Absolutely love the t shirt idea!!!

andto think I thought I was the only one! lol!

Well, if you are well-endowed, you can put all of the information on your shirt and talk to the fathers. Then they will relate it to the wife. LOL

98% of the parents at our studio DO read. I am the SO, and in my brochures, the first thing they read is: "it is the responsibility of parents and students to check for communications. ALL communications are physically sent home, e-mailed, and posted on the parent info bulletin board AND the student info bulletin board. If you fail to read your communications, we feel badly, but have done our utmost to keep you informed."
This helps tremendously! The few who continue to disregard their responsibilites could drive you crazy, if you let them. Just keep smiling, and sticking to your rules.

Truthfully, you are correct. Most do read, but it is those FEW who drive you nuts!!

I had a mom, with me for TEN years. The costume money was always due the same time every year. Every year she paid it on time. One year she was late and was sent a late fee bill. She said she never got the info and said, "How am I supposed to know when it is due?"

Ok, after ten years.....

I've found a good majority of my parents who do but the few who don't seem to drive us the most nuts.

At the begining of the year I have the parents fill out on their form how they would like to be communicated - email, handout or both. Some won't read it or will lose it if I hand it to them (I know of 5 moms who are always on the email list and I have to send EVERYTHING to them in a email or they will lose it but they do read the newsletter in the email)- this has helped on the cost and waste of printing - out of 80 students I only end up printing 30 newsletters a month. I put their name on it and hand to the parent each week. I also have a newsletter notebook which I put them in and it's on the website so when their is a question about something I direct them to the exact spot in the newsletter and it saves me from saying it 20 times. Most of the time the parents feel stupid because they weren't responsible enough to read their stuff in the first place.

Nope! I actually do the text messaging thing with the parents that have it (most do). I also send out a mass email. I used to send out newsletters as well, but when I started seeing them in the parking lot or still in dance bags..months later..I quit wasting time and paper. I also will put a sign up the week before an event just as a reminder. Then if a parent tells me they didn't know I just point to the sign =) I also have a plaque that someone gave me that I hang by the lobby desk that says "before you ask me read the newsletter" =)

Ah, another thing I have done, with my Competition Parents who can't seem to read is this:

1) Your child/dancer is invited to be part of our Competition Company this season. This opportunity is an honor and a privilege, and requires commitment, COMMUNICATION, and responsibility.
2) Communication between the studio and the Competition Company Performers, and parents, is a HUGE part of what makes things run smoothly. Please send six (6) stamped, self addressed envelopes so that when your dancer is late or absent, we can mail you ANY COMMUNICATIONS that you could possibly miss.
3) PLEASE check those darn dance bags EVERY WEEK/EVERY CLASS/EVERY TIME YOUR DANCER IS AT THE STUDIO.
4) We do our best to keep you updated, and notified. Please do your part and meet us, at least, half way. Thanks! You are the best!

My studio is in Australia and i feel your pain and frustration from over here!
I just think the dance world is so different now than it was 10+yrs ago.
I cant believe some people.
The bottom line is parents do not take any responsibility for themselves or their children.
Classes- studetns arriving late, in no or incorrect uniform no matter how many warnings, compulsory rehearsals- students are missing, professional group photo sessions- students are missing, late, grooming is shocking etc.
Not to mention the dreaded costume issues....In my dreams i now imagine replying to complaining parents with "unfortunatly we do not live in asia where employees work for 20 cents a day and garments are made for $2."
When i was a student there were no newsletters etc. but my mum and i never missed anything....How so??? She wont be offended by me saying she is not a SUPREME being but still had it all under contol while working full time.
Sorry Im venting too haha

Amen to that!! I have been teaching since 1973 and really do see a huge difference. So many parents are either very immature, self-centered, too busy or all of the above. Again, not all of them but a lot more than I have ever seen.

I see too many kids parented by others than their own parents and parents will go with what is easiest for them, not what is the best choice.