PARENT VOLUNTEER/ CHAPERONE MEETING

Ross Elementary School 2025-2026

Important Things to Remember about 

Field Trips 

• It is a school day. All school rules still apply. 
• Field trips offer unique opportunities for hands-on learning and real-world connections that enhance classroom instruction. They allow our students to explore new environments, engage with diverse communities, and apply what they've learned in a meaningful context.
• Field trips are educational opportunities for Juarez students, no siblings or other family members may join.
• Field trips are privileges. 
• Planning a field trip takes a lot extra time and effort on the part of the teacher to ensure that field trips are successful educational experiences.  Without the teachers, no field trips can happen. 
• Field trips are part of the education experience of students and not for parents. 
• This a voluntary experience for the purpose of supporting teachers and students assigned to you. There will be plenty of other opportunities for parent involvement. 

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The Role of Chaperones in School Activities

• Provide assistance to teachers
• Student safety 
• Promoting positive behavior
• Fostering inclusive participation.

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Providing Assistance to Teachers

• Chaperones provide valuable assistance to teachers in managing students and facilitating activities. They support teachers in creating a positive and inclusive learning environment.
• Chaperones work collaboratively with teachers to provide assistance in managing students and assisting with activities. They play a crucial role in supporting teachers during field trips. 

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Before the field trip:

• Chaperones will be selected at the teacher's discretion from a list of approved chaperones.
• All chaperones have to fill out volunteer packet and have attended the mandatory meeting. 
• We strive to share the wealth and give other parents opportunities to attend, therefore, no two family members should chaperone on the same trip.

Also, once you have had the opportunity to chaperone, you will likely NOT be invite to chaperone again that year.

You will be notified before the trip if you were selected to chaperone. 

• Please do not just show up that day or at the destination and please do not invite yourself on the trip.
• Please confirm you are able to attend. If you are unable to attend, we can make other arrangements but appreciate timely communication.
• Please clear your day so that the group you are supervising can have your undivided attention.

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Day of the field trip:

All Parents are expected to: 

• Bring a sturdy backpack as you will be helping to carry student lunches and drinks.
• Pack  a lunch. (We highly encourage you to model healthy food and drink choices.)
• No food or other items should be purchased on the field trip.
• Sign in the front office and put on your visitor's name tag.
• Arrive early so that you can hear the teacher explain to students the expectation for that day as you will be assisting the teachers in holding students accountable. 
• Be prepared to have a teacher assigned group of 4-5 students.
• Understand that there may be times when your child will NOT be assigned to your group.
• Some students behave better when their parents are not present.
• You are responsible for other people’s children.
• Take a sharpie to label all items with a student name in case they are not labeled.
• Parents who ride the bus, should return on the bus.

Parents who are driving independently. 

• In addition to the above mentioned items, please be sure that you assist the teacher by not leaving until you have helped load the students in the buses. 

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When the trip ends:

• Assist teachers in loading the bus to take students back to school. 
• Help unload the buses whenever needed
• Walk with students back to the classroom
• Remember, students should still stay until the end of the day and should not be checked out early.

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Student Safety

• Chaperones have key responsibilities in ensuring student safety, supervision, and accountability. They are responsible for addressing concerns that may arise during school activities. Remember,  students represent our school, and their behavior determines whether we are invited back to field trip destinations or are asked not to return. 
• Remind students they are expected to be making good choices. 
• Please make sure you keep a watchful eye on all children assigned to your group. 
• You are responsible for keeping a close proximity to your group while they use the restroom.
• Please refrain from talking on the phone and texting. 
•  Please do not buy your child or any other student anything. Remember we need all eyes on students. For student safety and to prevent any allergic reaction to foods.

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Promoting Positive Behavior

Chaperones play a vital role in promoting positive behavior among students. They set a positive example and encourage respectful behavior during school activities.

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Students should always 

• use walking feet.
• respect crosswalks and safety signage.
• keep my hands and feet on their own body, respecting people’s personal space bubble. 
• respect all animal and plant life (no picking flowers or hurting animals)
• use my voice level that shows respect for humans and animals.
• be proactive and behave in control of themselves.
• use kind words.
• Use their own strategies to calm down if they are upset or not happy or overwhelmed.
• only touch things that they are allowed to touch. They will touch it with respect.
• Only climbing structures that are for climbing.
• listen to their adult chaperone and be respectful, cordial and kind. 
• **wear their Juarez Shirt/Sweater or other Green shirt/sweater, whenever possible
• keep my name tag/identifier on. 

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Supporting Inclusive Participation

Chaperones must be willing to ensure that all students feel included and address diverse needs during school activities. 

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• Chaperones play a vital role in ensuring that every student, regardless of their background or abilities, feels welcomed, valued, and included.

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• Chaperones recognize that each student may have unique requirements or challenges. This could include physical disabilities, language barriers, or differences in learning styles.

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• Chaperones are responsible for being attentive to these needs and taking proactive steps to accommodate them, whether it's providing additional support, adapting activities, or offering encouragement.

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• Moreover, chaperones strive to foster an environment where every student can actively participate and thrive. This means promoting a culture of respect, kindness, and cooperation among students, and encouraging them to engage with one another in meaningful ways.

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• Chaperones serve as role models for positive behavior, demonstrating empathy, patience, and inclusivity in their interactions with students.

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• Please do not buy your child or any other student anything.  

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Next Steps

• You must fill out the Juarez volunteer packet available at the front office.  You must be able to present some form of current government issued photo identification (driver’s license, passport, military ID, U.S. or other government identification).

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• Complete and submit for approval the district School Volunteer Application, Volunteer Code of Conduct, and Emergency Contact Information.

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• Be checked by designated site personnel against the California Department of Justice, Sexual Offender (Megan’s Law) website (http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov) No other family members can join on the field trips. Volunteer packets must be filled out EVERY school year. 

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• Present a Tuberculosis clearance card (within 90 days). TB test are valid for 3 years.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME 😊