FIELD TRIP GUIDELINES AND PLANNING MATERIALS

 

It is our belief that properly planned field trips are a valuable asset to our program of instruction. In order to attain the highest educational value and in order to ensure student safety please read the regulations described below.

 

  I.               Regulations

 

A.     Each trip must be educationally justifiable.  A trip is educationally justifiable only when it provides the best means of meeting a necessary educational objective.

B.     Adequate class time should be used to develop worthwhile objectives for the trip.  These objectives, normally, should be within the scope of the unit of work in progress at the time of the trip.

C.     Provision should be made for proper evaluation of the trip after the trip has been taken.

D.     There must be a faculty member on each trip.

E.      The cost of the trip should be such that it will not be a financial burden to the students.  Lunch provisions should be made for students on Free or Reduced Lunch

F.      Money collected from the students should be deposited with the office and payment made by school check.  Teachers should make sure that they have collected adequate money to cover the cost of the trip.  These include transportation, substitutes, etc.  Remember, the cost of a substitute must be included in the price of the trip.

G.     Teachers must collect a signed parent permission form from each student participating.

H.     Transportation for field trips will only be in vehicles owned and operated by bonded carriers.  In order to secure a bus through the transportation department, notification must be given two weeks in advance of the trip to the principal.  When possible, the group should return to the school no later than 2:00 p.m.  When this is not possible, the teacher in charge should make certain that the parents will provide transportation for pupils to get home.  Independently owned vehicles will not be permissible modes of field trip transportation.

I.        Transportation forms are available from the Assistant Principal.

J.       Teachers will be allowed to schedule and/or escort one trip per year semester.

K.     Field trips will NOT be scheduled after April 30 without special approval or during final exam and high school assessment weeks in January.

L.      Make sure that your trip is placed on both the weekly agenda and the yearly calendar.

  II.                Procedures – Please Follow the Procedures Listed Below:

 

A.     After identifying a possible field trip, secure administrative approval by submitting Field Trip Approval at least 2 or more weeks in advance of the trip date.  Complete a special Transportation Request Form. Completed form should be returned so bus requests are within the  two-week advance period.

B.     After securing approval make final arrangements and distribute Parent Permission form and Bag Lunch form to each participant.  All of the permission forms and money for the trip should be collected well before the day of the trip.  Be certain special medical needs of students are covered if needed. 

The money should be deposited in the office with the bookkeeper and the permission forms turned in to the Assistant Principal.

C.     Be sure to secure a substitute for that day well in advance. 

D.     The Field Trip Checklist and the Field Trip Information forms should be completed and turned in to the office 48 hours before the trip is taken.

E.      Prepare and distribute a list of student participants to all teachers at least 48 hours prior to departure

F.      Inform the cafeteria manager of the number of student participants.

G.     On the day of the trip:

1.       Check homeroom attendance and send it to the office

2.       Carry out any other morning duties.

3.       Remind teachers or paraprofessional who may proctor your class or students not participating in the event.  The Guidance Office and Main Office will not monitor non-participating students.

4.       Leave lesson plans.

5.       Make sure you check your attendance on the bus prior to leaving school property.

6.       Make every effort to keep the trip on schedule.

7.       Check your attendance prior to leaving the field trip site.

8.       When the buses arrive back at school, make sure all students have transportation home.

9.       Take all necessary safety precautions.

10.   Make sure you have charged enough money for the trip.  The school will not be responsible for any cost of the trip.

 

  III.        Code of Student Behavior

  A.     Students must follow all school rules as outlined in both the Students Rights and Responsibilities and the CCST Student Handbook including the Cecil County Public Schools Tobacco and Alcoholic Beverages and Drugs Policies.

B.     Students will not be permitted to leave the group before the bus returns to the school.

C.     Students must not have heads or arms out of the bus windows.

D.     Students will stay on the buses at all bus stops until detailed instructions and procedures have been reviewed.

E.      Students will be expected to remain with the group and refrain from talking during guided tours.

F.      Students must accept the full responsibility as representatives of their school with reference to behavior, dress and speech.

 

  IV.       Evaluation

 

Following the trip, the Field Trip Evaluation Form must be completed and given to the principal within five working days.  A sample form is provided in this packet and can be used for this purpose.