Question for teachers

[jessmarimba]

I'm a public school employee, but I'm hourly/consultant so I don't have all of the code of conduct details that normal employees follow. So I need some advice here (my program's full-time employee is out of the country until after I need this answered, so I thought I could get some help here instead!)

I am chaperoning/supervising my music kids on a trip to nationals next week. There are 19 of them, 16 of which are male. We're staying at a hotel with a pool, and pool time is booked into the schedule for the kids. Am I allowed to swim with them? I'm assuming I probably have to wear a pretty modest bathing suit? I mean, I wasn't planning on bringing a string bikini or something, but everything I own is a 2-piece because I can't ever find bathing suits to fit my torso.

Thanks for advice!

[Crankin]

OK, I was a teacher for 31 years, and I can positively state that no one ever told me how to dress during any school sponsored activity. I took 2 school law classes and while you may be expected to look professional and you might be "spoken to" if you came to school dressed in a provocative way, I have never heard of any district with a real dress code for teachers.
Use common sense. I would err on the side of modesty, but I don't think a regular 2 piece suit (maybe a tankini?) is inappropriate for someone your age. Are there parent chaperones going, too? I would assume it's fine for you to be at the pool at the same time as the kids, but I wouldn't engage in "play" with them. Are you responsible for watching them during their free time?

[Veronica]

We often do an end of the year water park trip and I usually wear a tankini. This year it will be one of my tri tops and bikini bottoms, covered with board shorts when we're not actually in the water.

Veronica

[alexis_the_tiny]

I swim regularly with my kids on school compound. Because we have older boys and students from more conservative cultures, it's generally understood by teachers of all genders that we try not to show too much skin. We generally avoid wearing bikini cut bottoms, even the male teachers. I will swim in a pair of tri shorts, a bikini top and a rash guard or a dri-fit tank top over it. I think if you wanted to err on the side of being conservative, you could always throw a tight tank top and tights or board shorts over your two-piece suits and call it a day.

[malkin]

When I worked in special education preschool we were required to go in the water at the therapeutic pool with the kids. Of course because they were little, the issues are different.

I think with older kids it is up to you. Dress so that you are comfortable and appropriate. Stay with the kids to help them remember not to get too rowdy.

Have a great trip!

[Don Deitz]

You didn't mention how old the students are. But given the sensitivity of stuff going on between women teachers and male students, I wouldn't do anything but watch from the side wearing a lot of clothing. As an hourly employee I presume you cannot fall back on a tenure argument to keep your job.

Be safe.

Don

[jessmarimba]

Sorry, kids are middle-high school (12-18). And my male coworker and I are the only district-approved chaperones, so I think I have to be in the pool area when they are (district minimum of 1 chaperone per 9 kids). At the very least, I'm more worried about them doing something stupid in the pool than about me getting in trouble for being there & in a swimsuit. Our youngest 3 boys are a handful. Some great suggestions here - thanks everyone!