Would you let your eighth grader do this? (Update, first post)

[Mouse House Mama]

Nope. I would not let my child go. I also think the teacher is taking a huge risk going. If I was her/him I would reconsider.

 

[Magpie]

I was wondering how small the school was that the OP's son went to. It sounds like it's a private school. I went to one and had 32 girls in my HS graduating class. We're in a small district here in NJ but even with that my DD had about 350-400 kids in her 6th grade class.

No, not private!

I think part of the confusion here is "eighth grade" versus "eighth grade class". There are a couple other eighth grades, but they don't share classes, so the kids don't really know each other. There's a gifted class, a disabilities class, a regular class, etc.

And even so... your DD's 6th grade class is almost as big as our entire school population, K-8!

 

[Mandyjg20]

Alot of people are missing the part where the school does know about it and oked the time off for the teacher. I dont know how she could get into trouble?

Also the last few days of school are mainly movies, games, and free time. Nothing is going to be going on that is that important.

If I had an eight grader I would say yes!!

 

[happygirl]

Nope, I wouldn't let. It's one thing to make a DQ run after school. To miss school is another thing.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

As long as someone was going to be there I would easily let them go.

Sorry, I haven't read all the pages but just from what the OP stated, I don't see it any different as a group of mothers taking aa group of thier child's friends to the park for the day.

When I was in 8th grade we went to Rye Playland with just 3 adults. Granted that was the olden times.. in the 70's....

 

[Nancyg56]

I would have no issue if I trusted the chaperones. I generally was the chaperone when my kids took field trips in school because I had seen some examples of how some parents chaperoned their groups. One time I chaperoned a group of children in the 6th grade on a Big E field trip. I thought that it was odd that I was given a group of girls but my DD was not in the group. She was in with another parent but the teacher suggested that we "stick together". I thought that this was odd but agreed. I have chaperoned many trips for my own children and my neicves and nephews as well. I have never lost a child but this was the first time I lost a parent. She took off with her DD during our first bathroom break but failed to let me know. I had 13 young girls who stepped up to the challenge of staying together. They were also pretty offended that the rules were broken. As we spent the day we ran across several kids on their own because the chaperones had let them explore. I always felt better when I was along after that day.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Glad to see your update OP, but now I'm more confused. It's not a school sanctioned trip, but they needed permissions slips for each child? This is just so strange.

 

[Magpie]

Glad to see your update OP, but now I'm more confused. It's not a school sanctioned trip, but they needed permissions slips for each child? This is just so strange.

The "permission slip" was a handwritten note from me allowing my son to be off school property for the day.

Usually all they need is a phone call from me, saying he can leave, but this time they wanted an actual physical note. I think they're being careful to cross all their t's.

ETA: I tried clarifying it in the update - I hope that's better!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

The "permission slip" was a handwritten note from me allowing my son to be off school property for the day.

Usually all they need is a phone call from me, saying he can leave, but this time they wanted an actual physical note. I think they're being careful to cross all their t's.

ETA: I tried clarifying it in the update - I hope that's better!

Now I get it! Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Planogirl]

I just read your update and I'm glad that it's all settled. How cool for these kids!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Just read your update...

I just wanted to say that this teacher sounds amazing!

 

[Pinkprincessmom]

I did not miss one day of school from 7th grade through 12th grade. I have a nice little certificate to prove it.

I absolutely would allow my daughter to skip school after EOG testing is completed. They do very little work after the testing. However, I don't know if I would let her participate in this event. I might drive her there myself and stay, but I would not take her to the school to leave from there.

 

[horseshowmom]

The "permission slip" was a handwritten note from me allowing my son to be off school property for the day.

Usually all they need is a phone call from me, saying he can leave, but this time they wanted an actual physical note. I think they're being careful to cross all their t's.

ETA: I tried clarifying it in the update - I hope that's better!

I actually think the kids gained a lot of real life experience by planning and implementing their plans for this trip. I'm sure they'll have a great time!

 

[Magpie]

I actually think the kids gained a lot of real life experience by planning and implementing their plans for this trip. I'm sure they'll have a great time!

They did! And I think you're right - it was an awesome life experience for them (sunburns aside).

 

[K and K's Mommy]

It sounds like a lot of fun, and I agree that the kids learned a lot by organizing it themselves! My kids could have gone, and they don't miss school for anything except sickness. (Well, since my oldest hit fifth grade because it just got to be too much work when we took them out.)

 

[Poohforyou]

OP, I'm glad your DS had a great time and everyone came back safe and sound. Hopefully that'll bode well for future classes. Maybe in future years the adults should remind the kids to reapply sunscreen. A little burn isn't the worst thing in the world but make sure he stays really hydrated.

 

[mjkacmom]

They did! And I think you're right - it was an awesome life experience for them (sunburns aside).

I actually put sunscreen on dd14 myself this weekend because she was going to the beach. Unfortunately, I left it up to her to do her face. I though you weren't supposed to put lotion on sunburn, because it traps the heat? I use aloe and cool washcloths (on myself - so far so good with the kids).

 

[Magpie]

I actually put sunscreen on dd14 myself this weekend because she was going to the beach. Unfortunately, I left it up to her to do her face. I though you weren't supposed to put lotion on sunburn, because it traps the heat? I use aloe and cool washcloths (on myself - so far so good with the kids).

You know... I don't know! We've always moisturized burns and it seems to work. But I think I'll start a new thread because now I'm curious to know what other people do.

And yes, I've definitely learned that 8th graders can't be trusted to apply their own sunscreen.

 

[golfgal]

Okay, so given the reaction to a bus driver stopping to let some eighth graders have some ice cream, I'm wondering what you all think of this scenario...

My son's eighth grade class is ditching school next week to go to a local water park. Six parents have agreed to drive and one teacher will also be going with them. This is NOT an approved, school arranged trip. There are no insurance forms or permissions, and they'll all be marked absent for the day.

The children organized it all themselves, figuring out how they are going to get there and who will be driving them, and how they'll be getting home.

Would you let your child do this?

ETA:

*This the last partial week of school. They're not missing any instructional time.

*These kids have been together since Grade 5. After this year, they're splitting up and going to many different high schools. Most will never see each other again.

*Our school board does not allow any official school outings that involve swimming, due to liability.

*I can't be a parent driver, because I get double vision and am not allowed to drive.


UPDATE: They're off!

I decided (to my son's dismay) to accompany him to school this morning, just for my own peace of mind. When I signed in at the office, the secretary said to my son, "Are you going on the trip? Do I have your permission note?" We confirmed that he did indeed have a handwritten note from me saying he'll be absent for the day, and I was glad to see that everything was out in the open.

I met my son's teacher in the classroom, and she confirmed that there will be three adults present at all times, keeping an eye on the kids, plus herself.

I said, "Thank you for doing this."

She said, "Oh no, it wasn't me! This is all them." She gestured at the kids milling around. "It's amazing what these kids can accomplish. They conceived and organized this whole event themselves." To the closest kid she said, "Have I told you guys you're amazing?"

He grinned. "You tell us that every day."

So I felt pretty good dropping my son off for his day of waterpark fun.

Final UPDATE:

He's back (yay!), happy as can be, and lobster-red. Grrr... I SENT sunscreen with him! But at least no one drowned, so that's good. I've got him slathering on moisturizer to try to alleviate some of the sun burn damage.

And there goes my perfect parenting record... I can now no longer say that neither of my children has ever had a sunburn.

Glad they had a great time and the teacher sounds amazing herself

 

[jodifla]

Glad you took a chance and had it pay off so well!