What are you supposed to do on a fieldtrip?

I teach and that doesn't sound like a very good effort. We do head counts at every stage - before we leave, getting off the bus, if we have moved between areas and getting back on the bus. Sometimes parents do accompany us. Generally what we ask is that they keep an eye on the students, make sure they stay together, that they don't do anything dangerous etc. It never hurts to have extra sets of eyes when students are involved. Sometimes a parent will also be the designated first aid person.

Well teachers aren't perfect so if you think she should do a head count you could have suggested it, rather than find yourself back at school minus a child. I would have thought your main job would be to make sure none of the children wandered off or got lost as I guess one teacher cannot keep their eye on loads of kids. I think being nice to the kids is a good idea or you could spoil their day out. It sound like you did a good job and I think you would have noticed if a child was missing and as you say your sons friends enjoyed your company so you will have made the trip that bit more special for them. Good for you as well for taking time out to help at school.

The teacher did not count heads?? She would've been in huge amounts of trouble if one of the kids hadn't been there! I would imagine that a lot of parents would've been fuming just knowing that the teacher didn't bother to count (even if everyone was safe). Anyways, I remember going on field trips in public school and I remember how much I would beg my mother NOT to volunteer as a chaperone..haha! I think chaperones are there basically to keep the kids in order and make sure no one goes missing. Usually there is a chaperone per every 6-8 kids and depending on the field trip, usually one group will do one activity while the other groups do other things until it's time to switch "stations".

I see this from the other side all too often, I work in the heritage industry and many schools bring their children to visit us. From our perspective any adult in charge of a group of children should be fully CRB checked (you obviously are as you work for the police), know the names of their kids and be in aposition to take charge and keep them disciplined if necessary. Way too often we find the adult 'in charge' is just one of the mums who doesnt know the childrens names or how many they are in charge of. its not fair on the kids, its definately not fair on the place they are visiting and I suspect it may be illegal in some cases. I would report that teacher for not taking appropriate measures to ensure that all the adults were fully briefed as to their responsibilities and recomended measures in different situations and for not triple checkin she had every last child at every stage of the visit

So far I've only been on two field trips but I expect to be on more now that I have two kids in school. I went with my oldest son when he was in first grade. Once to a pizza parlor to see how pizza was made and the second time to CALM, a small wildlife zoo. The teacher didn't really tell me what was expected of me besides looking out for the kids. So I would just keep my eyes on them, help make sure that they stayed with the group or take them to the bathroom. That's about all I did. As far as a headcount, I think they should do that but to be honest, I don't remember if they did it or not.

When my mom went with us on fieldtrips, and when other parents went, chaperones were just a really great way to help the teacher keep track of all the students that were on the trip. They make sure that kids don't wander off or go into area's they aren't supposed to. Chaperones help keep track of the kids so when it's time to get back onto the bus, they can report to the teacher to make sure all the students that went are with their groups.

You are a parent that is who you are to tell her how to do her job! Just because they received their teaching credentials does not neccessarily mean that they have common sense. In fact a large number of college graduates I have met are lacking just that common sense. Or any sense that the world has it's dark spots and it only takes a moment for one of those dark spots to creep up and swallow one of the kids whole. On the chaperoning thing, it sounds like you were doing a fine, fine job of chaperoning. That is another way in which to get parents involved in their child's education and I guess they figure that it never hurts to have another set of eyes when you have large groups of unruly children in unfamiliar territory.

As I recall back way way way back in my long lost childhood, the chaperone was there so the teacher could keep control of the kids, could have more eyes on the kids and to see where all the kids were...if one has to go to the washroom that someone is always there. But thats as far as I remember. Darn mememory think I need a plunger or a large Q-tip to clean out the cob webs. Can remember what a chaperone is for.

As a parent, you should ensure that your child will enjoy his field trip and will be guarded from anything bad that could happen during the trip. When I joined my son in his field trip last month, I tried my very best to be involve in the whole activity and enjoy every moment we had on that occasion. The teacher in charge of the Bus that we were riding always make a head count of all the children assigned in the Bus in every stop we made to ensure that no one is missing or left behind.

The only time I was able to chaperone a trip was when SS15 was in kindergarten and they went to the zoo. Each parent was put in charge of 3 or 4 kids, to make sure that they stayed together and went to the right places. Kinda like taking your kid and a couple of friends. The class pretty much stuck together, but if your group wanted to look at one thing longer, you could just catch up with the group while they were looking at something else.

As a chaperone during field trips, you should take care the one you're with, always an eye on him, you can also tete-a-tete with those who were also accompanying their children, some bonding moments, coz even you may learn from that experience..

I think you just have to follow your maternal instinct. Do what is right and you're actually there to guide your child or for that matter, for others also. It will be very hard for the teacher if she'll look after each and everyone of her students without the help of anybody. She might not counted the children because she might be thinking that they all have their chaperons with them.

When I've chaperoned on my kids field trips, I was usually assigned a small group of kids. Usually my child and 3 others. I don't remember the teachers ever giving me instructions. I basically supervised the children in my group and made sure I didn't lose anyone!

sometimes those kids get out of control. You should have just like kept them under control but other than that i dont think you needed to have done that many things. just hang around and just be there is what you mostly have to do i would think.

Wow I am surprised they never did a head count that would scare me. But as a chaperone I think your main role is to just surpervise children. I think there is supposed to be a certain amount of adults for a certain size group of children. My first son is starting school later this year so I will be apart of this myself soon. I think you should be nice to the kids but overall just make sure they are enjoying themselves while doing what they are supposed too.

I have been a on few feild trips and do lots of voluteering in the schools, and not doing a head count is a HUGE no no. I usually will do the same, I will answer any questions that the kids have, and will have to get on them maybe once or twice about running, or being loud, or starting to rough house, but for the most part, it was just looking after them, informing them, and making sure they have fun and learn!! :)

If its a bif no-no in your book, then you should of asked her if you could count heads. Maybe she did silently already and you would have founf that out. As a chaperone you are responsible for all the kids being accounted for also. Remember that next time and head count anyway.

well i guess she didnt count heads because there are chaperones already. but she still have showed you all that she takes precautious so no one will be left behind. maybe you can suggest so she wont get offended. after all, youre just concerned and she should be too.

The teacher must have been having a bad day. Yes she was supposed to give you instructions and do a head count often. I have always been given a certain number of children and I was to make sure all of my group was together at all times. Answering their questions and helping them if they need it. Also having fun with them as all field trips should be a fun as well as a learning experiences. The teacher should have done a head count because kids can wander off. I believe when we did it that it was four children per adult. I would be very concerned and either talk to her about it or talk to someone at the school. I am not sure I would be so willing to let my child go on a field trip knowing if they wander off that no one was making sure all the children were together.