A field trip permission form for each trip for each student, duly signed by parent/guardian, shall be on file with the school in order that a child can participate in field trips.
The PTA or other organizations may provide finances for educational field trips by contracting for private charter buses with adequate liability insurance. The charter bus company must provide minimum liability coverage of $5,000,000 per occasion.
It is recommended that employees not use their own automobiles for field study trips. Should they elect to do so, they should understand that their liability insurance may be primary and that the district coverage may be excess only.
The district may charter buses when available from other school districts and private source that qualify for such a purposes. The charter bus company must provide minimum liability coverage of $5,000,000 per occasion.
The use of private automobiles is discouraged. Private automobiles may be used only for short distance trips (approximately 15 miles or less) when bus transportation is impractical or its cost is prohibitive. When private automobiles are used for this purpose, the owner/operator of such vehicles shall be notified that they may assume the responsibility and liability for all transported individuals during the period of the field trip. The operator of a private automobile may only be a district employee or a parent of a district student. Provide parent operators with the Insurance Statement for Transportation of Students in Privately-Owned Vehicles form. These operators are required to provide proof that they are 21 years of age or older, possess a valid California drivers license and have adequate automobile liability insurance which is in force during the time of the field trip. The minimum amount of liability insurance required is $300,000. Under no circumstances, should more passengers be carried in a vehicle than there are seat belts for those individuals. Further, all students must wear seat belts while in the vehicle and be in child booster seats if required by law. In no case may a vehicle not licensed as a school bus carry more than nine students.
Prior to any field trip, parents of students will be notified of the nature of the trip plus the mode of transportation to be utilized.
Prior to the trip, it is the responsibility of the school to be sure that all school and district requirements are met. Special attention should be given to informing parents of departure and return times.
Safety and First Aid
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)
Whenever trips are conducted in areas known to be infested with poisonous snakes:
- The first aid kit taken on the trip shall contain medically accepted snakebite remedies.
- 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.
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 non-certificated 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
Students on approved trips are under the jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees and subject to school rules and regulations.
Teachers or other certificated personnel shall accompany students on all trips and shall assume responsibility for their proper conduct.
Before the trip, teachers shall provide any adult chaperones who may accompany the students with clear information regarding their responsibilities.
Chaperones shall be 21 years of age or older.
Chaperones shall be assigned a prescribed group of students and shall be responsible for the continuous monitoring of these students' activities.
Teachers and chaperones shall not consume alcoholic beverages or use controlled substances while accompanying and supervising students on a trip.
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 conductor.
Funding
No student shall be prevented from making a trip because of a lack of sufficient funds. No trip shall be authorized if any student would be excluded from participation because of a lack of sufficient funds. (Education Code 35330)
Field Trip Permission Form
Field Trip Policy and Information
