3.   The supervising teacher shall, send home a Permission/Informed Consent Form (Day Trip)    with trip details (educational objective, destination, dates, departure/return times and pick up arrangements, method of transportation, accommodations, meals, itemized costs and itinerary, as applicable). Parents/guardians are to sign and return the form to the supervising teacher. The signed documentation of all trips shall be retained for the current school year until the successful completion of that trip.

5.  A signed parental consent form is recommended but not required for a day trip beyond school property where the students will be travelling on foot, or is part of non-optional program or Board expectations of students. (i.e., day retreats, Church liturgies, graduation practices, graduation celebrations). Although specific notification and application are not necessary for such trips, it is essential that parents/guardians be made aware of the fact that such trips may take place throughout the school year as part of the total school curriculum or Board expectations. It is mandatory that such awareness be created by means of information letters and/or newsletters throughout the school year to parents/guardians.

 

2.   A list of participants including students, staff, and volunteers/chaperones must accompany the group and a copy must be submitted to the school office. If students are travelling by various means, each group and vehicle must be identified and must be in alignment with existing Volunteer Drivers AOP 302.4.

 

3.  A principal/administrator or designate from the school will be available to be contacted should an emergency arise at any time during the trip or if a return is delayed. Parents/guardians are to be contacted as soon as possible.

 

4.  The supervising teacher in-charge/teacher designate has the right to change the itinerary of the trip if, at their discretion, an emergency or dangerous situation arises, or as the situation warrants. Any change to the itinerary must be communicated to the principal/administrator, and as determined by the principal/administrator based on the nature of the change of itinerary, communicated with parents/guardians of students on the field trip.

 

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

 

1.   Student medical safety requirement will be outlined by parents in the Medical Information and Participation/Acknowledgement of Risk Form and all medical information will be kept confidential.

 

2.  Before any out-of-school program, the teacher must instruct the students in appropriate behaviour and safety procedures, as well as any inherent dangers of the activity. The teacher(s) must show that the students have been carefully prepared and that the activity is appropriate to the age and physical/motor maturity of the participants.

 

3.  Where there is instruction in High Care (i.e., water activities, skiing, etc.) the instructor(s) must be certified personnel, and additional supervision must be provided by appropriate teaching personnel.

 

4.  Whenever physical activities are a part of the field trip, please refer to the applicable OPHEA Safety Guidelines . Special attention must be given to the safety regulations for all water activities, including but not limited to: canoeing (all forms), kayaking (all forms) diving, dragon boat, food and water, paddle boat rafting, rowing, sailing, scuba diving, skiing (all forms), snorkeling, swimming (all forms), water polo, wind surfing.

7.  Procedures in Cases of Student Injury or Illness:

a.  In the event of serious injury or illness to the student, the individual nearest to the incident shall provide immediate First Aid and inform on site First Aid personnel for support.

b.  The individual in-charge shall establish and follow an emergency action plan.

8.  Additional Coverage:

 

All Niagara Catholic District School Board students are encouraged to purchase the Accident Insurance Policy offered by the Board each September.

 

9.  If, as a result of discipline/safety concerns, a student is required to be sent home by the supervising teacher during an educational field trip, the school and/or the Board is not responsible for any costs incurred in sending a student home. As a result of discipline/safety concern the student(s) may be required to discontinue their journey and shall not be entitled to a refund. It is the responsibility of the student’s parent/guardian to provide, or arrange for supervision of a student who is sent home by the supervisor in-charge. All costs to provide for such supervision is incurred by the parent/guardian.

 

SUPERVISION

 

1.   Educational field trips are to be under the supervision of at least one teacher or, in unique situations, any Board employee or designate approved by the principal/administrator and Family of Schools’ Superintendent of Education. Where more than one employee of the Board participates in an educational field trip, the principal/administrator shall designate one as the individual “in-charge”. Principals/Administrators shall ensure that all precautions for the safety, comfort and supervision of participating students are taken.

 

2.   The following minimum adult-to-student ratios are required . As soon as the number of students increases by one over the ratio, another supervisor must   be added.

 

 

1.   While the Board does not recommend using private motor vehicles to transport students to a school related activity, all staff members (administrators/teachers/support staff) or volunteer drivers must complete the   Volunteer Drivers - Authorization to Transport Students Form and have authorization from the principal/administrator.

 

2.   In the event that privately owned automobiles are used in the transportation of students, only fully-graduated licensed drivers authorized by the principal/administrator shall be permitted to transport the students.

References