‘I don’t have to hear my kid whine’; well, your kid’s chaperone does

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t disagree with you OP. But I also am annoyed with you. Some of those parents probably argued with their kids to dress better, bring a raincoat, etc. Kids probably refused. So parents decided to let them suffer the natural consequences! You completely undermined that! Let them be cold. Let them be wet. Will they die? No. And next time they’ll listen to their parents and bring a raincoat.

You totally undermined and “rescued” those kids. Bad choice.

OP here. My daughter was fighting me about clothes the night before because she wanted to wear shorts and Crocs. I told her she would be wearing proper shoes and long pants, or she would be going to school for a regular school day and I would attend the trip as a chaperone without her. This is called parenting. There is no such thing as an 11yo “refusing” me when it comes to a special privilege like Hershey Park.

So you raised a kid who doesn't understand how to dress themselves in middle school and now you're lecturing other people? Sounds like you did a very bad job parenting her when she was younger.

She understands she doesn’t get to make dumb choices on important days. If she wants to shiver at the bus stop, fine. But not all day in the cold and rain. It’s called stepping in and parenting until her brain finishes developing.

I’m a NP and I agree with this. If my kid refuses to wear sunscreen at the beach, I’m not letting them go and get a bad burn. In MS my kids would have probably put up a similar fight on the way to a long field trip and I would have made them pack something and say they can leave it on the bus. Now they’re in HS and make better choices.

I agree with the op. I’m a teacher and there’s just a lot of kids who lack resilience and whine constantly. All the “natural consequences” that parents think they’re teaching seems to only relate to clothes and weather. They’re rushing lunches and homework and violins to school constantly, but somehow they’re making their kids gritty by letting them be cold. It’s not working, they’re not resilient.

I always wonder about posts like this- from teachers who clearly don’t like their students.

DP. Nah, you don’t get to trash teachers here. There’s no evidence that teacher hates her students. On the contrary, she wants her students to be supported.

Teachers often have to step in. That’s why I have supplies for students in my classroom (spare layers, deodorant, soap, etc.). And I’ve had to purchase food for hungry students many times.

I am not trashing teachers. I am pointing out this teacher is on the internet complaining about students who whine and their lack of resilience. So you can spare me your nonsense. If you don’t want me to point out the issue, teachers should stop trash talking their students. Very simple.

[Anonymous]

Communication is a TWO way street. When I send home messages on Class Dojo (we set up any new parent with the app during orientation) approximately 15/24 parents look at the message with the first 10 days. I also send the same message on paper in take home folders. This inability or disinterest in reading communication from the teacher has gotten significantly worse since appr. 2015. Before that, parents were much more on the ball. Also, parents didn’t flip out when it’s their fault they aren’t checking these two methods of communication. That’s also fairly new. Before that, parents would apologize if they missed important messages. Now they lash out at us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t disagree with you OP. But I also am annoyed with you. Some of those parents probably argued with their kids to dress better, bring a raincoat, etc. Kids probably refused. So parents decided to let them suffer the natural consequences! You completely undermined that! Let them be cold. Let them be wet. Will they die? No. And next time they’ll listen to their parents and bring a raincoat.

You totally undermined and “rescued” those kids. Bad choice.

OP here. My daughter was fighting me about clothes the night before because she wanted to wear shorts and Crocs. I told her she would be wearing proper shoes and long pants, or she would be going to school for a regular school day and I would attend the trip as a chaperone without her. This is called parenting. There is no such thing as an 11yo “refusing” me when it comes to a special privilege like Hershey Park.

So you raised a kid who doesn't understand how to dress themselves in middle school and now you're lecturing other people? Sounds like you did a very bad job parenting her when she was younger.

She understands she doesn’t get to make dumb choices on important days. If she wants to shiver at the bus stop, fine. But not all day in the cold and rain. It’s called stepping in and parenting until her brain finishes developing.

I’m a NP and I agree with this. If my kid refuses to wear sunscreen at the beach, I’m not letting them go and get a bad burn. In MS my kids would have probably put up a similar fight on the way to a long field trip and I would have made them pack something and say they can leave it on the bus. Now they’re in HS and make better choices.

I agree with the op. I’m a teacher and there’s just a lot of kids who lack resilience and whine constantly. All the “natural consequences” that parents think they’re teaching seems to only relate to clothes and weather. They’re rushing lunches and homework and violins to school constantly, but somehow they’re making their kids gritty by letting them be cold. It’s not working, they’re not resilient.

I always wonder about posts like this- from teachers who clearly don’t like their students.

DP. Nah, you don’t get to trash teachers here. There’s no evidence that teacher hates her students. On the contrary, she wants her students to be supported.

Teachers often have to step in. That’s why I have supplies for students in my classroom (spare layers, deodorant, soap, etc.). And I’ve had to purchase food for hungry students many times.

I am not trashing teachers. I am pointing out this teacher is on the internet complaining about students who whine and their lack of resilience. So you can spare me your nonsense. If you don’t want me to point out the issue, teachers should stop trash talking their students. Very simple.

Well, when teachers actually start trashing students on this thread, we can talk. But since this thread is about a very reasonable concern (parents not preparing their own children), then you can leave the trash talk out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had kids in public school long enough to know that if this was a widespread problem, then it is the fault of the organizers. Sorry.

Schools are horrible communicators. If lots of kids were poorly dressed, then the organizers did not adequately communicate to families what the event would be like -- how much walking would be involved, whether it was outdoors or indoors, whether the kids would actually be spending time at the park having fun or they would just be performing and attending an awards ceremony.

Parents aren't mind readers. Most kids would be fine at school on a rainy, 55 degree day in shorts and crocs. I see them do this all the time. In fact my kids who are not allowed to wear shoes like that to school at all complain to me about being too hot in socks because they are indoors and buildings are not heated or cooled well.

Lesson to the organizer -- next year, specify that all kids should wear closed toed shoes with socks regardless of weather, and bring an outer layer in the event of rain. I wouldn't dictate pants or shorts and if kids wore shorts and complained, I'd just let them complain.

When it's a few kids, it's on those parents or kids for not planning well enough. When it's tons of kids, then this should be part of the planning process and it means the kids and families were not adequately informed about the event.

OP here and nope. Communications were thorough, frequent and great. INCLUDING a night-before warning about the weather. Sorry, if you don’t get that amusement park = outdoors and walking, you are ridiculous. It takes 20 seconds to check a weather app or Google the weather and tell your kid to prepare for cold and rain. Sorry, you tried it, but nope.

If the majority of kids were inappropriately dressed, then the communication was not effective. When I write an email for work and more than half the people didnt comprehend the message, I don’t get to blame the reader.

Our elementary school sends reminders via email WEEKLY that you are not to turn left after completing the drop-off loop. It was covered in orientation, it was covered in papers passed out on meet-the-teacher/peek-at-your-seat events, and paper packets sent home the first week. There have been texts about it. There is a huge, city sign saying NO LEFT TURNS, as well as a “left turn crossed out” sign for anyone who can’t read, or who can’t read English. There are numerous parent volunteers in the morning giving verbal reminders and hand gestures guiding people where to go and where not to go. There are sandwich board-style signs near the exit saying No Left Turn.

Do you think the school is failing to communicate about no left turns out of the drop-off loop, or do you think some parents are just entitled jerks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had kids in public school long enough to know that if this was a widespread problem, then it is the fault of the organizers. Sorry.

Schools are horrible communicators. If lots of kids were poorly dressed, then the organizers did not adequately communicate to families what the event would be like -- how much walking would be involved, whether it was outdoors or indoors, whether the kids would actually be spending time at the park having fun or they would just be performing and attending an awards ceremony.

Parents aren't mind readers. Most kids would be fine at school on a rainy, 55 degree day in shorts and crocs. I see them do this all the time. In fact my kids who are not allowed to wear shoes like that to school at all complain to me about being too hot in socks because they are indoors and buildings are not heated or cooled well.

Lesson to the organizer -- next year, specify that all kids should wear closed toed shoes with socks regardless of weather, and bring an outer layer in the event of rain. I wouldn't dictate pants or shorts and if kids wore shorts and complained, I'd just let them complain.

When it's a few kids, it's on those parents or kids for not planning well enough. When it's tons of kids, then this should be part of the planning process and it means the kids and families were not adequately informed about the event.

OP here and nope. Communications were thorough, frequent and great. INCLUDING a night-before warning about the weather. Sorry, if you don’t get that amusement park = outdoors and walking, you are ridiculous. It takes 20 seconds to check a weather app or Google the weather and tell your kid to prepare for cold and rain. Sorry, you tried it, but nope.

If the majority of kids were inappropriately dressed, then the communication was not effective. When I write an email for work and more than half the people didnt comprehend the message, I don’t get to blame the reader.

Our elementary school sends reminders via email WEEKLY that you are not to turn left after completing the drop-off loop. It was covered in orientation, it was covered in papers passed out on meet-the-teacher/peek-at-your-seat events, and paper packets sent home the first week. There have been texts about it. There is a huge, city sign saying NO LEFT TURNS, as well as a “left turn crossed out” sign for anyone who can’t read, or who can’t read English. There are numerous parent volunteers in the morning giving verbal reminders and hand gestures guiding people where to go and where not to go. There are sandwich board-style signs near the exit saying No Left Turn.

Do you think the school is failing to communicate about no left turns out of the drop-off loop, or do you think some parents are just entitled jerks?

This seems to be the issue. This thread is full of parents of elementary schooler and not parents of teens and tweens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had kids in public school long enough to know that if this was a widespread problem, then it is the fault of the organizers. Sorry.

Schools are horrible communicators. If lots of kids were poorly dressed, then the organizers did not adequately communicate to families what the event would be like -- how much walking would be involved, whether it was outdoors or indoors, whether the kids would actually be spending time at the park having fun or they would just be performing and attending an awards ceremony.

Parents aren't mind readers. Most kids would be fine at school on a rainy, 55 degree day in shorts and crocs. I see them do this all the time. In fact my kids who are not allowed to wear shoes like that to school at all complain to me about being too hot in socks because they are indoors and buildings are not heated or cooled well.

Lesson to the organizer -- next year, specify that all kids should wear closed toed shoes with socks regardless of weather, and bring an outer layer in the event of rain. I wouldn't dictate pants or shorts and if kids wore shorts and complained, I'd just let them complain.

When it's a few kids, it's on those parents or kids for not planning well enough. When it's tons of kids, then this should be part of the planning process and it means the kids and families were not adequately informed about the event.

OP here and nope. Communications were thorough, frequent and great. INCLUDING a night-before warning about the weather. Sorry, if you don’t get that amusement park = outdoors and walking, you are ridiculous. It takes 20 seconds to check a weather app or Google the weather and tell your kid to prepare for cold and rain. Sorry, you tried it, but nope.

If the majority of kids were inappropriately dressed, then the communication was not effective. When I write an email for work and more than half the people didnt comprehend the message, I don’t get to blame the reader.

Our elementary school sends reminders via email WEEKLY that you are not to turn left after completing the drop-off loop. It was covered in orientation, it was covered in papers passed out on meet-the-teacher/peek-at-your-seat events, and paper packets sent home the first week. There have been texts about it. There is a huge, city sign saying NO LEFT TURNS, as well as a “left turn crossed out” sign for anyone who can’t read, or who can’t read English. There are numerous parent volunteers in the morning giving verbal reminders and hand gestures guiding people where to go and where not to go. There are sandwich board-style signs near the exit saying No Left Turn.

Do you think the school is failing to communicate about no left turns out of the drop-off loop, or do you think some parents are just entitled jerks?

Are you telling me the “majority” parents are making a left? I highly doubt it. Because that’s OP’s message - the majority of kids were not dressed appropriately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had kids in public school long enough to know that if this was a widespread problem, then it is the fault of the organizers. Sorry.

Schools are horrible communicators. If lots of kids were poorly dressed, then the organizers did not adequately communicate to families what the event would be like -- how much walking would be involved, whether it was outdoors or indoors, whether the kids would actually be spending time at the park having fun or they would just be performing and attending an awards ceremony.

Parents aren't mind readers. Most kids would be fine at school on a rainy, 55 degree day in shorts and crocs. I see them do this all the time. In fact my kids who are not allowed to wear shoes like that to school at all complain to me about being too hot in socks because they are indoors and buildings are not heated or cooled well.

Lesson to the organizer -- next year, specify that all kids should wear closed toed shoes with socks regardless of weather, and bring an outer layer in the event of rain. I wouldn't dictate pants or shorts and if kids wore shorts and complained, I'd just let them complain.

When it's a few kids, it's on those parents or kids for not planning well enough. When it's tons of kids, then this should be part of the planning process and it means the kids and families were not adequately informed about the event.

OP here and nope. Communications were thorough, frequent and great. INCLUDING a night-before warning about the weather. Sorry, if you don’t get that amusement park = outdoors and walking, you are ridiculous. It takes 20 seconds to check a weather app or Google the weather and tell your kid to prepare for cold and rain. Sorry, you tried it, but nope.

If the majority of kids were inappropriately dressed, then the communication was not effective. When I write an email for work and more than half the people didnt comprehend the message, I don’t get to blame the reader.

Our elementary school sends reminders via email WEEKLY that you are not to turn left after completing the drop-off loop. It was covered in orientation, it was covered in papers passed out on meet-the-teacher/peek-at-your-seat events, and paper packets sent home the first week. There have been texts about it. There is a huge, city sign saying NO LEFT TURNS, as well as a “left turn crossed out” sign for anyone who can’t read, or who can’t read English. There are numerous parent volunteers in the morning giving verbal reminders and hand gestures guiding people where to go and where not to go. There are sandwich board-style signs near the exit saying No Left Turn.

Do you think the school is failing to communicate about no left turns out of the drop-off loop, or do you think some parents are just entitled jerks?

This seems to be the issue. This thread is full of parents of elementary schooler and not parents of teens and tweens.

Did you realize that people can be both?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Communication is a TWO way street. When I send home messages on Class Dojo (we set up any new parent with the app during orientation) approximately 15/24 parents look at the message with the first 10 days. I also send the same message on paper in take home folders. This inability or disinterest in reading communication from the teacher has gotten significantly worse since appr. 2015. Before that, parents were much more on the ball. Also, parents didn’t flip out when it’s their fault they aren’t checking these two methods of communication. That’s also fairly new. Before that, parents would apologize if they missed important messages. Now they lash out at us.

Class Dojo is THE WORST. Why the heck can't we just have an email list? Or yeah, send notes home in folders. Class Dojo is trash software, I am always either getting like 14 notes from the school a day (about upcoming sporting events my kid isn't in, notices about what yesterday's spirit day theme was, etc.), or nothing. I cannot get Clas Dojo to alert me when my kid's teacher sends my a direct message, I just have to check the app periodically for it. Oh, and the stupid app created a "ghost" profile for my kid when she was in summer camp and it won't let me delete it.

Parents used to see and respond to teacher messages because they used to arrive a normal way. My mom was on top of things but if you'd subjected her to class Dojo, I think she would have homeschooled instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had kids in public school long enough to know that if this was a widespread problem, then it is the fault of the organizers. Sorry.

Schools are horrible communicators. If lots of kids were poorly dressed, then the organizers did not adequately communicate to families what the event would be like -- how much walking would be involved, whether it was outdoors or indoors, whether the kids would actually be spending time at the park having fun or they would just be performing and attending an awards ceremony.

Parents aren't mind readers. Most kids would be fine at school on a rainy, 55 degree day in shorts and crocs. I see them do this all the time. In fact my kids who are not allowed to wear shoes like that to school at all complain to me about being too hot in socks because they are indoors and buildings are not heated or cooled well.

Lesson to the organizer -- next year, specify that all kids should wear closed toed shoes with socks regardless of weather, and bring an outer layer in the event of rain. I wouldn't dictate pants or shorts and if kids wore shorts and complained, I'd just let them complain.

When it's a few kids, it's on those parents or kids for not planning well enough. When it's tons of kids, then this should be part of the planning process and it means the kids and families were not adequately informed about the event.

OP here and nope. Communications were thorough, frequent and great. INCLUDING a night-before warning about the weather. Sorry, if you don’t get that amusement park = outdoors and walking, you are ridiculous. It takes 20 seconds to check a weather app or Google the weather and tell your kid to prepare for cold and rain. Sorry, you tried it, but nope.

If the majority of kids were inappropriately dressed, then the communication was not effective. When I write an email for work and more than half the people didnt comprehend the message, I don’t get to blame the reader.

Our elementary school sends reminders via email WEEKLY that you are not to turn left after completing the drop-off loop. It was covered in orientation, it was covered in papers passed out on meet-the-teacher/peek-at-your-seat events, and paper packets sent home the first week. There have been texts about it. There is a huge, city sign saying NO LEFT TURNS, as well as a “left turn crossed out” sign for anyone who can’t read, or who can’t read English. There are numerous parent volunteers in the morning giving verbal reminders and hand gestures guiding people where to go and where not to go. There are sandwich board-style signs near the exit saying No Left Turn.

Do you think the school is failing to communicate about no left turns out of the drop-off loop, or do you think some parents are just entitled jerks?

Are you telling me the “majority” parents are making a left? I highly doubt it. Because that’s OP’s message - the majority of kids were not dressed appropriately.

Do you expect the school to contact you multiple times a week, reminding you to check the weather and help ensure that your child is dressed appropriately? What do you do on vacations? Do you expect the school to tell you what to pack?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had kids in public school long enough to know that if this was a widespread problem, then it is the fault of the organizers. Sorry.

Schools are horrible communicators. If lots of kids were poorly dressed, then the organizers did not adequately communicate to families what the event would be like -- how much walking would be involved, whether it was outdoors or indoors, whether the kids would actually be spending time at the park having fun or they would just be performing and attending an awards ceremony.

Parents aren't mind readers. Most kids would be fine at school on a rainy, 55 degree day in shorts and crocs. I see them do this all the time. In fact my kids who are not allowed to wear shoes like that to school at all complain to me about being too hot in socks because they are indoors and buildings are not heated or cooled well.

Lesson to the organizer -- next year, specify that all kids should wear closed toed shoes with socks regardless of weather, and bring an outer layer in the event of rain. I wouldn't dictate pants or shorts and if kids wore shorts and complained, I'd just let them complain.

When it's a few kids, it's on those parents or kids for not planning well enough. When it's tons of kids, then this should be part of the planning process and it means the kids and families were not adequately informed about the event.

OP here and nope. Communications were thorough, frequent and great. INCLUDING a night-before warning about the weather. Sorry, if you don’t get that amusement park = outdoors and walking, you are ridiculous. It takes 20 seconds to check a weather app or Google the weather and tell your kid to prepare for cold and rain. Sorry, you tried it, but nope.

If the majority of kids were inappropriately dressed, then the communication was not effective. When I write an email for work and more than half the people didnt comprehend the message, I don’t get to blame the reader.

Our elementary school sends reminders via email WEEKLY that you are not to turn left after completing the drop-off loop. It was covered in orientation, it was covered in papers passed out on meet-the-teacher/peek-at-your-seat events, and paper packets sent home the first week. There have been texts about it. There is a huge, city sign saying NO LEFT TURNS, as well as a “left turn crossed out” sign for anyone who can’t read, or who can’t read English. There are numerous parent volunteers in the morning giving verbal reminders and hand gestures guiding people where to go and where not to go. There are sandwich board-style signs near the exit saying No Left Turn.

Do you think the school is failing to communicate about no left turns out of the drop-off loop, or do you think some parents are just entitled jerks?

Are you telling me the “majority” parents are making a left? I highly doubt it. Because that’s OP’s message - the majority of kids were not dressed appropriately.

Do you expect the school to contact you multiple times a week, reminding you to check the weather and help ensure that your child is dressed appropriately? What do you do on vacations? Do you expect the school to tell you what to pack?

You sound unhinged. Please don’t chaperone again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had kids in public school long enough to know that if this was a widespread problem, then it is the fault of the organizers. Sorry.

Schools are horrible communicators. If lots of kids were poorly dressed, then the organizers did not adequately communicate to families what the event would be like -- how much walking would be involved, whether it was outdoors or indoors, whether the kids would actually be spending time at the park having fun or they would just be performing and attending an awards ceremony.

Parents aren't mind readers. Most kids would be fine at school on a rainy, 55 degree day in shorts and crocs. I see them do this all the time. In fact my kids who are not allowed to wear shoes like that to school at all complain to me about being too hot in socks because they are indoors and buildings are not heated or cooled well.

Lesson to the organizer -- next year, specify that all kids should wear closed toed shoes with socks regardless of weather, and bring an outer layer in the event of rain. I wouldn't dictate pants or shorts and if kids wore shorts and complained, I'd just let them complain.

When it's a few kids, it's on those parents or kids for not planning well enough. When it's tons of kids, then this should be part of the planning process and it means the kids and families were not adequately informed about the event.

OP here and nope. Communications were thorough, frequent and great. INCLUDING a night-before warning about the weather. Sorry, if you don’t get that amusement park = outdoors and walking, you are ridiculous. It takes 20 seconds to check a weather app or Google the weather and tell your kid to prepare for cold and rain. Sorry, you tried it, but nope.

Look, I've never sent my kid to Hershey park without a raincoat. But if the majority of kids were not prepared for the event, the communications were bad. That's it. Like dud everyone get that night before message about the weather? Was it clearly worded? Was it sent at 7pm or 11pm?

And honestly, there shouldn't be a night before message. I'm telling you if I was planning this event, my takeaway here would be that all students are required to wear closed toed shoes and socks and bring a jacket, regardless of the weather, and I would put this in all caps in the permission slip with the note that kids who are not properly attired will not be permitted to board the bus. Problem solved.

This is an organizer problem. Yes, planning events like this is like herding cats. But then brush up on your cat herding skills because that's the gig.

And this is not even unique to parents or middle schoolers. I've planned events for executives. People can be dumb and sometimes you have to spell it out for them. If most of the people at your event have the same issue, it's no longer their fault, now it's yours.

[Anonymous]

OP, chaperoning is not for you anymore! This is hardly a thing to think twice about. Some 6th graders didnt wear rain coats. One of them was so sad she cried. I probably would have also bought the ponchos but then wouldn't have thought a single extra thing. 6th graders can get wet. Its OK. My 11 year old would have happily splashed around in crocs and shorts. This isnt a tragedy. Although the girl who cried sounds like she's in for a hard road.

[Anonymous]

OP here and I just double-checked and, yep! Allllll the notifications and permission slip and info forms all had reminders for people to check the weather and prepare accordingly, and said that proper walking shoes are encouraged. Wowie zowie!

I don’t need an announcement, a reminder, or a form to know to check the weather before a big event, but apparently, some of you have reached the ripe old age of 30s/40s without learning this.

[Anonymous]

Whatever. These are middle schoolers, not preschoolers. They all have the ability (likely at their fingertips) to check the weather and wear appropriate clothing. If they don’t and I’m their chaperone- I don’t care. They can whine all they want. It doesn’t bother me, not my problem. No one is getting frostbite or trench foot today. They will be fine, uncomfortable but fine. Lesson learned for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had kids in public school long enough to know that if this was a widespread problem, then it is the fault of the organizers. Sorry.

Schools are horrible communicators. If lots of kids were poorly dressed, then the organizers did not adequately communicate to families what the event would be like -- how much walking would be involved, whether it was outdoors or indoors, whether the kids would actually be spending time at the park having fun or they would just be performing and attending an awards ceremony.

Parents aren't mind readers. Most kids would be fine at school on a rainy, 55 degree day in shorts and crocs. I see them do this all the time. In fact my kids who are not allowed to wear shoes like that to school at all complain to me about being too hot in socks because they are indoors and buildings are not heated or cooled well.

Lesson to the organizer -- next year, specify that all kids should wear closed toed shoes with socks regardless of weather, and bring an outer layer in the event of rain. I wouldn't dictate pants or shorts and if kids wore shorts and complained, I'd just let them complain.

When it's a few kids, it's on those parents or kids for not planning well enough. When it's tons of kids, then this should be part of the planning process and it means the kids and families were not adequately informed about the event.

OP here and nope. Communications were thorough, frequent and great. INCLUDING a night-before warning about the weather. Sorry, if you don’t get that amusement park = outdoors and walking, you are ridiculous. It takes 20 seconds to check a weather app or Google the weather and tell your kid to prepare for cold and rain. Sorry, you tried it, but nope.

If the majority of kids were inappropriately dressed, then the communication was not effective. When I write an email for work and more than half the people didnt comprehend the message, I don’t get to blame the reader.

Our elementary school sends reminders via email WEEKLY that you are not to turn left after completing the drop-off loop. It was covered in orientation, it was covered in papers passed out on meet-the-teacher/peek-at-your-seat events, and paper packets sent home the first week. There have been texts about it. There is a huge, city sign saying NO LEFT TURNS, as well as a “left turn crossed out” sign for anyone who can’t read, or who can’t read English. There are numerous parent volunteers in the morning giving verbal reminders and hand gestures guiding people where to go and where not to go. There are sandwich board-style signs near the exit saying No Left Turn.

Do you think the school is failing to communicate about no left turns out of the drop-off loop, or do you think some parents are just entitled jerks?

Are you telling me the “majority” parents are making a left? I highly doubt it. Because that’s OP’s message - the majority of kids were not dressed appropriately.

Do you expect the school to contact you multiple times a week, reminding you to check the weather and help ensure that your child is dressed appropriately? What do you do on vacations? Do you expect the school to tell you what to pack?

For a regular school day? Of course not. Though actually schools should clearly communicate clothing expectations at school and periodically send reminders if that's an issue.

For a one-off field trip that is kind of high stakes (expensive, far), yes the school should plan for contingencies and provide families with specific things their kids should bring. This is a no brainer.