Grand Rapids High School Band
Chaperone Guidelines

If you are interested please download this form and return it by March 25th to Mr. Dale Gunderson.
2013 Band Chaperone interest survey

To a great degree, the success of the band is dependent on the level of involvement
and the dedicated support of parents and other volunteers who are willing to devote
their time and service to the band. Selected parents, faculty, and certain community
members will act as chaperones at band activities.

The coordination of volunteers to chaperone will be the responsibility of the
the Band Director(s). The selection and coordination of chaperones is a
Grand Rapids High School responsibility and is not under the auspices of the band
booster organization.

Anyone who volunteers to chaperone accepts certain responsibilities and will be
expected to perform duties as appropriate to the specific situation and event. Persons
chaperoning are required to have on file a Criminal Background Check. Rules and guidelines will be established by the Band Director(s) with the safety and welfare of the band members in mind.

The following is advice that will help with all chaperoning situations:

General Rules and Responsibilities of Chaperones

1. Report on time. This is usually 30 minutes prior to the student report time for an
activity. A longer more detailed briefing will be held in advance of overnight trips.
Assignments will be made at this time by the Band Director(s).

2. Chaperones must be available to the band at all times. Chaperones are on duty
for the entire event they are chaperoning and for overnight activities, technically
24 hours per day.

3. The “Golden Rule” of chaperoning… “If the students can’t do it, chaperones can’t
do it. Also, “don’t do for one student what you can’t do for all students”.

4. Chaperones must comply with all GRHS and MSHSL Band policies
including those regarding the prohibition of the use of alcohol, tobacco, and
appropriate language.

5. The authority of chaperones is limited to general supervision of students and to
guide and assist the students with safety and appropriate behavior. If you have a
problem with any student not following directions or showing respect, report to
the Band Director(s) immediately. All discipline problems will be handled by the Band Director(s).

6. If a student becomes ill enough (in the opinion of the chaperone) to warrant
medical attention or calling his/her parents, the Band Director(s) and the
are to be informed of the situation immediately. The Band Director(s) will be responsible for contacting and discussing the problem with the parents.

7. Please be reminded that your children who are not band members are under the same guidelines of behavior.

8. Students may use cell phones in band situations as follows:
∗ During breaks
∗ Free time
∗ Other as approved by the Director(s) or Chaperone(s)

Cell Phones may not be used as follows and must be turned off and out of
sight:
∗ During any rehearsal or class or class room extension situation
∗ After lights out curfew on overnight trips (emergency OK)
∗ Any organized group activity of the band

Home Football Games
* Please be prompt and wear your chaperone shirt or band parent shirt black
pants/long shorts and comfortable shoes
* Chaperones will enter the stadium as a group and sit or remain on station as
a group; Please stay off the track and field areas during the game unless that
area is your assignment.
* There is to be no food, drink or gum in the band seating area; Exception:
Student bottled water;
*Students must stay with the group except for restroom break;
* The following is a partial list of duties that you may be asked to perform
during the course of the game;
1. Mending uniforms
2. Flags & equipment placement
3. Transporting equipment
4. Supervising stands and fence area
5. Raincoats and plumes
6. Water
7. Escorting students to and from restrooms
8. Dropped field items
9. Supervision



Away Trips
Essentially the same duties and procedures are applicable for away football games
and trips plus the following;
* There will normally be 2 – 4 chaperones per bus;
* Verify the roll call of your bus with the student Bus Captain for each
departure;
* Work with the student Bus Captain to make sure that the behavior on the bus
is safe and leads to an enjoyable trip for all;
*Chaperones should spread themselves out throughout the bus to cover both
the middle and back of the bus;
* Student couples are to conduct themselves as ladies and gentlemen;
* No changing of clothes at anytime on the bus other than slipping a uniform on
or off as long as garments under the uniform are acceptable. Such changing
should be at the instructions of the band staff and supervised by chaperones;
*At no time is the emergency exit (back door) of the bus to be used except in
an actual emergency;
*Please let the Band Director(s) know immediately by cell-phone or radio if you
have an unmanageable problem or if the bus must pull off the road. Busses
travel in convoy;
* At the conclusion of the trip, please make sure that the bus is left clean and
that all windows are closed. The student Bus Captain is responsible for this
and should hold all students until this is accomplished;
* Students being picked up after out of town events must be picked up and
released only to their parent or legal guardian and only after a release form is
signed and on file; Forms can be signed by the parent at the time of pick-up if
necessary

Overnight Trips
Essentially the responsibilities or overnight trips are the same as those previously
outlined plus the following.
* Chaperones must attend a detailed briefing prior to the trip;
*Usually the band is divided into tour groups with each chaperone taking on
the responsibility of 6 – 10 students;
* At hotels, chaperones are assigned a specific block of rooms and floor area to
supervise;
* Students are not allowed to have visitors nor use room service;
* Students must be in their assigned rooms from curfew until wake-up;
* Please be prepared for long hours (24-7) as needed;
* Chaperones will be housed in the most efficient manner possible and it is not
always possible to room husband / wife;

Rehearsals / Parades / Other Events
From time to time, chaperones are needed for these type events. Duties and
responsibility are essentially the same as for all other events. If you are serving as a
chaperone for any of these type events, you will receive specific instructions from the
Band Director(s) and Band Staff or the event Coordinator(s);

Closing Remarks
It is the desire of the Band Directors and the Grand Rapids Band Boosters that a large
number of parents be involved in the active support of the GRHS Band whether through
chaperoning, participating in fundraisers, or just attending a performance. There is a
direct link to the success of students and the involvement of the parent. We welcome
all parents to be as active as their time will allow. If for any reason anyone should have
a comment (positive or otherwise) or a concern regarding any aspect of the chaperone
program or other related matters, please call the band office and speak directly with one
of the band directors.

Grand Rapids High School Bands
Dale Gunderson & Michael Thursby Phone: (218) 327-5760
Grand Rapids High School Fax: (218) 327-5761
800 Conifer Drive
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
www.grbands.org