Overnights at school?

[kasar]

We're trying to plan a social for the 5th graders at our school before they leave for middle school and were considering doing a "March Madness" overnight dance and party. The kids are going to love it - they just want to hang out with each other. I know other schools have done this and I was wondering about any experiences you may have. Since it looks like I'm going to be leading this (I should NEVER have suggested the idea!) I'm also looking for ideas on what to do.

Here's what I've come up with so far:

6:30-8:00 - welcome, dancing w/DJ music (everyone) - they will be full of energy at this point

8:00-8:30 - "get to know you" scavenger hunt (ask parents and students crazy questions about each other). They know each other, but I thought this would break the ice a bit. Small prizes for most points (or first done??) DJ still there.

8:30-8:45 - small snack (not too much sugar!) Maybe pizza

8:45 - 10:00 - different activities for different interests:
Volleyball/basketball in gym, movies in library, going to try to get parents to set up different stations w/crafts, games other quiet activities, etc.

10:00 - pick up time for anyone who doesn't want to stay over

10:30-11:30 - DARE officer will do presentation, trying to get either local karate studio or yoga studio to do a "cool" down, calming group activity.

11:30- 11:45 - cookies and milk, maybe hot chocolate

11:45 - 12:00 - story time? Ghost stories?

12-12:30 - quiet time, lights out

Donuts in AM. Pick up at 8:30AM

Am I crazy? What potential problems do you see? We will be sure to make sure boys and girls are not sleeping near each other, we're having them wear comfy clothes that they can play and sleep in (no changing), principal will be there. Hopefully lots of parents will agree to help out! I'd love to hear your suggestions! Thanks.

EDITED TO ADD: Does anyone think this is a BAD idea? I hope parents don't think it's inappropriate at this age, they're still young enough to have fun at this but I know there are a few kids who push the envelope a bit. The girls will not be allowed in tiny pj's or anything and everything will be supervised. I'd like to hear negative opinions too (I think - don't make them too harsh LOL).

 

[preshi]

I think it sounds great! We went on overnights to camps both in 4th grade and in 6th grade.

The only thing I can say is that I wouldn't expect them to sleep at all! LOL Sleepovers to us meant staying up as long as we could...even if the parents were yelling at us LOL

Good Luck!

 

[nativetxn]

It sounds like fun. Where will the kids sleep (or stay overnight, I doubt they will sleep)

 

[grinningghost]

DD had an overnight camping trip in 5th grade. DH and I went as chaperones. The kids had a ball - but it POURED the entire time. Kids were rolling down muddy hills. They definitely made the best out of it. I don't recall any of them really complaining at all. They were just happy to be with their friends.

I think well-chaperoned overnighters are great for kids. Gives them a chance to cut loose in a supervised environment. And they DO sleep well when they get back home.

 

[battricia]

Hi. I think it's a good Idea as well. We had the same exact thing when I was in 5th grade, i think like 13 years ago? We were on our way to a new middle school and wanted to have a last blast kindof thing. We stayed right at the school. The girls had separate rooms from the boys. We played volleyball, watched movies, we had a little fashion show for the girls, while the boys had their own thing.. there were PLEANTY of activities. We had a pizza party for dinner. It was a great time!

My suggestion would be to have the teachers make a list of the kids they would approve of coming, maybe by grades and behavior (have they had detention, do they cause problems in class time or 'recess' time..), that way you won't have to deal with trouble-maker kids or kids that might ruin the fun for others.

You already had a great idea of allowing kids to go home late into the evening, incase their parents don't approve of staying over, they can still join in the fun before everyone goes to 'sleep'.

I hope everything goes well for you, and your 5th grader has a great time!

tricia

 

[Gette88]

DD went to a Read On, Sleep On in 5th grade. The kids wore pj's, brought their sleeping bags and pillows and of course the girls brought stuffed animals and they had to bring books to read. It was well supervised and the kids had a ball. I know they were broke up into groups for the night for sleeping and for crafts and games.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Girls sleep on one side of the room boys on the other!

We had lock-ins with my church youth group. We did not sleep at all! We were older though 8-12 grades. There were some structured activities, but mostly we just hung out with each other. Those are some of the best memories I have of that time.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Sorry to post something negative but I would definetely say no to all night. I would be a parent not to let the kids sleep over. DH and I are now on a committe for our kids school for preventing child abuse etc. It is scary when you hear of all this stuff. Gee your childrens school is very brave for even considering this idea. Do they screen parents. Checking ids, arrest records etc. Sorry in this day and age you can never be too careful. How well supervised will this be - 2 adults (not related) girls/boys, bathroom issues, open doors vs a dark room etc. I sure would make sure every base is covered. Lawsuits are common around here for everything. Good luck.

 

[poohandwendy]

I think it sounds like a really fun idea, but MANY potential problems. Some that you may or may not have thought of:

Make sure there are VERY limited areas of the school for the kids to travel to. And I mean, very limited. There should be no room or area unsupervised (including the restrooms). You could always suggest parents who have 'bathroom duty' to bring a book or mini portable tv, LOL) I say this because while your child and their friends may not be sexual, there are many kids who are (or want to be) at this age, it is best NOT to make this an opportunity for experimentation. Also, it would eliminate the opportunity for smoking, drugs and alcohol. I would have a code of conduct that is signed by every parent and student, beforehand.

At the beginning of the event, make sure that EVERY chaperone and student is aware of how to exit the building, quickly, in case of fire or emergency. (the club fire ,a year or so ago,where 100 people died in a matter of minutes is a really good reminder that we can never assume people will KNOW what to do or where to go, especially panicked children and adults who are not accustomed to every nook and cranny of the school) Every chaperone should have a list of ALL students and adults for head counts. This list should include emergency phone #s. I would also make the local police force aware of the event and ask for them to occasionally patrol the area (more frequently than they would when the building is empty). They should also have a list of who is attending and parents phone #s, just in case.

I am sure others can think of more potential problems (and I am NOT trying to put a black cloud over the planning or suggest that you haven't thought of the above scenarios, just adding my 2 cents). It is just that the parents are going to expect you to make SURE nothing bad happens. 99 times out of 100, nothing does. BUT, when bad things do happen, people are always ready to say...."they (meaning YOU) should have KNOWN that this could happen". Dot your i's and cross your t's. You can never be too prepared. Plan with the worst kid imaginable being there and worst disaster possible in mind. (The good kids and the lack of disasters need no planning)

Also, make sure and advise the parents (written) of all of the thought you have put into this, they will be comforted to know that you have thought of everything. It will make things go more smoothly with them.

It sounds like serious fun for the kids...good luck planning your event!!!

 

[my3kids]

Is there a camp nearby that is designed for accomodating groups for sleepovers, with seperate boy and girl areas? There would probably be a dining hall for the DJ, snacks and games, then the boys would head off to one area of the camp and the girls to the other.

A camp might have ropes courses and other really cool things. That might be an option if you do a day party instead of a sleepover. They could do the outdoor stuff during the day. Then all your planned evening activities, with pick up around 10 pm.

I think I wouldn't allow my children to attend a school sleepover in a coed room, but would allow them to go overnight to a camp with seperate boy and girl dormitories.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have done several overnights with my Girl Scout troop. We have slept at the ZOO, Science Center, Magic House & Planatarium.

1) Some parents will have a problem with the boy/girl issue.

(possible to do a girls night & then a boys night? I think that would be more fun & it could be themed)

2) Yes, you should do a fire drill.

3) Code of conduct (you will go home if...) and/or emergency, permission slip form should be signed by a parent & child.

(might want to find out insurance from school on that one) ie, emergency happens, where does liability fall? Is the school insurance going to cover it or will a parent have to sign a "hold harmless form" taking the school off the hook?

Good Luck!

 

[Pop Daddy]

long original post with many long replys

 

[browneyes]

I went to 1 lock in with a friend of mine's church when I was about 14 or 15 yo. That was so much fun. But I remember sleeping for about 2 days afterwards.

 

[zurgswife]

The boy girl mix would bother me....and I agree with the other safety issues mentioned...

 

[kasar]

Thanks for all your opinions. These are definately issues that I've considered. Luckily the principal has agreed to stay over and he will be the "authority" figure. One of the 5th grader's dad is a police officer and I'm sure he would volunteer to stay over (with his uniform on). The principal is going to ask the school nurse to come to deal with bandaids and any medications. Also, the DARE officer will be around most of the night. The school will be closed off except for the cafeteria, gym and library. Parents will be monitoring the halls and bathrooms.

Signed code of conduct: Absolutely! We'll need home phone numbers and cell numbers (it's a Friday night)

Boys and girls will NOT be sleeping near each other. The cafeteria will be divided in two with boys on one side and girls on the other. I wouldn't want them in different rooms because of safety issues. I'm planning on staying awake the whole night as are many other parents to supervise.

We brought up all these issues at a quick planning meeting and we decided that if parents had an issue with it they could chaperone for themselves or just not allow their child to attend. We will never make everyone happy and parents need to do what they think is best. There's always the option of leaving at 10:00. Luckily, this is a pretty good group of kids who I think are mature enough to handle the responsibility but not yet into a lot of scary things (no, I'm not naive - there are a very small handful of kids who are a bit more "mature" than the others). We're lucky that our school is very strict with the CORI forms - no parent is allowed into the building without having their CORI form checked and on file.

Again, thanks for your imput, I look forward to reading more!

 

[DISshopkeeper]

And on a not so important issue..... My DD15 is STILL freaked out by ghost stories.