NLHS - Band of Knights

Chaperone Guidelines

Chaperones must be at least 21 years of age. Chaperones must ride the bus and assist with any duties requested by the lead bus chaperone. Chaperones are not charged bus fees to the football games or competitions but are expected to assist with any duties assigned to them by the lead chaperone or requested by the uniform committee. This includes assisting with getting the band ready to perform when we arrive at the competition site (pinning gauntlets, issuing plumes, unloading the truck, serving water/snacks, etc.). Chaperones cannot be supervising any children under middle school age during the trip. A middle school age child or other adult not chaperoning that is accompanying a chaperone on a bus will be expected to pay bus fees. Frequently we receive a limited number of passes for the competitions and these will be given to the chaperones when available. Be aware that we may not always receive sufficient passes for everyone and you may have to pay the entrance fee to watch the band perform. These fees can range anywhere from $3 or $4 at smaller competitions to $10 to $12 at regional competitions such as Western Carolina (NOTE: We do not receive chaperone passes for Western Carolina). If there is ever a question about ANYTHING, MR. UNDERWOOD IS ALWAYS THE FINAL AUTHORITY.

General guidelines:

Although you may be assigned a specific group of students for whom you will serve as primary chaperone, ALL chaperones are to help with ALL students as needed.
Chaperones are expected to enforce the Band of Knights student’s rules of conduct and dress code.
Chaperones are to set an appropriate example for students at all times by exhibiting model behavior. Be on time and at appropriate checkpoints as designated by Mr. Underwood.
Listen to all announcements by Mr. Underwood to ensure you hear any changes or updates to the itinerary.
Chaperones are not to administer any medications including pain relievers such as Tylenol to students. All medications to be given to students must have been included on the student’s medical form. If a student needs non-emergency medical attention please refer them to the head chaperone, Allen Perkins or his designee.
Chaperones should not allow any situation to get out of control. If a situation cannot be resolved quickly by speaking (NOT YELLING) with the student the chaperone should seek assistance from the head chaperone, Allen Perkins or his designee, a member of the staff or Mr. Underwood. Do not become engaged in an argument with any student. Students are expected to treat all chaperones with respect and comply with any instructions given by the Chaperones.
Chaperones are expected to treat students with respect. Chaperones should strive to remember that high school students’ self-esteem can be fragile and avoid making comments which will embarrass or humiliate a student. However, our first priority must be the safety of the student and others in band. The North Lincoln Band has a code of conduct and high expectations regarding student behavior which will not be compromised. If you encounter a student who refuses to comply with a reasonable request immediately seek assistance from the head chaperone, a member of the staff or Mr. Underwood.

Special bus trip guidelines:

Chaperones will check the roll on each bus and count students before leaving any place the band may be (food stops, bathroom breaks, competition sites, etc.). One chaperone will the check the roll by name. One chaperone will independently count the number of students and adults. The lead chaperone will ensure the numbers match. The buses do NOT roll until every student is accounted for.
The lead chaperone on each bus has the right to request the buses stop at the next safe pull off if necessary to deal with discipline or safety issues.
Chaperones are expected to maintain order on the buses. Please distribute yourselves evenly throughout the bus. You may want to find opportunities to occasionally get up and move through the bus.
1. Students should remain seated when the bus is in motion.
2. Students will ride the same bus for the duration of the trip.
3. Students are not allowed to have blankets on the bus.
4. Maintain reasonable noise levels for the situation. They need to be allowed to socialize and enjoy the trip but it shouldn’t get so loud as to be disruptive to the driver. When maneuvering into a parking spot or backing absolute quiet is essential so the driver can be focus and hear any instructions or warnings.
5. Be sure any group activities which get underway on the bus reflect behavior that is respectful of each other (No lewd songs please!).
6. Every student must have a seat. No student is allowed to sit on another student’s lap. No student is to be standing or sitting in the aisles of the bus.
7. Bags, purses, etc. are to be stowed in the overhead compartments or under the seat NOT IN THE BUS AISLES.
If the buses separate for lunch/dinner and the lead chaperone is required to dismiss the students to go eat they should be dismissed in the following order: Seniors, Officers, Juniors, Sophomores, Freshmen, Other.
Students or chaperones may bring movies to play during the trip. Only G and PG movies are to be shown. If a PG movie is questionable, the chaperone should ask Mr. Underwood. Mr. Underwood is the final "word" on that movie. No PG-13 movies unless approved by Mr. Underwood. Just as in the class room, the teacher has the final word. If we cannot live by this rule, then no movies at all.
When exiting the bus, one chaperone will do a final check and walk down the bus checking the lavatory to ensure all students have exited the bus.
Check the bus at the end of the day for any items left behind in the overhead areas or under the seats. Purses, CD players, instruments, etc., left on the bus may not be there when the students return later.
1. Report any issues you don’t know how to handle to the bus’s lead chaperone.
2. Be sure you get the cell phone numbers of the lead chaperones on the other buses for that day before you leave the school.
3. Report notable behavior issues to the head chaperone or Mr. Underwood at the end of the trip. This will allow Mr. Underwood to address these issues with the band or applicable student before the next trip.