Teachers' decision to drink on field trip peeves parents

[Champ]

OXFORD TWP. -- Parents are outraged that six Oxford Central School teachers who were chaperones on an overnight field trip consumed alcoholic beverages.

The teachers chaperoned a three-day eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., and Gettysburg, Pa., during the week of May 17. In a letter sent home with students dated May 27, the teachers admitted to consuming alcohol in the presence of some students.

"The incident on the night in question occurred at the end of the students' pizza party when the security guard was already in place as the students prepared to go to their rooms for the night. Teachers were present to ensure that this took place smoothly," the teachers wrote.

"We each had one drink during this time, some in plain sight of students. Some teachers had also had a glass of wine at the dinner theater the night before. At no time were your children left without adult supervision, nor was their safety jeopardized in any way."

http://nj.com/news/expresstimes/nj/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1086167083114100.xml

[SoDesuKa]

1. WTF?

Why is it an issue that an adult consumes a glass of wine with dinner? Is this something that children need to be protected from?

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. alcohol is evil, dontchaknow

while I wouldn't want chaperones of my kids (if I had any) drinking to a point where they can feel it, a glass of wine with dinner? Who cares. Go for it, I say. One glass isn't impair judgment or make the kiddies unsafe. Sitting in the bar sipping martinis while the kids are sleeping - that's not good.

[supernova]

4. Agreed

This seems silly and worse than Victorian to me.

[Leprechan29]

8. Seriously -

Wine with dinner - A single beer (or whatever) at a party?

Are they drunk/impaired?

A) Yes - Thats a problem
B) No - Let them drink. Especially if they are at a "Dinner Theatre" - a lot of adults would, and lacking any undue effects to the judgement of the drinkers, there shouldn't be a problem with it.

Prohibition is over, and most adults know how to drink responsibly, especially if they are chaperones.


Note: The above is from someone who has not, and does not plan to drink. These things get overplayed sometimes.

[tandot]

3. so what? Is having a glass of wine against the law now, too?

I don't get it.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

10. It isn't, but many people wish it was.

Dangerous people.

Because, you know, <boudelang>the wine Jesus drank was just grape juice, so stop saying that!</boudelang>

[Wickerman]

5. I think it would've been much better if the teachers had snuck off to

drink. then the kids might have reinforced their previously conceived notions that drinking is a nasty thing to do and that drinking should only be done on the sly and behind closed doors. It is, after all, a nasty thing - not as bad as sex, of course, which shouldn't even be discussed, but definitely not something that adults should ever acknowledge doing!

/fundamentalism

[jayavarman]

6. outraged? These freak parents need to chill

.:wtf:

[sangh0]

7. I agree with the parents

Though alcohol is NOT "evil", I do think it's possible for those adults to get through one evening without any alcohol, and I don't think it's too much to ask that they do without for the one night when they are responsible for SOMEONE ELSE'S KID. In that situation, they have a fiduciary obligation, and that does not include alcohol consumption.

[TX-RAT]

9. Well said

Damn it's only for 1 night.

[Leprechan29]

12. They are indeed obligated to chaperone these kids

But as long as their judgement is not affected and the kids are not affected by chaperones actions that might be caused by the alcohol, their shouldn't be an issue. Yes, if they became intoxicated and started acting that way, yes there is a problem, but as long as they are sober (in a behavioral sense), and saftey is not at risk, then a drink (or two) shouldn't be prohibited.

[sangh0]

14. Alcohol affects judgement. Even just one drink

so by your own standard (ie "as long as their judgement is not affected") they're alcohol consumption was inappropriate.

Yes, if they became intoxicated

The effects of alcohol begin long before one becomes intoxicated. If there were an emergency that required clear thinking, would you prefer someone who had one drink, or none?

[Liberal Veteran]

17. A glass of wine with a meal is hardly going to impair judgement.

Now, maybe a Long Island Iced Tea or a double martini, but a civilized glass of wine with dinner?

That's just overreaction.

[sangh0]

49. Actually, a glass of wine does impair judgement

And if someone is watching my kid, I don't want their judgement to be "hardly impaired". I want it to be impaired "not at all"

[SoDesuKa]

61. What a Prude

I can imagine how this story goes over in France. Americans are nutty.

[Leprechan29]

55. I realize that even one drink affects judgment

Maybe the phrase I was searching for was "unduly affected". The effects are only slight with one glass, and so one or two drinks seem reasonable enough

[TX-RAT]

15. Right or wrong

If something happen to any of those kids and the teacher had alcohol on their breath, there would be hell to pay. The teacher shouldn't allow themselves to get in that position.

Actually that could be considered drinking on the job.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

18. The aforementioned "hell to pay"

is a consequence of the prudish prohibitionist mindset, not of any (nonexistent) handicap caused by one glass of wine. That's like saying marijuana is evil because the goverment will do nasty things to you if they catch you using it. A circular argument.

[TX-RAT]

20. is a consequence of the prudish prohibitionist mindset?

It's my child and my decision. Maybe i chose not to have teachers that have been drinking, too watch my child.

[Liberal Veteran]

22. And if the teacher took a shot of Nyquil would be upset?

Or if the teacher in question took an anti-anxiety drug would you be as upset?

I rather doubt it.

I think you are letting a personal aversion and preconceived notions take charge of rational opinion.

Using the SAME logic, ALL PARENTS should be forbidden from drinking at all when their children are in their custody?

Right?

[TX-RAT]

25. If the teacher took anything that might influence their decision making

Yes. I don't want somebody thats under the influence supervising my child.

[Liberal Veteran]

26. But the average dose of Nyquil is more potent than a glass of wine.

I bet ten to one if the headline was "Some Parents Upset over Teacher taking Dose of Nyquil in front of kids"....you'd be saying it was silly as shit to get bent out of shape about it too.

[TX-RAT]

30. We are talking about alcohol not Nyquil.

Actually i would get upset, beings my child can't even take an aspirin to school because of school regs.

[Liberal Veteran]

33. No. We are talking about a chemical substance that in one form...

...you seem to have a social aversion to, and in another, you totally approve.

And quite honestly, I think adults can be trusted to take a dose of Nyquil OR have a glass of wine.

I have yet to hear anyone suggest that adults were impaired mentally or that any harm came from this.

It's making a mountain out of a molehill.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

28. Your sentence

"If something happen to any of those kids and the teacher had alcohol on their breath, there would be hell to pay."

This, in my understanding, means that if the exact same thing happened and the teacher had NOT had that one glass of wine, s/he would be considered somewhat less guilty. It's this distinction that I consider to be the effect of the prudish prohibitionist mindset. Just to clarify.

[Leprechan29]

56. It can't be considered being on the job

If it was, then they would be well past the established hours for a work week and therefore would have to be paid at least 24 hours worth of overtime (I don't know if they are or not, just saying).

That aside, additional chaperons (the "security" that was put into place) were present, relieving the teachers of their duty, so it would have been off the job.

[Liberal Veteran]

13. Booze is bad, m'kay?

Golly. A glass of wine with dinner is hardly something to get one's panties in a wad about. It helps the digestion and makes for a pleasant meal.

Indeed, in some families (and many cultures) a glass of wine with dinner is traditional.

[sangh0]

16. And in some places

making stuff up is considered traditional too.

Indeed, in some families (and many cultures) a glass of wine with dinner is traditional.

Which culture has a tradition of alcohol consumption on school trips?

[Liberal Veteran]

19. Whatever....I don't see the harm in teens seeing examples of RESPONSIBLE..

....alcohol consumption in extreme moderation.

A glass of wine at A DINNER THEATRE?

A single glass of beer with pizza?

Sorry, but getting bent out of shape over that sort of thing seems puritanical and provincial to me.


Again, it's not like they were engaged in a kegger or dancing on tables for heaven's sake!

[TX-RAT]

21. I don't see teachers drinking in front of students as responsible.

[Liberal Veteran]

23. And if a child went to a wedding that served champagne to adults?

Would you claim that was irresponsible too?

[TX-RAT]

27. Not if i took my child.

We're talking about teachers and their responsibility's.

[Liberal Veteran]

29. Then I feel sorry for your child that it must be so sheltered...

...from such horrible things as a person having a glass of wine at a dinner theater.

I'd be more upset if the teacher lit up a cigarette in front of the kids than having a glass of wine.

[TX-RAT]

32. Try this

If you had responded to as many alcohol related accidents as i have, or as many domestic disputes that were alcohol related as i have, you might have a different opinion.

[Liberal Veteran]

34. In other words, your experience with people who were irresponsible...

....poisons the well for the millions of people who behave responsibly?

That's not logical.

[TX-RAT]

38. As a teacher you are irresponsible if you drink in front of the students.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

40. Other things are forbidden to minors for safety reasons.

Driving, for instance. Is it irresponsible for a teacher to be seen by his/her students driving a car, because they might get tempted to borrow daddy's car and crash into a tree?

If not, what's the difference?

[TX-RAT]

43. If you want drunk teachers watching over your children

Then have at it ( Not Me )

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

46. You definition of "drunk", Sir, is TRULY peculiar. (nt)

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

47. Oh and by the way

Do you have an answer to the previous question? About cars, that is?

[sangh0]

51. I have an answer

If people get intoxicated driving a car, then they shouldn't do it while they are responsible for someone else's kids.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

54. To the wrong question

I said drinking and driving as separate actions. Of course mixing the two is wrong no matter what.

[TX-RAT]

65. No

We are discussing teachers drinking on the job.

[tandot]

59. how about parents speeding in cars with their teens in the car

Is it alright to show teens that law doesn't matter and speeding is alright?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

36. Two questions:

1) Was any of these nasty events caused by a party drinking ONE glass of wine AT A MEAL?

2) What's your opinion regarding the 21st Amendment?

[TX-RAT]

41. Whats the 21st amendment got to do with teachers drinking on the job.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

42. As much as

domestic violence cases have to do with teachers drinking one glass of wine at dinner during an excursion.

Edit: typo

[TX-RAT]

39. Then I feel sorry for your child that it must be so sheltered

Actually my child is 30 yrs old and raising her own family. She's a RN and doing quite well thank you.

[Liberal Veteran]

60. Let's not pretend some great crime of immorality took place....

Admittedly you have a chip on your shoulder about drinking and seem to believe that having a glass of wine or beer is the equivalent of "partying" and leading to those terrible things you have seen so much of first hand.

Hell, I grew up with an alcoholic father, but despite that, I know the difference between a civilized glass of wine with a meal and getting tanked.

I'd be the first to agree with you IF the situation was the teachers in question did more than what the article indicates, but they didn't.

[TX-RAT]

64. No problem with drinking ( I drink myself )

My problem is teachers being trusted to supervise my child and then drinking in front of them. Hell as far as I'm concerned that would be drinking on the job. What they do on their own time is up to them, but when they supervise students, they are on the clock. Just my opinion but teachers should be held to a higher level, when children are present.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

31. Let me see if I get this straight.

Group of students, chaperoned by teachers, goes to some other teacher's wedding.

Champagne is served.

Teachers drink one glass.

Bad bad bad?

[TX-RAT]

35. You got it.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

37. OK, same situation, only you are there too.

Still bad bad bad?

[TX-RAT]

44. I'm their parent not their teacher.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

45. So YOU may drink the same champagne and it's all right? (nt)

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

48. Another angle:

You are there. Some teachers are there too. THEY drink. Your son sees it. Bad bad bad?

[sangh0]

52. Nothing wrong with that

When a teacher is not responsible for anyone else's kids, they can drink as much as they want, responsible or not.

However, regardless of how much or how little they drink, it is not responsible to drink while on a job, particularly one as serious as taking care of someone else's kid.

[TX-RAT]

66. Well said

Thank you

[FizzFuzz]

67. spelling correction

responsibilities

[Donkeyboy75]

63. Au contraire. Drinking RESPONSIBLY in front of students would seem

to reinforce positive drinking habits (a drink or two a day is actually healthier than zero). Getting blotto in front of your students isn't either.

Hey, y'know, sleep deprivation causes impaired judgement too. Maybe we should mandate chaperones' sleep habits on school trips, too. Yee-ha! :eyes:

[tandot]

57. My mom is French

a glass of wine (or beer) with dinner was never ever anything we even spend a thought on. It is part of the meal in some cultures.

I'd be more worried about some child-molester taking care of my children than a teacher who has one glass of wine with his/her meal. People who have a glass of wine, of course, are easier to spot and to vilify.

[ScreamingMeemie]

58. While I understand your point, I think these parents are going a bit

overboard. The teachers sent the letter home. I applaud them for that. I also realize that no one is ever going to take as good care of my children as I am. If I have concerns like this, then I am definitely not sending my kids on an overnighter. These parents are making a mountain out of a molehill. Now if they had bought the drinks for the kids...that would be a different story entirely.

[Donkeyboy75]

62. But one drink?

It's amazing how alcohol has been demonized. I have a glass of wine with dinner each night if I'm home early enough. It absolutely does not impair my judgement. I also work in a chem lab, and will have a beer with dinner if I have to work down at lab late. I come back to the lab after one beer and *gasp* it has no effect on me. Get real.

[fujiyama]

11. This is silly

When I was in 10th grade, we went to DC on a class trip and one of our teachers (a pretty young guy) bought himself a beer at the restaurant. We teased him a bit about it, and he said "we're outta school and I'm legal". That was all there was to it.

As long as the teachers aren't becoming drunk and aren't offering any to the students, I don't really see what the big deal is.

[NC_Nurse]

24. Well, then...

I guess we should make sure no PARENTS have any drinks either, what's 18 years without a drink?
I think it's just a symptom of an overly paranoid, blaming, prudish society that we flip out over every potential problem. GEEZ!

If the teacher has a drinking problem, they're gonna drink out of a hidden flask regardless of what the rules are. HELLO!

If not, what's the BFD?

:wtf:

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

50. Maybe next year, Bud Light will be a sponser of the trip?

Or no, just sit Little Johnny in front of the Superbowl and let him be barraged by liquor sells...

.. but become irate if there is a quick flash of some exposed skin.

[FizzFuzz]

68. HAHAH!! Yes!

irate at the exposed skin on the football show, that is. Don't worry about the RAPE choreography that went with it, and don't worry about the teams of jiggling sex-come-ons called cheerleaders. Don't think about how that will influence your sons' attitudes to girls and your daughters' attitudes toward themselves. Its All-Amurkan Family Fun!!!

Drinkin' and sex--don't do it or talk about it, sweetie, just watch it on TV while mommy and daddy go to bible study.

But DO quietly change official Federal website information to delete health and reproductive information, display disputed medical opinion as fact (ie: abortion linked to breast cancer) and promote abstinence.

[msu2ba]

53. As we say in the teachers' lounge......

"I never drink around my students......and, when they're not around, I don't need to."



:toast: