If you disagree with a policy change at your child's school ..

[Aliceacc]

I can understand the need for this policy and if helps the teacher do their job and the field trip run smoothly, I would have no problem with it.

If you don't like the rules the school has, you have the choice of private school or homeschool.

Just please don't choose the private school where I teach.

At my school, parents have 2 choices: abide by school policies or withdraw their child. There are very, very few "special snowflakes" at my school. As a result, a remarkable amount of learning occurs.

Oh, and I would love to be a fly on the wall if a parent ever DARED insinuate that the school should knuckle under to their demands because they pay tuition. The withdrawl papers would be filled out before the word "tuition" had been uttered.

 

[Kathi OD]

Public school teacher here in Maryland....

The county I teach in requires background checks for all field trip chaperones. I have submitted over a dozen of these applications this year. The parents do not pay. The county picks up the tab.

That's cool. I often thought that it's a shame that we're always asking for parent involvement, and then when a parent shows interest in being involved, we make them pay for it.

 

[Poohforyou]

There are several states that REQUIRE background checks for ANYONE who works with or has responsibility for, children during school hours. In our state, that includes parents who volunteer to be chaperones on trips. These background checks are not paid for by the school district or state. I know of no district that pays the fee for this background check, although there may be some that do. FWIW, the law also covers contractors hired by the school who may come in contact with students while completing the work they were hired to do.



Ummm....sorry, but no...you don't pay taxes so that you can tell teachers what to do in schools. You pay taxes to provide the funds for the children in your community to be educated. You elect officials to oversee the operation of the schools. They, in turn, hire administrators who develop policies and curriculum for the students and then recommend them to the elected officials.


I absolutely don't see a problem with a parent questioning why a certain policy has changed and voicing a dissenting opinion if they feel it is unfair. Sometimes the changes that are made are done so as a knee-jerk reaction to an event and are not well thought out. In those cases, questioning the change, and offering a different solution may be welcomed by the school's administration.

Our district here in NJ will pay for a background check. The screening policy went into effect just as my DD was starting middle school so I didn't bother. I was still able to help with the book fair and stuff like that but couldn't go into the classroom. That isn't needed in middle school.

The only time any parent who wanted to go on a trip was able to go was on the 5th grade farewell trip. But it that case we just went to Philly together and everyone went their own way. Teachers weren't responsible for any kids.

Schools have to have policies for order and safety. Having a kid in the school doesn't preclude someone from being inapropriate with another child. If someone doesn't like the policies in their schools considering running for the school board or home schooling.

 

[klfrech]

I agree with previous poster...you are completely out of line.

I can only hope that the parents of my students love them more than I do..most of the time that's the case, but sometimes it isn't.

Just my experience...some parents who "love" their children and have the same attitude that you have are the same parents who hold their children accountable for NOTHING. Excuses for no homework, bad behavior, etc. Teachers are blamed, curriculum is blamed, administrators are blamed.

I see two types of parents...the kind that are so in "love" with their children that those same children can do no wrong. The excuses are endless. Then I see the kind that could care less about their kids. We need a balance. Both situations are usually completely extreme.

 

[NaLisa]

I am sometimes the person at my school who makes decisions, including decisions that might upset parents or teachers.

The first thing I'll say is that the other administrators at my school, and I, put a lot of thought into the decisions we make. That isn't to say that we're always right, but we are always thoughtful, and generally have the best interest of the kids in the forefront of our minds. If someone wants to come in and discuss a decision I've made, I'm happy to have that conversation. Why knows what will happen? You might listen to my reasons and come around to my side. You might convince me to look at the situation in a different way and change my mind. We might find a third solution that works for both of us. Whatever, but it starts with approach admin as if they're intelligent partners.

As to the specifics of the zoo trip, all I have to say is this: Do you have a parent in your community you'd never trust with your kid? Maybe you've heard the way he yells at his wife and it makes your skin crawl. Maybe you've found her toddler wandering in the street one time too often. Maybe you're creeped out by the way he looks at your preteen daughter. Or maybe she's come to pick up her 5 year old with alcohol on her breath many many times. For whatever reason, you've made a decision not to let him/her be alone with your kids.

Well, that neighbor's kids go to school, and their parents chaperone too. As a teacher, I can tell you that I put a lot of thought into how I group kids and chaperones on field trip. I'll take whatever steps I need to make sure that so and so isn't alone with your kids, whether it's rigging the lottery for spots on the bus, or assigning that parent to share a group with me or with my most trustworthy assistant teacher. But on a field trip where parents can come and go freely, it's a lot harder to manage. What if that parent runs into another parent group before you see them, and offers to take a couple kids to the bathroom? And that's just one example.

That isn't to say that there might not be a solution that would make you and the school happy. Maybe if parents sign up in advance, come to the school, attend the safety presentation, and then carpool behind the bus, it can work. Maybe parents can raise money and rent a second bus. If this is really really important to you then a conversation is a good place to start. On the other hand, it's totally reasonable to decide to just live with a polcy that you don't love.

Fantastic post!!! Thanks for sharing.

 

[NikitaZee]

Third grade teacher here. Parent decided to show up at our field trip and took little Johnny off away from the group. I was frantic trying to find them. Not a fun day.

Believe it or not parents, we are not out to screw you or ruin your day...we are trying to provide a large number of students with an enjoyable learning experience. Field trips can be very stressful.

As another poster said, take your child to the zoo on your own.

Slightly related....why can't adults follow rules? They are generally made for a reason and those reasons do not have to be disclosed in minute detail. That's why kids can't follow rules either...they believe they're entitled to an explanation. Gone are the days of "because I said so."

I actually think the opposite. I'm surprised by the amount of posters saying don't complain, if you don't like it put your kids in private school, homeschool, and so on. Maybe this particular situation wouldn't bother some of us, but if something else did why on earth wouldn't a parent say something? Yes, I want an explanation for changes that are made at my child's school. Since when is that asking too much?

 

[mom2rtk]

I see two types of parents...the kind that are so in "love" with their children that those same children can do no wrong. The excuses are endless. Then I see the kind that could care less about their kids. We need a balance. Both situations are usually completely extreme.

Wow. I sure hope you see some other types too. There's an awful lot of real estate between those two extremes.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

Just please don't choose the private school where I teach.

At my school, parents have 2 choices: abide by school policies or withdraw their child. There are very, very few "special snowflakes" at my school. As a result, a remarkable amount of learning occurs.

Oh, and I would love to be a fly on the wall if a parent ever DARED insinuate that the school should knuckle under to their demands because they pay tuition. The withdrawl papers would be filled out before the word "tuition" had been uttered.

As a parent at this school, I have to say it's one of the reasons we chose the school. My kids came from a private independent school prior to this, and the entitlement those parents felt nearly sent me over the edge. It's so refreshing to send my kids off to learn without having to deal with entitled children and helicopter parents.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[MnMomtoboys]

For those of you that would go anyway that makes you one of those "parents". Trust me it won't make your childs life a school easy.

 

[mamacatnv]

It has me wondering though (as does the thread about the 8th grader and the NRA shirt) ... what do you do when you don't like a new policy instituted by your child's school? Just get used to it, make an issue, try to change it ...?

Exactly what difference does it make? You sound like you're just looking for ways to cause trouble.

What's your beef? I was answering the OP's question about a policy change. Please see OP above and note she asks what we would do.

I don't tend to make trouble but I'm not a sheep either. I have learned over the years that schools just like everyone else on the planet are not perfect. They often make emotionally charged decisions that they feel are in someones best interest when myself and or other parents may not agree. Just because some administrator dictates it does not mean that I have to agree and just do what I am told because someone decided to implement some new rule. I think the OP did what she should, she questioned the policy and seems to be satisfied with the explanation she received. She may not be happy about the schools decision but at least she educated herself as to why the policy was implemented. If she chooses to challenge it, I would hope the school handbook outlines the procedure.

Handbooks exist for a reason and any policy changes that occur after distribution should be made public knowledge as soon as reasonably possible. In this particular situation it sounds like the different age groups were notified of this change in policy at different times. That, IMO is not as soon as reasonably possible, the timing was more convenient

 

[Janepod]

So much food for thought. Primarily, my son has a field trip tomorrow and I was planning to ... just send him. And get a pedicure. Why didn't I consider all of these issues? Bad mommy.

 

[tcufrog]

Both my sons go to private schools and the teachers and administrators don't make changes just because a parent complains. They are willing to consider a parent's concern but don't automatically make changes. No good school does.

 

[ten6mom]

So much food for thought. Primarily, my son has a field trip tomorrow and I was planning to ... just send him. And get a pedicure. Why didn't I consider all of these issues? Bad mommy.

I need a "like" button

 

[joviroxx]

Im still stuck on the fact that schools/taxes pay for the background checks of parents. Maybe because my kids go to private school and we pay for everything. But I don't get why now, funds for EDUCATING kids , need to pay for background checks because mom wants to go on a field trip!

Im all for background checks, and think they are needed,but pay for your own check! Funds are for educating your kids, not to let you go to the zoo with the Timmy and his class! :

As to the OP's question. I see no issue questioning or having a conversation with a school official about a policy. They might not change anything, but you might walk away with a better understanding of the reasons behind it.

 

[jodifla]

Im still stuck on the fact that schools/taxes pay for the background checks of parents. Maybe because my kids go to private school and we pay for everything. But I don't get why now, funds for EDUCATING kids , need to pay for background checks because mom wants to go on a field trip!

Im all for background checks, and think they are needed,but pay for your own check! Funds are for educating your kids, not to let you go to the zoo with the Timmy and his class! :

As to the OP's question. I see no issue questioning or having a conversation with a school official about a policy. They might not change anything, but you might walk away with a better understanding of the reasons behind it.

I would imagine because they need the volunteers to make the field trip happen, so they offer to pay for background checks.

 

[Tpiejg]

everyone that has a complaint about what I said is totally missing the point. It is not about following the teachers around at a field trip, its about spending time with your child and Taxes that are paid by you, parents in the community, to pay for your school and your teachers, should have some say as to what happens in that school. You shouldn't want to be dictated to. If you disagree with something you should be able to say so without being verbally attacked or brushed off as a helicopter parent. As for a teacher paying taxes, thats contradictory, all that you are actually doing is not taking some of the tax payer dollars. Your "taxes" that you paid are someone elses taxes they already paid. I am shocked that people would rather go with the flow, instead of saying something just because its easier. That makes me sad. I really thought someone would agree with me that the schools are ours, the communities, not the school administrations. But if that is what the majority wants then thats how it goes. As long as I am allowed to home school I fine with that. I guess I'm to independent.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

As for a teacher paying taxes, thats contradictory, all that you are actually doing is not taking some of the tax payer dollars. Your "taxes" that you paid are someone elses taxes they already paid.

Rubbish. The taxes (no quote signs) that I pay are a portion of the agreed-upon wage that I have earned through my time and skill.

I guess by your logic I pay every salesperson's taxes when I spend money at their store; I guess I pay my plumber's taxes when I pay him for fixing my faucet and I pay the taxes of the author of the book I'm reading, since he got paid for the book I bought.

 

[Janepod]

everyone that has a complaint about what I said is totally missing the point. It is not about following the teachers around at a field trip, its about spending time with your child and Taxes that are paid by you, parents in the community, to pay for your school and your teachers, should have some say as to what happens in that school. You shouldn't want to be dictated to. If you disagree with something you should be able to say so without being verbally attacked or brushed off as a helicopter parent. As for a teacher paying taxes, thats contradictory, all that you are actually doing is not taking some of the tax payer dollars. Your "taxes" that you paid are someone elses taxes they already paid. I am shocked that people would rather go with the flow, instead of saying something just because its easier. That makes me sad. I really thought someone would agree with me that the schools are ours, the communities, not the school administrations. But if that is what the majority wants then thats how it goes. As long as I am allowed to home school I fine with that. I guess I'm to independent.

In my town, we elect a school board, which then hires school administrators. So that does make them "ours." I feel that through voting, town meetings, referendums, and meetings with the teachers and administrators, that I have plenty of say.

I spend plenty of time with my kid. I don't need to piggyback onto his field trips if the teacher doesn't want me there. And as he gets older, I don't want him to be "that kid" whose parents wouldn't let him do anything alone. I was "that kid" and it was terrible.

Yes, teachers pay taxes.

If you are "to independent" you might want to rethink homeschooling.

 

[Tpiejg]

One last thing. My son was left behind in Worchester Ma., while on a field trip. The teacher was aware that they were short two student but left anyway. They assumed He must have gone home with another parent, but never checked. My son called me on his cell phone telling me they had left him behind, he had gone to the restroom with a friend and when he came out he couldn't find his school group. It was a robotics competition, with many schools attending. If I had been there it wouldn't have happened. So my perspective on this is a little different then most.
In the original post the principal stated that the policy had changed because the teachers found it to much. He said nothing of student safety. Its should always be about the kids not the teachers.

 

[M2B]

One last thing. My son was left behind in Worchester Ma., while on a field trip. The teacher was aware that they were short two student but left anyway. They assumed He must have gone home with another parent, but never checked. My son called me on his cell phone telling me they had left him behind, he had gone to the restroom with a friend and when he came out he couldn't find his school group. It was a robotics competition, with many schools attending. If I had been there it wouldn't have happened. So my perspective on this is a little different then most.
In the original post the principal stated that the policy had changed because the teachers found it to much. He said nothing of student safety. Its should always be about the kids not the teachers.

Scary situation for sure. The teacher didn't know your son had gone to the restroom? I cannot imagine leaving a field trip location without knowing where all of the students are.

However, not having too many parents around IS about student safety. If you know you have 5 groups of kids, one supervised by the teacher and the other four by specific parents and that's it.. there's never a reason to wonder if two students left with someone else.

I'm supervising a trip tomorrow. All supervisors have their record checks done, and if we are driving students (happens sometimes) we also have to submit a form stating that our licenses are clear and we carry enough insurance. Only those signed up to supervise will attend. In any school we've been in, that has always been the case. If someone isn't comfortable with that they don't send their child on the trip.

A policy change like this might make me wonder "why?" and I might ask why but that would be more out of curiosity.