START OF THE HEADLINE STORIES SECTION

THE SSQQ FOURTH OF JULY CRUISE TO COZUMEL AND CANCUN!
SATURDAY, JULY 3 - THURSDAY, JULY 8

Trip Write-Up
http://ssqq.com/information/celebration2004.htm
Registration form:
http://ssqq.com/information/registration04.htm

Travel Agent:
Marla Gorzynski
Marla@ssqq.com
713.862.4428

THE MARCH SCHEDULE OF SSQQ DANCE CLASSES
The March Dance Semester begins the week of Sunday, February 29th.
http://www.ssqq.com/ssqq/schedule.htm

THE QUICK STOP IS COMING IN APRIL!

In April, Susan Schroeder (aka SusieQ) will bring you convenience of a mini-mart under the SSQQ roof. And just where will we be found? Rumor has it we are coming out of the closet and yes, this is correct - we will be selling our merchandise from the hallway closet that was once the home of the water cooler. But good news - the infamous Water Closet isn't quite gone yet!! Soon we will put to rest once and for all the single most-burning request at SSQQ - Why don't you sell bottled water?

When we open in April, Bottled Water will be sold at Susie Q's Quick Stop (Q-Stop for short). And service will not be Slow. It will be Quick!!

Speaking of Quick, do you occasionally rush to your class at SSQQ directly from work with no time to stop for a quick snack? At the Q-Stop you will not only be able to purchase bottled water, but we will have on hand Starbuck's chilled frappucino, fruit juice, fresh fruit, and packaged snacks.

Furthermore the Q-Stop will not only be open when you arrive at the studio, it will also be open during Break to provide the liquid or sustenance necessary to keep your mind alert for leading those fancy new moves or maintaining your energy for those exhausting double-turns. No longer will you be forced fight your conscience as you gulp down tasteless water fountain water or eat nasty stale popcorn in a desperate attempt at survival. From now on you will be able to re-energize in a healthy manner that will allow you to nourish yourself in a guilt-free manner!

Before our Grand Opening in April, we have a favor to ask. In order to have your favorite snacks stocked, we need to know what you want us to carry. Please send your ideas and orders to susan@ssqq.com. Then be ready for the grand opening of Susie Q's Quick Stop!

SAINT JOHNS SCHOOL FINALLY GETS IT RIGHT.

"You have my vote to change the "Rebel" name and I hope you do it quickly. It is, as they say, an anachronism.

The Rebel name has absolutely no relevance in today's understanding. For any person with half a brain it is an ugly symbol of the darkest period in American History. To an outsider, it hints strongly of the school's support for racism.

I know for sure the school does not support or condone racism in any shape or form, so why open the door for senseless misunderstandings?"

On Wednesday, February 18, 2004, I received the following news:
 

Dear Friends:

For the past several months, our School community has been reflecting on the significance and values communicated through our mascot. Deliberating this issue has given us the opportunity to examine the values that St. John's represents and to contemplate best how we express those values. St. John's today is a better school for having accepted this challenge and for having come to a decision together.

The Board of Trustees sought input from you: alumni, students, faculty, parents, and friends. With all voices heard, the time has come for a resolution that will enable St. John's to move forward. The Board has unanimously decided to select a new mascot, one that inspires affiliation, unity, and commitment within the St. John's community. In so doing, our school has the opportunity to find the right mascot to project our core identity to those outside the community. The following points guided our decision:

. Mascots are meant to unify. They are not meant to divide.
. A mascot that must be explained does not adequately represent a school.
. Our current mascot leads some to question our values and commitment to diversity.
. A mascot that demeans members of our community is inappropriate.

This week, a committee of students, alumni, faculty, and friends will be formed to direct an inclusive process for selecting a new mascot that will incorporate the school's traditional red and black colors. While the Board will approve the committee's selection of the new mascot, we encourage you to participate in this process by suggesting ideas that will rally our entire school community. The committee will soon let you know how you can get involved.

Ultimately, the committee must select a mascot that has broad appeal among students, alumni, and friends of all ages. Ideally, we would like the selection process to be completed before summer vacation begins, but we will take all the time needed to select the right mascot. Our School deserves a mascot everyone can support.

In making this decision, St. John's is not abandoning tradition, but seeking to confirm and project more accurately our school's most precious traditions and values. A new mascot can now bring together everyone in our community, convey the mission and vision of our school, and invite in new members whose contributions to St. John's will enrich us all.

Every Board member believes that this decision is in the best long-term interest of St. John's School, and we are hopeful that the process of selecting a new mascot will unify our community.

Respectfully yours,

James A. Elkins, III
Chairman, Board of Trustees
February 18, 2004

I immediately sent the following letter to Mr. Allman, the Headmaster.

"Aha! Rebels no more. Thank you, Mr. Allman.

It is my understanding that you personally took on the challenge to bring St. Johns to its senses and help us get rid of the pathetic "Johnny Reb" stigma. Congratulations on your success!

I have been ashamed of this name for about 40 years ever since I was old enough to realize what an affront the name was. For such an obvious move to have taken this long to bring about would make for an excellent tale, but I suppose we will never hear the inside story of the ridiculous and insipid obstacles I imagine you were forced to overcome. I am so glad you stayed with this issue. You have every right to be proud of what you have helped to accomplish. And good for the Board to back this change unanimously.

I met you briefly this past fall at an Alumni Reunion. Had I been aware of the stand you were taking on this issue I would have taken the opportunity to thank you personally. You have proven your leadership ability. Maybe this is a good time to take aim at a few more SJS traditions that could use some 21st century reexamination. You can count on my support for any more changes you think is necessary to move Saint Johns forward. Thank you again.

Rick Archer"

Guess what. I have never been more proud of my school than I am today. They finally got it right.

I guess social change is never graceful. Actually I think they got it right when they hired Mr. Allman. Isn't it marvelous what a good leader can accomplish?

HALF-PRICE POLICY CHANGE EFFECTIVE STARTING IN APRIL 2004

SSQQ WILL BE MAKING CHANGES IN OUR PRACTICE NIGHT SYSTEM STARTING IN MARCH.

THE FEBRUARY COMPLAINT OF THE MONTH REVISITED -
TO SWITCH PARTNERS OR NOT TO SWITCH PARTNERS?

-----Original Message-----
From: M P-B
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2004 9:18 AM
To: dance@ssqq.com
Subject: Lessons for Newlyweds

"Hi,

Bill and I took lessons for a session, had fun learning, and want to learn more. We had one very big problem with the lessons. I had to dance with every sweaty-handed body grabber who panted in my ear, reached for my rear, and tried to push my body to his, or vice versa. They are not all like that, but our class had multiple versions of this kind of guy. Very unpleasant.

How about a class for those who want to dance primarily with their sweethearts, or at least a policy that allows married or attached people to dance together if they choose?

We would sign up in a minute. Until then, we just can't bring ourselves to do it.

Not alone in Houston,

MB P-B"
 

An SSQQ named Lisa Perkins decided to share her thoughts on the subject.

-----Original Message-----
From: Perkins, Lisa
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2004 12:41 PM
To: dance@ssqq.com
Subject: SSQQ WON'T OFFER A GROUP DANCE CLASS STRICTLY FOR MARRIED PEOPLE

"Rick, Not that it needs reiterating, but private lessons are the perfect answer to your Married People complaint of the month.

When I first began lessons at SSQQ, I found it curious that married couples not only switched partners during class (as required) but that they also danced with other people during practice sessions. So, being the curious person that I am... I asked. If I had only waited and taken a few more classes myself, I wouldn't have needed to ask. What I discovered on my own was exactly what these married couples had shared with me - Dancing with different partners makes you a better dancer. When you dance with the same person all the time, you learn to "accommodate" their moves, their style, (their mistakes). Both partners do this... it's just a natural process that you do on an unconscious level.

Neither partner even recognizes they are doing so. It's amazing what you can learn in just a few moments by simply changing partners.

I've practically "worked a move to death" trying to figure out why it doesn't work with the same partner. Then, either he, or I will try the same move with someone else and DUH!

It becomes so obvious. Most couples don't mind switching partners at SSQQ. They are paying to improve their dancing, and switching partners is a very effective method for doing just that.

As to dancing with "every sweaty-handed body grabber who panted in my ear," I will admit that there always seems to be one dancer in every class who I do not look forward to dancing with, but I've never been "groped" or "body grabbed". Since I am single and don't get much of that, could you tell me what classes she was taking??

I must be taking all the wrong classes. ;-)
LP"

(Editor's Note: The SSQQ Policy for Switching Partners during group classes is easily the most controversial rule we have. You might be curious to know the story that prompted us to make this move.

We now have a section known "New To SSQQ". It consists of three pages. Page One covers where to find more information about various aspects of our operation. Page Two covers the History of SSQQ. Page Three covers the Philosophy of SSQQ.  You can visit this section of the ssqq web site at:
http://ssqq.com/information/ssqq1.htm

Here is an excerpt from the "Philosophy of SSQQ" that should explain EXACTLY why we insist everyone switch partners/no exceptions.

WHY WE INSIST THAT EVERYONE SWITCH PARTNERS, PART TWO -
A CLASS DISINTEGRATES BEFORE OUR VERY EYES.

"I will never forget the sweet couple that pulled me aside one night back in 1987 to beg me not to make them switch partners. They told me they were getting married and needed to practice for their wedding dance. They asked so nicely that despite my misgivings, I agreed to make an exception for them. I told them to dance in the corner and just wave by anyone who tried to dance with them.

I was teaching a very large Beginning Jitterbug class. We had 40 students signed up. That first week, 38 people stayed in the circle and switched partners while the single couple stayed isolated over in a corner.


In the second week, another couple asked permission. What was I supposed to say ? Now two couples were out of the Circle. It got worse - After the Break, two more couples joined them without bothering to ask. Now there were 4 couples not switching. I could see people whispering to each other what was going on.

By next time the class met for their third lesson, the class had separated into two groups. Half the class were the non-coupled people rotating in a circle on one side of the room while the other half of the class were couples who stayed at the other end preferring not to switch. I was totally caught off guard by this turn of events and did not have a clue how to deal with such an obviously divisive issue. No matter what I said or did, I risked alienating half the class so I felt helpless to correct the problem. What a mess. The morale in my class was pathetic.

The absolute nadir occurred when several ladies of the non-switching couples began to insist I give special attention to their partners. It seems their husband's leads and footwork were weak. They did not ask politely either. They were frustrated because they could see that their husbands were not improving like the "single" men were. In their words, their husbands were simply "not getting it". These women were the only ones who were frustrated. I came very close to losing my temper at this point. By not joining the Circle, these couples had literally taken themselves out of the Loop and now they expected me to give them special attention.

The lesson we learned from the Conan incident is that "Leads" are best taught to men by a female instructor who can spot a problem while rotating through the Circle. She is in a position to correct it on the spot and prevent bad habits from developing. However since the non-switchers weren't in the Circle, they were not receiving the proper attention.

The non-switchers were not improving at all and now the women were upset. So was I. My class had fallen to pieces. Reluctantly I took my female assistant out of the Circle and sent her down to concentrate on the couples. I worked with the Singles for the rest of the night while she helped the couples. It was a very long night.

By the fourth and final week of the Beginner class, attendance had dwindled to about 12 people. The wedding couple was nowhere in sight. I had a feeling they sensed that my favor to them had been the path to ruin. The class that night was not fun, but with so few people I was able to talk them into using the Circle again as a group... except for one couple that insisted on staying apart. Just shoot me. Quite frankly, no one finished that course in a very good frame of mind.

The final humiliation came a week later. Only seven people from the original group of 40 showed up for the Intermediate level. Normally at least 20 and sometimes 30 people will go on to the next level. I was furious to see that the problems created by accommodating the people who did not wish to switch had not only ruined my Beginner class, they had crippled my Intermediate class as well.

I was so disgusted I vowed that from now on even if I had to ask people to leave the class and refund tuition, I would rather do that than have people refuse to switch.

Most people do not mind "sharing", but if even one couple doesn't switch, then the selfish side of human nature is tempted to appear. From now on I wasn't going to give anyone a choice. This incident convinced me that for our Group Classes to work, switching is necessary.

Even today once in a while a couple will ask permission not to switch, but after the teacher gently insists they switch it, it ceases to be an issue after they rotate a couple times. They realize that by switching partners they can learn a lot more about leading and following different people than they could by dancing alone. They start to relax once they realize that dancing with different people is actually kind of fun.

The term "Social Dance" implies learning to dance with more than one person. Dancing is literally a "social skill". Someday you are going to have the occasion to dance with coworkers at a business-related party, with friends at a barbeque with a C&W band, with relatives and friends at a wedding, or with friends at a New Year's Party. These moments may be off the future somewhere, but the time to prepare for them is while you are taking our dance classes.

And when you get right down to it, isn't a big part of Social Dance learning to be "social" as well? Switching Partners is not nearly as difficult as some people imagine. Once you get used to it, you will see our point."

(Editor's Note: I am not saying that the SSQQ Switching Partners policy is universally liked. It isn't. Most people don't mind, but some people do. Those who mind usually decide to cooperate anyway, but others choose not to sign up for our classes and go elsewhere. It is impossible to please everybody, so we have to stick with what works for us.

For our Group Classes to be effective, we have no choice but to stick our decision to ask people to rotate partners. We hope this story helps our students understand how we came to this conclusion.)
 

THE STORY OF THE SSQQ NEWSLETTER

END OF AN ERA: MOJO DANCE SHOES IS HAVING A MARCH SHOE SALE.

SSQQ STAFF UPDATES FOR MARCH 2004