School Field Trips

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

it depends on the fieldtrip : some there is no need, others like the zoo include a stop in the gift shop. The school lets us know. It is common practice for most moms I know, and often teachers, to bring extra money just in case.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I must say that i have no other knowledge about this parent aside from what was posted, but could itbe a possibility that the mother didn't want her going to a zoo because maybe she believe's that animals belong in their own enviornment, not in a zoo. Maybe there was a logical answer other than her being a "loser". I don't know. I really want to beleive that there isn't a parent that would make their child stay behind while the whole school goes on a trip. I know i am wrong about that, but i always try to find some good at least for the child's sake.

but in that case - they still should have notified the school of their intent - and possibly made arrangements for DD to stay home if everyone else was going??? I know you are trying to look for possibilities,,,and loser is a little strong considering we really don't the story....but this one just screams neglectfullness to me

 

[powellrj]

our schools don't allow the kids to bring money on field trips. Anymore, the kids pay for school lunch and the lunchroom provides sack lunches so everyone eats the same lunch. I think there were problems because of the kids on free and reduced lunch not being able to afford to bring a sack lunch.


I have bought things for other kids on trips before. I will never forget the year I went with DSs class to the zoo. It was freezing outside and drizzling. All the kids in the class had come dressed for the weather except one little girl in my group. She was wearing a short sleeved t-shirt and jeans. I mean we were all wearing winter ski jackets and it were still cold. I went into the gift shop and bought the kid a sweatshirt and rain poncho. None of the kids were jealous because they all felt so bad for her. Not that I expected it back, but the little girl kept the sweatshirt and poncho.

There have been other times that we have been on all day field trips that I have bought treats for my group. I know many times its fun to buy the kids things like ice cream cones or hot chocolate and then we will all just sit around and chat. I do it in private so other groups don't know and feel they are being short changed.

 

[CEDmom]

I chaprone my DD's trips but I've yet to have to spend money on other kids. Honestly, if the permission slip doesn't say anything about needing $ for snacks I wouldn't think to send it.

 

[jemiaule]

Our school does not allow the children to bring money and chaperones are forbidden to take the kids into any shops that might be at the field trip location.

I think this is appropriate; the kids are there for the experience - not for retail and not all families have pocket money to send with their child.

On that note - I always send the kids with an extra drink and snack on field trip day in case one of their friends is without.

 

[disykat]

I also have to add, that as a parent I had my child come home once and tell me that someone bought them things. It irritated me. He should have known better because he very specifically was NOT given money and already had special snacks in his lunchbag that I had sent for him. I understand that it's hard for a kid to resist, but I thought the parent should have known better.

Please know that while it might be "fun" for you, the parent was not expecting it. As the parent, it is THIER perogative to decide whether they are going to teach their child that fun is dependent upon spending extra money.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

but in that case - they still should have notified the school of their intent - and possibly made arrangements for DD to stay home if everyone else was going??? I know you are trying to look for possibilities,,,and loser is a little strong considering we really don't the story....but this one just screams neglectfullness to me

Did the form have a spot for "No, my child does not have my permission?" I seem to remember that on my forms back in the day.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I also have to add, that as a parent I had my child come home once and tell me that someone bought them things. It irritated me. He should have known better because he very specifically was NOT given money and already had special snacks in his lunchbag that I had sent for him. I understand that it's hard for a kid to resist, but I thought the parent should have known better.

Please know that while it might be "fun" for you, the parent was not expecting it. As the parent, it is THIER perogative to decide whether they are going to teach their child that fun is dependent upon spending extra money.

wow! I would have to say your views a just a little extreme - I would rather parents assume it is a fun, nice extra then assume parents feel this way. I think it is kind of commendable to be teaching your kids to think this way - but to think it to the extreme that another parent can't treat a group of kids is just too over the top. I would never view it as anything other than the parent/teacher doing something nice for the kids

what has it come to when you can't assume to do something special - i remember posicles and things from band teachers, bus drivers, etc....wow!

 

[Cinderella2004]

On the release form we have to send for our children to attend the field trip it specifically states "DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY" I too, have had my DD come home and say so and so's Mom bought them something, which as another poster says kind of bothers me. They are supposed to be learning something on the trip, not shopping. I'm quite sure they also have a time for snacks/lunches set aside, as I have also chaperoned quite a few trips.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Did the form have a spot for "No, my child does not have my permission?" I seem to remember that on my forms back in the day.

sorry - no the original poster on that - but the issue seems to be they didn't bother to send in the form at all or notify the school one way or the other - maybe I missed something????

 

[poohs_hunny]

why didn't the school supply or bring drinks? Especially in the "Florida heat" to a place with no drinking fountains? That's crazy, and ridiculously unprepared, and I can't believe a school would do that! I would be furious at the lack of foresight and planning on the part of the school!

Why would it be the school's responsibility to supply water for these children on a field trip? Are the teachers and chaperones supposed to pull a wagon behind them with a jug of water and cups? It is the parents' responsibility to pack adequate drinks for their children, and that means more than one juice box if the trip is outdoors for an extended period of time. And what kind of a place doesn't have any water fountains? My guess is that there were some. Almost everyplace has water fountains outside the restrooms.

 

[Kimberle]

I can't vote, your poll doesn't have a choice that fits.

The field trips our school takes are to the fire dept, supermarket, etc where money isn't needed. In the fall they go to the pumpkin patch. We pre-pay and they each get the same size pumpkin. The school day is short enough, they shouldn't be wasting time in a gift shop.

 

[disykat]

wow! I would have to say your views a just a little extreme - I would rather parents assume it is a fun, nice extra then assume parents feel this way. I think it is kind of commendable to be teaching your kids to think this way - but to think it to the extreme that another parent can't treat a group of kids is just too over the top. I would never view it as anything other than the parent/teacher doing something nice for the kids

what has it come to when you can't assume to do something special - i remember posicles and things from band teachers, bus drivers, etc....wow!

Yep - I'm pretty extreme! I admit it. My kids are being brought up pretty frugally and I really don't like when others treat them to things that aren't the norm in our family.

This whole thread was started by a parent irritated at parents like me who don't send money. I can only guess that the parent who treated my child was thinking the same way. I send treats in my kid's lunches for field trips. They don't need to buy overpriced treats from the snack bar to give him in addition to the treats I send and especially trinkets from the gift shop (like were bought for my son) and then perhaps resent the fact that I'm not reimbursing them.

I don't care if someone gives my child a popsicle, but spending $10 on them isn't necessary and they can't expect me to thank them for it. I actually hope that my kids see someone giving them a popsicle as a wonderful treat. Too often now, kids seem to think that people giving them a treat is no big deal, but rather something that is expected, and don't even thank them.

 

[Linzybrooke]

Geez, I don't have any kids but my parents always sent us on field trips with enough cash to at least buy lunch and a snack! We always took field trips to the Minnesota Zoo, Minneapolis Museum of Modern Art, Childrens Museum, etc. All were educational but yes you needed lunch money or could opt to bring a bag lunch.

When I coached dance team I was constantly surprised by the number of my girls that would show up without cash for lunch, and we sent out letters that they needed said lunch money and any additional for competition souvies.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Yep - I'm pretty extreme! I admit it. My kids are being brought up pretty frugally and I really don't like when others treat them to things that aren't the norm in our family.

This whole thread was started by a parent irritated at parents like me who don't send money. I can only guess that the parent who treated my child was thinking the same way. I send treats in my kid's lunches for field trips. They don't need to buy overpriced treats from the snack bar to give him in addition to the treats I send and especially trinkets from the gift shop (like were bought for my son) and then perhaps resent the fact that I'm not reimbursing them.

I don't care if someone gives my child a popsicle, but spending $10 on them isn't necessary and they can't expect me to thank them for it.

I agree with the reimbursing part - I was thinking along the line of small treats that are not meant to be repaid. My frame of reference is where kids parents forget or can't afford to send money and the parents buying are only trying to be nice. Maybe it would work better if you had your kids nicely "no thank you my mom would rather I didn't".

why would you assume the parent doing the buying was irritated and acting out of that - rather than simply being nice? That would never enter my mind let alone be my first thought?

you write "can't expect me to thank them" - and then complain taht kids don't thank others - interesting...and I don't think kids not thanking people stems from others niceties, but is another problem..nor do I think that little niceties are the problem as far as expecting everything.....

 

[miss missy]

I always send her with plenty of money if she is going without me. When I chaperone I make sure I have extra, as their is always kids that don't have any money and I will give them some if it is for the gift shop. It stinks to see a kid watching other kids buy stuff and they get nothing But thats just me.

I also will buy them an icecream or something if its allowed. hey you only live once!

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I always send her with plenty of money if she is going without me. When I chaperone I make sure I have extra, as their is always kids that don't have any money and I will give them some if it is for the gift shop. It stinks to see a kid watching other kids buy stuff and they get nothing But thats just me.

I also will buy them an icecream or something if its allowed. hey you only live once!

I know - me too - I can't just stand there and do nothing - breaks my heart!

 

[poohs_hunny]

I actually hope that my kids see someone giving them a popsicle as a wonderful treat. Too often now, kids seem to think that people giving them a treat is no big deal, but rather something that is expected, and don't even thank them.

I definitely agree with this. A reading teacher has been coming into my classroom twice a week lately to prepare the kids for state testing. She usually leaves stickers for the kids, and one day she told me to give them two each. As I was handing them out, one child got two of the same color and complained, "Another yellow??" To which I responded, "You're welcome!" This is why I give my own stickers and other treats out sparingly.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Yep - I'm pretty extreme! I admit it. My kids are being brought up pretty frugally and I really don't like when others treat them to things that aren't the norm in our family.

This whole thread was started by a parent irritated at parents like me who don't send money. I can only guess that the parent who treated my child was thinking the same way. I send treats in my kid's lunches for field trips. They don't need to buy overpriced treats from the snack bar to give him in addition to the treats I send and especially trinkets from the gift shop (like were bought for my son) and then perhaps resent the fact that I'm not reimbursing them.

I don't care if someone gives my child a popsicle, but spending $10 on them isn't necessary and they can't expect me to thank them for it. I actually hope that my kids see someone giving them a popsicle as a wonderful treat. Too often now, kids seem to think that people giving them a treat is no big deal, but rather something that is expected, and don't even thank them.

and, for the record - I did state that I commended you on what you were trying to teach your kids, no problem there..it is your reaction to the parent doing the buying that I felt was extreme..and your assumptions

 

[MushyMushy]

This was only ever an issue for us once. I chaperoned when my DD's class went to the zoo, and they broke it all down so there were 5-6 kids per group. The school supplied bagged lunches, and the kids were not allowed to bring any money or any extra snacks or water. It was extremely hot that day at the zoo, and water fountains were few and far between!

There was one point where the kids were just wilting, so I went and bought them all big bottles of water, despite the fact that we weren't supposed to. I didn't care! I thought it was irresponsible of the school not to make arrangements to keep those kids hydrated in weather like that. At one point, the zoo got wind of it, and the administrators told the employees at the snack stations to give the kids water to drink (not bottled, but cups of water). I was so impressed by that.

At any rate, when DD wanted something from the gift shop, I didn't buy her anything in front of everyone. I went back later (I had driven to the zoo rather than ride the bus) and bought her something. I didn't think it was fair to buy her stuff in front of other kids.