Upper Elementary Overnight Questions

Q & A  Zoom Meeting for Ms. Amy's Field Trip

Wednesday, May 3 @ 4:30

Zoom Link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89448095251?pwd=dC9RQUVOWm9uUmZhbnd6VVVpSEQ1UT09

Here are questions that have been asked by parents so far:

1.  What are the sleeping accommodations (girls/boys)? Enough beds? Four separate bedrooms with bunks.  A total of 16 bunk beds, so depending on the number that go, some might opt for the floor.  I figure that won't be much different than if we went camping and had to sleep in a tent with no bunks.

2.  Who are the chaperones? Are they back ground checked? Do parents get to chaperone?  Sarah, Sarah, Amy B. Amy H and Susie will be the regular chaperones that the kids know, and then the Education department at LTC has a man who will be joining us.  Everyone who works in the schools is required to have background checks and anyone on the trip will meet the same requirements.

3. What type of liabilities for the school? That is through the school's General Insurance Agency policy.  The school would not consider participating if there was not liability coverage for the activity.   

4. What about the kids that don’t go to the trip? They can join the other classes on the field trip to the Garlyn Zoo.  Rudyard is also providing the transportation for that day-trip.  

5. What if a child has an issue (behavior/accident) while there? The parent has to drive 1.5 hours to pick up? If there was an accident, I doubt if we could wait for a parent to drive.  It would be handled very similarly to if there was an accident at school.  Parents would be notified and would work with personnel to make the plan for treatment - either the nearest hospital or whatever the parents wishes are.  As for behavior, we might call parents to talk to the child or Susie will have her car at the property and could opt to drive a student home.  

6. Male chaperones. (They said they have some at LTC) background checks?  See question #2.

7. There are 3rd and 4th graders in that class. Some say they may be too young to be on an overnight trip with 5th graders.  That will certainly be a parent's call.  

8.  Does the school board need to approve field trips?  You can find this answer on the school's website in the Board Policy handbook.  It is located on pages 166 and 167:   https://secure.munetrix.com/n/Michigan/Schools/UPR/Eastern-Upper-Peninsula-ISD/PSA/Lake-Superior-Academy/School/Doc_download/36412

Field trips do not have to be approved by the board unless: 1 - they are more than 100 miles from the school (this one is 88 miles away) or 2. They are overnight for one or more days.

So - if, after the informational meeting, parents complete the survey provided and want an overnight trip, the board will need to approve it.  If the class goes on a day trip to the property, the board does not need to approve it.  

9.  What are the bathroom accommodations? There is no running water, but there is a full kitchen with electricity and an outhouse.