Usually the teacher would find an ally in the bus driver, unless the teacher was also the bus driver which in that case a dose of Xanax after the trip is recommended. (Some private schools can’t afford to hire a field trip bus driver so teachers who have the proper CDL are asked to fill in.)
Field trip bus story: couple years ago I was asked to chaperone a high school field trip. We spent more time on the bus than we did in the museum, of course. And on the way back, the bus driver tried to take a “shortcut” to avoid the congested downtown expressways. Among other things, we ended up pulling into a cul-de-sac lined with cars on both sides, stopping for a train and getting stuck in a looooong, slow construction zone. Got back 45 minutes after the end of the school day, and more importantly, 30 minutes after the buses had departed for the day. Those students who didn’t have parents waiting for them got to be dropped off, one at a time, by that same bus. Some of them probably missed dinner..I love field trips…
The teacher was in the front of the bus, humming and rocking back and forth, mumbling “it will be over soon, it will be over soon…”It’s amazing what teachers can tune out. When I go in to help with my first grader’s class, I can’t believe the chaos, but the teacher is calm and totally fine with it.
@Nancy, that is exactly why more parents need to volunteer. I was never a teacher, but did many things like that in the many years I spent in Cub Scouts. It was seldom possible to get parents to volunteer for anything (just the same few of us all the time as the rest just considered us their unpaid babysitters :-(
One of my cousins is a grade school teacher. She took her class on a field trip with a couple of other teachers, and ended up with about half a dozen 8-year-old girls. On a bathroom trip, one of them pointed to a sanitary napkin dispenser and said, “Teacher, they sell napkins here?” My cousin hesitated for a second and replied, “Yes, I guess this is a bathroom that sells napkins.” “But what’s this other word? Tampo—” “Oh, that’s just Spanish for napkin!”
I recall a field trip to somewhere in Pittsburgh, when, during the ride back to the school, the bus broke down twice. It took awhile to get it all fixed. We didn’t reach the school until dusk. Our teacher sighed wearily saying; “I’m glad this is our last field trip!”
Why do school buses only break down on the way home?A field trip my boy was on once (From Carthage, Il to Lincoln sites at Springfield) broke down on way home.When I was in grade school, on way home, the left front wheel fell off and we had to walk the rest of the way.Carthage has an LDS site, and I’ve seen school buses come in from Utah. 1,000 miles on a school bus? That could almost be considered child abuse!!
That poor teacher looks completely shell-shocked. She’s probably ready to go home, fix herself a delicious strawberry margarita (or whatever’s handiest!) and climb into a nice, warm bubble bath while she tries to forget her horrendous day!
i drove a school buss for 3 years. by far, most of you and most teachers have no clue as to what happens on a bus on regular daily runs. most drivers don’t see everything until the video tape on the buss gets pulled. there should be a federal law Thar requires a minimum of two adults on all buses, at all times.
Oh boy, this brings back the memories. Too many field trips! The worst was one to a museum about an hour’s drive away. On the way, the engine of our bus caught fire. Emergency evacuation. We had to wait an hour for a new bus to be sent to pick us up. When we came out of the museum, we were 2 kids short on a head count. Found them 15 minutes later in a bathroom. Then the bus had a flat. Another hour wait for a repair truck. We got stuck in traffic and were late by nearly 2 1/2 hour getting back, to frantic parents, with a bus load of bored, unhappy and hungry kids. The other teachers and I, and the parent chaperones, were ready for a lunatic asylum.
pouncingtiger over 12 years ago
I feel your pain, teach.
Nicole ♫ ⊱✿ ◕‿◕✿⊰♫ Premium Member over 12 years ago
Usually the teacher would find an ally in the bus driver, unless the teacher was also the bus driver which in that case a dose of Xanax after the trip is recommended. (Some private schools can’t afford to hire a field trip bus driver so teachers who have the proper CDL are asked to fill in.)
Tog over 12 years ago
That version of jingle bells takes me back. Too far back unfortunately.
Gator007 over 12 years ago
There has not been any field trips this school year.
APersonOfInterest over 12 years ago
The inmates have taken over.
puddleglum1066 over 12 years ago
Field trip bus story: couple years ago I was asked to chaperone a high school field trip. We spent more time on the bus than we did in the museum, of course. And on the way back, the bus driver tried to take a “shortcut” to avoid the congested downtown expressways. Among other things, we ended up pulling into a cul-de-sac lined with cars on both sides, stopping for a train and getting stuck in a looooong, slow construction zone. Got back 45 minutes after the end of the school day, and more importantly, 30 minutes after the buses had departed for the day. Those students who didn’t have parents waiting for them got to be dropped off, one at a time, by that same bus. Some of them probably missed dinner..I love field trips…
psychlady over 12 years ago
One of those situations where only the kids have a good time!
lightenup Premium Member over 12 years ago
The teacher was in the front of the bus, humming and rocking back and forth, mumbling “it will be over soon, it will be over soon…”It’s amazing what teachers can tune out. When I go in to help with my first grader’s class, I can’t believe the chaos, but the teacher is calm and totally fine with it.
PShaw0423 over 12 years ago
Teaching is truly a calling, not just a job, and teachers are truly remarkable individuals.
Darryl Heine over 12 years ago
I remember this 1983 strip being rerun in 2012, the kids singing a funny Christmas song despite the holiday season passed a month ago.
nancyroy2 over 12 years ago
….this is why I NEVER volunteer on field trips.
vldazzle over 12 years ago
@Nancy, that is exactly why more parents need to volunteer. I was never a teacher, but did many things like that in the many years I spent in Cub Scouts. It was seldom possible to get parents to volunteer for anything (just the same few of us all the time as the rest just considered us their unpaid babysitters :-(
convin9003 over 12 years ago
@dheine that version of jingle bells knows no season
phoenixnyc over 12 years ago
One of my cousins is a grade school teacher. She took her class on a field trip with a couple of other teachers, and ended up with about half a dozen 8-year-old girls. On a bathroom trip, one of them pointed to a sanitary napkin dispenser and said, “Teacher, they sell napkins here?” My cousin hesitated for a second and replied, “Yes, I guess this is a bathroom that sells napkins.” “But what’s this other word? Tampo—” “Oh, that’s just Spanish for napkin!”
iced tea over 12 years ago
I recall a field trip to somewhere in Pittsburgh, when, during the ride back to the school, the bus broke down twice. It took awhile to get it all fixed. We didn’t reach the school until dusk. Our teacher sighed wearily saying; “I’m glad this is our last field trip!”
tuslog64 over 12 years ago
Why do school buses only break down on the way home?A field trip my boy was on once (From Carthage, Il to Lincoln sites at Springfield) broke down on way home.When I was in grade school, on way home, the left front wheel fell off and we had to walk the rest of the way.Carthage has an LDS site, and I’ve seen school buses come in from Utah. 1,000 miles on a school bus? That could almost be considered child abuse!!
monawarner over 12 years ago
My granddaughter – age 8 – still comes home singing that Batman xmas song.
Gretchen's Mom over 12 years ago
That poor teacher looks completely shell-shocked. She’s probably ready to go home, fix herself a delicious strawberry margarita (or whatever’s handiest!) and climb into a nice, warm bubble bath while she tries to forget her horrendous day!
;-)
Happy, happy, happy!!! Premium Member over 12 years ago
i drove a school buss for 3 years. by far, most of you and most teachers have no clue as to what happens on a bus on regular daily runs. most drivers don’t see everything until the video tape on the buss gets pulled. there should be a federal law Thar requires a minimum of two adults on all buses, at all times.
Donna White over 12 years ago
Oh boy, this brings back the memories. Too many field trips! The worst was one to a museum about an hour’s drive away. On the way, the engine of our bus caught fire. Emergency evacuation. We had to wait an hour for a new bus to be sent to pick us up. When we came out of the museum, we were 2 kids short on a head count. Found them 15 minutes later in a bathroom. Then the bus had a flat. Another hour wait for a repair truck. We got stuck in traffic and were late by nearly 2 1/2 hour getting back, to frantic parents, with a bus load of bored, unhappy and hungry kids. The other teachers and I, and the parent chaperones, were ready for a lunatic asylum.
jc_perez69 over 12 years ago
i love this comic