FIELD TRIPS:
A school-sponsored field trip is any excursion of students, which is organized by school personnel, and/or on school time, and/or utilizes school funds or equipment and receives the approval of the Superintendent or his/her designee. No trip shall be deemed a school-sponsored field trip unless it has received the specific approval of the Superintendent or his/her designee. School-sponsored field trips may be conducted during school or non-school time. Field trips should be planned to minimize the disruption of other classes.
The School Committee delegates to the Superintendent or his/her designee authority to approve field trips (within budgetary limitation)so long as each individual trip meets all of the following conditions:
- Must be curriculum-related or be part of a school-sponsored and school-approved extracurricular activity (i.e. orchestra, choir, student council, etc.).
- Parent/Guardian signed permission is required before any student is permitted to participate in a field trip.
Exceptions to any of the above conditions must receive the specific approval of the Superintendent or his/her designee before the field trip may be taken.
All school rules and disciplinary consequences outlined in District policies, the school’s student handbook, and the staff handbook will be in effect for students and chaperones on the trip.
Based on current academic performance, past behavior or special circumstances, the administration may refuse to allow a student to participate in a field trip.
LATE NIGHT AND OVERNIGHT TRAVEL:
Special permission from the Superintendent or his/her designee is required for all student trips which include late night (defined as travel between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m.) or overnight travel.Initial approval by the Superintendent or his/her designee is required before engaging students in fundraising activities. Overnight trips should offer significant educational benefits to students that clearly justify the time and expense of the trip. Such trips should be appropriate for the particular grade level.
Final approval will not be granted by the Superintendent or his/her designee until all preparations for the trip have been completed including, but not limited to, all logistical details involving transportation, accommodation arrangements, supervision and fundraising efforts. No student, chaperone or parent/guardian may assume or rely upon the trip actually taking place until the Superintendent or his/her designee has given this final approval.
All school rules and disciplinary consequences outlined in District policies, the school’s student handbook, and the staff handbook will be in effect for students and chaperones on the trip.
Based on current academic performance, past behavior or special circumstances, the administration may refuse to allow a student to participate in a field trip.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL:
Special permission from the Superintendent or his/her designee is required for all school-sponsored international student trips. Initial approval by the Superintendent or his/her designee is required before formally engaging students in any planning or fundraising activities.
Final approval will not be granted by the Superintendent or his/her designee until all preparations for the trip have been completed including, but not limited to, all logistical details involving transportation, accommodation arrangements, supervision and fundraising efforts.
The Superintendent or his/her designee reserves the right to cancel trips up to the date of departure and to recall trips in progress if he/she believes there is potential danger to students or another reason deemed appropriate by the Superintendent or his/her designee.Parents/Guardians will sign to acknowledge and affirm that they may lose any or all of the funds expended for the trip in the event of cancellation or early termination of the trip. Trip insurance must be purchased for all international trips. Parents/Guardians will be responsible for any medical expenses incurred on the trip.
Students, their parents/guardians, and fundraising will pay for the cost of international trips. Fundraising activities should support inclusion of students who might not otherwise be able to attend as a result of their financial situation.
All school rules and disciplinary consequences outlined in District policies, the school’s student handbook, and the staff handbook will be in effect for students and chaperones on the trip. Parents/Guardians will be asked to sign a contract indicating that they understand and agree to all rules for the trip before students will be allowed to participate. Parents/Guardians will be responsible for expenses relative to a student having to return early because of a serious violation of a school rule or host country law.
Based on current academic performance, past behavior or special circumstances, the administration may refuse to allow a student to participate in an international trip.
PRIVATELY ORGANIZED TRIPS:
It is recognized that students, teachers, and administrators have the right to organize and participate as private citizens in non-school sponsored activities, including trips. Such activities must be completely organized outside of school time and off school property to make it perfectly clear to all concerned that they are not school sponsored. Organizers of non-school sponsored trips shall make it known to all students and their parents that such an activity is not school-sponsored.
Teachers and other school staff are prohibited from soliciting for privately run trips through the school system and in the schools. The Superintendent or his/her designee will only review school-sanctioned trips for approval. The Superintendent or his/her designee will not review or approve trips that are privately organized and run without school sanctioning.
LEGAL REF:
Chapter 346 of the Acts of 2002 (et al) approved on October 9, 2002
MGL 69:1B , 71:37N
Region Voted to Approve: 1/9/07 amended 8/19/08
Amherst Voted to Approve: 1/16/07 amended 10/14/08
Pelham Voted to Approve: amended 10/16/08
Effective Date: 1/9/07 amended 8/19/08