Band Students Invited?

Is there any kind of school policy on this? Would you invite these kids to your house for dinner? Clearly I don't know the dynamic, but that seems like it's really pushing a boundary to me.

I agree with PP. It could be crossing a line of sorts. I see where you’re coming from for sure; I’m a ballet teacher and love my kids, but I wouldn’t invite them to my wedding. If you wouldn’t hang out with them outside of school, don’t invite them.

I'm just wondering.. wouldn't that be a lot of kids to invite?

I agree with PP but also, how many kids are we talking about? I would think it would send your guest count sky high.
What about a nice potluck during the school day? And your FH comes too? That way they can celebrate with you but still keep personal and professional boundaries in place.

My band is really small, which is why I didnt mind. I know they all wouldn't come anyway. As for policy, I dont think there is but am unsure.

I was thinking as an alternative, maybe posting pics and videos from the day to our band app. Having them "there" without them being there?

I would be careful with inviting students, especially if they are minors. If you really want to involve them, maybe you could have the band play pre ceremony music, or play during the reception. You would still need the patents’ permission though.

True. Thanks for the advice! I've got a few ideas now.

I’d invite them all if you can afford it and if they’re special to you!
I was an RA and I’m trying to get my past students to come. I love them all sooooo much!
Just check with the school policy if you’ll still be working there when you get married.

I would be careful. My sister is a theater HS teacher so I know how it is.

My friend was teaching high school when she got married. I believe she had a couple of her students there. i want to say there were 2 there. As far as I know, she had no relationship with them outside of school.

My cousin is a grade school teacher and her kids were so excited she was getting married they kept asking to come. She sent a letter to their parents inviting the kids and their parents to the church but not the reception as it was adults only. It was so cute about 7-8 of them came and they were so excited.

I would ask your department head / school HR rep. Where I work this would be considered inappropriate, we are not supposed to have relationships with students outside of school functions unless there was a prior non school related relationship (i.e. family member or neighbor). Especially since weddings typically have alcohol present, I wouldn’t risk the potential disciplinary actions

I was a band kid, for many years, and I can tell you that the relationship between band director and his/her students is usually more intimate and close than a regular student-teacher relationship.

There is a lot of time spent with the band director, not just in class. We had rehearsals at all hours (before school, after school, weekends), field shows out of town, as well as other performances that required a bus trip, and a lot more time spent with our "teacher" than you would see for any other kind of class. So, I can totally understand your students wanting to be there, and it's totally normal for me. We loved our band director!! He was like part of our family!

I'm guessing that your budget can handle all the kids coming, or you wouldn't be considering it. Maybe your FH and father just don't get the relationship. So, do what you want. Other's suggestions are good too. But do what you want.

If you're concerned about any of the parents, reach out to them. I suspect that you already have met most, if not all, the parents anyway, as band is extra cirricular in a lot of ways.

My best friend works as a teacher, I know she is very close with SOME of her students. With that being said she would only invite a few but for those that didn’t get invited they would feel bad and might not even take your class in the following years. So if you do end up inviting your students make sure you don’t leave anyone out or avoid it all together and don’t invite any.