Simpedia

Mark M., New York

I’ve put in personal days for myself, two weeks worth at the moment, i.e., two lessons off for each particular student/group over the course of each year. I distinguish them from “standard” days off that are set on the calendar, such as holidays and other such occasions, but I don’t distinguish what the personal days are for in terms of vacation, sick, etc. Running such a small business, I see no point in formalizing separate quantities of vacation days vs. sick days, etc.

Patti P., Hawaii

I do – I allow myself two weeks of sick leave. I inevitably get sick sometime during the school year, and this puts them on notice ahead of time that I will not do make-ups for that time. Two weeks is usually enough.

Shanta H., Minnesota

I do 6 or 7 “make up lessons” one Saturday per month through the fall, winter and spring. My students are expected to come to at least 2 to get
their money’s worth out of me (I charge for 48 lessons/year but I only schedule 46). That means I take 6 weeks off per year, including holidays,
symposium week, and vacation. I use them as my slush fund for students who miss class, sick days for me, and snow days. I tell students that if I have
perfect attendance and they have perfect attendance and we don’t have any snow days AND they come to all the make up lessons, they get 53 lessons for the price of 48 each year.

We don’t do any new material at these classes because anyone from any level can come. We do playlist review, compositions, arrangements, games, etc. They’re a ton of fun!