Two things in the "easier-said-than-done" department:
-- Ensuring that every student is able to go on tour, and
-- Remembering to make that tour payment on time every month.
The first (No AYS Student Left Behind) depends, in large part, on second (Regular Monthly Payments). Remember: tour payments of $250 are due by the 15th of every month, starting in July, until your student's account balance reaches $2500. That means another payment is due next week.
The good news is that four out of five AYS families are current on their student's tour accounts. And several of the families in greatest need of assistance are actively supporting our efforts to raise more "scholarships" funds.
The bad news: 20% of student accounts are not current. This jeopardizes our ability to fulfill the contractual requirement for regular tour deposits to Ambassador Tours. If we miss a payment, we face the possibility of a late payment penalty.
The AYSPA Board and AYS Program have worked very hard to garner the best possible travel value for our historic 50th Anniversary concert tour. Our trip to Brazil next summer promises to be an incredible musical, educational, and intercultural experience of a lifetime for our young musicians. We will continue to work hard to keep tour costs from creeping upward due to late payment penalties. That means, of course, everyone's account must be current.
If you've fallen behind -- or expect to be late on your next payment -- please call Mike Kruchoski (480-5000) or Jill Hartman (268-5260) to tell us how you plan to catch up.
Remember, luminaria credits cannot count toward your account balance until the final reconciliation sometime later in the winter or early spring.