Ask the Coach 6-9-13
Graduation party
Hey, Coach! I am having a graduation party coming up, and my dad said I can only invite 50 people. I thought he was joking because he does that a lot, but he wasn’t. I can’t invite 50 without leaving a lot of good friends off the list. I already talked with my dad once, and then I went to my mom. She said that this was between my dad and me. He wouldn’t budge, and I am very upset and don’t know what to do. None of my friends have limits on their parties, although some parents said not to go overboard if possible, or something like that. How can I get my dad to change his mind? Signed…..Really Upset
Dear Really Upset: First, congrats on graduating from high school. You have hopefully worked hard and made good grades, and hopefully you will continue bettering yourself by moving forward to advance your education in some way. Also, you are very lucky to have so many friends. It appears that your father knows what he wants, and that number is 50. Perhaps that’s because of space (assuming your home/yard), and/or it may be because of a tight budget during challenging times. Although the Coach would hope you wouldn’t have to, perhaps you could offer to help pitch in a little if possible to show your father that you want more friends to share this special occasion with you. If it’s a space issue, perhaps you could rent a pavilion or a hall, and then reduce how much money will be spent on food and other things. Perhaps you can ask one more time if there is anything at all that you could possibly do to be able to invite more. Please know that this may be hurting your dad almost as much as you. Hopefully things will work out. Good luck!
More education cuts
Over the past two years, PA school districts have reduced teacher/support staff by 20,000 through furloughs and unfilled positions, cut course offerings and co-curricular activities, increased class sizes, reduced tutoring programs and field trips, and eliminated summer school programs. A survey for this year reveals that 47 percent of school districts expect to increase class sizes, 37 percent plan to reduce courses such as foreign languages, arts, music, physical education, and in some cases, even math, science, English and social studies. In addition, 22 percent anticipate reducing or eliminating tutoring programs, and 13 percent plan to eliminate summer school programs. All of these reductions and eliminations follow two previous years in which districts made significant cuts in those areas, and, unfortunately, it looks like the beat will continue on.
Coach’s Comment: Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can really go. Be safe, and thanks for making the Coach a part of your weekend!
Please send questions/comments to askthecoach2003@yahoo.com.