Do you think your elementary aged child is being properly supervised while on a field trip?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is nuts and pulled a ridiculous stunt. That being said, I have been horrified at how poorly run field trips are in this area. I volunteered for one with second graders, got to the site (Mt. Vernon) and was given six kids at the front gate and told to meet back there in two hours. Teacher disappeared, and the groups were not expected to stay together. I had a couple of horrible kids in my group, but since they were not my children and I was not their teacher, I couldn’t really yell at them or give strict consequences for running off and not listening. Since much of MV is an unguided tour, I also found myself having to try to make up a narrative about what we were looking at.. I don’t think the teacher took a headcount on the bus at the end of the trip either.

When I had been on field trips in other places, the teacher keeps the group together and the parents are force multipliers. Now when my son has field trips, I remind himhe must stay with his teacher or chaperone at all times.

New poster. See the bolded statement. My kid is in HS now and I've chaperoned many field trips from kindergarten through middle school.

Did the teachers not ever give you their cell numbers to use in case of a kid being a serious problem? Our teachers always did, and also gave us a heads-up in advance if they knew a particular kid might be prone to acting up and especially to running off. And students knew there would be consequences back at school if they misbehaved on the trip.

As for the idea that you "couldn't really yell at them or give strict consequences for running off"? It doesn't matter that they're not your kids. You're allowed to tell ill-behaved kids that you are the boss of them, frankly, and make clear that if one of them runs off, the consequence would be for them to have to go with the teacher for the rest of the day. And though no parent wants to make that call and be "that chaperone" who had to tattle to the teacher -- parents in our schools DID use those calls if they really needed to do so. It was rare because most parents who chaperoned in our schools seemed actually to be willing to tell other people's children, "If you can't listen, you will stay glued next to me for the rest of this trip, and if you can't stay there, you will end up in the teacher's group, or done for the day." I've seen a kid sent back to wait at the departure point with a chaperone (when there were enough chaperones to do this) because the kid could not control himself.

In my own groups, I only recall one kid over the years who tried running off or messing around in the bathroom etc., and yeah, he was stressful to have in my group for that day, but it helped that the rest of the kids quickly figured out that he was going to slow them down and prevent them from getting to do things, so THEY began telling him to hurry up and to stick with us.

Before people post, but our teachers don't give us numbers, etc. -- so ASK for that next time. Say that other schools do this and you want it in case you have a child who goes missing or whatever. And don't hesitate to call the teacher(s) if a child is ruining the trip for the other children in the group. I've never actually had to do it because the kids knew I WOULD do it if they acted up.

Totally agree with PP’s response! I think this attitude among the parent chaperones — that you can’t discipline “someone else’s kid”— is a big part of the problem. We have 4 kids and I have chaperoned many MCPS field trips: yes, 5 kids per parent is pretty common. I think that, because I have boys, the teachers seem to assign me all-boy groups, typically my son and the friend he picked, then 3 other boys. I have no problem telling the kids where to go, to stick with me, and if one of them runs away from the group I round them up with my ‘mom’ voice. Honestly, except for 1 kid with obvious behavioral issues, they listened to me and I never had to call the teacher. I’m also the parent who tells them to sit down on the bus or not to throw food when other chaperones ignore the behavior. The teachers can’t realistically be expected to take care of their own group of kids AND be responsible for the behavior of all of the other kids during the entire field trip. I really think parents who aren’t willing or able to provide this level of effort shouldn’t volunteer.

I see the lack of organization others are talking about, but it doesn’t bother me because I feel capable to navigate Mt. Vernon or the zoo with just my group...it would be a nightmare to try to keep the entire class together in these types of venues. However, it’s clear to me from observing other parents, and reading this thread, that some other volunteers don’t feel this way: my thought is that these folks should either step up or stop volunteering. OP’s post to me doesn’t ring true, sounds to me more like what OP wishes she had been able to prove, but OP is illuminating the fact that yes, field trips often are not well-supervised.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you showed up, picked up your kid and took him from the field trip without telling anyone just to see when someone would call you about taking your own kid, and are using that as proof your kid is in imminent danger on field trips?

You have major issues.

AND....your kid missed out on whatever they were seeing because he was sitting with you while Grandma stalked the group, then driving with you to get pizza while his classmates were actually participating in the field trip.

So you traumatized him, and who knows who else, to prove a point?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone else feel bad for the poor teacher that was the victim of OP's experiment? She probably waited to call you because they were frantically looking for your kid and hoping he would turn up. I'm skeptical that they didn't notice that your kid was missing for so long; really they might have been quietly looking for him without sounding the alarm and worrying everyone. I'm just dumbfounded that you would think it's ok to take your child away from the group without letting the teacher know. Did this ruin the trip for the rest of the class? Your behavior was really selfish. You could have instead joined the group and helped out the teacher rather than trying to prove a point.

Gotta agree. Your child didn't wander off/wasn't left behind. You removed him from the trip without letting anyone know. Yes, they should have realized before 45 minutes, but as the teacher, I would have been totally frantic and would be pretty unforgiving when I learned that you took your child with no word to anyone.

If you don't like how field trips are supervised, speak up and work with the school to change it. Don't be a jerk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Totally agree with PP’s response! I think this attitude among the parent chaperones — that you can’t discipline “someone else’s kid”— is a big part of the problem. We have 4 kids and I have chaperoned many MCPS field trips: yes, 5 kids per parent is pretty common. I think that, because I have boys, the teachers seem to assign me all-boy groups, typically my son and the friend he picked, then 3 other boys. I have no problem telling the kids where to go, to stick with me, and if one of them runs away from the group I round them up with my ‘mom’ voice. Honestly, except for 1 kid with obvious behavioral issues, they listened to me and I never had to call the teacher. I’m also the parent who tells them to sit down on the bus or not to throw food when other chaperones ignore the behavior. The teachers can’t realistically be expected to take care of their own group of kids AND be responsible for the behavior of all of the other kids during the entire field trip. I really think parents who aren’t willing or able to provide this level of effort shouldn’t volunteer.

I see the lack of organization others are talking about, but it doesn’t bother me because I feel capable to navigate Mt. Vernon or the zoo with just my group...it would be a nightmare to try to keep the entire class together in these types of venues. However, it’s clear to me from observing other parents, and reading this thread, that some other volunteers don’t feel this way: my thought is that these folks should either step up or stop volunteering. OP’s post to me doesn’t ring true, sounds to me more like what OP wishes she had been able to prove, but OP is illuminating the fact that yes, field trips often are not well-supervised.

Fathers who chaperone also seem to get assigned boys, even if their own child is a girl. This is why my daughter never wanted her father to chaperone. But anyway, yes, I agree. You round the kids up, you use your 'parent' voice, and you count 1-2-3-4-5 CONSTANTLY. If you're not ready to do that, don't volunteer to chaperone.

[Anonymous]

Lmao! Lady, you are nuts! One of your kids had a bad experience so (with a lengthy and bs preamble) you go nab your kid from the field trip to prove a point!
I hope they bar your family from field trips, at least.

[Anonymous]

I've chaperoned a couple of school field trips. (Arlington) The first one, it was a challenge to keep up with my kid and one other kid! They were running around everywhere. But the second one, I had 6 kids for a museum trip, and it wasn't bad at all. That extra year or two of growing up made a big difference in their behavior!

I don't worry about my kid on field trips. She knows not to wander off. If I had a special needs child, I'd probably sign up to be a chaperone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you basically kidnapped your own child and reinforced the unacceptable behavior of leaving the group. That was not a good parenting move.

Op, did you ask your kid why he wasn't with his group? Or didn't attempt to stay with his group. Sounds like your kid got distracted and either panicked or kept doing whatever they wanted. You are right, it is hard to chaperone kids. The younger, the harder. Yes, I have chaperoned many trips. If the kids don't attempt to keep up or intentionally wonder off, then that makes it even harder. Look at both sides of this situation. Parents need to be more attentive during field trips and kids need to be taught to stay with their group.

[Anonymous]

At my school parents are read the riot act about how they are there to supervise a group of students, not just little larla and latlo. If they are not up to the task of watching a whole group or they are busy on their phone the whole time they are put on a " do not chaperone" list

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lmao! Lady, you are nuts! One of your kids had a bad experience so (with a lengthy and bs preamble) you go nab your kid from the field trip to prove a point!
I hope they bar your family from field trips, at least.

If I were your child's teacher I would absolutely be furious that you kidnapped your own kid away from the field trip to prove a point

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Totally agree with PP’s response! I think this attitude among the parent chaperones — that you can’t discipline “someone else’s kid”— is a big part of the problem. We have 4 kids and I have chaperoned many MCPS field trips: yes, 5 kids per parent is pretty common. I think that, because I have boys, the teachers seem to assign me all-boy groups, typically my son and the friend he picked, then 3 other boys. I have no problem telling the kids where to go, to stick with me, and if one of them runs away from the group I round them up with my ‘mom’ voice. Honestly, except for 1 kid with obvious behavioral issues, they listened to me and I never had to call the teacher. I’m also the parent who tells them to sit down on the bus or not to throw food when other chaperones ignore the behavior. The teachers can’t realistically be expected to take care of their own group of kids AND be responsible for the behavior of all of the other kids during the entire field trip. I really think parents who aren’t willing or able to provide this level of effort shouldn’t volunteer.

I see the lack of organization others are talking about, but it doesn’t bother me because I feel capable to navigate Mt. Vernon or the zoo with just my group...it would be a nightmare to try to keep the entire class together in these types of venues. However, it’s clear to me from observing other parents, and reading this thread, that some other volunteers don’t feel this way: my thought is that these folks should either step up or stop volunteering. OP’s post to me doesn’t ring true, sounds to me more like what OP wishes she had been able to prove, but OP is illuminating the fact that yes, field trips often are not well-supervised.

Fathers who chaperone also seem to get assigned boys, even if their own child is a girl. This is why my daughter never wanted her father to chaperone. But anyway, yes, I agree. You round the kids up, you use your 'parent' voice, and you count 1-2-3-4-5 CONSTANTLY. If you're not ready to do that, don't volunteer to chaperone.

Never ever have seen that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Totally agree with PP’s response! I think this attitude among the parent chaperones — that you can’t discipline “someone else’s kid”— is a big part of the problem. We have 4 kids and I have chaperoned many MCPS field trips: yes, 5 kids per parent is pretty common. I think that, because I have boys, the teachers seem to assign me all-boy groups, typically my son and the friend he picked, then 3 other boys. I have no problem telling the kids where to go, to stick with me, and if one of them runs away from the group I round them up with my ‘mom’ voice. Honestly, except for 1 kid with obvious behavioral issues, they listened to me and I never had to call the teacher. I’m also the parent who tells them to sit down on the bus or not to throw food when other chaperones ignore the behavior. The teachers can’t realistically be expected to take care of their own group of kids AND be responsible for the behavior of all of the other kids during the entire field trip. I really think parents who aren’t willing or able to provide this level of effort shouldn’t volunteer.

I see the lack of organization others are talking about, but it doesn’t bother me because I feel capable to navigate Mt. Vernon or the zoo with just my group...it would be a nightmare to try to keep the entire class together in these types of venues. However, it’s clear to me from observing other parents, and reading this thread, that some other volunteers don’t feel this way: my thought is that these folks should either step up or stop volunteering. OP’s post to me doesn’t ring true, sounds to me more like what OP wishes she had been able to prove, but OP is illuminating the fact that yes, field trips often are not well-supervised.

Fathers who chaperone also seem to get assigned boys, even if their own child is a girl. This is why my daughter never wanted her father to chaperone. But anyway, yes, I agree. You round the kids up, you use your 'parent' voice, and you count 1-2-3-4-5 CONSTANTLY. If you're not ready to do that, don't volunteer to chaperone.

Never ever have seen that.

I also have a DS and every field trip, I get assigned an all boy group!

Honestly I agree with the other posters who say that the field trips are usually pretty disorganized and it would be very easy to lose a kid.

Also, we are at a Focus school, so to the parent who says to just ‘not volunteer’, that would mean no field trips. They are desperate for volunteers at my kids’ school.

I HATE volunteering for field trips and have definitely had kids who run away. But I do it because they really need parents.

[Anonymous]

I have chaperoned a lot of field trips and I have generally felt the supervision was sufficient. I've always been paired with another parent and had a reasonable number of kids to keep track of. Only once was I paired with a parent who was only interested in her kid and sneaking off for smoke breaks and we got briefly separated from one of our kids, but I quickly realized he was missing and doubled back for him. A teacher also saw him and made sure we reconnected.

My oldest was not a wanderer but my youngest is more impulsive and is the one I worry about getting lost. Heck, I lost track of him ToT'ing last night and he's in the 4th grade. Vigilance is necessary but the risk is really not great in the big picture of field trips. I think you are a bit overanxious and your stunt to take you kid off and create drama was a dick move.

[Anonymous]

I have chaperoned many a FCPS field trip.

Ours are usually very well organized by the teacher - we get a sheet of paper with everyone's groups, children's names, chaperone cell #s as well as the teacher's cell #s.

I am typically paired with kids I know, but if I am not, I have a quick huddle with my group and kind of lay down some ground rules. For example, stay together, stay where I can see you and you can see me, don't wander off, etc. It is hard to manage kids who move at different speeds, kids who want to read plaques or listen to docents/reenactments.

There is ALWAYS a kid or two who wanders. It's probably happening at school, too. In my experience, those kids are either with their own parents or the teacher/school staff member so they can be more diligent about keeping an eye on them.

I have lost a kid for about 2 minutes, and it was terrifying for me. He had been wandering off/running off throughout the day and was "hiding" around the other side of a hill. Myself and the other chaperone had a discussion with him that if it happened again, the field trip was over for everyone and we were going directly back to the bus. That shaped him up, and he didn't wander off again. We weren't mean and we didn't yell, but we made it clear that he had to stay with the group - that's part of a field trip.

In my opinion, the hardest part of field trips in this area is the actual destination. No matter where you go, there seems to be tons of other field trips there and it's generally crowded, chaotic and noisy.

[Anonymous]

NP. My kid was "lost" on a field trip for about 15 minutes. I'm still not worried about field trips, since he has been trained to seek out someone who works at the museum to ask for help, and he knows my cell phone number. As soon as a kid is old enough to be in school, that kid should memorize parent cell phone numbers as well as what to do if they are separated from parents or their group. (Plus, it's great practice for Disney World)

I agree that a lot of chaperones aren't very vigilant. When I chaperone, it's decidedly not fun for me since I'm on high alert the whole time. If you basically just want to enjoy a museum with your own kid, then do it on the weekends. Don't take on responsibility for a bunch of other kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lmao! Lady, you are nuts! One of your kids had a bad experience so (with a lengthy and bs preamble) you go nab your kid from the field trip to prove a point!
I hope they bar your family from field trips, at least.

If I were your child's teacher I would absolutely be furious that you kidnapped your own kid away from the field trip to prove a point

Jesus. Same. Hope its private school and you are counseled out. Think of how much extra stress you caused on this field trip.