Practice during school?

[bigtiny]

My two daughters' coach just notified us that the final practices before states (I have one level 4 and one level 5) will be during school hours . She said it is because of the travel time on Friday evening. I still don't think it's right. I am constantly telling my girls, "School comes before gymnastics!" and I have never let them miss school for gymnastics-related activities. Yet, if they miss the final practice, they will have a 4-day-lag between practice and competing (normally they never have more than 1 day off between practices).

I am so annoyed with the gym for forcing me to make this choice. Is it only our gym that puts parents in this position? What do you all think of this?

[Monkeygirlsmom]

Wow That would not make me happy either!!
I can see pulling a child out 5-10 min early 1 day !! bit not miss school!!

I do not htink our gym would do this!! (for one they are in a highschool) but
the coaches value school!!!

[Ingymmom]

Our gym/coaches do this as well when the meets are 3 hours or more away - I personally see nothing wrong with it & actually think it is great that they offer anything at all, they could cancel practice completely. They simply add the practice during the day as a convenience, not to upset parents... Some girls come, some don't.

If you are so upset about it, why not just miss the practice.

[Livinatthegym]

Then mine would not being going to practice. Wouldn't even think twice about it.

[flippymonkeysmom]

We would skip the practice - school comes first in our house. At this point in the season, they either know the routines and have the skills, or don't. One more practice before states isn't going to make it or break it for them. Maybe the extra day off will even have them go in more relaxed and refreshed.

[Sparky]

My dd actually leaves school early two days a week (at lunchtime) for training on a regular basis - it's not that school is not important (of course it is), but her gymnastics is also very important to her, and at our gym the best times for competitive training is during the day, as it is crazy busy with rec programs after school.

The coaches are very much in agreement that school is vitally important, and the girls must maintain a high average in order to continue day training.

Part of the problem is that (as they get a bit older, my dd is in grade 4 now) it is actually easier for them to do the schoolwork on their own time, than it is to train - they need their coach to train - ergo, some of their schoolwork can be done and is done on their own time.

It also makes for shorter days, as she finishes training at 5 pm and then has time to do her homework, instead of starting homework at 7:30 or 8:00. They definitely have to be an organized and focused individual - but IMHO, most gymnasts are - it's part of what makes them a gymnast.

Once they reach high school, we have a gymnastics academy that is run within our regular public system, and it allows for the gymnasts to day train around their other class schedules.

So, I guess I am the dissenting one here - I completely respect your points of view, but I have to say that after 3 years of pulling my dd early for training, I have yet to see any detrimental effect.

Cheers,
Lisa

[canadiangymmom]

My daughter's gym offered a training time on the Friday before Provincials. It was completely optional, and we declined because she was already going to miss the following Friday to compete.

I don't have any real issue with school day training, it just hasn't been something we've ever had to worry about.

If the daytime practice doesn't sit well with you, just don't go.

[gym law mom]

Don't know how far away the state meet is and not everyone would be competing on Sat. morning anyway. Why not an additional practice on Thurs eve for those that want it?

Our state meet was about 1 month ago and the girls do have Friday night practice. They came in at their regular time and did what they would do during meet open stretch then the coach took them through all the events and ended practice about an hour early. Nobody missed school and my gymmie(plus 4 others) had to compete at 9am the next morning. Now, the meet site was only about a 75 min drive, so we didn't have to get up super early.

Actually I think the last minute practices are sometimes more for the coach and parents benefit than the kids. As the OP pointed out, they're pretty much ready to go---not going to fix much(if anything) at one last practice. School with us is a priority and I would have my child skip it also.

[Shawn]

Is is possible to just miss a little bit of school? I sometimes pick up my DD early but her last hour of the school day is playground and quiet time (I think they play at centers, read, etc) so she doesn't really miss anything (of course she's still just in kindergarten). Maybe it wouldn't hurt your DDs to miss a little school and miss part of practice or some other compromise.

[Gymmonkeymomma]

Our gym is such the opposite. Our coaches do not believe in last minute practices and in fact, even if girls are not competing until Sunday, they do not practice on Saturday. When we have our USAIGC States (where every level competes during the same weekend) the last practice is Thursday. Friday is the travel day, and competitions are Sat & Sun. When we went to Nationals, your last practice was the day before traveling, they did not have the girls practice once they got there.