Chaperones

Parent volunteers assist the Directors as chaperones at every competition. The Chaperones help with communications, logistics, mending and other minor issues as they arise. We typically take four chaperones to each competition, and the Boosters pay competition entry fees for each chaperone.

We have outlined our expectations below under "Chaperone Guidelines". If you have any questions about Chaperoning, please contact our chairpersons:

BMS Mini Swingers Chaperones Chair Emily Campbell - email emily.campbell@mevsd.us

CHAPERONES GUIDELINES

Chaperones are

· Assistants to the Directors

· Responsible Leaders of the Students

· Helpful to all - Students, Stage Crew & Directors

· Kind and Respectful to all

Chaperones are not

· Best buddies with the Students

· Enablers who allow the Students to ignore the rules

· Free-loaders who do not work at the competitions

HOW TO BE A GOOD CHAPERONE

1. DEPARTURE

a. Chaperones assist with getting the students onto the buses, helping to resolve any seating issues.

b. Assign one Chaperone to keep track of the First Aid Kit for the entire trip.

c. Talk to the bus drivers, learn their rules, and help the students follow their rules.

(Every bus driver has different rules about loudness, music, sitting, standing, etc.)

2. AT THE COMPETITION

a. If you are not offered free admission, kindly pay to get into the competition.

b. At least ONE Chaperone must stay with the students when they are in their assigned room.

This can be a Director but should be a parent, as the Directors have other jobs to do.

c. Girls will change clothing either in a separate classroom or at a different times from the boys & giirls.

(Some schools assign us one classroom, others give us two classrooms.)

d. Know the meeting times for getting ready, warm-up, performance, video, & awards.

e. When the students are enjoying the other performances, do the same. Watch the choirs and our students.

f. Manage the check out sheet for students going home with parents from the competition.

3. AT THE HOTEL (as applicable)

a. Everyone is responsible to handle their own baggage (and stuff). The students are very good at this.

b. Boys and girls can be in each other’s rooms as long as the door is propped open, until curfew is called.

c. Curfew is enforced with a bed check in each room.

d. Chaperones may need to be hallway monitors during the night. This depends on the number of couples

and personalities of the students in the show choir. If necessary, set up shifts for each hour.

e. No one is to leave the hotel for any reason, alone or with a chaperone. The only exceptions

would be a scheduled event, a group walk to a restaurant, a parent signing out a student with one

of the Directors.

4. RETURN

a. See Departure.

b. Enjoy the students and getting to know the Directors and other parents!