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Post by wtwingduv on Jan 8, 2004 17:33:52 GMT -5
Okay my son is in 5th grade and starts middle school next year, this year the graduating class gets to go on a trip to upstate new york for a week...since last year he has told me he doesnt want to go...so the beginning of the year when the permission slip came home he still said he did not want to go...so I thought whew! I don't have to make this decision. Well today he comes home and says he changed his mind...they showed the class a video today and now he wants to go...I don't want him to go...no parents are allowed to go only teachers and his teacher is not even going..who would make sure he eats, who will give him medication and who will be there when he is his wildest late afternoon thru evening and how will they handle it..They knew we already made this decision why would they show him this video and now what do I tell him..sorry so long but I am just so upset...he is so immature and i can't see him being away for a week...
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jdmom
Full Member
Posts: 80
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Post by jdmom on Jan 8, 2004 17:56:02 GMT -5
Well, first thing I'd do is complain to the school board about parents not being able to go! I personally don't know many parents who would allow their children (ADHD or not) to go out of town for a whole week without a chaperone who knows their child intimately, school function or not, especially that young. I mean, can't you go if you paid for your own transportation and lodging? As far as what to tell your son....girl, I feel for ya there. If you decide to not let him go, you're going to be the bad guy, no matter how reasonable your decision is. All you can do is state your decision and your reasons behind it and weather the storm. Maybe you can think of a fun outing you can do as a family as a consolation prize? Maybe, if possible, even take along one or two of his buddies? As far as showing that video...that was tacky. It was just basically rubbing it in the noses of the kids who weren't allowed to go. They should have only showed it to the children who had permission. I'd mention that while I was complaining to the school board about the other. Honestly, the schools these days. They think they know more about how to raise our children then we do, and then prove themselves wrong time and time again with ignorant stunts like that one.... Oh well, good luck!
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Post by d on Jan 8, 2004 22:12:19 GMT -5
Around here the schools do a 6th grade trip, 3-4 nights, no parents, just the teachers. Most of the schools go to the same place - I forget the name of it, but it is a nature place.
I was curious and concerned b/c dd will be in 6th next year. Specifically, how do just a few teachers manage that many kids. From the kids' perspecitve, it is the class highlight - only a very small %age of kids do not go.
My neighbor is a 6th grade teacher, our kids are the same ages and she described the place for me. She said the first night, there is lots of giggling throughout the night b/c the kids are bunking together (same sex bunks) and so excited.
Regarding my concerns, she said it is actually an enjoyable and very well supervised experience. After the relatively sleepless first night, the kids are up very early in the morning, they have structured outside learning activities all day. They are broken into groups - the groups move from activity to activity. Each activity is staffed/taught by someone from the nature center. They are scheduled from early morning till dinner. All that fresh air and activity and the kids are knocked out - the rest of the nights they sleep like babies (ok not like babies that are eventually dx'd adhd in elementary school). She also said the compund is secure.
Talking to her at length about it made me feel better. I also grilled my friend whose dd went this year - she had the same concerns I had before the trip but was positive after. So, bottom line - talk to the other mothers and find out a helluva lot more. I'm sure there are other mothers like us with similar concerns. It'll take me a year to get used to the idea - even with my concerns addressed.
Did your school have parent meetings about this? Ours cover it off in various orientation meetings, then devote an entire meeting devoted to addressing parental concerns.
You know your child best but I'd be similarly freaking too.
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Post by Mayleng on Jan 9, 2004 8:36:47 GMT -5
You need to talk to the school further about how they are going to cope with the medication issue and like d. said find out more about this trip and how they supervise the kids. You cannot make a decision without knowing the facts.
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Post by faith7th on Jan 9, 2004 9:58:14 GMT -5
If all else fails and you need to make it up to him why don't you plan a trip unstate New York with him and possibly a pal of his. This was he won't miss out completely and hold it against you for the rest of his life ! lol.......don't laugh..they do that...... My 25 yr. old remembers all the 'overprotective moments' that prevented her from experiencing some events. Come up with a happy medium even if you can't go as far as the school trip. Build it up and make it an adventure that he'll treasure for years to come. Just a thought
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Post by wtwingduv on Jan 9, 2004 10:18:46 GMT -5
Thankyou so much for all your advice, I don't think I can let him go and now its going to tear me up thinking I am taking something away from him...but I promised him I would make it up to him...I am thinking of actually take him somewhere that same week because he definately won't be missing anything in school that week...I will be talking to his teacher today because from what he tells me they are going to have a meeting about the trip every thurs and I don't think he needs to be there to hear about it every week...thanks again...what would I do without this site
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