School trips designed to stimulate student interest and inquiry can be appropriate and valuable extensions of the classroom. School trips can help meet educational goals and objectives by connecting learning with experiences outside the classroom environment.
Principals must approve day school trips, and the superintendent must approve any overnight school trips. Approval for overnight trips must be obtained prior to the trip. To be approved, a school trip must (1) provide an effective method for accomplishing curriculum objectives; (2) be consistent with the educational goals of the Wilkes County Board of Education; and (3) keep to a minimum any disruptions of other educational programs and/or loss of instructional time. The superintendent will be responsible for developing additional procedures for the request and approval of desired school trips.
The Board of Education may impose fees for non-required school trips. Any fees imposed for school trips will be waived or reduced for students who demonstrate real economic hardship. The superintendent will be responsible for establishing procedures to review requests for fee waivers or reductions and to notify students and parents of the availability of and the process for requesting a fee waiver or reduction.
Board of Education policies in the 4300 series concerning student behavior, and Board of Education policy 1510/4200, concerning student safety and supervision of students, will apply to all students and teachers while they are taking part in school trips. In addition, Board of Education policy 6320 (Use of Student Transportation Services) will apply to the use of vehicles for all school trips.
The superintendent will be responsible for developing procedures for the request and approval of desired school trips.
Legal References: G.S. 115C-47, -288, -307
Cross References: Goals and Objectives of the Educational Program (policy 3000), Student Safety (policy 1510/4200), Student Behavior Policies (policies in the 4300 series), Student Fees (policy 4600), Use of Student Transportation Services (policy 6320)
Adopted: January 9, 2006