR fault. I admire that you don't compromise your values for the favor of sleazeballs.
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JadeLondon said on Aug 26, 2006....
For heaven's sake! That was an asshole thing for them to do. I mean seven years, and they still make you suffer for an honest mistake?
As much as it sucks that your children cannot return to their classes--perhaps they are better off not being there. God knows what they might be saying/doing to the children when you aren't around. I would think if they were that rude and inconsiderate to you, that the children would receive similar treatment--at least as one time or another.
I once lived in a small town. We drove an hour-and-a-half just to go shopping at a mall.
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Jenna said on Aug 26, 2006....
I am sorry HK....that just doesn't seem right....what about sports? Soccer is really big here for both girls and boys. Both my kids played on community teams. Good luck searching for alternatives.
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secretlife said on Aug 26, 2006....
HK: Since this establishment is the only place in town (otherwise I'd never go back there again) I might make a trip over there minus the children and speak to them face to face.
I'd let them know how disappointed you feel as a customer for the past 7 years, and put the question to them to answer why your children weren't given their rightful earned place in the program.
My son does Tae Kwon Do for the past 5 yrs.
Your kids will actually love this.
How about school sports? Or town sports?
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secretlife said on Aug 26, 2006....
HK: Since this establishment is the only place in town (otherwise I'd never go back there again) I might make a trip over there minus the children and speak to them face to face.
I'd let them know how disappointed you feel as a customer for the past 7 years, and put the question to them to answer why your children weren't given their rightful earned place in the program.
My son does Tae Kwon Do for the past 5 yrs.
Your kids will actually love this.
How about school sports? Or town sports?
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Expendable said on Aug 27, 2006....
HK, you were a long-standing customer for seven years but they didn't even call you or send you a reminder. You weren't important to them so really how good of a job did they do with your most important little monkeys?
And they'll love Tae Kwon Do. Every little girl should know how to rip off their brother's ear.
Or clear the living room, get a tae bo dvd and start your own workout.
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silverwhisper said on Aug 27, 2006....
ah, politics...
HK: seriously. tell the woman to fuck off for being even tackier than you thought possible. i mean that literally. actually walk up to her, tell her that her behavior is so appallingly tacky that you wanted to tell her to fuck off. feel free to add "and die".
then take the monkeys to TKD. the physical coordination that martial arts training provides is good for 'em, as is the self-confidence and discipline. plus, the self-defense aspect is worth considering as well.
[hug]
ed
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Alyss said on Aug 27, 2006....
Jeez HK, no wonder you're upset! I second what Ldygmr said. You did nothing whatsoever wrong and if the stuck up shallow, narrow minded twerps respond by cutting your kids then they are scum.
Come and live here (yeah I know not at all practical) and we'll play cards and your kidlets can come to my kidlet's ballet classes.
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quidnunc said on Aug 27, 2006....
those jerks do not know how to value long-time patrons and customers. i second what silver said. confront the woman about how you really feel.
i am confident that your kids will learn to love TKD... let them try it.
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purple said on Aug 27, 2006....
Have you tried Recreation and Parks? I bet some of their former teachers and or former students teach in that town somewhere.
Most dance studios struggle to keep their heads above water and I can't imagine any of them wanting to lose steady customers. I wish I still taught dance...that town sounds like an excellent place to open a competeing dance academy.
On another note, I believe in activities that don't require expensive memberships such as traditional archery, juggling, and circus arts. You are only in competition with yourself and it teaches self-discipline. What kid wouldn't love it if you invested in a slack-wire and got them all unicycles?
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carmachu said on Aug 27, 2006....
Not your fault kiddo. Anyone with business sense does NOT let a long time customer go, with more kids to enroll. If they do, their idiots. If anyone EVER opens another studio close by, they will go out of business.
I second Silverwhisper. Tell her to fuck off.....
And remember to drop me a line if you decide on piano....there are things you should know before you start even looking for a teacher.
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