Do's and Don'ts for Chaperoning during Parades
This is a list of some "Do's and Don'ts" for chaperoning the Bonnabel Band Students during Mardi Gras parades. Keep in mind, the band members are our main priority. It is our responsibility to provide safety and protection for each and every band member!
ALL INSTRUCTIONS COME FROM THE BAND DIRECTOR ….. NOT THE CHAPERONES!
1. Any and all emergencies are to be reported to the Band Director immediately! No student leaves the parade route without the Band Director knowing ... AND ONLY IN EMERGENCIES! Should a student become ill or injured, a chaperon will remain with the student.
2. Students and chaperones meet in the Clearview Shopping Center parking lot ONE hour before the parade begins. (The students that play large instruments do meet at school one and a half hours before the parade begins. They will ride a school bus with their instruments to and from the parade.) Everyone else is picked up in the Shoney's parking lot at Martin Behrman at the end of the parade route.
3. Chaperones will walk on the side of the band.
a. We will march on the outside of the band on both sides into the parade, along the entire route, and out of the parade.
b. No one walks in front of the band AT ANY TIME!. .. NOT EVEN CHAPERONES!!
c. Do not let anyone break through the lines.
d. WALK DIRECTLY BEHIND THE CHAPERON IN FRONT OF YOU. WE KEEP THE CROWD BACK SO THE BAND CAN COMFORTABLY MARCH DOWN THE STREET!
e. The Band Director does not want any parent pampering their child. Remember ALL of the students are in full uniform. They are ALL hot, sweaty, and tired
4. Water is given to the students ONLY when the Band Director or the Drum Major says they can have water!
a. NO drinks are passed into the band from anyone, NOT EVEN THEIR PARENTS!
b. The Students DO NOT touch the water bottles.
c. Do NOT put the straw in the students' mouths.
d. Squirt water in their mouths.
e. Do NOT allow students to pass the water bottles to each other.
5. DO NOT PICK UP ANY THROWS! Throws are not allowed around anyone's neck, arms, on instrument, etc. THIS APPLIES TO CHAPERONES ALSO. We do not hold throws for anyone either, per the Band Director.
6. Students and chaperones are not allowed to use the restrooms on the parade route. (HINT: Eat and drink well before the parade begins so a restroom is not needed along the parade route.)
FOR CHAPERONES:
1. Chaperones wear gold Bonnabel Bruin Band polo shirts/sweatshirts with black pants, NO shorts. Shirts are purchased from the Bruin Band Parent Association. Plain black, gold, or white shirts will be acceptable for the parades. Wear comfortable black or white shoes. Tennis shoes are most popular! (HINT: Wear two pair of socks. They help cushion your feet. The street is hard on the feet and legs!)
2. Chaperones should arrive one hour before the parade begins.
3. Each chaperon is given a special ID tag which identifies each of us as a Bonnabel Band chaperon for that parade. It will be worn during the entire parade.
4. NO SMOKING AROUND THE BAND! NO SMOKING ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE!
5. NO EATING ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE!
6. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ALLOWED AROUND THE BAND AND ON THE PARADE ROUTE!
7. NO pushing, shoving, grabbing, etc. the crowd. NO fowl language directed toward anyone.
8. No one goes to a fast food restaurant or convenience store along the route.
9. There will be no vehicle with us. We will have no cart with us. We will carry the water bottles by hand. THESE ARE FOR THE BAND ONLY! You may carry your own private water bottle for yourself.
HINT: EAT BEFORE THE PARADE! YOU WILL NEED THE ENERGY! HAVE YOUR STUDENT EAT BEFORE THE PARADE ALSO.
The safety and protection of all band members is our main priority.