2340 - DISTRICT-SPONSORED TRIPS
The Board recognizes the value of organized trips or other excursions away from the classroom as a valuable part of the District's educational programming and a valuable opportunity to obtain additional educational experiences not offered directly in the curriculum offerings. These opportunities occur in four (4) primary forms addressed in this policy: (a) field trips; (b) extra-curricular/co-curricular program-related trips; (c) overnight trips; and (d) other District-sponsored trips.
Field Trips
The Board encourages school-sponsored field trips to parks, museums, institutions, and other points of interest within the District.
For purposes of this policy, a field trip shall be defined as any planned journey by one (1) or more students away from District premises, which is under the supervision of a professional staff member, approved by Administration and furthers or supplements an integral part of a course of study as planned for and incorporated into that course of study by the teacher.
It also believes that field trips to more District locations can be an important part of a student’s educational experience. Therefore, field trips may be approved by the administration if they contribute to the total educational program.
Any student field trip that includes an overnight stay or travel beyond the State boundaries requires Board approval prior to scheduling.
The following guidelines are set to implement the planning of field trips:
All trips, and the arrangement for trips, must be approved by the school principal.
Written parental permission is required for each student on any trip which requires transportation.
Trips must be taken in conveyances properly covered by a comprehensive general liability policy.
Adequate supervision must be provided at all times.
For trips scheduled during normal school hours that are not an extension of one of the normal school programs, a fee may be assessed to cover the cost of the trip not to exceed $25 per student.
For trips scheduled outside of the normal school hours, including overnight trips, a fee covering the cost of the trip may be assessed.
School buses, public transportation buses, or commercial buses will be used. Students will not be permitted to use their own cars or to provide transportation for other students for a field trip.
International field trips present special considerations that need to be taken into account when planning these activities. The Board must approve these trips to be considered District-sponsored trips. The Board will only approve international field trips that are affiliated with a sponsoring or commercial organization that specializes in international travel and that are responsible for establishing the cost of such programs and for collecting payment directly from participating students or their parents.
Approval of international travel shall also take into account travel warnings for Americans to avoid travel to specified countries. These warnings are issued by the United States Department of State based on current conditions around the world and are updated as deemed necessary.
Transportation for Field and other District Sponsored Trips
The transportation for all field and other District-sponsored trips is to be by vehicles owned or approved by the District and driven by approved drivers.
The District will provide transportation for all other trips including co-curricular, athletic, and other extra-curricular trips as approved by the District Administrator or designee.
Transportation may be limited by the availability of vehicles, drivers, and scheduling and will not be available when needed for general school purposes.
All students are expected to ride the approved vehicle to and from each activity. A special request must be made to the staff member or sponsor by the parent, in writing or in person, to allow an exception.
No student is allowed to drive on any trip. An exception may be made by the principal on an individual basis provided the student has written parental permission.
Transportation by private vehicle shall be in accordance with Policy 8660 - Transportation by Private Vehicle for District-Sponsored Activities or Trips.
Revised 10/22/19
T.C. 8/17/22
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