Monday, May 14, 2012

Field Trip Craziness!!

Wow, so it's been a good long while since I've posted on this blog and its not for lack of material, but for lack of time to actually sit down and type out a blog. In the last three weeks, I have taken 10 field trips mostly back to back. These have gone to several different locations, each with their own unique qualities. I'd like to take the time to remind people of some very important things that need to happen on a field trip, before, during, and after.

1. Please make sure you have all rosters, permission slips, and everything you need signed and done before you board my bus.

2. Please make sure your sweet cherub children go to the bathroom prior to boarding my bus.

3. When explaining to parents how to follow the bus, please make sure they stay behind ALL buses that are driving the field trip. There is nothing more frustrating then getting a gaggle of parents between me and the bus in front of me, especially when our directions may differ from the parents.

4. Explain to the parents that it is not safe nor advisable to tailgate the bus. Also when we get to the location in question, please tell parents to hang back a bit and observe what the bus does BEFORE swinging into a parking space and risking getting a bus bumper through their side door because we have to park the buses in a certain area.

5. Tell your parents "Do not crowd the bus after we have stopped." I promise, your child is not getting off the bus any other way than through the front door.

6. Please please please please please bring directions with you to provide the bus driver with an idea of how to get there if the bus driver does not know. Most of the time I have a GPS that I simply program in an address, and it takes me there, but occasionally, this does not work.

7. When disembarking the bus after the trip is over, please clean up after your students. I know we are expected to sweep our buses and keep them clean, but when you get on a clean bus, please make sure its clean when you exit. This includes all trash, wrappers, sunflower seeds, sand, cans, drinks, and anything that may have been left behind on the bus. Also, offer to empty the bus trash can and your bus driver will thank you and likely take you up on the offer.

8. Plan on feeding your bus driver. We don't ask for much, but a nice drink now and again, or a meal when we are expected to wait on your group for longer than 4-6 hours is much appreciated.

9. Please try to organize your trip. I know sometimes things are unorganized and left to chance, but the better organized the teacher the easier the trip is for the bus driver.

10. The bus only goes 55 mph. It cannot go faster. Don't complain about it or you can walk.

Smooth Sailing!

The Bus Driver