I just started teaching at a middle school in a very well - to - do area. There is a lot of money in the school due to fundrasing and PTO support. I have been shown my budget and while it is not a ton, it is way more than I realized I would have. Okay, so my question is what should I prioritize that money to? I just stepped into the doors of the school to teach last week, and I don't know where to begin. I am afriad I will look back and regret spending this money unwisely.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
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band budget
Started by Guest_Lindsey_*, Jan 11 2005 07:37 PM
3 replies to this topic
#2 Guest_esmith_*
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- Guests
Posted 07 February 2005 - 11:53 PM
Find out the deadlies for spending each of your budgets. Then, assess your needs. Think about your future goals and what will be needed to accomplish them.
Save the money that you can (ASB, Booster Account, etc) until you are sure to use it wisely.
With money earmarked for music purchase, I try to split it between pieces that will suit my current bands, and pieces that belong in any library.
I don't know how many different pools you will be spending from, but lay it all out with deadlines etc. and you can get the most from what you have.
If you don't have to spend it right away, don't. Wait until you are more aware of your needs into the future.
PS It never hurts to spend some money on things that increase interest, enrollment and motivatation of current and future students. Keep an eye on the future.
Save the money that you can (ASB, Booster Account, etc) until you are sure to use it wisely.
With money earmarked for music purchase, I try to split it between pieces that will suit my current bands, and pieces that belong in any library.
I don't know how many different pools you will be spending from, but lay it all out with deadlines etc. and you can get the most from what you have.
If you don't have to spend it right away, don't. Wait until you are more aware of your needs into the future.
PS It never hurts to spend some money on things that increase interest, enrollment and motivatation of current and future students. Keep an eye on the future.
#3 Guest_Lindsey_*
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- Guests
Posted 09 February 2005 - 03:55 PM
Thanks for the advice! I really needed it! I am going to work on figuring out my budget this weekend - so your advice came at the perfect time.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
#4 Guest_Jim_*
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- Guests
Posted 17 April 2005 - 04:16 AM
If you've got a little extra funding, or generous support from your parents/boosters, you might consider a leadership and teambuilding workshop. The right training would pay large dividends because your student leaders will then know how take over a lot of the work. It really helps to have the entire band fired up about a common goal.
Some workshops are just motivational talks. The kids like these, but there may not be much long-term benefit.
Other workshop presenters focus on nuts and bolts team dynamics, such as how to choose leaders, the responsibilities of section leaders, creating a mission statement, how to deal with behavior problems, etc. (Some of these are issues that may be hard for a band director to address, so you can let the workshop presenter do the dirty work!)
Hands-on workshops are probably the most effective. A good consultant will also be willing to act as a coach to help the director tune up their skills in relating with students.
If you search Yahoo for terms like "band leadership training workshop" you'll get decent results. (Interestingly, Google displays more irrelevant results, so you'll have to use longer search terms, like "high school band leadership teambuilding workshops" to get good listings.)
By the way, these workshops are most commonly arranged for the late spring, summer, or early fall, but you might be able to negogiate a discount for one in the off season.
Some workshops are just motivational talks. The kids like these, but there may not be much long-term benefit.
Other workshop presenters focus on nuts and bolts team dynamics, such as how to choose leaders, the responsibilities of section leaders, creating a mission statement, how to deal with behavior problems, etc. (Some of these are issues that may be hard for a band director to address, so you can let the workshop presenter do the dirty work!)
Hands-on workshops are probably the most effective. A good consultant will also be willing to act as a coach to help the director tune up their skills in relating with students.
If you search Yahoo for terms like "band leadership training workshop" you'll get decent results. (Interestingly, Google displays more irrelevant results, so you'll have to use longer search terms, like "high school band leadership teambuilding workshops" to get good listings.)
By the way, these workshops are most commonly arranged for the late spring, summer, or early fall, but you might be able to negogiate a discount for one in the off season.
