Overnight at school update (LONG, sorry)

[kasar]

I don't know if anyone remembers my thread about an overnight party we were planning for 5th graders. I was looking for some opinions and I got lots (thank you), some pro and some con which were all helpful. Well, you cannot believe the ruckus this has caused around the school.

Most parents think it's a fine idea or would have let their children stay until 12:00 and then take them home. But there were a few parents who really complained for several different reasons. Evidently, two boys were caught looking up "dirty" words in the school library dictionary (not condoning this but isn't that what 11 year old boys DO?) and one boy made a mess in the bathroom (was punished). But these incidents have spread like wildfire around the rumor mill and have spooked some of the parents. I feel like the kids who would follow the rules and behave are missing out because of a very small minority.

This is a small, suburban school where everyone knows everyone else's kids. We do know the troublemakers but realistically we're very lucky with this particular group. They seem to be a really nice group of kids (I'm not naive and think that they are all innocent - but I chaperone a lot and work in the library so I do see them a lot). I just feel like we have a very small window of opportunity here before they head to middle school and change into teenagers. But in any case, it looks like it won't be happening and I feel like my DD who would have really enjoyed spending time with her friends in a very controlled and safe environment (you may remember that the principal agreed to stay and supervise). Instead the kids who follow rules and behave learned a valuable lesson - that everyone gets accomodated except those that deserve to be. It's sad, actually.

 

[CajunDixie]

When I was in 6th grade our 2 teachers took us to a camp that was normally for girl scouts. Girls stayed 6 to a cabin with an adult and boys the same. The one teacher stayed up most of the night walking around outside to make sure no one was sneaking around. During the days we were there we had planned activities and took turns doing the chores (setting tables, serving food, and cleanup of the tables). Anyone that had gotten in major trouble through the year was not allowed to participate.

 

[Danauk]

I'm a teacher in the UK and have taken my children (aged 7 - 11)on 10 over night trips over the past 6 years. 6 of these were inside at a field studies centre. All the boys stayed in one dormitory and the girls in the other. The other 4 trips were camping. The children stayed 8 to a tent, boys and girls had different tents. The children love going away. They are supervised doing activities all day and in the evening. At night the teachers sleep in a tent or room near the dormitories. We make sure all the children are asleep before we go to bed, but the children know where we are if they need us.
I really enjoy these trips. We often find the quitest child really comes out of their shell and gains confidence whilst away. Plus they love having extra time with their friends. We also make sure that any children who have been in serious trouble throughout the year do not go.

 

[piratesmate]

That's really sad. I know the children look forward to times like this. Is there no way to work this out?

DD's elem school had a "4000 page" sleepover for the 5th graders. (6th is middle school) The children were together for most of the evening, but at 11:00 the boys went to rooms on the first floor & the girl went to rooms on the third floor.

In addition to the teachers (who partrolled in shifts throughout the night) there were parent volunteers. For several of the students, their parents were told the father had to come to help supervise.

 

[mom2boys]

Anyone that had gotten in major trouble through the year was not allowed to participate.

For several of the students, their parents were told the father had to come to help supervise.

As the mother of a 4th grader, I know my son would love something like this next year. I think both of the above suggestions would make me comfortable - we do have a very safe school & a wonderful principal with 6 kids of his own. He has a wonderful rappore with the kids - especially the boys.