Sunnyside Environmental School

PTSA > Community events > Middle School Dances

Middle school dances provide a regular opportunity for middle-schoolers to socialize and have fun. Consult the calendar for specific dates. Dances cost about $4 per student (to reimburse the DJ and pay for snacks). The school usually hosts parenting classes at the same time. Parents are needed to help chaperone these dances.

Parent Dance Coordinator Instructions

• Checks with Principal about special circumstances, food
• Assigns parents to "stations"
• Gives money to staff member
• Assigns parents to assist with clean up
• Assigns parents to help wait with children

"Chaperone n. An older person, esp. a woman, who supervises young unmarried people"
— Webster's Dictionary

Things to find out before each dance:

• Who is responsible for providing snacks? (sometimes students do it; sometimes chaperones bring snacks - for about 200 kids)
• What is the admission fee? (most recently, $4)
• Do snacks cost additional money?
• Will enough small bills be available in the cash box for making change?
• Do you have enough chaperone volunteers (need at least 8 see below)?

SES Dances are from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Chaperones should plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early and stay 15 minutes after the dance ends. Dances on school nights are likely to be 6-8 pm.

At least one teacher and usually the principal and also the custodian is on site during all dances. Parents who have not chaperoned are encouraged to assist with clean-up.

To keep kids from going out of bounds, you'll need at least 8 chaperones to be stationed at the following locations.

• 2 inside the auditorium, one at each exit door.
• 1-2 at a table outside the auditorium, collecting money and stamping hands.
• 1 in the gym, watching the exits and making sure games don't get too rough.
• 1 at the main entrance, by the office, making sure kids don't leave the building before 8:30 without a parent.
• 1-2 in the cafeteria \, watching the exit and monitoring the snacks/beverages (more elaborate food will require additional food servers)
• 1-2 at the east end of the hall, watching the 2 exits and stairs (only the boys' bathroom is open at this end.)
• 1 at the far west end of the hall, watching the exit and stairs (only the girls' bathroom is open at this end.)

Once kids arrive for the dance, they must stay in the building until their parents come inside to get them or it's 8:30pm and the dance is over. Chaperones are responsible for ensuring students stay inside on the first floor.

If chaperones bring snacks, plan on cookies and juice for about 200 kids. Use the cups in the cafeteria (not disposable).

The principal or teachers with take care of music (DJ).

Rules During the Dance:

• Students may not go upstairs without an adult. Ask the janitor to lock doors at the top of the staircases.
• Kids may not leave the building before 8:30.
• School behavior is expected. No swearing, play-fighting or insulting words. Report problems to one of the teachers.
• Should chaperones be concerned about music selection? Who monitors for content/language?
• Lighting in the auditorium is subdued. Leave the light on in the alcove at the north-east end. Leave lights on in 4-H office.
• Outside doors to the auditorium may be opened during the dance for ventilation. Chaperones must stay by the open door at all times to ensure that students do not exit the building.
• The dance ends at 8:30pm. After that time, kids may leave the building to wait in front for their ride, call parents, etc. Adults should remain with students until everyone is picked up. (Although parents are instructed to come inside the building to pick up their kids, not all will get the message)
• Students may only eat in the cafeteria. The cafeteria chaperone cleans up at 8:00 and locks the door.
• The gym is available with supervision until 8:00.
• Guests must bring a signed permission form.
• Alumni may attend, provided they follow the same rules as current students.
• Instructions for parents are at the admission table.
• SES dances are fundraisers for marine biology trips. There is a $4/person admission fee.
• Chaperones should get the cash box from the office before the dance. There should be enough cash at the beginning of the night to make change. The secretary will make sure there are 20 $1 bills.
• Open one door to the auditorium, set up a table in front, and collect money as kids enter. (They should only enter from the hallway door; not use the outside doors.) A student may help with this.
• There is stamp and ink pad inside the cash box to stamp kids' hands when they pay.
• Students who forget to bring money to the dance should be asked to fill out an IOU, listing their name and phone number. Put the IOU list inside the cash box at the end of the evening.
• Never leave the cash box unattended.
• Students can help with hand stamps or by asking students to sign in, but they should not handle money.
• Principle or AP pays disc jockey.
• If chaperones provide cookies/beverages, they should provide a receipt and may be compensated from the cash box at the end of the evening. Conduct these larger money transactions inside the office. Put receipts inside the cash box and write on the receipt "SES Dance" and the date.
• Assistant Principal or teacher returns the cash box to the office at the end of the evening.
• If you are ever uncomfortable about any student's well-being, contact a staff member immediately.