Paying to Chaperone Field Trip

[Anonymous]

I am chaperoning a field trip in a few weeks and was reminded to send in a check. I didn't expect to have to pay since I haven't in the past. It's a small amount, but it's weird that they are asking for it this time but didn't last year. I assume it's for transportation.

What are your expectations when chaperoning?

[Anonymous]

Yes, sometimes you need to pay for your entry ticket, or contribute to the private coach (usually not if it's a school bus). And some years if the school has accumulated enough funds, they don't ask parents to pay for anything. I've experienced both.

You can always ask why it's done differently this year.

[Anonymous]

Our secretary at our school requires parents to pay the fee (aka splitting the cost of entrance fee and bus). If you take an MCPS school bus, you typically won't have to pay but because we are low on bus drivers and there's a certain window where teachers can have the bus reserved, many teachers decide that charter buses are the best option. Mcps also requires teachers to pick from selected charter buses, which may drive the price up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am chaperoning a field trip in a few weeks and was reminded to send in a check. I didn't expect to have to pay since I haven't in the past. It's a small amount, but it's weird that they are asking for it this time but didn't last year. I assume it's for transportation.

What are your expectations when chaperoning?

I expect to be paid minimum wage for my time, including travel, and to receive a thank you note signed by the class.

Gmab.

[Anonymous]

Budgets change year to year. There's not some conspiracy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, sometimes you need to pay for your entry ticket, or contribute to the private coach (usually not if it's a school bus). And some years if the school has accumulated enough funds, they don't ask parents to pay for anything. I've experienced both.

You can always ask why it's done differently this year.

Both trips were to a Smithsonian and done by public school bus - op

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am chaperoning a field trip in a few weeks and was reminded to send in a check. I didn't expect to have to pay since I haven't in the past. It's a small amount, but it's weird that they are asking for it this time but didn't last year. I assume it's for transportation.

What are your expectations when chaperoning?

Yes you pay.

Just stop you cheapo.

Really do not go if you don't want to pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am chaperoning a field trip in a few weeks and was reminded to send in a check. I didn't expect to have to pay since I haven't in the past. It's a small amount, but it's weird that they are asking for it this time but didn't last year. I assume it's for transportation.

What are your expectations when chaperoning?

I don't have "expectations" when chaperoning. I pay the fee they ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, sometimes you need to pay for your entry ticket, or contribute to the private coach (usually not if it's a school bus). And some years if the school has accumulated enough funds, they don't ask parents to pay for anything. I've experienced both.

You can always ask why it's done differently this year.

Both trips were to a Smithsonian and done by public school bus - op

I wonder If there is a specific activity that they might have to pay for?

[Anonymous]

I have always had to pay for chaperoning field trips, regardless of whether I take the school bus or not. In the past, parents were asked to drive to South Mountain Creamery, Butler farm, Green Meadow Farm and we paid our fees.

[Anonymous]

I didn’t get picked but the chaperones on my kids last field trip paid the same amount kids did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, sometimes you need to pay for your entry ticket, or contribute to the private coach (usually not if it's a school bus). And some years if the school has accumulated enough funds, they don't ask parents to pay for anything. I've experienced both.

You can always ask why it's done differently this year.

Both trips were to a Smithsonian and done by public school bus - op

PP you replied to. Then you definitely need to push back, OP, and ask why you need to pay. The Smithsonian institution you're visiting is free for the public, correct? And MPCS doesn't charge schools for using schoolbuses. Last year when my kid's class when to the African American museum on schoolbuses, there was nothing to pay. Everyone brought their own lunches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, sometimes you need to pay for your entry ticket, or contribute to the private coach (usually not if it's a school bus). And some years if the school has accumulated enough funds, they don't ask parents to pay for anything. I've experienced both.

You can always ask why it's done differently this year.

Both trips were to a Smithsonian and done by public school bus - op

PP you replied to. Then you definitely need to push back, OP, and ask why you need to pay. The Smithsonian institution you're visiting is free for the public, correct? And MPCS doesn't charge schools for using schoolbuses. Last year when my kid's class when to the African American museum on schoolbuses, there was nothing to pay. Everyone brought their own lunches.

They do charge for field trips, if they exceed the amount of field trips allotted for that school. Most schools go OVER their allotment.

[Anonymous]

I've always had to pay to chaperone

[Anonymous]

Yes you pay for the bus or entry or both.