FIELD TRIPS

Field trips provide an enriching supplement to classroom instruction. All students are expected to exhibit proper behavior on trips and all other school-sponsored activities. No student will be permitted to leave the building without the appropriate permission slip signed by a parent/guardian. Verbal consent will not be honored. Volunteers to chaperone will be requested throughout the year. All chaperones must be over 18 years of age and no siblings are permitted to attend as per DOE regulations. If a student is unable to follow school rules, that student will not be permitted to attend field trips without a parent/guardian in attendance for safety.

Chaperone Guidelines

PS/IS 217 believes that field trips provide a valuable educational experience for all students. Field trips increase student content knowledge and understanding and add realism to a topic of study. Without the help of volunteer chaperones, field trips would not be possible.

To help ensure field trips result in safe and rewarding experiences for all, we have drafted these guidelines to provide information about volunteering as a field trip chaperone.

  1. All school behavior rules apply on school field trips. It is the responsibility of the teacher to discipline a misbehaving student.
  2. Chaperones are expected to follow school rules, follow the directions and plans given by the coordinating teacher, work cooperatively with other volunteers and staff members, and serve as a role model for students.
  3. Chaperones must supervise students at all times. As a chaperone, you will supervise a small group of students, helping them learn and making sure they behave and are safe.
  4. Students must stay with you, their chaperone, at all times. Check to make sure you know where all students are regularly and before changing activities. If the class is expected to split into groups be sure you know when and where to meet the rest of the class at the end of the visit. Count, count, count your students all day! In case of an emergency, notify your teacher as soon as possible!


Other Expectations:

  • Chaperones may not use a cell phone for non-emergency or non-trip related purposes. It is not acceptable for outside work or reading to be completed while you are supervising students.
  • Chaperones may not administer any medications, prescription or nonprescription, to students.
  • Chaperones may not share food with students or encourage students to share food. There is no eating or drinking on the school bus. No eating and drinking is permitted outside of designated areas and/or predetermined times.
  • Siblings and family members may not participate in a school field trip. Young children will distract you from your primary responsibility of supervising your student group.
  • Chaperones may not fund student purchases.
  • Chaperones will follow the directions of the docents and guides even if other groups do not.
  • Chaperones will always stay with their group when transporting students.
  • Chaperones will contact the coordinating teacher and class parent as early as possible if unable to chaperone.