Parents driving students for field trips-UPDATE pg 6

[Colleen27]

1) The last public school I had my kids in did, and our private school does now. It is pretty typical for single-grade trips because the cost of a half-full bus is just too much to justify.
2) We have to submit a copy of our DL, vehicle registration and proof of insurance to drive on class trips. They don't check driving records as far as I know, but they might.
3) It doesn't bother me at all, but to be honest I know most of the parents who volunteer for everything because its always the same small group.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Our son rode in personal cars for field trips through 2nd grade. He attended a private school.

Most of the time, I was a driver. So I had 3 students in my car. It was just normal for us. We didn't think anything about it. But it was 15 years ago.

 

[mjkacmom]

Sounds like the school is out of budget for more trips or the rates to hire a good, reputable bus company went up, after that horrific school bus crash in NJ, a couple weeks ago, where the whole top section of the school bus was completely ripped off the undercarriage after a dump truck couldn't stop in time when the school bus driver made an illegal U-turn, and the OP's school can't make up the difference in price, and is deciding to use parents as drivers instead. That school bus accident was one of the worst vehicular accidents I've ever seen, forget school bus accidents. It made national news and some of NJ cancelled bus field trips after. NJ is now in the process of changing certain laws. The bus driver had previously had his driver's license suspended 14 times. The Board of Ed had even known about the current suspension and told the Superintendent NOT to hire him. But, over the school break, he got his license reinstated, so the Superintendent rehired him for the tragic trip.

So possibly, this school has been impacted by news of this accident, cancelled funding current bus trips for the time being, till they review their own procedures and vetting of bus companies. Yet the school is seeing if they can make the trip work with parents driving instead and stating if parents allow their kids to go, the school is not liable, just like if a parent had planned a trip on their own and allowed another parent to drive their kids? People get into cars all the time with other people driving where it hasn't been researched what is the current status of their driver's license or what their driving history is: for work carpools, school carpools, trips to sporting events, trips to the mall, to the movies, on dates, etc. Most trips end up fine. The school may be hoping for that. Also, since it's not an educational trip but a fun event trip, it is totally on the parents if they allow their kid to go?

If this is in response to that accident, I totally understand. It was a miracle that only 2 died in that horrible crash. I know exactly where it happened, and I still can’t get over a bus driver with the name of the town on the bus attempting an illegal u-turn on route 80 (especially when the exit has a sign for Waterloo village, he must not have been paying attention at all). Hopefully this will push NJ tomrequite 3 point seatbelts on all school buses).

 

[dotfurio]

Interesting - who does go then? Just the classroom teacher? Other school staff? Our board requires lower chaperone:student ratios for trips out side the school so some additional adults need to go on any trip. It would add to the cost of the trip to have to have additional paid staff accompany the classroom teachers and that would have the adverse effect making trips more expensive and thus prohibitive to plan. My kids went to schools that were very economically diverse, so the cost of trips was carefully considered - is that less of an issue in your district?

Where I teach we tend to avoid parent chaperones unless we know them fairly well. Teachers go on the field trip and we also send classified staff, such as aides. It doesn't cost us extra, though. They are on duty whether on a field trip or on campus.

 

[maddiel]

Where I teach we tend to avoid parent chaperones unless we know them fairly well. Teachers go on the field trip and we also send classified staff, such as aides. It doesn't cost us extra, though. They are on duty whether on a field trip or on campus.

It would be unlikely that any particular class here would have enough aides to achieve the ratios needed for a trip - the elementary school they attended typically has only about a third to a half as many aides as classes and that's a normal to high ratio for a school. If other school staff were to go on the trip (like resource or guidance or specialist teachers), either they'd have to be replaced at the school with a sub or the students in other classes who needed their services wouldn't be able to access them (which would be avoided whenever possible.)

M.

 

[dotfurio]

It would be unlikely that any particular class here would have enough aides to achieve the ratios needed for a trip - the elementary school they attended typically has only about a third to a half as many aides as classes and that's a normal to high ratio for a school. If other school staff were to go on the trip (like resource or guidance or specialist teachers), either they'd have to be replaced at the school with a sub or the students in other classes who needed their services wouldn't be able to access them (which would be avoided whenever possible.)

M.

Our most recent field trip required a 10:1 ratio of chaperones. We took 3 parents we knew well, a couple special ed aides, the guy that handles discipline, and an aide that 1st grade shares. No subs needed for any of them. Between that and the classroom teachers it was enough chaperones.

 

[DopeyDame]

Our most recent field trip required a 10:1 ratio of chaperones. We took 3 parents we knew well, a couple special ed aides, the guy that handles discipline, and an aide that 1st grade shares. No subs needed for any of them. Between that and the classroom teachers it was enough chaperones.

How old were these kids? I had 4 in my group last time I chaperoned, and they were 3rd graders. I certainly wouldn't have wanted 10, unless it was something like a play where all the kids were seated in one place the whole time.

 

[scrapquitler]

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?

Our schools would NOT permit this.
I would NEVER go for this. My answer to the school would be HELL NO, my child will be on a bus, driven by me, or not going on the field trip.

 

[wgeo]

Funny - my son is doing summer band stuff and just brought home field trip type forms for next year (they are ridiculously over organized - there are 10 different forms to fill out). Anyways - first of all he'll be in high school next year, but one of the form is "Private Vehicle Transportation Permission" It states "the school board will not be providing bus transportation for certain field trips/athletic events during the school year. Instead, the school may arrange private transportation on vehicles driven by other adults. if you agree to allow your student to be driven in a private passenger vehicle, complete this form, have it notarized and return it to school." There is no mention of any liability issues anywhere on the page.

 

[tvguy]

Our schools would NOT permit this.
I would NEVER go for this. My answer to the school would be HELL NO, my child will be on a bus, driven by me, or not going on the field trip.

How about scouts, Little League, Soccer, church groups and other youth activities? Those normally are parent drive. Would you not let your child take part?

 

[dotfurio]

How old were these kids? I had 4 in my group last time I chaperoned, and they were 3rd graders. I certainly wouldn't have wanted 10, unless it was something like a play where all the kids were seated in one place the whole time.

5th grade.

 

[Hikergirl]

Funny - my son is doing summer band stuff and just brought home field trip type forms for next year (they are ridiculously over organized - there are 10 different forms to fill out). Anyways - first of all he'll be in high school next year, but one of the form is "Private Vehicle Transportation Permission" It states "the school board will not be providing bus transportation for certain field trips/athletic events during the school year. Instead, the school may arrange private transportation on vehicles driven by other adults. if you agree to allow your student to be driven in a private passenger vehicle, complete this form, have it notarized and return it to school." There is no mention of any liability issues anywhere on the page.

You have to have it notarized? Is that normal for the forms that come home?

 

[scrapquitler]

How about scouts, Little League, Soccer, church groups and other youth activities? Those normally are parent drive. Would you not let your child take part?

The only activities that my children were involved in that had parents driving was Girl Scouts. And the drivers for Girl Scouts had to submit all kinds of information about insurance and pass background checks. I was one of the approved drivers for the Girl Scout activities, so yes, she was taking part there. Plus I knew the Moms who were the Girl Scout leaders and the other parents that were the drivers.

The other activities she was in didn't require other parents to transport kids anywhere.

Activities like that are different because they were optional after school activities. School field trips (at least where we are) are part of the curriculum, and not really optional because they all included assignments that were graded. If the school is requiring my child to visit somewhere as part of her academic stuff, they need to provide a verified safe way for her to get there.

 

[wgeo]

You have to have it notarized? Is that normal for the forms that come home?

Yeah, for this school district any form where they may be leaving the county we have to get notarized. I haven't had that in other places we have lived, but here they do it. Fortunately they have all the secretaries at the school's be notary public's so it's not too hard to get it taken care of. Kind of threw me at first but now I'm used to it.

Also - when I typed earlier I didn't see the next sheet (sorry there were a LOT of forms to fill out lol). But the next one is if I were to be the one driving, OR if my kid would be driving himself to a school event. Then we had to provide lots of info about the car,and provide proof of insurance. I didn't look to closely at that one, as my kid isn't old enough and no way am I taking on that kind of responsibility for kids I don't know.

 

[Hikergirl]

Yeah, for this school district any form where they may be leaving the county we have to get notarized. I haven't had that in other places we have lived, but here they do it. Fortunately they have all the secretaries at the school's be notary public's so it's not too hard to get it taken care of. Kind of threw me at first but now I'm used to it.

Also - when I typed earlier I didn't see the next sheet (sorry there were a LOT of forms to fill out lol). But the next one is if I were to be the one driving, OR if my kid would be driving himself to a school event. Then we had to provide lots of info about the car,and provide proof of insurance. I didn't look to closely at that one, as my kid isn't old enough and no way am I taking on that kind of responsibility for kids I don't know.

I have ever heard of that before. At least they have the secretaries right there so you don't have to track a Notary down yourself.

 

[tvguy]

The only activities that my children were involved in that had parents driving was Girl Scouts. And the drivers for Girl Scouts had to submit all kinds of information about insurance and pass background checks. I was one of the approved drivers for the Girl Scout activities, so yes, she was taking part there. Plus I knew the Moms who were the Girl Scout leaders and the other parents that were the drivers.

The other activities she was in didn't require other parents to transport kids anywhere.

Activities like that are different because they were optional after school activities. School field trips (at least where we are) are part of the curriculum, and not really optional because they all included assignments that were graded. If the school is requiring my child to visit somewhere as part of her academic stuff, they need to provide a verified safe way for her to get there.

Fair enough. Like I think I indicated earlier, my kids are 27 and 31 and, except for long trips like science camp and pioneer camp where they are gone for a week, private cars were the only option for field trips.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

OP here with an update:

I spoke with my daughter's teacher today. She informed me that parent drivers for field trips do not undergo any additional screening beyond the standard criminal background check that any volunteer goes through. They don't verify that drivers have a license or insurance, good driving record, or anything else. She offered to put DD in the vehicle of a parent of my choosing, but I told her that I don't know the other parents and am uncomfortable with her riding with someone who I don't know, especially given the lack of screening by the school for drivers. She said it wasn't a problem for me to drive just DD to and from the field trip without being a chaperone, so that's what I will be doing.

Her teacher did seem shocked that parents haven't provided the transportation for any other field trips DD has gone on. She said it is a very common practice at the school. She agreed that it would be a good idea to have some policies in place regarding parent drivers for field trips, and suggested I speak with the principal about it as teachers have zero control over who can volunteer. I do intend to do so, but I'd like to actually schedule a meeting with him rather than walk into his office randomly when he might be busy. For now, I'm satisfied that I can drive her to and from the field trip, but I am disappointed that the school has no real policies to screen volunteers who drive students on field trips.

Thank you everyone for your advice and replies!

 

[Poohforyou]

OP, I recommend sending an email to the principal outlining your concerns and suggestions maybe even copy the PTO president. Request an opportunity to meet with him to discuss further. Being part of the solution is always a plus in situations like this.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

OP, I recommend sending an email to the principal outlining your concerns and suggestions maybe even copy the PTO president. Request an opportunity to meet with him to discuss further. Being part of the solution is always a plus in situations like this.

Thanks! That sounds like a great way to approach the issue.

 

[verleniahall]

OP - I would also request to be on your next school boards agenda - I’m sure your not the only concerned parent and school board agendas a public