Field Trips, Excursions, and Outdoor Education

Field trips are defined as travel away from school premises, under the supervision of a teacher, with an approved course of study, for the purpose of affording students a direct learning experience not available in the classroom. The transportation costs for all such field trips conducted during school hours will be borne by the district. The following procedures will apply:

Field Trips

  1. Each school will receive a field trip allocation;
  2. The staff member will submit a completed field trip request form to the principal at least two weeks prior to the field trip;
  3. The staff member will contact the site to make specific arrangements for the field trip so that the desired activity can be coordinated with the classroom studies;
  4. The staff member will be responsible for securing additional adult supervision for the trip (one adult to a maximum of ten students);
  5. If private vehicles are used, field trip forms will be completed which acknowledge the name of the driver of each vehicle to be used. The principal will contact the district office to determine if the district’s liability insurance coverage will protect the driver;
  6. Each student participating in a field trip must first return a permission slip signed by his/her parent. Parents will be informed if private vehicles are to be used for the field trip; and
  7. A letter of appreciation should be sent to the site host upon completion of the field trip.

Outdoor Education

  1. The outdoor education plans for the coming school year will be presented to the board for approval at the May board meeting;
  2. All staff to be involved will be notified of plans after board approval;
  3. The proposed curricula for the outdoor education school will be presented to teachers at least one month prior to the session;
  4. Information to parents regarding fees and waivers or reductions if offered, special clothing, dates, supervising proposed activities, and other duties will be sent to parents at least one month prior to the session. The parent must sign an approval form;
  5. If feasible, parents may opt to have their child participate in daytime activities only;
  6. Students who do not elect to attend will engage in meaningful learning experiences at school;
  7. Students must purchase accident insurance or have family accident insurance; and
  8. If the district can absorb the cost or has access to funds to cover waivers or reductions, students who are unable to pay the fee may be granted a waiver or reduction if they meet the USDA Child Nutrition Program guidelines.

Overnight Field Trips

  1. The staff member must submit to the principal a written plan, including purpose, supervision, itinerary, cost, housing, and student costs (if any) at least two weeks prior to submission to the board;
  2. After approval by the principal, the proposal should be submitted to the superintendent at least one week prior to the board meeting;
  3. The staff member should attend the board meeting to answer any questions the board may have; and
  4. After approval by the board, a written description of the overnight field trip will be sent to the parent. All such field trips are optional. Parent permission is required.

International Travel

Approval of international travel will be subject to the United States Department of State travel warnings. Travel warnings are issued when the state department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. District travel to Canada and Mexico will be approved unless either country is identified through a travel warning.  No district sponsored international travel will be approved to any other country as long as the worldwide caution is in effect.

  1. The staff member must submit to the principal a written request for approval, including purpose, supervision, itinerary, cost, housing, and student costs six months before the date of the trip and before any fundraising begins or deposits are place for the trip;
  2. After approval by the principal, all requests for both single and multi-school trips will be approved by the superintendent at least one week prior to the board meeting;
  3. The staff member should attend the board meeting to answer any questions from the board;
  4. After approval by the board, a written description of the international, overnight field trip will be sent to the parent. All such international trips are optional. Parent permission is required;
  5. All signed approval forms and trip records will be kept on file at the school; and
  6. Staff members and sponsors will obtain competitive pricing to assure maximum student participation at the lowest possible cost.

 

Adoption Date: 07/24/13

Policies and Procedures