Field trips

Field trips are defined as travel away from the school premises, under the supervision of a staff member, for the purpose of affording students a direct learning experience not available in the classroom. The District recognizes that field trips when used for teaching and learning integral to the curriculum are an educationally sound and important ingredient in the instructional program of the schools.

Field Trips fall under three (3) defined categories:

1. Routine Field Trips. School-sponsored, school-chaperoned trips in the community or in the metropolitan area which can be conducted in one day.
2. Extended Field Trips. School-sponsored, school-chaperoned trips which will take students a distance greater than l50 miles from school.
3. Overnight Field Trips. All school-sponsored, school chaperoned field trips which necessitate that students be away from home overnight.

For parents

• Each student will bring home a permission form for parent signature. A signed form is required for each participating student and must be received at least three (3) days in advance of the trip or five (5) days in advance for extended and overnight field trips.
• There are different field trip permission forms for specialty field trips. Students will bring home the appropriate permission form for each field trip.
• Our parents often play an important supervisory role on school sponsored field trips. A completed Volunteer Packet is required for each participating parent chaperone. Downoad, print, and complete these four forms and submit them to your school office.
  • Volunteer release/hold harmless agreement (5630 F1)
  • Volunteer checklist part A (5630 F2A)
  • Volunteer checklist part B (5630 F2B)
  • Washington State Patrol background check form

For staff

• In order for planning approval and final administrative approval, any proposed trip must meet the criteria listed under District Policy 2320 procedures (2320P).
• A signed parental permission form is required for each participating student and must be received at least three (3) days in advance of the trip or five (5) days in advance for extended and overnight field trips. Send a Parent Permission Form (2320 F1) home with each student after filling in the destination, purpose, date, time, and type of transportation for the field trip.
• Extended Field Trip Applications (2320 F4) must be approved 45 days in advance and any travel outside of the State of Washington must be approved three (3) months in advance as per District policy and procedures (2320 and 2320P.)
• Other types of field trips require specific permission forms or applications.
  • Field Trip (Ropes-Challenge Courses) Parent-Guardian Permission Form (2320F5)
  • Walking Field-Activity Trip-Parent-Guardian Permission (2320F6)
  • Application for Field Trip-Watercraft Coverage (2320F7)
  • Permission - Risk - Water Activity (2320F8)
• Requests for buses for student transportation are submitted to the Transportation Department electronically through the Rain Shadow system. After Principal approval, building staff shall make requests for transportation through their building secretary/bookkeeper.
• Failure to follow these procedures will result in a denial of the field trip request. Staff should refrain from discussing proposed field trips with students and parents prior to approval from the appropriate administrator.

Guidelines and checklist for staff

While the value of field trips is recognized, it is equally important that field trips not supplant the learning and curriculum objectives for students in a specific classroom, nor should they serve to supplant the learning and curriculum objectives for students of other course disciplines within the school.

• Field trip guidelines are provided here to ensure a balance between the value of field trip learning experiences and the value of learning and curriculum objectives met within the school classroom.
• The Field trip checklist** may be used by staff for planning purposes and working with building administration on proposed field trips. **April 2012: Please note new insurance requirements for 2012-13 and beyond.

Field trip policy and related forms and procedures

• Find all policies, procedures, and forms involving field trips in the District Policy Manual Section 2000: Instruction. 2320 Field Trips, Excursions, and Outdoor Education.
• When District-owned bus transportation is not available, private vehicles may be used, provided the drivers are licensed, 18 years of age or older, and carry adequate insurance. All drivers of private vehicles must complete form Driver of Private Vehicle Agreement (2320 F3) .