Out of town visitors attending school for a day

[Anonymous]

When I was in ES in the late 90s, it was not uncommon for kids who had relatives or friends visiting from out of town to bring their out of town visitor to school with them for a day (as long as the visitor was of a similar age as the student). For example, say 4th grader Larlo’s cousins were visiting from out of town. Larlo’s 5th grade cousin might attend school with Larlo for all or part of the day, either sitting with Larlo at his desk in the classroom or maybe at an extra desk or in an extra chair.

Two questions: Does this still happen? I can’t imagine this being allowed today for a number of reasons - security protocols, liability concerns, classrooms are already overcrowded and teachers overburdened without adding random visitors into the mix, etc.

Second, did anyone else experience this growing up? I’m just curious how common this was. While I wouldn’t be surprised if most schools never allowed these kinds of visitors in the classroom, I remember attending a full school day with my best friend, who had moved out of state, when I visited her in the fall of 2000. So it couldn’t have been just my school that did this.

[Anonymous]

I have never seen it happening except in preschool for the ‘bring a special person’ day. It is a huge liability for schools to have random children or adults on the premises

[Anonymous]

I remember it! It was super exciting and distracting.

We once had a French girl just for one day and she told us our French book was wrong.

[Anonymous]

I don’t remember this ever happening (in the 80s) except for exchange students.

[Anonymous]

I went to 5 different elementary schools all over the country and never saw this. Can’t imagine that happening in this day and age.

[Anonymous]

I do remember this! I remember when my cousin was in elementary school in like k or 1st grade I was visiting and was on a different school schedule break and was maybe in 4th or 5th grade and went to his class for a day. I helped the teacher with stuff and also helped the kids. It was so much fun and a core memory.

And then after moving out of state I came back to visit my friends in high school in 9th grade since my school ended earlier than theirs and I was already on break. I had moved the summer before. I went to school with a friend that morning and spent the entire day going to her classes. Nobody ever asked me anything. Thinking back on it I cannot believe it was allowed. This was in the mid to late 90s.

This would absolutely not be allowed today.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in MCPS. This was absolutely done. In my senior year, one girls boyfriend showed up in class. It was a bit odd as he was already in college, but there he was.

[Anonymous]

I remember this from back in the 70s and early 80s. I don't think it happens much today, although at DCs' private K-8 they did allow former students who had moved away to come in for brief visits sometimes.

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

This happened in the 80's in suburban NY. I remember it a few times.

[Anonymous]

Lucky those of you who had chance to experience it. Can’t imagine this happening in today’s schools.

[Anonymous]

No way would this be allowed today. And I would raise hell if I found out the school was allowing this nonsense. They are not your free babysitting service.

[Anonymous]

My cousin did this once, he was from South America

[Anonymous]

I definitely remember this in the 90s, but I went to private school at the time. I don't remember it happening at my public MS and HS in the 2000s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in MCPS. This was absolutely done. In my senior year, one girls boyfriend showed up in class. It was a bit odd as he was already in college, but there he was.

Never happened.