Field Trips

General:

The Portsmouth School Board supports field trips and student travel that:

• Meet educational objectives and related to the curriculum;

• Fulfill obligations in inter-scholastic activities; and

• Allow participants and non-participants to carry on their schoolwork with a minimum of lost school time.

The Building Principal may authorize field trips, with notification to the Superintendent of Schools and upon compliance with field trip request procedures. Parents/guardians shall be provided information for field trips with significant associated costs sufficiently in advance to allow for long range financial planning.

Classroom teachers may schedule field trips that are designed to enrich the educational program. Students must have a signed permission slip before departure. The slip will include any special conditions, such as luncheon arrangements, necessary materials and transportation arrangements . The principal will approve all local and regional trips. The Superintendent will authorize out-of-state trips and the School Board will authorize all over-night trips. Our PTA assists with funding for all field trips.

1. All school-sponsored field trips are of an educational nature and directly related to what is happening in the classroom.

2. Each student must have a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian. No student will go on a field trip without a permission slip on file.

3. Teachers and parent chaperones will be assigned on each trip to provide adequate supervision.

4. All students who go on a field trip must return to the school with the group. Any exceptions must be approved by the principal or her designee.

Permission for Field Trips:

The teacher, in requesting permission to take a class off school grounds on a field trip, should submit the details of the trip to the Principal pursuant to the field trip request procedures. Upon authorization of a field trip, a signed permission form by the parent or guardian is required for each student participating in the trip. No student may leave the school grounds on a field trip unless a parent or guardian has properly signed the form. Permission forms of those participating in the field trip shall be maintained on file at the direction of the Principal. Financial arrangements for field trips must be made prior to the trip at the direction of the Principal. If fees are involved, all necessary funds must be submitted to the Principal prior to the trip. Notice of the availability of scholarships shall be included on field trip permission forms. Transportation for field trips shall be on a certified school bus with a certified bus driver wherever possible.