View Full Version : Teacher Duct Tapes Hotel Door on Choir Trip
RainbowsAndGumdrops
05-20-2008, 09:28 AM
I found this snippet interesting and thought I would get your opinions on this matter. I think the student and his mom are going overboard here.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080520/ap_on_re_us/duct_taped_doors
I went on a school trip to Florida and the chaperones put tape over all of the hotel doors. I actually thought that it was a brilliant way to prevent problems that could occur from having 100+ high school students on a trip. The concept is that at curfew everyone has to be in their hotel room. They then put tape over the door. You can open the door to get out, but if you try to get back in, you can't reseal the tape so they know that someone in that room was out at night. If someone left the room at night, they would not be allowed to participate in the activities such as going to Disney World or they could be sent home.
I have heard of this method of preventing after-hours frolics. As a teacher, I know the responsibility while on field trips is enormous. If something goes terribly wrong get ready to be disciplined, lose your job and/or end up in court. I think this is fine. The key point is that the kids could have easily gotten out in an emergency. So many parents want it both ways. This is the same mom who would be screaming from the rooftops and filing suit against the teacher, chaperone and school if her son had escaped and had an accident or worse.
Eve
golfmom
05-20-2008, 09:38 AM
... and her son is such a weenie that he couldn't walk through some tape if the hotel caught fire?
Whatever . . . .
... and her son is such a weenie that he couldn't walk through some tape if the hotel caught fire?
Whatever . . . .
Exactly, golfmom, and we need not wonder why he's a weenie - look at the way mom is acting. I see it all the time.
Eve
golfmom
05-20-2008, 09:48 AM
:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
http://www.myfoxtoledo.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6580292&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.1.1
....
The incident in question is a piece of white tape wrapped around a hotel door handle, attached to a hotel door frame.
Senior Mark Hummel tells FOX Toledo News he was warned that one of the chaperones was going to do it.
"I thought he was just joking around and so I went to the door to get something to drink," Hummel said. "It took me three good tries to open the door to get the tape off."
Word of the incident spread through the Lake Local School district to other parents.
"(My son) called me that afternoon panicking and did not want to go back to his hotel room, begging me to do something," said Michelle Mata, concerned parent.
........
http://www.myfoxtoledo.com/myfox/photo_servlet?contentId=6580265&version=1&locale=EN-US&subtype=MIMG&siteId=1032&isP16=true
JBean
05-20-2008, 09:57 AM
It is a great solution and I really don't understand the outrage by the parents at all. Oh what am I saying, this is not surprising at all is it?
:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
http://www.myfoxtoledo.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6580292&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.1.1
....
The incident in question is a piece of white tape wrapped around a hotel door handle, attached to a hotel door frame.
Senior Mark Hummel tells FOX Toledo News he was warned that one of the chaperones was going to do it.
"I thought he was just joking around and so I went to the door to get something to drink," Hummel said. "It took me three good tries to open the door to get the tape off."
Word of the incident spread through the Lake Local School district to other parents.
"(My son) called me that afternoon panicking and did not want to go back to his hotel room, begging me to do something," said Michelle Mata, concerned parent.
........
http://www.myfoxtoledo.com/myfox/photo_servlet?contentId=6580265&version=1&locale=EN-US&subtype=MIMG&siteId=1032&isP16=true
I hope the administration and school board doesn't cave and continues to back the chaperones. You just can't win anymore when dealing with people's kids. It is absolutely ridiculous. If her son had snuck out and ended up in harm's way, that mom would be more than "concerned." More ado about nothing.
Eve
:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
"(My son) called me that afternoon panicking and did not want to go back to his hotel room, begging me to do something," said Michelle Mata, concerned parent.
........
http://www.myfoxtoledo.com/myfox/photo_servlet?contentId=6580265&version=1&locale=EN-US&subtype=MIMG&siteId=1032&isP16=true
Can you say wussie-boy....
Taximom
05-20-2008, 10:09 AM
Wah wah wah... LOL There must not be one wussy-child in any WS'ers families!!!
They did this to my dd's room when they went to Washington D.C. I thought it was brilliant. Of course, my dd and her friends didn't know it and they had to explain why their tape wasn't sealed around 3 a.m. :rolleyes: I think it had something to do with leaving shoes in another room or in the hallway...can't remember exactly but boy did they hear about it from the terrific chaperones! lol
Mr. E
05-20-2008, 10:43 AM
Sylvia Keeler said she may file charges. Her son, Mark Hummel, said he worried he could be trapped during a fire.
Duct tape on a door will seal the door? Give me a break. So her kid couldn't break curfew and now he's figured out a way to get back at the teacher. Either the mom should volunteer as a chaperone, or the kid should not go on school trips. Enough complaints like this and they'll begin to cancel school trips altogether.
ljwf22
05-20-2008, 10:49 AM
Duct tape on a door will seal the door? Give me a break. So her kid couldn't break curfew and now he's figured out a way to get back at the teacher. Either the mom should volunteer as a chaperone, or the kid should not go on school trips. Enough complaints like this and they'll begin to cancel school trips altogether.
:clap::clap:
Jeana (DP)
05-20-2008, 11:24 AM
I found this snippet interesting and thought I would get your opinions on this matter. I think the student and his mom are going overboard here.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080520/ap_on_re_us/duct_taped_doors
I went on a school trip to Florida and the chaperones put tape over all of the hotel doors. I actually thought that it was a brilliant way to prevent problems that could occur from having 100+ high school students on a trip. The concept is that at curfew everyone has to be in their hotel room. They then put tape over the door. You can open the door to get out, but if you try to get back in, you can't reseal the tape so they know that someone in that room was out at night. If someone left the room at night, they would not be allowed to participate in the activities such as going to Disney World or they could be sent home.
My son recently went to his band trip in New York. They put tape on their doors at night, but they don't seal them in. They simply know if the tape has been lifted, so they can tell if anyone left the room in the night. No big deal. I actually thought it was very clever!! When we installed our pool, we were required to put an alarm on our back door that would sound if the back door were opened. It was very easy to install and only about $20. I've threatened to put them on my kids' bedroom doors if they tried to sneak out at night!!!
Taximom
05-20-2008, 11:29 AM
Great comment, Mr. E.
Imagine what his mom would be saying if he was found dead in the hotel pool because the chaperones didn't take their job seriously!
Malini2001
05-20-2008, 11:34 AM
I think this is a brilliant idea and a great way for the chaperones to keep the kids safe from their own foolishness. When we had a class trip back in the 70's, the chaperones took turns sitting out in the hallway. We all figured that eventually they would all go to sleep, but I don't think anyone stayed up to check. Nowadays, the kids would figure out some way to get past somebody in the hallway. I think the tape is a wonderful idea.
2luvmy
05-20-2008, 01:56 PM
Our schools had so many go on these trips that the kids would be long gone or back before the removed tape would be found. Now the schools hire security guards to to come and stay in each hall once curfew starts until it is lifted in the AM.
Amraann
05-20-2008, 03:32 PM
My son is going on a overnight field trip to Orlando this week..
I love this idea!!! Do these parents really think that a tiny strip of tape prevented teenagers from opening a door????
And he was scared??? Give me a break! Either the kid is manipulative and lying or his mommy needs to have him treated for some neurotic disorder!
What teen boy even thinks of that? I am forever reminding mine that life can be dangerous.
And if it was lights out and they were told not to leave their rooms then why was he opening the door anyways??? According to his version he did not even believe the chaperone's were going to really use tape on the doors ... so why was he checking?
lucimhome
05-20-2008, 03:33 PM
:clap:I was one of the parents that went on my daughters 8th grade trip to New York City. We ended up having to do this tape thing to the door because 3 of the girls that were on the trip tried to get out of the hotel at 11:30 at night and the person at the front desk call us. Thank Goodness!
That person who is running her mouth should be there to watch over her child in a room just for the two of them or go get him and bring him home.
Amraann
05-20-2008, 03:35 PM
Also I see that the media had to claim it was DUCT tape .. I guess to make it sound worse... but none of the articles say it was.
Any tape would work.
Jeana (DP)
05-20-2008, 04:07 PM
Also I see that the media had to claim it was DUCT tape .. I guess to make it sound worse... but none of the articles say it was.
Any tape would work.
I think they should put up crime scene tape. That would show 'em.:)
pixies
05-20-2008, 04:09 PM
I like the idea of duct tape on the door. WTH is the problem?
Some people need to get over themselves.
txsvicki
05-20-2008, 04:11 PM
If the tape was white, then it sounds more like surgical tape. I think having a security guard stay all night in the hall is a better idea and wouldn't bring up any safety or rights issues. I'm sure some really street smart kids could figure out a way to get around the tape if they had a chance to plan ahead.
Jeana (DP)
05-20-2008, 04:15 PM
If the tape was white, then it sounds more like surgical tape. I think having a security guard stay all night in the hall is a better idea and wouldn't bring up any safety or rights issues. I'm sure some really street smart kids could figure out a way to get around the tape if they had a chance to plan ahead.
To be honest, my son and most of his friends were just concerned that they didn't make a mistake that would exclude them from future trips. Most of these kids bust their butts to earn a spot on the band and then participate in fund raising events for the kids who had trouble paying for their trips. Our school has only been in existence for a few years (this is our first year to have seniors) and they've already gone to Carnegie Hall. I can't wait to see where they're going next year and neither can they. None of them would do anything to jeopardize not being invited again.
Blue_Dolphin308
05-20-2008, 04:15 PM
2 words.
MONEY HUNGRY~
txsvicki
05-20-2008, 04:35 PM
Did the boy get to go to the activities the next day even though he'd opened the door?
Talisman
05-20-2008, 04:44 PM
Personal experience here!! I used to work security at a hotel. We were usually 'warned' ahead of time when a school group was coming because it was sometimes a nightmare! Believe it or not it was worse when some parents would come along. Let me tell you, you can't stop 'Johnny' from climbing down balconies when the parent is around! I've been called every name in the book by many Moms.
Some of the situations were very dangerous (the balcony climbing, jumping off a balcony trying to land in the pool, scateboarding in the parking lot - with cars zipping in and out, etc...) Some parents would rather see their children in danger than have a stranger even suggest that 'Johnny' shouldn't do such and such.
Sometimes I would end my shift heartbroken..... it wasn't out of the norm to find a small ( I mean young!) child wandering a hallway. Young enough that they only knew their first name and had no idea where their room was or where mommy or daddy was. This hotel had a good size bar/lounge and usually , not always, we'd find the parents in there. Man would they scream at me, I'm sure it was out of embarrassment, but not once was there ever a 'thank you'
The tape on the door was used there sometimes. Sometimes groups were split up and on different floors. It would be hard for the chaperones, so yeah, they would put a piece of tape on the door. I've never seen duct tape used, though, only masking tape.
mic730
05-20-2008, 08:33 PM
I like the idea of duct tape on the door. WTH is the problem?
Some people need to get over themselves.
WTH is the problem - fire is a problem. I would not want a loved of mine to be faced with a duct taped door in the event of emergency. The article says the doors were sealed and then claims that the students could get out in the event of fire. I need more info.
ITA some people need to get over their perfect selves.
golfmom
05-21-2008, 07:00 AM
WTH is the problem - fire is a problem. I would not want a loved of mine to be faced with a duct taped door in the event of emergency. The article says the doors were sealed and then claims that the students could get out in the event of fire. I need more info.
ITA some people need to get over their perfect selves.
I posted a photo of the taping. I just don't see how this could impede anyone in a fire. The tape is just basically there to let the chaperon know someone left the room.
I'm not sure what the "perfect selves" is referring too. :waitasec:
Annie
05-21-2008, 07:14 AM
I posted a photo of the taping. I just don't see how this could impede anyone in a fire. The tape is just basically there to let the chaperon know someone left the room.
I'm not sure what the "perfect selves" is referring too. :waitasec:
I looked at the picture you posted in post #5. There is no way that would keep anyone from getting out in case of a fire. I am glad to see the chaperones really watching out for the students. I just wish Natalee Holloway's chaperones had been a little more in control. Maybe she would still be alive. I have grandchildren who often go on band trips and other school trips and I hope someone is watching out for them. Kids don't always use the best judgment when away from home with friends. What whiners this boy and his mom are!
golfmom
05-21-2008, 07:37 AM
I looked at the picture you posted in post #5. There is no way that would keep anyone from getting out in case of a fire. I am glad to see the chaperones really watching out for the students. I just wish Natalee Holloway's chaperones had been a little more in control. Maybe she would still be alive. I have grandchildren who often go on band trips and other school trips and I hope someone is watching out for them. Kids don't always use the best judgment when away from home with friends. What whiners this boy and his mom are!
And once there in, there's no way for them to reseal the tape unless they had someone on the outside helping them.
All I keep thinking about is all the parents who wish that their children's chaperon's took that much care when they were on trips. :( And, then to complain about educators actually doing a great job supervising their children, just makes me angry. :furious:
Amraann
05-21-2008, 07:41 AM
WTH is the problem - fire is a problem. I would not want a loved of mine to be faced with a duct taped door in the event of emergency. The article says the doors were sealed and then claims that the students could get out in the event of fire. I need more info.
ITA some people need to get over their perfect selves.
Its not like the door was sealed shut with DUCT tape!!
It was one little strip of tape across the door frame. And I am not even sure it was Duct tape. I think that was reported just to dramatize things.
Again I ask how did this whiny a$$ teen knew the tape was even there??
The only conclusion I can come to is that he tried to sneak out and to cover his butt complained to his mommy. IMO his mother is an idiot.
Like I said in my previous post my son is going on a Field trip tomorrow ..... I am soooo going to suggest this to his teacher!!
golfmom
05-21-2008, 07:42 AM
A fire chief looked at the photo and said it was no big deal . . .
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/NEWS04/805210397
Mr. Witt was unapologetic yesterday, saying the issue had been blown out of proportion.
"We were accused of it being a fire hazard, and believe me, there wasn't anything fire hazard about it," he said. A Fairfield Inn manager declined to comment, but after looking at a photo of one of the taped doors, Lake Township Fire Chief Eric Larson said he thought it was "no big deal."
"That tape is not going to stop them from coming out," he said.
Kids today, *sigh* :rolleyes:
Amraann
05-21-2008, 08:11 AM
Kids today, *sigh* :rolleyes:
More like parents today!! :)
golfmom
05-21-2008, 08:19 AM
Personal experience here!! I used to work security at a hotel. .........
I worked at a large hotel for a few years and the worst was around prom. Parents would try to get around our strict policy of no teens by making the reservation themselves for their kids. If they want their children to have a drug, drinking, sex party let them host it in their own home. Don't drag a business into that illegal behavior.
You cannot even begin to imagine the outrage of these parents when their precious darlings weren't allowed to check in or the reservation refused.
I chaperoned a trip w/ the high school orchestra a year ago. The strings teacher did this and I thought it was genius. If these kids were allowed to come and go as they please.....what's the point of having chaperones? Supposed some girl ended up pregnant.....I guess the parents would want some answers then.
People are ridiculous.
Amraann
05-21-2008, 09:32 AM
And More of the story!!
"But one of the boys on the trip whose door was taped Friday night said when he tried to open it, he had to push it forcefully four times before the tape on the door gave way. "He shouldn't have done that, and I'll agree with that," said Michelle Mata, whose sons, Marcos, 16, and Miguel, 19, participated in the field trip. The same boy was later suspended from school for allegedly smoking in the hotel room, for which Mr. Witt said the hotel charged the school district $250. Saturday afternoon, Mrs. Mata's youngest son, Marcos, called her and told her what happened."
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/NEWS04/805210397
Call me funny but I think it was the son causing the fire hazard to begin with!!
She apparently has no problem with her 16 YO smoking?
Maybe if he did not smoke he would have enough strength to open the door the first time??
Good job being a mom Mrs. Mata's!
SuziQ
05-21-2008, 09:36 AM
Golfmom and Talisman, I completely feel for you. I was a swimteam mom for many years and on one trip I stepped off the elevator on to the team floor from hell. The entire team was acting like heathons. Not a parent or coach in sight. The hotel was previously booked months in advanced and none of us parents were able to get a room on the same floor, or even at the same hotel. I went in search of the coaches and couldn't find them. I hunted them down through the front desk and found out the coaches had requested rooms on a different floor! The coaches wouldn't do anything so I complained about the kids myself to the front desk. The hotel was fantastic about getting the situation under control.
I feel so stupid for not thinking of the ducktape myself. What a brilliant idea!
Jeana (DP)
05-21-2008, 10:01 AM
It sounds like half these kids should have been duct taped to the chairs.
golfmom
05-21-2008, 10:02 AM
And More of the story!!
.............
Call me funny but I think it was the son causing the fire hazard to begin with!!
She apparently has no problem with her 16 YO smoking?
Maybe if he did not smoke he would have enough strength to open the door the first time??
Good job being a mom Mrs. Mata's!
How much you want to bet the school was charging Mrs. Mata for vandalism. When she confronted her son he said, "But mom, the doors were taped ... I couldn't go outside to smoke." and she said "Taped! my God I won't have to pay the fine, I'll blame the school!"
BTW, he would have to LEAVE the hotel and go OUTSIDE in order to smoke. And, she didn't have a problem with that? ... Bring on the tape, I want to tape up her mouth!
Blondieskatz
05-21-2008, 10:08 AM
Great idea! No matter what someone is always going to have a problem with it. The mother should be glad the chaperone was actually doing what he was there for!
Amraann
05-21-2008, 10:10 AM
Everybody is afraid to say something to someone else's child. Mainly because the Mrs. Mata's of the world have the "not my child" syndrome going on..
If you see one of my children acting stupid or doing something dangerous BY ALL MEANS you have my permission to tell them to stop!
Amraann
05-21-2008, 10:13 AM
How much you want to bet the school was charging Mrs. Mata for vandalism. When she confronted her son he said, "But mom, the doors were taped ... I couldn't go outside to smoke." and she said "Taped! my God I won't have to pay the fine, I'll blame the school!"
BTW, he would have to LEAVE the hotel and go OUTSIDE in order to smoke. And, she didn't have a problem with that? ... Bring on the tape, I want to tape up her mouth!
LOLOL!!!!
I just do not get that brand of parenting... if someone came to me and said one of my children were misbehaving???? It would not be the school or the other parent I would be mad at!!
More like parents today!! :)
That's for sure (says a teacher).
Eve
mic730
05-21-2008, 01:35 PM
After seeing the picutre I have no problem with this and think it's a good idea.
When I read 'sealed' in the article I pictured the entire door sealed with duct tape.
Jeana (DP)
05-21-2008, 01:40 PM
After seeing the picutre I have no problem with this and think it's a good idea.
When I read 'sealed' in the article I pictured the entire door sealed with duct tape.
Duct tapes only works on doors when there is a terrorist attack that unloads some sort of chemicals. :rolleyes:
absinthe
05-21-2008, 01:44 PM
Amra, your posts on this thread are spot-on.
mic730
05-21-2008, 01:44 PM
Duct tapes only works on doors when there is a terrorist attack that unloads some sort of chemicals. :rolleyes:
I better get some duct tape just in case! :blowkiss:
Thundar
05-21-2008, 02:51 PM
Geez, I wish I would have thought of this for my kids doors at home because after they graduated and moved out I found out all three of them had been sneaking out for years in the middle of the night. I only caught the last one because he snuck out when he was grounded and I was watching him very closely.
I was a chaperon a couple of times for band day trips and one time the kids were throwing out fire crackers from the back of the bus. That was the last time I ever volunteered for chaperon duty. If we had stayed over night somewhere with these kids I imagine they would have been arrested for doing something similar in the middle of the night.
A piece of tape over the doors won't keep them from escaping but it would point out who had left during the night and who had to go home the next day early. Good idea.
Talisman
05-21-2008, 04:18 PM
Everybody is afraid to say something to someone else's child. Mainly because the Mrs. Mata's of the world have the "not my child" syndrome going on..
If you see one of my children acting stupid or doing something dangerous BY ALL MEANS you have my permission to tell them to stop!
:clap:I applaud that attitude! My kids were raised the same way. They were not perfect but they new there would be a consequence for bad behavior. When a child is taught that they can do anything they want because the parents will blame their action on something else ... well, heck why not do it?
( and just so you guys know -- I'm not saying I was a perfect Mom. I made plenty of mistakes, still do, and probably still will once in awhile ... everyday of your life is a day of learning:))
MCDRAW
05-22-2008, 02:08 PM
Did the boy get to go to the activities the next day even though he'd opened the door?
I wondered the same thing. I figure that's why they are throwing such a fuss. That and people sue over anything now a days. This boy shouldn't be allowed on any more field trips....field trips are a priveledge and not a right.
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