Today I went on my first field trip as a mom. We went to the Mobile Ballet to see the Nutcracker. Initially the principal was unsure if the kindergarten class would be allowed to attend. She didn’t think they would sit still for such a long production. At the last minute she decided to let them go but asked as many parents to attend as possible. Unfortunately with most parents working during the day this was not possible. In Tyler’s class I was the only parent along with the foster grandmother, who comes everyday. The computer teacher also helped out and we certainly needed it. Those little ones will get away from you!
The first thing we did this morning before leaving the school was make big apple name tags with each child’s name, the name of the school and the school’s phone number. We punched holes in them and placed some yarn through them, knotted each one and hung them around their necks.
I think the kids were just as excited about riding the school bus as going on a trip. Only a handful of kids ride the bus so this was a treat for the rest of them. We also had to bring a lunch and this was another treat for the kids. They wanted to eat before we even left the school.
The ballet itself was wonderful and I don’t know why the principal was concerned about the little ones. The only thing is I had to make three trips to the potty with two different girls from Tyler’s class. And the computer teacher made one with trip with the girls when we arrived (although they all went before we left school).
It’s great exposing kids to the arts at a young age. There were about 10 additional schools at today’s performance and all the tickets were purchased by other organizations. For instance, the tickets for Tyler’s school was purchased by a local church. That’s one great thing I can say about the public school system here; the community is very present in the schools from churches to local business and civic organizations.
After the ballet was over we went to a little park close by called Bienville Square for lunch. It was 55 degrees– too cold for the south as far as I’m concerned. All the adults were shivering while the kids seemed to be totally oblivious to the elements. Once everyone was finished eating and had some time to run around we headed back to the big yellow school buses, loaded up, and headed back to school. On the way back to school, the librarian, who was riding on the bus I was on, decided that she was going to be our tour guide. So she jumps up and runs to the front of the bus, takes the loudspeaker thingy and proceeds to point out sites downtown, the Mobile Press Register our local paper, the Alabama State Docks, and on and on until we reached the interstate. All the while the kids were oohing and having a great time. Once back at school I signed Tyler and my niece out early– it was about 1:00– and headed home.
All in all it I had a great time. If you can go on at least one field trip with your kids I would strongly suggest it. The schools definitely need the parent participation plus you get to see your children interacting with their peers. Next trip? We’re taking a greyhound bus ride all the way to Montgomery! Now that’s a long ride. For now I have to take off these heels and dress clothes. I’m so used to wearing jeans and tennis shoes (or my pajamas and slippers) I feel overdressed right now!
See also:
Have You Considered Becoming A Room Mom?
Oh The Places We’ll Go– Field Trips!