Administrative Regulation

AR 6153

Instruction

School-Sponsored Trips

Principals shall ensure that teachers develop plans which provide for the safety of students and their proper supervision by certificated staff on all school-sponsored trips., Other school employees and parents/guardians also may participate in this supervision and may be asked to attend preparatory training sessions and/or meetings.

The ratio of adults to students on school-sponsored trips shall be least sufficient to ensure the safety of students. If the trip involves water activities, this ratio shall be revised to ensure closer supervision of elementary grade students, appropriate to their ages.

All planned trips away from school grounds, including athletic trips and outdoor education programs, are subject to this regulation.

All trips involving air travel, out-of-state or overnight travel shall require the prior approval of the Board. Other trips may be approved by the Superintendent or designee including Elementary Science camp. No non-refundable tickets shall be purchased or reservations or other financial obligations incurred prior to Board approval of the trip.

Parental Permission

Students must have written parental permission in order to participate in any off campus trips. (Education Code 35350) The district shall provide an alternative educational experience for students whose parents/guardians do not wish them to participate in a trip.

Safety and First Aid

1. While conducting a trip, the teacher, employee or agent of the school shall have the school's first aid kit in his/her possession or immediately available. (Education Code 32040, 32041)

2. Whenever trips are conducted in areas known to be infested with poisonous snakes:

a. The first aid kit taken on the trip shall contain medically accepted snakebite remedies. (Education Code 32043)

b. The trip shall be accompanied by a teacher, employee or agent of the school who has completed a first aid course which is certified by the American Red Cross and which emphasizes the treatment of snakebites. (Education Code 32043)

3. Before trips of more than one day, the principal or designee shall hold a meeting for staff, parents/guardians and students to discuss safety and the importance of safety-related rules for the trip. For noncertificated adults who will assist in supervising students on the trip, the principal or designee may also hold a meeting to explain how to keep appropriate groups together and what to do if an emergency occurs.

Supervision

1. Students on approved trips are under the jurisdiction of the Board of Education and subject to school rules and regulations.

2. Teachers or other certificated personnel shall accompany students on all trips and shall assume responsibility for their proper conduct.

3. Before the trip, teachers shall provide any adult chaperones who may accompany the students with clear information regarding their responsibilities. In additional chaperones shall complete the Chaperone Field Trip Notice and Medical Authorization Form.

4. Chaperones shall be 21 years of age or older.

5. Chaperones shall be assigned a prescribed group of students and shall be responsible for the continuous monitoring of these students' activities.

6. Teachers, certificated or classified employees, agents of the school, or chaperones shall not consume alcoholic beverages or use controlled substances or engage in any activity that is detrimental to the students or violates district policy while accompanying and supervising students on a trip.

7. When a trip is made to a place of business or industry, the teacher shall arrange for an employee of the host company to serve as host.

8. The principal shall consider the advisability of including an administrator among supervising personnel. Factors to be considered should include, but not be limited to, the size of the student groups; distance; nature of activities to be experienced; and situations/environment to be encountered.

On all overnight field trips when students of both genders are participating, there will be at least one chaperone of each gender providing supervision.

1. Exceptions will be permitted only upon written waiver by the Superintendent or designee.

2. Overnight field trips shall require at least one adult chaperone for ever ten students. Exceptions will be permitted only upon written waiver by the Superintendent or designee.

Funding

No student shall be prevented from making a trip because of a lack of sufficient funds. Principals should establish emergency funds for such purposes with the school, parent support, and boosters organizations. No trip shall be authorized if any student would be excluded from participation because of a lack of sufficient funds. (Education Code 35330)

Trip Approval

1. Teachers planning a trip shall make a request in writing to the principal at least 10 days prior to the date desired. Whenever practical, an alternate date should also be listed. The purpose of the trip and its relation to the course of study shall be stated in the request.

2. The principal shall approve or disapprove the request and notify the teacher. If the trip is disapproved, the principal should state the reasons.

3. Principals may exclude from the trip any student whose presence on the trip would pose a safety or disciplinary risk.

4. Principals shall approve no activities which they consider to be inherently dangerous to students or to pose unacceptable, unmitigated risks.

Trips Which Include Swimming or Wading

1. No swimming or wading shall be allowed on trips unless planned and approved in advance.

2. When wading in the ocean, bay, river or other body of water as part of a planned, supervised outdoor education activity, teachers shall provide for a number of chaperones to exceed the normal one to 10 ratio and shall instruct both chaperones and students of the real and potential risks inherent in such activities and the precautions necessary for their safety.

3. Swimming Activities

a. Parents/guardians must provide written permission for the student to swim and must indicate the student's swimming ability.

b. Swimming facilities, including backyard pools, must be inspected by the principal and teacher before the trip is scheduled.

c. At the time the "Field Trip Request" form is submitted, owners of private pools must provide the district a certificate of insurance, designating the district as an additional insured, for not less than $500,000 in liability coverage.

d. Lifeguards must be designated for all swimming activities. If lifeguards are not provided by the pool owner or operator, the principal shall ensure their presence. Lifeguards must be Red Cross certified or equivalent and must be at least 21 years old.

e. The ratio of adult chaperones to students shall be at least one to 10. In grades 4-6, this ratio shall be one to eight. In grades K-3, this ratio shall be one to four.

f. Specific supervisory responsibilities shall be determined in advance to accommodate the varying swimming abilities of students. These responsibilities shall be clarified in writing and reviewed verbally before the trip.

g. Emergency procedures shall be included with written instructions to adult chaperones and staff.

h. Staff and chaperones assigned to supervise students must wear swim suits and know how to swim.

i. The principal may require students to wear flotation devices, depending upon their age and swimming ability.

j. A buddy-system or other means of surveillance shall be arranged in advance and strictly enforced during swimming activities.

(cf. 1321 - Solicitation of Funds from and by Students)

(cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)

(cf. 6153.1 - Out of State Field Trips)

(cf. 6153.2 - Trips to Foreign Countries)

(cf. 6153.3 - Non-District Sponsored Trips)

Regulation PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

approved: May 24, 2001 Palos Verdes Estates, California