I concur with Claire's suggestions. Some schools simply don't have the parental support to provide adequate numbers of chaperones. We aren't in a position to refusing a teacher from coming to our place for that reason. However, we note (in our records) extremely unruly classes and may call the principal after if a group was completely out of control - or for praise when they are very good.
What we do:
1) Have a chaperone letter for the teacher to provide to accompanying adults. There is no guarantee that the chaperone will ever see it (some teachers don't read the confirmation letters... but that's another issue!). It has suggestions to keeping their group of students engaged throughout their visit and rules for THEM (stay off your cell phone, focus on the kids, not other adults, etc.).
2) Provide a 1 to 5 free adult ratio. It used to be 1 to 10, but with new hands-on exhibits we decided to entice teachers to bring as many chaperones as possible. Extra chaperones pay the student rate, not the adult rate.
3) Have a brief student orientation for the school group before they disperse into the gallery, classroom, etc. We ask: "What rules should you follow while visiting us today?" The STUDENTS provide the correct answers: no running, keep voices down, stay with the group, no exhibit touching - which we say that's okay to do in our gallery because our exhibits are hands-on, but we ask them to treat them nice, etc. Every student, teacher and chaperone can enforce the rules that the kids themselves bring up.
4) Inform adults during the orientation the procedure for restroom breaks. The adults are 100% responsible for handling those situations. We make sure staff and volunteers are NEVER alone with a visiting child.
5) Place a trained volunteer or staff is in the gallery with each class. That is part of the admission cost, so we can guide them through and answer questions.
6) Encourage teachers to visit our website and download a grade-specific two-page activity sheet. Some teachers want to have a tangible result from their visit. Maybe one in ten classes use them, but they can help keep students focused while they are in the gallery.
7) Communicate through the teacher confirmation letter so THEY know they are responsible for discipline and our job is to guide and educate the studenrs. You can verbally confirm that with the teacher when they arrive.
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Alan Goldstein
Interpretive Naturalist, CIP
Falls of the Ohio State Park / Interpretive Center
Clarksville IN
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-30-2017 09:17 AM
From: Claire Aldenhuysen
Subject: lack of chaperones
Good morning, Kristin!
My policy is to make it clear from the beginning in the reservation process that a minimum number of chaperones are required (for example, at my museum, I request at least 1 chaperone per 10 students) and remind the teacher throughout the process so there isn't a single teacher showing up with thirty children. I also call the day before the field trip to ensure that there's enough parental supervision.
I think this is where the museum's responsibility for the children ends; you're not a daycare or a playground. It is the teacher's responsibility to guarantee adequate supervision, not yours. If you do have the staffing available to lend a hand in the tour process, I say utilize them (for example, I sometimes have to split up larger groups and have multiple tour guides or activity leads) - but don't make it known to the teacher ahead of time, or else they will take advantage of you and your staff.
I would also advise heavily against allowing a member of your staff be alone with a child, ever. Escorting children to the bathroom also needs to fall under the responsibility of the teacher/chaperones. You don't want to put yourself or your museum in that position.
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Claire Aldenhuysen
Museum Educator
National Model Aviation Museum, Academy of Model Aeronautics
Muncie IN
Original Message:
Sent: 11-29-2017 06:08 PM
From: Kristin Stanec
Subject: lack of chaperones
Greetings!
What policies or procedures does your museum follow when a school group does not bring the requested amount of chaperones for a tour? We try to schedule an extra docent to "float" during every tour session to handle potential issues, but we worry about situations such as, when there is no one to accompany a child to the bathroom, or if management of a particular student needs more attention.... We want to maintain access to the museum, while also making certain that we are not placing anyone in a risky position.
Many thanks!
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Kris Stanec
Director of Museum Education, Senior Lecturer, Education Dept
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Colorado Springs CO
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