Starting Over Talk - Peer Coaching Support Site

I know this isn't typically a really active area... But thought I'd bring up my thoughts on one aspect of this case since it's been on the news alot this week.

On the radio yesterday, I heard that Natalie had been drinking heavily and may have had some narcotics on her. It just makes me wonder about these school sponsored trips. I was under the impression that it was a school sponsored trip with adults on trip as well. Why weren't these kids supervised better?

I sure hope that now that plans are being put in place for graduation parties and trips that parents consider what happened to Natalie Holloway when making plans or allowing kids to much unsupervised freedom. And kids going on these trips be reminded of the dangers.

Maybe this was an independent and unsupervised trip. But for some reason my impression right after the incident happened that it was a school sponsored event.
If so, I wonder how much responsibility the school had and if they could be held liable. Probably a waiver of liablility was required... But this seems like it could be gross negligence.

On the radio yesterday, I heard that Natalie had been drinking heavily and may have had some narcotics on her. It just makes me wonder about these school sponsored trips. I was under the impression that it was a school sponsored trip with adults on trip as well. Why weren't these kids supervised better?

I 100% agree with that! I know a gal friend of mine, and there school went to Amsterdam! I know amsterdam! What kind of school would do this? I mean come on! ( Don't get me wrong i'm jealous and wish i would have gone! ) But seriously? amsterdam? And she said she actually had free time. When they could go out. And of course they " partied " but i mean it sounds farfetched but its true! same thing could of happened with any of these girls!! They should really pass some kind of bill not allowing things like this to happen!

My daughter went to Europe on a school trip in the late 80's. They had quite a few chaperones and parents were invited for a big discounted price. I didn't get to go, but my friend did. She said the chaperones were the ones that were buying the drinks for the kids and not watching after them at all. They caught a train to Switzerland and one of the chaperones was so drunk she missed her train and had to wait for another. Thankfully, everyone got home safely, but that was the experience of a lifetime for her. I really wondered about Natalie Holloway, I feel so sorry for her family. I think she was a good girl that just got messed up with the wrong crowd and look where it got her. I hope kids will learn to use their heads and not have to do drugs or drink to fit in. Peer pressure is terrible, kids need to be watched constanly so they don't succumb to it.

Thanks for replying...both of you. Your responses are even more eye opening if it is typically the norm...

I wonder if the schools could be held liable... if and when things do happen. I mean parents buying the kids drinks? That would be considered contributing to the delinquency of minors... and not setting a good example at all of responsible behaviors.

If schools and or chaperones could be held liable...I'm pretty sure these trips would be a thing of the past.

It's outrageous... I'm sure not all of them are that poorly supervised... But it sure makes you wonder...

KPW.............I saw a show (can't remember which one) right after the info first came out about Natalie. It was about a lot of those "school" trips to Mexico. SHOCKING!!! The teens AND the chaperones were horrendous to see via several video tapes. And almost all of them justified it by saying it was a *tradition*!!!!

My sister took a school trip overnight to go to a conference for a Senior class she was in. Even though it was only overnight and a few hours away, my sister told me that some of the girls she was with snuck alcohol in their shampoo bottles and had joints wrapped in their maxi pads. After all the chaperones went to sleep, the party started. She already graduated from high school, but my youngest sister is going to be a Senior next year and it has me worried, because I know she isn't as responsible. It's scary to think about, but I think parents and chaperones need to worry more about the care and well being of these students rather than trying to be the "cool parent friend". There is always one chaperone who has this attitude to the detriment of the kids.