| What I'm about to reveal I do so with some risk. As | | | | your students at risk of erratic and strange behavior, |
| a 16 year performer of school assemblies I am | | | | but the messages are delivered from a hypocritical |
| uniquely qualified to give you the inside view from | | | | standpoint as the performer lives a double life. Insist |
| my side of the aisle, and that qualifies me as a | | | | that your performers are drug-free and live the |
| whistleblower. But as the son of a former School | | | | message. Also, stick with companies that have been |
| Principal and with my own degree in Business | | | | around for a long time as they sifted through the |
| Communication, I think it is responsible to warn and | | | | bad apples and consistently use only proven |
| inform you so you can protect yourself, avoid shady | | | | performers. The more established companies also |
| operators, and protect your students and school | | | | have much more to lose so will be less likely to take |
| from some dangerous situations. At the risk of | | | | a risk with an unproven talent. |
| rocking the boat with some of my peers, I divulge: | | | | LIVE Office Staff: While it may not seem important, |
| Student Safety: Many professional performers are | | | | you will thank yourself for choosing to work with a |
| overconfident in their abilities and put your students | | | | company you can reach by phone. The internet is a |
| at risk. You won't recognize the danger because you | | | | great tool, but sometimes you need to ask a |
| assume they are professionals and know what they | | | | question and speak with a live human being. This can |
| are doing, but if your students are seated too close | | | | reach a critical point as your assembly approaches |
| to the action or in certain seats, the performer is | | | | because you will want to confirm the performance |
| merely relying on his/her abilities to in a sense "roll the | | | | the day before and have a way to communicate |
| dice" that nothing will happen. As a conscientious | | | | with the performer on the day of the performance. |
| person, I have to warn you about this as student | | | | Numerous problems can be avoided by having good |
| safety is the number one most important place to | | | | communication, call the company at least twice |
| start before setting up for any school assembly. | | | | before booking to find out how quickly they return |
| Make is very clear to your assembly performer that | | | | your communication. You will know quickly if you |
| you insist on student safety and setting up the | | | | have a company you can count on. |
| assembly properly before you begin. Don't let them | | | | The "COOL" Factor: If you want to really make a big |
| roll the dice with your students, have them explain | | | | splash with with your next assembly it must be |
| how they plan to keep the kids safe before the | | | | "cool". We all remember when we were kids and sat |
| performance and make sure they have all bases | | | | through boring programs that were "lame". The |
| covered. | | | | school assembly is an exciting moment for the |
| Insurance: School assembly performers are required | | | | students and if you give them something spectacular |
| by law to carry a valid business license and general | | | | they will be buzzing around for weeks talking about it. |
| liability insurance. Sadly, I know for a fact a number | | | | If your assembly is "bigger than life" your students |
| of performers who are operating illegally, even to the | | | | will be spellbound, and the messages will stick. Take a |
| point of faking insurance certificates to save the | | | | little extra time to find an assembly that is relevant, |
| money. Make sure you verify, even calling the | | | | exciting and above all "cool" and your students will |
| insurance company to be sure you are truly covered. | | | | have a great memory and you will be a hero to them |
| Hiring one of these performers not only puts your | | | | and your school |
| school at risk, but you also reward them and punish | | | | School assemblies can be the highlight of your school |
| the legitimate companies who are investing in the | | | | year and the students will remember them for a |
| proper insurances and operations to provide you with | | | | lifetime. Heed the advice in this article and you will |
| great assemblies. | | | | avoid the pitfalls of working with a non-reputable |
| Drug-Free Performers: I don't care how talented the | | | | company or performer, and you will ensure you |
| performer, you deserve a school assembly delivered | | | | students will have a safe and memorable experience. |
| by drug-free performers. Not only does drug-use put | | | | |