School Field Trips ??

[SadiesMom]

Hey all!

My daughter with CF is in kindergarten this year. She's had a couple field trips so far and my husband has always been a chaperone. Another field trip is coming up and the teacher told me he didn't have to be a chaperone because they wouldn't be eating anything on this field trip (therefore no need for enzymes). I was just wondering how other families handle the field trips at school. Did a parent always chaperone? Is this something you included in your 504? Should I even be concerned about it? On one hand, I'd like to give other parents a chance to go, and also be able to give my girl a little independence; but on the other hand, I'm worried that if she needs to use the bathroom or wash her hands that those needs won't be met as promptly as might be necessary (or that even the teacher might be mistaken and she wouldn't be able to eat whatever the other kids are eating).

As always, thank you so much for your advice!

 

[Ratatosk]

DS' first field trip with 1st Grade DH chaperoned and they went to the zoo; however, the school sent a small first aid kit, tissues and hand sanitizer for each chaperone -- standard practice for all field trips, not just because of DS. I also sent some enzymes with DH, just in case there was a miscommunication. The school secretary sent along a small baggy of enzymes with the teacher for lunch. So he was covered.

Since then, we've just notified the school secretary prior to a field trip and she sends along enzymes. There have been a few times he's missed enzymes --- holidays sneaking chocolate, daycare trip they forgot and they called to see if they should give him some after the fact. Fortunately, he doesn't suffer really bad stomach aches if he misses a dose. Just may have really loose stools later that day. School food is so flippin low in fat ("healthy") these days, too.

We do have it in his 504 to let us know when there are field trips, so we don't schedule a doctor's appointment on that day. And it really hasn't been an issue, because field trips are listed in the school newsletter/calendar way ahead of time. And I think after that brutal influenza outbreak where there was a shortage of vaccine, the schools in our area changed the way they did things -- remind kids to wash hands or use hand sanitizer. DS is a little different in that he's been going to daycare since he was 3 months old and they drill the handwashing routine into their little brains. He gets annoyed when I pump him for info -- did you get enzymes, did you wash your hands after....

I guess I'd double check with the teacher. Find out where their going, maybe arrange to send some enzymes with the teacher just in case...?

 

[TreasureGoddess]

I went as chaperone on some of my son's field trips back when he was in K-3rd grade. He started wanting more independence, so I only went to the biggies (when the kids went to the state capitol for the whole day about an hour away). I always checked in with the school nurse and the teacher to make sure they had enzymes along. Once on a field trip they forgot and one of the parents called me. I could've driven out there, but by the time I'd gotten to the zoo they would've already eaten. I asked the parent to see if they could "trade" Joe's food for nonfat things like bananas, fruit snacks and such. He was fine and from there out, I always got permission to send along enzymes with my son in his pocket. By middle school, we had permission for Joe to carry his own enzymes all the time, but it's hard when they're little.

I always remind the teacher that Joe's parent chaperone needs to be one that knows that he may need to go to the bathroom even beyond the regularly scheduled trips. We never really had a problem.

 

[Rebjane]

I have chaperoned many a field trip. My guess is a lot of the time, it was not necessary but it does make the teacher and school feel better. I guess it depends where the field trip is. If it was just a trip to the library, I did not need to go. Even if they were eating; I did not necessarily need to go because I pack my daughter's enzymes and she takes them herself.

I am more concerned about drinking enough, or making sure they have sunscreen. I think it's what you are individually comfortable with.

Now my daughter enjoys me not going(she's 12). She's on the school softball team and the last away game road the bus, played the game, road the bus back with the team and ate at McDonalds with her team. She dosed her own enzymes and had her G2. She had a great time all without me

 

[Gammaw]

Our school system will not allow children to carry their meds with them, including enzymes. So ever since daycare, I either go on the field trip, or give a bottle directly to the teacher with a reminder. If I don't personally drop off, I will send a prescription bottle with the packed lunch and email the teacher to let them know where the enzymes are located. They normally keep the prescription in the office and my guy has to go down there whenever he eats. He's 10 now - but when he was smaller the teacher or assistant would go get the enzymes.

You absolutely need to put it in the 504. In that process alone you will doscover whether it's permissible to carry enzymes or to put them in a baggie (i.e. without the prescription evidenced on the bottle).
When all efforts fail, I remember that missing enzymes with one meal is not fatal! They will survive.

 

[Carol H]

HI.. My grandson is in first grade. His school does not allow children to carry their meds too. He goes to the nurse office to get them for snacks and lunch. I thought this might make him feel different he did notice this year he is only one taking power pills aka enzymes. But he also noticed that some kids have to have pills like diabetics and he likes visiting the nurse for his special snacks and chat time He did go on one field trip he won a trip to movie and pizza in a reading club he is in.. it was so awesome his Principle went along and helped my grandson and took his meds!! He does have the 504 plan too and his school always works with us!
Good luck so hard to let go.. I am just the grandma but I was thinking I could go to first grade again right!!