An Open Letter to Parents, Guardians, and Other As Written From The Perspective of Another Parent

Dear People,

Please remember that volunteering to chaperone a field trip does not mean "hang out with your child."  If you enjoy spending time as a family at the zoo, theatre, aquarium, etc, might I recommend doing so during your free time.  Field trips enhance curriculum.  What benchmark are you meeting by allowing your child to wander from the group to go buy a soft drink at the snack bar?  Yes, that's what I thought.  You might think it's wonderfully independent of your child to take her thirst into her own hands, and you might be right.  But getting lost during school time in this popular tourist attraction isn't independence, it's trouble.

I would also like to point out that buying a soft drink for all the children in the class doesn't make the situation better.  Not only have you just offended half the other parents, but you may have just creeped out a few, too.  Kudos to you, though, for thinking of everyone and not just your Princess.  More parents should be conscious of the other 4 students in their group so as not to unknowingly misplace them or allow harm to come to them.  The look on your face isn't encouraging-- did you already lose one of those pesky students?  They can be quite tricksy, I know, especially since so many of them are short and stuff.

Which is why we have rules and a written agenda!  Clever, those teachers, eh?  Don't forget to review the schedule prior to leading your group into somewhere NOT found on the map.  Oh, and the indicated time to meet the bus to return to school isn't a suggestion no matter how much time it took YOU to drive the distance in your car just last weekend.

Non-chaperones, I haven't forgotten about you!  I know it's hard sometimes, but could you pretty please not accidentally show up at the field trip?  You just happened to be at the aquarium on field trip day before it was even open to the public, sack lunch and camera in hand?  TERRIFIC!  Unfortunately, we already have an adequate number of parent volunteers and do not need another pair of meddling, I mean HELPING hands.  Also, showing up unannounced (or otherwise) in the middle of the field trip is not the wonderful treat you think it is and can potentially disrupt a perfectly well-functioning learning experience for every student.

I thank you, Parents, Guardians, and/or Other for your understanding.  When in doubt, please employ Common Sense and/or Common Courtesy.  If you have any questions, feel free to delay volunteering until you understand all safety guidelines and expectations.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Please Don't Lose My Kid Or Get Her Hurt