Why don't people plan things better?

[Luv Bunnies]

I just gotta vent about something that's bugging me.

Last Wednesday, my 4th grader brought home a permission slip for a field trip. They are going to see a play at our local children's musical theater. The two girls who live across the street from us both have major roles in the play and their mom had already asked if my son's school was going to see it (his school saw their holiday play last year and I went as a chaperone).

So, I immediately signed the permission slip and checked off the box that I wanted to go as a chaperone. I even e-mailed the teacher that evening to let her know that I wanted to go since each class could only take two parents. She said no problem. I was the first to ask so I was in. Yesterday, the teacher told the class that I would be chaperoning along with another parent (my son told me this). I already requested a sub for my job (I work in a classroom) and someone accepted the assignment. Great, right? I get to take a day off work, spend it with my son's class and see our neighbor girl in their play.

So this afternoon, two days before the trip, my son's teacher called me. She said they had to cancel all the chaperones for the trip because they didn't have enough tickets. When they bought the tickets, they planned for 30 tickets per class for students, one for the teacher and two for the chaperones. Well, they have since added two students to each 4th and 5th grade class since other schools in the district were overcrowded. Now they need all 33 tickets for the students and teacher.

OK, but they added these kids during the 2nd week of school. They didn't just show up this week. And why did the permission slip ask for 2 chaperones per class? Didn't anyone count the tickets and ensure they would have enough before asking parents to commit to going? The teacher said they just had a staff meeting this afternoon and they were told they couldn't take any parents. I certainly don't blame the teacher. It's not her fault. There are parent field trip coordinators for each grade who get together and plan the trips. Usually they set a number of chapones that they'll need for each trip. It's based on bus space, tickets, etc. I'm annoyed that they would do the permission slips without really knowing how many tickets they had and how many parents would be needed.

Why don't people plan things properly and pay attention to the details? I can't cancel my sub and go to work. It wouldn't be fair to her since she may have already turned down other jobs after committing to mine. I'd rather save my personal days for things like field trips that I can do with my boys. I just don't like it when things are mishandled and I'm left with the aftermath.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[npmommie]

So the teacher is taking the class of 33 students alone on the field trip? or does she have other helpers?
can you buy your own ticket and still go? since you already have the day off work and you wanted to go anyway?
That would annoy me too, since you re arranged your schedule for this.

 

[MSSANDRA]

That is way too many students for a teacher to handle alone. Unsafe and I doubt even allowed. Things do happen and the teacher could not control it but here is what I would do. Look into an eveing show for you and your so to atend together and then just keep him home that day (unless he really wants to go with his friends), and spend your day off together doing an activity you both will enjoy.

You will get more quality time with your son and not worry about his safety.

 

[bellebud]

Usually they set a number of chapones that they'll need for each trip. It's based on bus space, tickets, etc.

I'd think the number of chaperones needed is based on the children's safety... how old they are, how many of them are going, what type of event they're going to (open to the public or not), etc. I'd no way let my child go w/ just 1 teacher watching all those kids. How do they handle kids going to the bathroom? Does the teacher escort them, and leave all the other kids alone? Or does the teacher let the child go alone and stay w/ all the other kids? I've kept my kids home from field trips (and so have many parents in our school) when we've felt the child to teacher ratio wasn't safe and they weren't allowing us to go (even at our own cost and transportation).

I know you didn't post about that really, but I just wanted to throw that out there.

 

[HeatherC]

You could also just buy a ticket and go at the same time. I bet the teacher would be happy about that. We've had this happen on field trips at our school. Just a thought...

 

[Matt'sMom]

You could also just buy a ticket and go at the same time. I bet the teacher would be happy about that. We've had this happen on field trips at our school. Just a thought...

I was thinking the same thing. These sort of holiday events are rarely 'sold out' for their daytime performances. Just because the school did not have enough pre-purchased tickets to allow every classroom to bring two parents doesn't mean OP can not still attend. It also does not mean the students will fail to have sufficient chaperones/supervision either, as I would assume there will still be multiple teachers, aids, and some parents from other classrooms in attendance.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

You could also just buy a ticket and go at the same time. I bet the teacher would be happy about that. We've had this happen on field trips at our school. Just a thought...

I thought about that but it is sold out. They're doing a special performance just for school field trips and several schools are going. Our school only allotted 33 tickets per class and they need those for the students and teacher. Apparently they tried to get more yesterday and were told multiple schools are going and no one can get more tickets.

As for safety, I do think the teachers would be better off with parent chaperones but they're going to have to handle it by themselves. The 4th - 8th grade classes are going so at least it's all the older kids in the school. It's an indoor theater that they're going to. The buses drop off practically at the door and the kids walk directly to their seats. Restrooms are in the rear of the theater. I would assume since they're older kids and the entire theater will be filled with school field trips, they'll let the kids go to the restroom in groups or station some teachers back there at intermission.

I don't want to keep my son home that day and have him miss out on going with his friends. Plus the school performances are a little different - the actors do a Q&A at intermission that my son enjoys.

So, I'll send him to school and let him go on the trip. I've decided to spend my day wrapping presents and doing a little more shopping. Might as well enjoy the day since I'm going to be off work. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Del]

Our schoool no longer pays for chaperone trips. We have to pay our own way.

 

[ladulce]

IF it were me, I would go in with my child in the morning, and, I would see if there are any children absent from school that day. I would talk to the teacher in advance so that she knows what I am doing, but, the odds that all 33 kids are there on the same day probably isn't very good, and, if they aren't, instead of the ticket going to waste, you could take it! Kinda pushy, but, I would do it....

 

[LizzySwan1022]

What about emailing your son's teacher and asking her to let you know if any of the kids are absent? If you don't live too far away from the theater or school the teacher could call you on the day of the trip and let you know if any of the kids don;t show up, that way the ticket doesn't go wasted and the teacjer would probably love the extra help.

 

[rosiep]

What about emailing your son's teacher and asking her to let you know if any of the kids are absent? If you don't live too far away from the theater or school the teacher could call you on the day of the trip and let you know if any of the kids don;t show up, that way the ticket doesn't go wasted and the teacjer would probably love the extra help.

Great Idea!

 

[KAMLEM]

I would take advantage of having the time off and go shopping!

 

[daisyduck123]

I would take advantage of having the time off and go shopping!

YOU BEAT ME TO THIS! I would do the exact same thing! As soon as my kids got on the school bus, I'd be off to the mall!

 

[Kenenitz]

Wow, I'm really really surprised that they would even leave the classes go, I know our school district has special rules to follow regarding student to teacher/chaperone. They are something like 5 kids to every 1 adult.

It's a big difference from when I was in school. I remember a trip to Washington DC in the 7th grade and we had like 4 hours of free time. What were they thinking??? LOL

 

[holly7347]

So the teacher is taking the class of 33 students alone on the field trip? or does she have other helpers?
can you buy your own ticket and still go? since you already have the day off work and you wanted to go anyway?
That would annoy me too, since you re arranged your schedule for this.

That is what i was thinking. That seems like way to many kids for one teacher to deal with alone. I would see if you can get your own ticket. Otherwise I'm not sure I would want to send my child knowing there isn't going to be much supervision.

Field trips kind of freak me out all around. When I was in kindergarten I got lost from a christmas field trip in downtown Cincinnati. I supervised 3 of DD's field trips last year and I was totally panicked I would loose a child. So I guess my experience has me worried that just isn't enough adults for a group that size.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Well, the play was today and here's the update. I let the teacher know I would still be able to go in case any tickets became available. She said she would let me know but didn't think it was likely. I took the day off anyway since my sub was already arranged and it wasn't fair to pull the job from her at the last minute.

It was probably a good thing that I took the day off. I started getting a cold earlier this week and it didn't seem like much. But it hit hard last night and this morning I really felt bad. After dropping off the boys, I ended up going back to bed and staying there until 11:00 a.m.! I managed to get dressed and make a trip to Target. I had to buy sweaters and toiletries for the Giving Tree at my husband's office and stocking stuffers for the kids. I came home and did a little wrapping. I ended up taking another nap after the boys came home.

I think I might have called in sick if I didn't already have the day off so it worked out. I think I can survive one day of work tomorrow before the weekend. My son said the play was good and he said hi to the neighbor girls and their mom afterward and explained why I didn't come. So things worked out. I got to shop a little, rest a little....Thanks for the replies and advice!

 

[ZPT1022]

without reading anything but the OP, I can't believe that they can take the kids out of school with that few adults. I thought the ratio for over 3's was 1 adult-10 kids, which to me is still pushing it, but far better than 1 adult-33 kids I can't believe they can't call the theater and ask them what they can do to help