Oliver Ames High School Marching Band
Chaperone Guidelines for Competitions
2011-12
Dear Parent,
Thank you for volunteering your time to be a chaperone. I hope you will find these guidelines to be a good resource. The guidelines will also come in handy as a checklist, so you may want to bring a copy of this with you when you are chaperoning. Also, I will make every effort to see that you chaperone on the dates you signed up for, but at times modifications may be necessary to ensure everyone has an opportunity to chaperone.
The chaperone duty requires you to ride the bus with the students from OAHS to the competition and also ride the bus back with the students to OAHS. These guidlines are designed to make your experience the best it can be.
1. Check that the plume box has been loaded on one of the buses
2. Pack enough water on the bus for both the marching band and color guard (See Mr.
Wheeler to get the water before you depart for competition).
3. Pack an old towel for cleaning the marching band shoes (depending on weather & field
conditions, the shoes can sometimes get muddy).
4. Before the bus leaves OAHS, make sure no student is in the building/bathrooms and take
a student headcount before the school bus departs for competition.
5. There are usually 2 buses. Inform the students they must return o n the same bus that
they departed from OAHS (make a note of the bus # and tell the students same).
6. When you arrive at the competition site do not let the students off the bus…someone
from Mr. Wheeler’s staff will greet you and give the students instructions.
7. A chaperone will get the plume box off the bus and help the students place the plume on
their shakos.
8. There is always a student that forgets his/her black socks. Mr. Wheeler has spare socks
available.
9. When you depart the bus, plan to take enough water with you for the marching band &
color guard. The band will usually rehearse before gate time so you will need to stay with the band to make sure they are hydrated (there can be very warm days in Sept & Oct).
10. Most competitions are in the evening. After competition (depending on where OA is on the lineup) – the students will go back to the bus to change out of their uniform and then get something to eat. Monitor the students while changing and make sure they hang up their uniforms. I find it easier if you can get their plumes before they get on the bus to change. Make sure every student comes off that bus and has a buddy system in place.
11. Students must be in groups of 2 or more at all times…going to the restroom, getting something to eat, etc…
12. A student may forget their packed meal or dinner money. We won’t allow any student to go hungry so please see Mr. Wheeler or staff member with any issues.
13. Just before the conclusion of the competition (final award is read), one chaperone should make their way back to the buses so there will be a chaperone to greet the students before they arrive. Sometimes it can be dark and there are many buses and the student can become confused which bus is our bus. That said, it’s a good idea that the students see a familiar face and know which bus to board.
14. Take another headcount just before you leave competition site.
15. Do not allow the bus drivers to leave the competition site until Mr. Wheeler gives his OK. Mr. Wheeler will come on the bus to address the kids before leaving the site.
16. No student is allowed to go home without Mr. Wheeler’s knowledge and/or approval. If a parent wants to take their child home with them, they are to get prior approval/written note from Mr. Wheeler. Please contact Mr. Wheeler with any issues.
17. When you arrive back to OAHS and after the students have all exited the buses, please do a final walk through of the bus to make sure no instrument, uniform, etc was left behind.
18. If there are any problems, or anything you are unsure or uncomfortable with, please phone Mr. Wheeler. He will have his cell phone with him and can be reached at 774.219.6847.