We always pay for chaperones. A lot the places we attend will give a limited number of chaperone passes free. For every 15 students, they allow 4 free chaperones. It also doesn't hurt to ask. Our 2nd grade went to see a stage show. I told them their price was a little higher then our budget but we really wanted to attend and they gave me 10 free tickets. As far as the buses, you are paying for them anyway, that should not be considered an additional cost. We don't always have a lot of voluteers, so we don't like to turn anyone away. [img]smile.gif[/img]
If you have 160 students and 25 teachers/faculty riding on 4 buses that hold 244 people, then that leaves 59 open seats on the buses that have already been paid for whether the chaperones go or not. So they are not costing you any additional money to ride.
In my school we also always pay for the chaperones. I think it the least we can do for them to take off time from work and volunteer their time. Yes they are going with their kids but for anyone who has chaperoned before it is a lot of work taking care of all the kids especially the 5th grade trip to New York.
We have always paid for the chaprones also. Sometimes we do not even get enough parents to volunteer to help chaprone! If I volunteered to take a day and chaprone a field trip I would be upset if the school wanted me to pay my own way also! Just my opinion.
I have been President for one year now. I have just found out that our group pays for $200 pool party at the end of the year. $500 on graduation tassels for 160 students. and $4000.00 on 4 deluxe buses which seat 244 passagers to go to Ellis Island. The Student and chaprones pay for Museum fees and ferry ride. My concern is why are we paying for the Chaprones. and we have 5 fifth grade teachers and at least 20 faculty members go. What I would like to do is pay for the students and only the 5th grade faculty members and the Chaprones pay for themselves which should be a $20 cost to the parent. This topic is a very touchy one since this has been tradition for many years. Need Advice !!!!!!!