Open Forum

I know this discussion has been had before, but I would like to come up with a general list of rules for parents and students for the academic year. Quite a few of us are not teachers, nor a part of the curriculum, but act as either adjunct or extracurricular program directors. I myself am a Network and Technical administrator, with years in theatre from HS to College to Community. I want to work as a team with my parents (have been doing this long enough to know that it never works perfectly no matter how many rules you have, but...), and try to keep them appraised and understanding of the process. I would love any help from the community.

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Darren Laughlin Means
Drama Director/Troupe Leader
Asst District Network Administrator
Hardin High School/Hardin Middle School
Hardin MT
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What kind of rules are you looking for?  Rules about who is allowed to be involved?  Safety rules?  Rules about how to treat others?

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Laura Steenson
Theatre Director
Reynolds High School
Troutdale OR
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-27-2018 15:24
From: Darren Means
Subject: Rules for Parents and Students

I know this discussion has been had before, but I would like to come up with a general list of rules for parents and students for the academic year. Quite a few of us are not teachers, nor a part of the curriculum, but act as either adjunct or extracurricular program directors. I myself am a Network and Technical administrator, with years in theatre from HS to College to Community. I want to work as a team with my parents (have been doing this long enough to know that it never works perfectly no matter how many rules you have, but...), and try to keep them appraised and understanding of the process. I would love any help from the community.

------------------------------
Darren Laughlin Means
Drama Director/Troupe Leader
Asst District Network Administrator
Hardin High School/Hardin Middle School
Hardin MT
------------------------------

Hi, Darren

There are rules and guidelines for operating an ITS troupe in the form of the Thespian Troupe Handbook, and there is a troupe constitution template with a format and some suggestions for creating your own constitution and by-laws (only Article 1 can't be changed). My guess is that you are looking for more general rules to communicate expectations on subjects such as attendance, commitment, mandatory service, fundraising expectations, user fees, and repercussions for not meeting expectations, is that correct?

If so, there have been a number of posts where troupe directors have shared their parent/student contracts and even their program-specific handbooks. I searched the Community for "Contract," and a number of excellent examples came up, especially when I filtered the results by "Discussion thread" and/or "Library entry." Here are links to a few:

https://www.schooltheatre.org/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?MessageKey=b588805a-ab00-45aa-a21d-cbe579cae573&CommunityKey=35d3756e-031c-447e-a020-14aeb57718f1&tab=digestviewer#bmb588805a-ab00-45aa-a21d-cbe579cae573#bm0

https://www.schooltheatre.org/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?MessageKey=d0f91339-6e64-406b-b841-589438960e1f&CommunityKey=35d3756e-031c-447e-a020-14aeb57718f1&tab=digestviewer#bmd0f91339-6e64-406b-b841-589438960e1f#bm0

https://www.schooltheatre.org/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?MessageKey=22fe67c8-7152-419f-8a14-d41034666968&CommunityKey=35d3756e-031c-447e-a020-14aeb57718f1&tab=digestviewer#bm22fe67c8-7152-419f-8a14-d41034666968#bm0  

Hope this helps!

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Brian Benz
Membership Manager
Educational Theatre Association
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-27-2018 15:24
From: Darren Means
Subject: Rules for Parents and Students

I know this discussion has been had before, but I would like to come up with a general list of rules for parents and students for the academic year. Quite a few of us are not teachers, nor a part of the curriculum, but act as either adjunct or extracurricular program directors. I myself am a Network and Technical administrator, with years in theatre from HS to College to Community. I want to work as a team with my parents (have been doing this long enough to know that it never works perfectly no matter how many rules you have, but...), and try to keep them appraised and understanding of the process. I would love any help from the community.

------------------------------
Darren Laughlin Means
Drama Director/Troupe Leader
Asst District Network Administrator
Hardin High School/Hardin Middle School
Hardin MT
------------------------------

Good morning,

We have a code of conduct and a contract between the students/parents and the school. Works very well. It has the expectations including behavior and grade requirements. It also states the consequences.

---------------------------------
Crit Fisher
Lighting/Sound Designer
New Albany High School
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-27-2018
From: Darren Means
Subject: Rules for Parents and Students

I know this discussion has been had before, but I would like to come up with a general list of rules for parents and students for the academic year. Quite a few of us are not teachers, nor a part of the curriculum, but act as either adjunct or extracurricular program directors. I myself am a Network and Technical administrator, with years in theatre from HS to College to Community. I want to work as a team with my parents (have been doing this long enough to know that it never works perfectly no matter how many rules you have, but...), and try to keep them appraised and understanding of the process. I would love any help from the community.

------------------------------
Darren Laughlin Means
Drama Director/Troupe Leader
Asst District Network Administrator
Hardin High School/Hardin Middle School
Hardin MT
------------------------------

Enforcing your policies and procedures is scary because you know it will make your parents and students upset. I realized I had a lot to say about this as we have done a lot of working trying to manage parent and student expectations in order to reduce conflict. Because I had so much to say, I turned it into a blog. You'll find I've discussed how we share our policies and procedures, but I've also shared our show contract and other examples of how we communicate.

https://www.schooltheatre.org/blogs/jessica-harms/2018/03/31/protect-yourself-with-a-paperwork-trail-enforcing

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Jessica Harms
Theatre Director
Acton MA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-31-2018 07:33
From: Crit Fisher
Subject: Rules for Parents and Students

Good morning,

We have a code of conduct and a contract between the students/parents and the school. Works very well. It has the expectations including behavior and grade requirements. It also states the consequences.

---------------------------------
Crit Fisher
Lighting/Sound Designer
New Albany High School

Original Message:
Sent: 03-27-2018
From: Darren Means
Subject: Rules for Parents and Students

I know this discussion has been had before, but I would like to come up with a general list of rules for parents and students for the academic year. Quite a few of us are not teachers, nor a part of the curriculum, but act as either adjunct or extracurricular program directors. I myself am a Network and Technical administrator, with years in theatre from HS to College to Community. I want to work as a team with my parents (have been doing this long enough to know that it never works perfectly no matter how many rules you have, but...), and try to keep them appraised and understanding of the process. I would love any help from the community.

------------------------------
Darren Laughlin Means
Drama Director/Troupe Leader
Asst District Network Administrator
Hardin High School/Hardin Middle School
Hardin MT
------------------------------