POLICY 6-5.7 FIELD TRIPS AND EXCURSIONS

Generally

Field trips shall serve a worthwhile purpose related to classroom instruction. Field trips extend the learning opportunities provided in the regular instructional program and provide opportunities for competition for students in extracurricular programs. All field trips shall have approval by the school principal. All out-of-state field trips shall have approval by the school principal, the Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching, and the Montgomery County School Board before they may be taken.

Principals are expected to consider the educational value of the trip, the availability of the learning opportunities, and the distance, time and expense involved in the trip. Principals are also responsible for following all procedures for requesting approval of field trips. Only properly insured modes of transportation are to be used for school trips.

Except in unusual circumstances, all students in a given class, club or grade level shall be given the opportunity of participating in any field trip requested and approved for that group in which the student is a member. No student shall be denied participation in a field trip because of lack of funds or because of minor disciplinary infractions.

Field Trips to Foreign Countries

The Montgomery County School Board shall not approve, sponsor, or otherwise sanction students to participate in field trips to foreign countries except under exchange programs or other sponsored programs. Any planning for trips to foreign countries to be taken during summer or other school vacation periods shall in no way state or imply endorsement by the School Board.

No agent, employee, or student, while on School Board property, is authorized to promote, encourage, or solicit individuals or groups for trips to foreign countries without the written consent of the division superintendent.

For the purposes of this policy, a foreign country shall mean any territory, principality, or nation not under the direct governance or within the boundaries of the fifty (50) states of the United States of America.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 22.1-70, 22.1-78, 22.1-176.

Adopted: April 2004