Chaperone Guide
Hudsonville Marching Band
Arrival Time:
Each week, an itinerary for the football or competition will be posted at hudsonvillebands.org. It will also be sent to all the band families in an email.
Please arrive at the time listed for the students to load the bus. You will need to grab a medication bag for the bus you are on and then get on the bus and help the drum majors take attendance. The drum majors will have attendance sheets.
Chaperone Duties:
1. Ride a bus and monitor student behavior on the bus.
2. Assist with loading or unloading the trailer.
3. Assist with passing out instruments and uniforms.
4. Chaperone students as they go to the restroom.
5. Assist with any meals.
6. Help pass out water to the students.
7. Help collect stadium jackets if they are being used.
*Key people to check with: (subject to change)
1. Jason McBride – transportation
2. Sara Zielinski and Tammy Orndorff – food
3. Stpehanie Smith – uniforms
Student Discipline:
On the bus:
The students are expected to act appropriately on the buses. The volume level should not get too loud for the bus driver to concentrate. We do not want the students showing public displays of affection. The students may switch seats, but this must be quick because they must be seated while the bus is in motion. Please make sure that the students are not constantly switching seats.
Discipline Possibilities:
1. Ask the student to change their behavior.
2. Move the student to another seat or part of the bus.
3. Put the student in a seat with you.
Other things to know:
1. Mr. VanderWall must be notified of all behavior problems.
2. The students are not allowed to get off the bus until they are asked to do so by one of the drum majors or directors.
3. Reagan Hall is the senior drum major. Bryce Boomstra is the junior drum major. Both can help answer your questions.
4. Everyone traveling with the band is expected to ride the bus to and from the performance. Any exceptions must be worked out with Mr. VanderWall. Please do not give the students permission to ride home with their parents unless you have discussed it with Mr. VanderWall.
5. Exceptions to this rule (number 4) are only allowed if they are in writing, but please make sure you let Mr. VanderWall know.
6. Only band members, directors, and chaperones are allowed on the buses.
Overnight Trips:
1. The chaperones need to handle the bus responsibilities listed above.
2. The chaperones need to help make sure the students are quiet in the hotel.
3. The chaperones need to make sure the students are in their room at curfew.
4. The chaperones will be assigned a shift (1.5 to 2 hours) to walk the hotel floor. This is for the following reasons:
A. Make sure the Hudsonville students are safe and staying in their rooms.
B. Make sure no unwanted visitors are disturbing the students.
5. The chaperones will be assigned a group of rooms. We will put masking tape on the door once the students are in their rooms. The chaperones will also take attendance in each of the rooms at curfew to make sure all the students are present. You must see each student. A verbal “here” is not enough. The chaperones will check the rooms in pairs.
6. Rooms will be provided for the chaperones. There will be a male and a female chaperone room. We cannot afford to get enough rooms for chaperones to have their own room. Chaperons can pay for their own room if they choose to.
7. As always, alert Mr. VanderWall if there are any problems. You will be told his room number when you get to the hotel.
Important Information:
1. Always make sure that another adult is present when you are with a student. NEVER be alone with a student.
2. Do not give medication or drugs to a student unless you have permission from the person in charge of medication.
3. Have fun with the kids.
4. The students are required to stay with the band at all times. If a student has to use the restroom or leave the band for any reason, they must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
5. Please ask questions if you don’t understand something!
6. You should plan on showing up to school when the band starts to load the trailer. This information will be on the weekly itinerary that your student will bring home to you. It is sent via email as well.
Mr. VanderWall’s cell phone: 616-862-0114
All chaperones must go to hudsonvillepublicschool.org and fill out a background check form. This must be on file with the school district before you can chaperone.