Travel Guidelines from the Handbook

ALL Chaperons should be familiar with the information on this page…this is how we travel!

L. Travel Guidelines

Traveling and performing with a large and diverse group of individuals is a formidable undertaking. The Band of Gold has a reputation for pride, class, dignity, and excellence that we always strive to maintain. This applies to our adult chaperons as well as our members; our chaperons serve a vital and necessary function and must be fully aware of all rules and expectations. All rules and standards of behavior exist to promote the highest level of performance possible.

WHEN TRAVELING BY BUS:

1. All members will assist with preparing and loading the instruments, equipment, and any other items for transport as instructed by the director.
2. Chaperons will check each bus before it is loaded and inform the director of any problems.
3. Chaperons will board buses before scholars and sit throughout the bus (not clustered all up front).
4. Buses load by class, seniors first, then juniors, sophomores, and freshmen.
5. Roll must be checked EVERY TIME before the bus moves.
6. The bus driver is responsible for our safe transporation and should be treated politely and courteously by everyone at all times.
7. Keep all body parts, equipment, etc. inside the bus while it is moving.
8. Conversations should be in a normal tone of voice (“indoor voice”).
9. Personal music players may be used with headphones.
10. Chaperons may reassign seats if they feel it is necessary.
11. Buses are to be kept neat and clean by everyone. All Freshmen and any messy upperclassmen will stay on the bus at the conclusion of each trip to make sure the bus is left clean and orderly and no items are left behind

AT PERFORMANCES

1. All chaperons must know who has the medical forms and first-aid kit at all times.
2. No scholar or chaperon is ever permitted to have any alcoholic beverage at any time during a trip.
3. Smoking is illegal on all school board property. Adults are never to smoke around scholars.
4. The band will always move together as a group; chaperons should flank the band and help ensure they are able to stay together.
5. Chaperons should always be available to help, but must be careful not to distract from the performance or performance preparations.
6. If the band splits into smaller sections, a chaperon is to go with each group.
7. Scholars are NEVER to leave the group by themselves at any time for any reason.
8. Chaperons are not instructors and should not tell scholars how to march or play; this is the responsibility of the director and staff.

ENFORCEMENT

1. Members will police themselves so that everyone may concentrate on preparing for the performance.
2. Chaperons must be fully informed of all rules and procedures so they can help remind members of the expectations.
3. Chaperons may not punish scholars; that is the responsibility of the director.
4. The director must be informed of any and all problems to decide an appropriate course of action.
5. Problems with chaperons will be handled by the head chaperon, booster president, and director.
6. Problems with instructional staff will be handled by the director.