NEPN/NSBA Code:  IJOA

FIELD TRIPS 

The Lewiston School Committee recognizes the importance of school-sponsored trips as a means of reinforcing and supplementing the instructional program. 

Field Trips

“Field trip” means a trip that takes place during the school day and is organized and conducted by one or more Lewiston Public School employees as a means of accomplishing particular curriculum objectives.  All students within the class or grade, or curriculum-related subgroup within a class, will be eligible to participate.

Field trips must be approved in advance by the building principal and the Superintendent and/or their designee.  

Teachers and principals will be expected to consider the following factors in planning and approval of field trips:

  A. Trips must meet the requirements enumerated in accompanying policy IJOA-R Field Trip Procedures; 

B. Trips are reasonably related to the curriculum; 

C. Necessary administrative permission is granted; 

D. Parents/guardians are provided with clear information that communicates the trip activities, risks, and safety measures being taken. Such information shall be communicated in a language and process that parents/guardians can understand; 

E. Written parental/guardian permission is obtained; 

F. Appropriate funding is available; 

G. Adequate supervision is provided; 

H. Appropriate safety measures and precautions are taken; 

I. All behavioral policies are followed. 

J. Medical concerns are recognized and accommodated. 

K. Bus roster is maintained with a duplicate copy at school. 

Other School-Sponsored Trips

Other school-sponsored trips are those that are organized and conducted by one or more employees of Lewiston Public Schools as a supplement to the curriculum, as a class social activity, or as an activity planned by a student club or organization.  Such trips may include overnight, long-distance in-state or out-of-state travel, or international travel.  To be school-sponsored, the trip must relate to the curriculum or to activities for which the student club is organized.  

Participation in such trips is entirely voluntary.  There shall be no extra credit awarded for participation and no loss of credit for not taking a trip.  

Participation may be limited to students taking courses related to the purpose of the trip or to students who are affiliated with the student club or organization planning the trip.

The School Committee and the Superintendent/their designee must approve, in advance, any trips involving out-of state travel and all overnight and international trips.  Approval may be contingent upon the availability of funding from the school budget and other sources, including student fundraising.

Staff or administrators seeking approval for school-sponsored trips must furnish the following information: 

A. Trips must meet the requirements enumerated in accompanying policy IJOA-R Field Trip Procedures; 

B. Objectives of the trip and anticipated outcomes;

C. Specific experiences to be provided; 

D. Number and grade(s) of students;

E. Criteria for student participation;

F. Maximum number of students who may participate;

G. Cost per student, including funds requested from Lewiston Public Schools and from individual students; 

H. Fundraising plans (if applicable);

I. Transportation arrangements;

J. Itinerary;

K. Arrangements for meals and lodging;

L. Arrangements for adult supervision/chaperons;

M. Plans for safety and emergencies;

N. Plans for communicating information to parents and obtaining parental permission; and

O. Accountability for student conduct.  

Adequate supervision must be provided to maintain discipline and safety and to respond to emergencies.

Students participating in field trips and other school-sponsored trips must conduct themselves in a manner consistent with School Committee policies and school rules.  Students who violate School Committee policy or school rules will be subject to disciplinary consequences.

Non-School-Sponsored Travel 

Travel organized by Lewiston Public Schools employees, parents, or others that is not an extension of the instructional program or school-sponsored activities and has not been approved as a school-sponsored trip in compliance with this policy will be considered a non-school-sponsored trip.

All responsibility for non-school-sponsored trips lies with the individual(s) or group(s) organizing them.   The School Committee accepts no responsibility for non-school-sponsored trips, and organizers should be aware that such trips or excursions are not covered by the school district’s liability insurance. 

To minimize the impact of these trips on the instructional program and operation of the schools, the School Committee strongly encourages organizers/sponsors to schedule non-school-sponsored trips during weekends and/or vacation periods.  Staff members planning or participating in non-school-sponsored travel must notify the building principal of such plans.  Student absences due to participation in non-school sponsored travel must be shared with the building principal and are subject to Maine attendance law.    

Instructional time may not be used to promote the trip or distribute materials.  Individuals or groups who wish to use the schools for the purpose of publicizing trips or recruiting participants and parents/chaperones may do so in accordance with the School Committee’s facilities use policy.  Individuals or groups wishing to distribute promotional materials may do so only in accordance with School Committee policy.  Non-school-sponsored trips must not be represented as school functions or as related to, or an extension of, the school district’s instructional, co-curricular, or extracurricular programs.  

It is the responsibility of any staff engaging in such trips or activities to notify the parents of prospective and participating students that this is not a school activity, but an independent voluntary trip organized or led by that teacher or staff member.  To minimize any risk of misunderstanding, the following statement must be made in any informational meetings or materials promoting the trip:

“This trip is not approved or sponsored by the Lewiston Public School’s School Committee or Lewiston Public Schools.   It has not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by authorized Lewiston Public Schools administrators and it is not covered by any of Lewiston Public Schools’ insurance policies.”

Any exceptions to this policy and administrative procedure must receive prior approval of the Superintendent. 

Cross Reference: EEAG - Use of Private Vehicles or School Buses

      IJOA-R – Field Trips Administrative Procedure 

                             KHB – Advertising in the Schools

      KHC - Distribution/Posting of Non-School Materials

      JEA – Compulsory Attendance

      JEAA – Student Attendance

Adopted: 6/7/2000 

Reviewed: 8/22/2016 

Reviewed: 9/10/2012 

Reviewed: 10/30/ 2017 

Revised: 1/13/2014 

Revised: 10/15/2018 

Revised: April 22, 2024