Field Trip

[irish dancer]

My DS8 has Autism and is in 3rd grade in a self-contained classroom, he does mainstream for a few subjects. The regular 3rd grade is going on a field trip and my DSs teacher asked if I would be able to go along as a 1-on-1 aide for him. I don't mind, it's a boat cruise in downtown Chicago.

Here's my question. If there is a fee involved should I be responsible for paying my own way?

My thought is no, I should not have to pay my own way since I'm going as a 1-on-1 aide and if they were sending someone from school it is unlikely that they'd be paying their own way. I might be totally out of line so I thought I'd check with others to see what you have experienced.

 

[Earstou]

The parents at our school always have to pay the expenses for their kids to go on a field trip, so I would expect to pay my own way if I was helping.

 

[bookwormde]

Technically if you are there to replace an accommodation that the school would otherwise have to provide then they should pay.

On a practical sense, for the relatively minimal amount that these things usually cost, there are probably better place to pick to “battle”. There are just to many non-monetary issues that I would rather spend my time and energy on.

I always find the field trip to be “fun” and quite enlightening as to the dynamics of the class, my DS has a 1on 1 para so I am not in the same situation, but with me there DS’s para is “freed up” to help in the broader situation.

bookwormde

 

[mechurchlady]

Technically, as bookworm said, they should pay your way. However why not pay your way and see this as a family mini vacation and free transportation to the event and time with your kid and something fun for you to do that normally you do not do. Have a good time and let us know how it went.

hugs
Laurie

 

[LuvsTinker]

I would expect to pay my own way.

Another child in my son's class has a shadow and I know the mother pays for the shadow's cost of field trip.

 

[Schmeck]

If the child doesn't have a 1 to 1 in his IEP, would the parent be comfortable having the child go on the field trip without that supervision? If it's not in the IEP, then there is no legal reason to have one for the field trip, so that doesn't make for an accommodation in my book.

One question - when the child is in the mainstream classroom, is he in there with a special staff member? If he is, then there should be one assigned to him for the field trip. If he doesn't have one during his regular mainstream classroom time, ask why they think one is needed for the trip.

Also, was there a permission slip/monetary request sent home, and did they ask for chaperones? Are you the only parent asked to chaperone?

 

[irish dancer]

Thanks for all the feedback. I don't plan to make waves over this I was just curious what others thought and if I was totally off base. I completely agree that there are better times to pick a battle and to be honest I'm looking forward to the trip and it's only $5. Sometimes though I just feel like they're taking advantage of us since we are so accomodating and bend over backwards trying to make sure things at school go smoothly for DS. It is certainly easier for them if I agree to go for DS, then they don't have to provide someone.

Schmeck - to answer your questions, since 5 children from his self-contained classroom are going with only one aide I would be uncomfortable. I'm sure he'll do fine but since they're going downtown Chicago and out on a boat in Lake Michigan I would feel more comfortable if there was a higher adult to child ratio. Yes he has an aide that accompanies him to his mainstreamed classes and it is not the aide that is attending this trip, another factor that makes me nervous. I was specifically asked by his main teacher if I would be his 1-on-1, I don't know if there are any other chaperones but I am fairly certain no other parent from his class was asked or would do it. The permission slip did come home but nothing was noted about me paying. I think I'll wait to see if they ask.

 

[mechurchlady]

Maybe the aide will not be available for the time of the trip or maybe they will be puking off the side of the boat thus unable to tend to your child. So look at it as maybe the aide cannot or should not go on the trip.

 

[BeckyScott]

The way our school usually does it is to borrow extra staff members to go. The para from DS's class will go, but they will also grab the SLP or OT or someone else like that, depending on who can get out that day.

However, it is certainly possible that there is more than one field trip going on that day, more than one class out of the building, and they don't have enough staff to cover all the outings.

I would be all over going on that trip. It will give you much insight as to how he interacts with the other kids. And probably you will have at least one other kid hanging on to you.

I would take the $5 just in case but maybe you won't need it. They might have gotten a group rate or some sort of package deal. Some places quote a rate for the kids and throw in a certain number of adults. Or they have a special deal for schools.

 

[LMC]

When my son had a 1/1 aide the school paid for that aide to go with him. When he had a trip out of town for the day and wanted DH to go with him, we paid for DH to go and the aide did not make the trip but worked at the school that day.

 

[1stluvispooh]

Technically if you are there to replace an accommodation that the school would otherwise have to provide then they should pay.

On a practical sense, for the relatively minimal amount that these things usually cost, there are probably better place to pick to “battle”. There are just to many non-monetary issues that I would rather spend my time and energy on.

I always find the field trip to be “fun” and quite enlightening as to the dynamics of the class, my DS has a 1on 1 para so I am not in the same situation, but with me there DS’s para is “freed up” to help in the broader situation.

bookwormde

Totally agree with bookwormde. With so many battles to fight I would just give them the couple of bucks and have fun with the kids.

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

We always go on the school field trips and we never pay for the adult. I just pay for my child. I really never thought about paying for myself! I wouldn't mind...the thought just never crossed my mind.