Our districts sound similar, even though mine is rural. We're 70% free/reduced lunch this year. We have a lot of princesses, but a most are from very low-income homes and have nothing. We don't have students who are showing off their latest purchases and making fun of others who don't wear the right clothes. And now a growing number are from extremely dysfunctional home environments who can't handle being in a stable setting with no drama. Some are living with grandparents; others actually move in with their current boyfriend's family. Whenever there is an argument they move in with someone else. Technically our state classifies them as homeless.
I have one girl who is a pregnant senior and had loved the drama. The last scene she created was, for me, the last straw. I called in our school social worker (who is great) and we both told her she was going to be a mother; she couldn't afford to spend her time making problems any more because she had to start thinking about how she was going to raise her child NOW. We've both been encouraged - she seems to have listened and has realized this isn't playtime. I wish we could get through to all of them that well.

I couldn't agree more with your post about complimenting the girls you teach on their appearance. I teach band, so it is a bit harder for the gals to check their makeup in my class, but I have observed it in other settings soooooo many times. I know of one girl who spends lectures checking her makeup and flirting with whichever guy she sits next to that week, then flirts her way into having him do her work for her. I wish I could say she was the only one I had ever seen do this.
Also, do you find the "mean girls" are the ones you know have been told by parents they were pretty little princesses? I'm in a small district so I can watch them grow up and I've found this to be a good indicator.

Oh, bummer! I actually went to UDA (Universal Dance Association) camps at NIU, but I was an "All-Star" there, so it's probably a lot like what you did with Showstoppers. Still, Illinois dancer pride!

Your comment in the sad songs thread made me realize that we NEED to hang out. Seriously, email me. I left my email address below.

haha -- another happy hour invite, Ms. Popular! Sugar Moms this Friday 6pm.

Hey, lady. You're in Chicago, right? Not sure you heard, but Chicago Jezzies are getting together on 2/9/08, 8:00pm at the Whirlaway Lounge, 3224 W. Fullerton. Hope you can make it! (If you're not in Chicago, then sorry, my bad.)