JJH Late Night Travel and Overnight Student Trips

LATE NIGHT TRAVEL AND OVERNIGHT STUDENT TRIP POLICY

The School Committee recognizes that firsthand learning experiences provided by trips can be an effective and worthwhile means of learning and enhancing the educational program.

All student trips which include late night travel (between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m.) or an overnight stay away from a student’s home must have prior approval of the School Committee, after initial approval by the building principal and the Superintendent of Schools. Requests for late night or overnight travel must be submitted to the School Committee on the Initial Approval for Late Night or Overnight Travel Form. The School Committee will only approve school-sanctioned trips. Initial approval by the School Committee is required before engaging in fundraising activities. All fundraising activities must be approved in advance by the appropriate administrator. No student, parent or staff member may raise money on school property or use school-related resources (like computers, mailboxes, copiers) for any trip unless the trip is a school-sanctioned trip which has been approved pursuant to this policy. Consistent with the Massachusetts Conflict of Interest law, no staff member may receive any financial benefit in excess of $50 from any company, agency, public or private entity for organizing, or making the arrangements for, any trip.

Late night and overnight trips should have a stated educational purpose that is related to Wayland's academic or co-curricular program. The faculty member leading the trip should have sufficient qualifications to lead the trip and expertise in the relevant academic or co-curricular area. The trip should offer significant educational benefits to students that clearly justify the time and expense of the trip. Such trips should be appropriate for the grade level. Trips should be scheduled so as to limit time away from school and conflicts with religious holidays. Grade-wide educational trips may occur during weeks in which school is in session.

All trips must have final approval of the building principal and superintendent. Such final approval shall be sought not less than 30 days prior to the scheduled trip. Final approval shall not be granted until all preparations for the trip have been completed in accordance with the Late Night or Overnight Travel Regulations and Guidelines, including but not limited to, all logistical details involving transportation, accommodation arrangements and fundraising efforts. The School Committee shall be notified of such final approval.

LEGAL REFS: Chapter 346 of the Acts of 2002

M.G.L. ch. 69, section 1B

M.G.L. ch. 71, section 37N

Model Policy (adopted by the Board of Education December 16, 2003)

Revisions Adopted: 11/30/09

Wayland Public Schools