Parents driving students for field trips-UPDATE pg 6

[LongLiveRafiki]

DD's 2nd grade class will be going on a field trip where parent chaperones will be driving all the students. This will be her 8th field trip at that school and we've never encountered this before. Bus transportation was always provided for students, and parents were expressly prohibited from driving other students (and often even their own kid) to/from field trips. I'm not thrilled with the idea of my kid riding in a vehicle with a complete stranger, especially given that the school seems to be doing virtually nothing to screen these volunteer drivers.

The permission slip states that the district's legal team has ruled that the school is not liable for any injury to students that may result from riding in a private vehicle. The school does require a background check consent form to be on file for volunteers, though they are routinely turned in when people show up to chaperone, so I know the background check is not always even performed prior to someone volunteering. Even if it were were always performed, the background check only includes criminal convictions for our state only (nothing committed in other states) and the district's only disqualifier for volunteering is if someone has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor sexual offense. The background check does not include driving records. The school is doing no additional screening for parent drivers, doesn't require DL#, proof of registration or insurance, no safety checks or even questions are asked to ensure vehicles are in proper working condition, no requirements of a clean driving record, or stipulations against cell phone, drug, or alcohol usage while driving students. The volunteer form only requests you to list how many students you can provide seatbelts for, asks you not to smoke with kids in the vehicle, and recommends that kids under 13 not be placed in the front seat. For the record, this is a regular public school and I do not know any other parents at the school.

I'd like to get some feedback from other parents of kids in public schools.
1) Does your kid(s)' school ever utilize parent drivers for field trip transportation of students?
2) If so, what screening or requirements does the school have for parent drivers?
3) How do you feel about parents driving other students for field trips and have/would you be comfortable with your kid being driven by another parent (who you don't know) to a field trip?

 

[PollyannaMom]

1) I only encountered this years ago with DS's (private) preschool, never in public school.
2) No screening that I remember, but the field trips we did this for were only about 2 miles up a straight road to the library.
3) I was one of the drivers then, so I didn't worry at the time. But in your situation, I would probably be uncomfortable. How far away is the field trip?

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

1) I only encountered this years ago with DS's (private) preschool, never in public school.
2) No screening that I remember, but the field trips we did this for were only about 2 miles up a straight road to the library.
3) I was one of the drivers then, so I didn't worry at the time. But in your situation, I would probably be uncomfortable. How far away is the field trip?

It's about a 25 minute drive from the school. The drive includes a windy road with hills, a u-turn on a divided roadway, a few turns, and at least 10 stop lights.

 

[quandrea]

IF you’re concerned, don’t send your child. You don’t need any justification for a decision like that.

 

[sam_gordon]

DD's 2nd grade class will be going on a field trip where parent chaperones will be driving all the students. This will be her 8th field trip at that school and we've never encountered this before. Bus transportation was always provided for students, and parents were expressly prohibited from driving other students (and often even their own kid) to/from field trips. I'm not thrilled with the idea of my kid riding in a vehicle with a complete stranger, especially given that the school seems to be doing virtually nothing to screen these volunteer drivers.

The permission slip states that the district's legal team has ruled that the school is not liable for any injury to students that may result from riding in a private vehicle. The school does require a background check consent form to be on file for volunteers, though they are routinely turned in when people show up to chaperone, so I know the background check is not always even performed prior to someone volunteering. Even if it were were always performed, the background check only includes criminal convictions for our state only (nothing committed in other states) and the district's only disqualifier for volunteering is if someone has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor sexual offense. The background check does not include driving records. The school is doing no additional screening for parent drivers, doesn't require DL#, proof of registration or insurance, no safety checks or even questions are asked to ensure vehicles are in proper working condition, no requirements of a clean driving record, or stipulations against cell phone, drug, or alcohol usage while driving students. The volunteer form only requests you to list how many students you can provide seatbelts for, asks you not to smoke with kids in the vehicle, and recommends that kids under 13 not be placed in the front seat. For the record, this is a regular public school and I do not know any other parents at the school.

I'd like to get some feedback from other parents of kids in public schools.
1) Does your kid(s)' school ever utilize parent drivers for field trip transportation of students?
2) If so, what screening or requirements does the school have for parent drivers?
3) How do you feel about parents driving other students for field trips and have/would you be comfortable with your kid being driven by another parent (who you don't know) to a field trip?

I think if you're that concerned (and I do believe it is justified), that you arrange a conversation with the principal to discuss your concerns. Why is this field trip being treated differently?

The bolded does jump out to me. Just because the legal team says they're not liable for injuries, doesn't mean that's how a court will rule.

I would seriously consider being one of the drivers (even if it's my own child) or somehow learning about the other drivers.

Our school has never done this, but our church youth group has. I never remember it being an issue for us, but I'm not going to fault your concerns.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I would feel the same as if something happens it is on your insurance would be liable for payment of any sorts. If it were me , not being a driver at the moment I would be asking my insurance about the situation. I mean for the most part I am sure most of the parents would be responsible drivers. But I am not sure I would want to put my insurance at risk or the other children at risk either. How could the school say no to you driving your own child since they are asking for other parents to volunteer and drive. I would be driving my own. But that is me. I am wondering if any of the volunteer's are a little nervous as well. I mean they are driving their child , that is why they may have volunteered. Please come back and let us know how it went.

 

[Poohforyou]

When my daughter was in school (she graduated last year) our district bussed kids to field trips. If parent volunteers drove their own cars they were allowed to take their child home if it was a full day trip. Kids were required to ride the bus there. If no parent I know/trust was volunteering I'd take the day off and go on the trip. I wouldn't let my child ride in a car with someone I didn't know unless it was a matter of life and death.

 

[Sleepy425]

How old are the children? I am very strict about car seats. The two times our preschool (where I loved the teachers and they still babysit my children) did a field trip where my son needed to be driven, we installed his car seat and ensured the teacher knew how to correctly buckle him in. But just a random parent? Never for a car seat age kid. The older the kid, the more likely I would be to let them go. But it still seems strange to not just get a bus.

 

[Skywalker]

Yes, my kids school did this once or twice for classes and a few more times for sports. Things like tennis, where there was not enough kids for a full bus, and they needed just a couple of parents and teachers to drive.

Any parent drivers had to pass the same background check as anyone volunteering at the school.

I don't have any issue at all with another parent driving my child, but then I honestly don't assume the other parents are on their cell phones, speeding, drunk and sexual assaulting the passengers lol. I mean, really. Besides even an official "bus driver" can screw up / go off the rails. There are no guarantees but generally speaking I do trust other parents.

I also think, based on hearing my teacher friends talk, that most teachers know who the horror show families are and would not let them take a bunch of kids in their car.

 

[4kids4karen]

I would drive my on child in that scenario.

In addition to the concerns OP mentioned. The first thing that popped into my head is what are the parents liability and med pay limits on their auto insurance?

In recent news children have found guns in cars and have discharged them hitting/killing their parent or sibling. Although the parent should be smart enough to remove a weapon from a vehicle when carpooling for the school trip, some people are just idiots.

 

[4kids4karen]

How old are the children? I am very strict about car seats. The two times our preschool (where I loved the teachers and they still babysit my children) did a field trip where my son needed to be driven, we installed his car seat and ensured the teacher knew how to correctly buckle him in. But just a random parent? Never for a car seat age kid. The older the kid, the more likely I would be to let them go. But it still seems strange to not just get a bus.

She said second grade, so around age 7.

 

[martikus]

This is really bizarre for a public school. I would probably be contacting the principal because many 2nd graders still need booster seats. My son did as he was so tiny. In 6 years of elementary all my son’s field trips were on a bus. And if a parent chaperoned the kid still couldn’t go with them.

I am not as bothered by the fact a strange parent would be driving them but the no booster seat would be my deal breaker.

Denifnitely volunteer to be the chaperone or keep your child home if worried.

 

[Sleepy425]

She said second grade, so around age 7.

Sorry, I hadn't had my coffee - I read it as second class trip. No way my second grader is getting in someone else's car. Those kids most likely all still need backless booster seats.

 

[Meglen]

My son would just miss that field trip. At 6-7 they all.need boosters and can you imagine having 3 in each car with kids who prolly won't keep quiet. Atleast on a bus they have multiple adults to keep things in check.. 1 adult who is driving can't do that.

 

[belleatdisney]

I would either drive my kid or not send him/ her. Judging from how parents drive like idiots in the school parking lot for drop off/ pick up there is no way they would be driving my kid. Plus the whole car seat thing at that age.

 

[Calee]

My kids public school does not do this.

My second grader is still in a booster.
I would sign up.to be a driver or simply drive my own child.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

My kids went to a private kindergarten, and parents drove on the monthly field trips. Every child was required to be in a booster, so there would be a line of boosters outside the classroom on field trip days!

My state law says boosters until 8, but my pediatrician gave a height which wasn't until 10 with my average height kids. As long as the kids were in boosters, I would be okay with this. We drove in caravans, and I don't ever remember thinking this is dangerous. I did know the other parents because of the whole pick up/drop off thing, so that might be factoring into my decision.

 

[Disneylover99]

Yes, my kids school did this once or twice for classes and a few more times for sports. Things like tennis, where there was not enough kids for a full bus, and they needed just a couple of parents and teachers to drive.

Years ago, our school and some parents used to do this all the time. These days, it’s very rare. Most teachers refuse to drive students these days due to liability issues.

I don't have any issue at all with another parent driving my child, but then I honestly don't assume the other parents are on their cell phones, speeding, drunk and sexual assaulting the passengers lol. I mean, really. Besides even an official "bus driver" can screw up / go off the rails. There are no guarantees but generally speaking I do trust other parents.

Honestly, I never feel safe on those big school buses. No seatbelts. And generally, those bus drivers often have a tight schedule to maintain. Some of them are very aggressive drivers in order to get where they need to be on time.

I also think, based on hearing my teacher friends talk, that most teachers know who the horror show families are and would not let them take a bunch of kids in their car.

Totally agree. There are many parents that we don’t ask/want to volunteer for a variety of reasons. I would think/hope that teachers would make a judgement call on who would be suitable candidates for driving.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

The kids are all in the 7-8 yr range. My state requires booster seat for kids until they turn 8 or reach 4'9", whichever comes first. The school is requesting that the booster seat be sent to school that day for the kids that require one. DD is 8 and doesn't use or need one, so that part isn't an issue for me.

I'd like to think that other parents would be responsible drivers with kids in the car, but seeing how they drive in the school pick up/drop off line shows me otherwise. I routinely see parents on phones while driving, pulling away before the kid has even closed the door so certainly before they've put their seat belt on, stopping on top of the crosswalk, not stopping for kids trying to cross with a crossing guard directing traffic, cutting people off and almost wrecking-- all while on school grounds. It is concerning to think about how they drive off school property.

The biggest thing to me is just that the school is doing nothing to ensure that transportation will be in a safe vehicle or by someone who even has a license for that matter.

I can't volunteer that day as I don't have anyone that can stay with my toddler. I also don't want her to have to miss out on a fun field trip with her friends and be stuck doing work sheets at school (what happens when kids don't go on the field trip). If I can't come up with anything else, I may see if I can drop her off and pick her up where the field trip is, because I could just bring my toddler with me for that. Not sure if they'd let me drive her though since I'm not volunteering as a chaperone.

 

[firecracker725]

I've driven kids to camp in another state when my girls went to private school. I had to have a letter from my insurance company and a copy of my drivers license and car registration on file with the school. We were a pretty close community, so I had no issues, and my daughter rode back from camp with another parent.

However, I would not allow my child to go on the trip without me in your particular situation, and it sounds bizarre for a public school to not use a bus here. This is a massive liability on the parents who are driving, and I cannot believe they have that many willing volunteers. Then again, I teach in Title I schools that don't have that kind of parent involvement.