Fieldtrips

Schools may plan field trips for one of more days including overnight field trips. Schools, at their option, may decide not to offer overnight field trips. All field trips, whether day or overnight must comply with the following requirements:

• Prior permission of the principal

• Preparation, follow-up, and specific educational goals for students

• Signed and dated Student and Youth Activity Permission Forms and Emergency Medical Authorizations from parents All Permission and Authorization Forms must be in the possession of the supervising adult during the trip

• All participants should have appropriate identification and travel documents

• All archdiocesan policies on safe environment must be followed, including background checks for

  vendors providing the trips, as applicable.

• For trips outside the 100-mile radius of the school, guidelines must include consideration of the ability of parents to incur cost, the financial impact of the trip on other school fundraising activities and class work missed by students

• State law requires that a first aid kit be immediately available to the supervising adult on all excursions and field trips. First aid kits must be carried in all vehicles transporting students to school sponsored activities. Student emergency information must be immediately available to the supervising adult. At least one adult chaperone shall be in possession of a cell phone. A snake bite kit must be included in any area where there may be poisonous snakes.

Transportation

• Transportation may be by personal car, school or chartered bus or van, boat, or airplane.

• Although discouraged, school employees, including teachers and coaches, may drive two or more students to or from athletic and co-curricular trips or events in their personal vehicle. School employees may not be alone with a student in a vehicle.

• School employees and parent or guardian volunteers driving students in their own cars must be at least 25 years of age, have a clean driving record for the past three years, a valid Class C driver’s license and current, valid California automobile insurance. Each vehicle must have individual seat belts for each student. A copy of the parent or guardian’s driver’s license and insurance declaration page must be kept on file at the school.

• All contracts with bus companies or other transportation vendors must be submitted to the Archdiocesan Legal Department for review prior to signature

Schools may only use buses or vans with valid California State approved licenses or charters. Verification may be obtained on the state Public Utilities website at http://www.CPUC.ca.gov. In addition, schools must verify insurance coverage of the transportation company.