603.3 - Excursions and Trips

The school board recognizes that a properly planned, well-conducted, and carefully supervised curriculum-related excursion/trip is a vital part of the curriculum of any classroom or current activity. Student travel related to co/extra-curricular activities that are a reasonable extension of student experiences are also supported as long as student participation is inclusive of the regular group activity participation.

Excursions/trips will have the approval of the building principal in advance of the trip. Consent of each student’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian is required in advance of any excursion/trip including activities and athletics.

Every effort should be made to confine trips to a single day, but it is recognized that there may be occasions when an educational excursion/trip will be of such distance and/or nature to necessitate students being gone overnight. Such trips will require the approval of the superintendent [or designee].

Students who have graduated by the time of the school-sponsored, scheduled excursion/trip are not eligible to participate. Sanctioned (Iowa High School Athletic Association or Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union) athletic competitions and/or tournaments are excepted as long as student conduct is covered by Policy 502.1.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent in conjunction with building principals to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.


Adopted: 2/78
Reviewed: 7/11; 9/12; 9/13; 2/15; 4/18; 6/21; 2/24
Revised: 1/10
Related Policy: 502.1; 503.6; 603.3-R; 603.3-E
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): § 279.8; 281 IAC 43.9; 390 CFR Pt 390.3(f)
IASB Reference: 606.05

603.3-R - Regulations Regarding Excursions and Trips

Excursions/trips that relate to the educational development of the students are supported by the school board.

School sponsored excursions/trips are those in which only Linn-Mar students participate and are sponsored by a certificated Linn-Mar employee. In contrast to fieldtrips, which must demonstrate a strong alignment to the curriculum, excursions/trips must have a relationship to either the academic activity or athletic programming of the district with a purpose of advancing the development of the student or providing an opportunity for application of the student’s education.

Requirements of school sponsored excursions/trips include:

  1. Sponsorship by a certified district employee
  2. Provision of proper supervision by a qualified person for certain activities such as rock climbing, ropes, beach swimming, surfing, etc.
  3. Adherence to Policy 502.1 and completion of appropriate documentation by parents/guardians or students
  4. Completion of a written request to the Chief Financial/Operating Officer at least four weeks in advance of the excursion/trip including the following:
    1. The rationale for the excursion/trip including the purpose and objectives
    2. Clarification if request is dependent upon pre-qualifying for the event
    3. Detailed plans for student supervision
    4. Proposed itinerary
    5. Cost and source of funding
    6. Number of student participants
    7. Copy of required participation paperwork
  5. Approval by the building principal and submission of the approved application and materials to the superintendent [or designee] no later than four weeks prior to the start of the excursion/trip
  6. Within three weeks of completion of the excursion/trip, the sponsor will submit a written summary of the event to the building principal.

Note: Students who have graduated prior to commencement of the excursion/trip are not eligible to participate unless they are a member of a state sanctioned team or group and governed by Policy 502.1.

Non-school sponsored excursions/trips including those involving groups with Linn-Mar students, or groups with Linn-Mar students and other students, will abide by the requirements of the excursion/trip sponsors and sponsoring organization or business. Parents/guardians of the students, the students, and the sponsoring organization are responsible for everything related to the excursion/trip as well as the excursion/trip. If the sponsors or sponsoring organization or business meets with students on campus, the sponsor or sponsoring organization must reserve the meeting space and pay rent for the use of district facilities related to the excursion/trip meetings, arrangements, or anything else related to the excursion/trip. District resources may not be used for any aspect of a non-school sponsored excursion/trip; this includes bulletin boards, district email, distribution of information in any format, informal meetings, etc. 


Adopted: 1/10
Reviewed: 7/11; 9/12; 2/15; 4/18; 6/21; 2/24
Revised: 9/13; 8/16; 11/17
Related Policy: 502.1; 503.6; 603.3; 603.3-E

603.3-E - Excursions and Trips Request Form

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FORM


 

Date Request Received by CFO/COO: ________________

A written request for overnight excursions/trips must be submitted to the Chief Financial/Operating Officer NOT LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS PRIOR TO the proposed excursion/trip and prior to any travel arrangements being finalized.

Overnight excursions/trips require prior approval of the building administrator, the superintendent [or designee], and the school board. In authorizing excursions/trips, the building principal will consider the financial condition of the school district, the educational benefit of the activity, the inherent risks or dangers of the activity, and other factors deemed relevant by the superintendent including the participation of the membership of the regular activity group. Students who have graduated may not participate in school sponsored excursions/trips unless the event is sanctioned by the state athletic associations.

The request will include:

  1. Rationale for the excursion/trip including the purpose and objectives
  2. Clarification if request is dependent upon pre-qualifying for event
  3. Detailed plans for student supervision
  4. Proposed itinerary
  5. Cost and source of funding
  6. Number of student participants
  7. Copy of required participation paperwork
  • Within three weeks of the completion of the excursion/trip the sponsor will submit a written summary of the event to the building principal.
  • The building will be responsible for obtaining a substitute teacher if one is needed.
  • Students eligible for a fee waiver will be covered through contingency/discretionary funds as appropriate.

EXCURSION/TRIP CRITERIA: The following checklist MUST BE signed and submitted to the Chief Financial/Operating Officer with required documentation NOT LESS THAN 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO the proposed excursion/trip and prior to any travel arrangements being finalized:

Group Name: _____________________________________________________________
Submitted By: ____________________________________________________________

Criteria   Description Provided
Purpose REQUIRED Purpose of excursion/trip is clearly defined and "...is a vital part of the curriculum or current activity." Reference Board Policy 603.3.  
Pre-Planning REQUIRED Evidence of pre-planning that will maximize the learning experiences of students on this excursion/trip. (Dates, location, number of student participants, plan for supervision, proposed itinerary, hotel, cost/budget source, required participation paperwork, clarification if request is dependent upon pre-qualifying for an event, etc.)  
Follow-Up REQUIRED Evidence of planning for follow-up in order to maximize the learning experiences of students on this excursion/trip.  
Assessment REQUIRED Evidence that students will be required to demonstrate their understanding of the learning expected from this experience.  
Funding REQUIRED Source of funding has been determined that meets Department of Education and district guidelines. Reference Board Policy 603.3.  
Common Experience Recommended This excursion/trip is a common experience that all students at this grade level or activity group should have.  
Multi-Disciplinary Recommended This excursion/trip addresses more than one curricular area and offers the opportunity for curriculum integration.  
Building Principal Approval   Date:
Chief Financial/Operating Officer Approval   Date:
Board of Directors Approval   Date:

Adopted: 2/99
Reviewed: 7/11; 9/12; 9/13; 2/15; 4/18; 6/21; 2/24
Revised: 8/16; 11/17
Related Policy: 502.1; 503.6; 603.3; 603.3-R