General Guidelines

    • All students participating in trips must turn in the Parental Consent and Emergency Information Form with appropriate signatures and information. This form shall remain in the teacher/sponsor’s possession during the trip in case of emergency.

    • Trips for rewards should be limited. Criteria for reward trips must be specifically delineated in writing to students and parents prior to the start of the school year or qualifying grading period.

    • Curriculum related field trips are available to all students unless the principal excludes a student from the trip. A student may be excluded if:
      • The teacher informed the student and his/her parents, in advance and in writing, of the behavior standards that must be met to participate on the trip;
      • The student exhibited unsatisfactory conduct in class as reflected in the conduct grades he/she received on quarterly report cards or has a record of misconduct and/or a record of failing to follow reasonable directions in class/school; and
      • The student is provided an appropriate alternative educational experience.

    • Trips must be planned at times that do not conflict with the preparation or administration of statewide tests.

    • Trips for Pre-K students are prohibited.

    • Elementary school trips shall not involve an overnight stay and shall not exceed one hundred twenty-five miles one way without approval from the Board of Education.

    • Elementary field trips to amusement parks require approval of the Board of Education.

    • Trips for grades K-5 should be confined to regular school hours. Exceptions may be granted with prior approval of the Board of Education.

    • Trips for grades 6-8 should be completed by 7:00 PM if the following day is a school day and by 9:00 PM on other days. Exceptions may be granted with prior approval of the Board of Education.

    • School sponsored trips to events or places with animals must meet the Guidelines for Reducing Risk of Disease Associated with Animals at Public Events as developed by the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and the NC Department of Health and Human Services.

    • Middle and high school trips to amusements parks require prior approval of the Board of Education. No middle and high school trip will be approved unless it provides a unique educational opportunity that directly relates to the curriculum or to a co-curricular activity. If the trip includes multiple locations, all components of the trip must meet these requirements and be included in the itinerary.

    • School trips that involve water activities such as swimming, diving, boating, sailing, cruise ship travel, etc. require prior approval of the Board of Education. No such trip will be approved unless it provides a unique educational opportunity that directly relates to the curriculum or to a co-curricular activity. In addition, a detailed plan to address supervision and safety needs of students must be submitted. Special requests for activities involving the use of small water crafts, such as canoes, kayaks, sail boats, jet skis, etc. require the approval of the Board of Education.

    • Overnight field trips that include male and female students shall have male and female chaperones. Any exception to this rule will require the superintendent’s approval.

    • Students are not to have any unsupervised time without chaperones while on any trip.

    • Students remain subject to all school and district policies and rules of conduct, including disciplinary consequences, during the school trip.

    • The parent/guardian should be notified of any significant change in plans prior to the school trip.

    • School trips may be cancelled when necessary by the principal, Superintendent, or the Board of Education. The school system cannot guarantee reimbursement when such cancellations occur.