Field Trip: Policies
Excerpt from our policy manual:
Field Trip Safety
a. Field trips and fieldwork are an integral part of the bioregional education program. Field trips will be regularly scheduled and be educational in nature. Parents will be notified of times, location and method of transport for all long distance trips. Parents may not be notified of shorter trips (within 2.5 km) or trips to libraries. The mode of transportation for these shorter trips will always be on foot or cycle. A field trip release form must be signed by the parent prior to a student joining a group on a field trip.
b. Cycling and walking are the normal modes of transportation for field trips, however with prior notice, the group may travel by bus (public or private) or in private motor vehicles using parent, teacher or regular volunteer drivers. Every student will be expected to follow the safety rules and use common safety sense whatever the mode of transportation.
c. Cycle routes will be carefully planned to maximize both safety and learning:
- trailers, trailer-bikes and individual cycles will be used
- lowest traffic routes will be chosen when cycling
- well fitting helmets and other safety gear will be required for cycling trips
- safe cycling skills will be taught to each student at an age appropriate level and students will be tested prior to the trip on the cycle they will be using
- if no cycle is available to safely transport a child, alternate arrangements will be made with the parent
d. Transportation Concerns- On a field trip, there are usually at least two adults supervising and available in case of accident. At least one adult will have recent Emergency First-Aid certification. Students are trained to cycle safely in single file, following all the rules of the road, with an adult leader and an adult taking up the rear. For trips that require private motor vehicles, extra insurance is held by the school to cover drivers in case of an accident. All children are required to have seat belts, with booster seats for those under eight years old and weighing less than 36 Kg (~80 lb.). Children will not ride in the front seat if there is an air bag. A first-aid kit containing emergency permission forms is carried on each trip.