IJOA - Student Trips
The Kearsarge Regional School District distinguishes between “Field Trips” and “Excursions” as follows:
FIELD TRIPS
A field trip is defined as an educational activity whose primary objective is of an academic nature and whose substance is tied directly to curriculum presently being presented. The activity will take place under the auspices of the school, conducted at a site other than the school premises.
Regular Field Trips are those occasions when a class or group of students leave school grounds to engage in a planned learning experience that is impossible in the classroom, and which will continue and extend the ongoing program of instruction. They shall relate to the subject matter and objectives of instruction in the grade level considering the trip. Student attendance for all class members is expected.
Co-Curricular trips are those occasions when attendance and participation are optional, and when student achievement or grades are not affected. Such trips are generally outside the school curriculum and include such authorized activities as interschool competition, class and club trips.
Overnight Trips are discouraged except in those instances where the trip will provide students with an unusual opportunity to participate in a learning experience unavailable within the usual school program, but generally conceded to be directly relevant to the school program.
A list of field trips shall be reported to the School Board at least monthly.
EXCURSIONS
An excursion is defined as an activity whose primary objective is for the pleasure of the student, with learning of an academic nature as an incidental. All excursions will be organized and administered according to the accompanying regulations.
It is unreasonable for the School Board to regulate those activities occurring on non-school time and sponsored outside of the regular approved school programs, therefore the Board neither sanctions nor prohibits these trips, but will not assume responsibility.
The Superintendent of Schools is directed to prepare regulations for each of the defined trips above, and to prepare parental permission forms as required by the regulations.
OUT OF COUNTRY
Foreign travel of significant educational value for Kearsarge students will be permitted when approved by the Building Principal, Superintendent, and the School Board. In approving such a trip, the School District does not become the sponsor.
Approval by the School Board shall consist of preliminary approval (permission to plan) and final approval (permission to proceed). Except to determine interest/feasibility, no substantive discussions of foreign travel can be conducted with students until preliminary approval is granted by the School Board.
Field trips of three days or more, when school is in session, are not encouraged. Exceptions will only be granted by the School Board. If the exception is granted, students must receive all class assignments in advance. They will be responsible for all work assigned and will take any test/quiz upon return. Labs will be made up.
SUPERVISION
Adequate adult supervision must be provided. The following minimum recommended ratios will be met:
- Elementary: 1:5
- Middle School: 1:8
- High School: 1:10
- Overnight Trips: 1:5
A minimum of two chaperones is required for overnight trips. If there are male and female students on the trip, there must be at least one male and one female chaperone.
PARENT APPROVAL
Written permission must be obtained from a parent/guardian with information concerning the purpose and destination of the trip, transportation, lodging and eating arrangements, date and time of departure and estimated time of return, a detailed itinerary and all costs to be incurred by the student not less than fifteen (15) school days prior to the student trip.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation shall be furnished by the contracted carrier for the school district, or other means of transportation as approved by the Building Administration and Superintendent according to School Board policy.
Walking is an approved form of transportation when authorized by the Building Administrator and with appropriate provisions for safety.
Bicycle touring is appropriate as a field trip. However, bicycle is not an acceptable mode of transportation for a field trip.
Private car trips are discouraged. Any private automobile carrying any student must be driven by an adult and carry 100/300 insurance coverage. Certificate of insurance must be on file with the Superintendent.
See Also: IJOA-R Field Trip Procedures
First Read: March 9, 2000
Second Read: March 23, 2000
Date Adopted: April 13, 200
Revised: February 28, 2002
Last Review Date: February 28, 2002