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FIELD TRIP POLICY
1. The
a) Trips which supplement and enrich the regular curriculum.
b) Trips which are designed to develop students’ social skills and/or reward positive student achievement.
2. Field trips may vary from a few hours to several days in duration, with the latter involving overnight stays and the potential for out-of-state or foreign travel.
3. All field trips must receive approval:
a) Trips no longer than one day are approved through an established written application process which involves the building principal, transportation coordinator, and central office personnel.
b) Trips involving overnight stays must be presented by the building principal to the Chichester School Board for approval.
c) One day trips should be applied for at least two (2) weeks prior to the planned departure date. For overnight trips, the Board must be consulted and give conceptual approval several months in advance; followed by final approval of a specific itinerary and plan no later than eight (8) weeks prior to the departure date.
4. The person(s) requesting permission for a field trip must provide a brief statement of the trip’s educational/social/cultural goals as part of the approval process. This statement should be provided by completing the school’s Field Trip Release Form.
5. All students participating in school sponsored field trips must present a permission slip signed by a parent/guardian prior to each trip. Permission slips will detail the date, approximate departure and arrival times and destination of the trip as minimum information. Overnight trips require special notification to parent/guardians describing specific instructions and giving a more detailed itinerary.
6. Adequate supervision, based on the students’ age and the planned itinerary, will be provided by qualified school employees, possibly supplemented by parent volunteers. Chaperones will be provided with a written set of general guidelines outlining duties, responsibilities, and suggested procedures.
FIELD TRIP POLICY
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7. Field trips are supplementary to the regular school program and are to be regarded as a privilege, not a right for students. In order to be eligible to participate, a student must:
a) have a disciplinary record which demonstrates an ability and willingness to conduct him/herself in an appropriate manner, as a heightened degree of cooperation is necessary on field trips;
b) have an acceptable attendance record.
c) have academic work complete and up-to-date in all areas.
8. Teachers have the right and responsibility of notifying the principal or trip’s sponsor of students who do not meet the above criteria.
9. Students not permitted to participate in a specific field trip will be expected to attend school if it is in regular session and will be given alternative assignments and activities related to the trip or regular school program.
10. All school rules, regulations, and consequences are in force on all field trips. These may generally be found in a school’s student handbook and will be reinforced by chaperones prior to departure.
11. All participating students must use school authorized transportation both going to and returning from field trips. No alternative arrangements will be allowed.
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Field trips for
To help clarify your role as a chaperone, the following guidelines have been established by the School Board:
1. A staff member must initiate and direct each field trip. Dictates of the district’s Field Trip Policy must be followed. This staff member and the building principal share primary authority as to all procedural and student issues.
2. To ensure proper supervision and safety, all those chaperoning a given trip must be familiar with basic school rules and expectations, the details of the trip including any special instructions, and their specific area of responsibility. Bus drivers must be given similar information and consulted on safety and transport issues.
3. Ratio of chaperones to students should remain at the accepted level at all points during the trip, including transport. Chaperones are expected to remain on duty for the entire trip, to bear primary responsibility for the safety, behavior and well being of students under their supervision, and to monitor attendance and activities at all times. School rules and special directions must be consistently enforced.
4. Each field trip has been planned with specific goals in mind. The trip’s director will explain this purpose and any special instructions. All chaperones should help students in their charge reach the objectives of the activity. Please ask questions if you are unclear s to what is expected of you.
5. The
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The staff
member(s) initiating a
1. To seek and obtain proper approval for the trip using established procedures found in the Chichester District Field Trip Policy and to follow this policy in all matters related to the trip.
2. To make all necessary arrangements with the field trip site.
3. To make all necessary transportation arrangements, provide pertinent information to the bus coordinator/driver, and allow them appropriate input.
4. To arrange for adequate and proper supervision for the trip and related activities, being mindful of the number of participating students.
5. To see that permission slips and any special instructions are distributed and signed slips collected prior to the trip date.
6. To notify the principal, field trip site personnel, and bus coordinator of any change or cancellation of plans.
7. To supply a field trip roster, noting also students who are specifically eliminated from participation, to all appropriate persons at least 24 hours prior to departure.
8. To organize chaperone duties and responsibilities and explain the purpose and plan of the trip to them.
9. To ensure student safety and enforcement of school and trip regulations and maintain proper behavior at all times, including during transport.
10. To provide any necessary follow-up or communication in timely and productive fashion.