San Francisco Unified School District and County Office of Education
Board Policy 6153
School-Sponsored Trips
This Board Policy applies to the San Francisco Unified School District and the County Office of Education.
The Governing Board recognizes that field trips supplement and enrich the classroom learning experience, lead to increased student achievement, and foster student engagement. The Board encourages field trips to reinforce and increase learning opportunities and to enhance District programs.
(cf. 0460 – Local Control and Accountability Plan)
Field trips shall be conducted in connection with the District’s course of study or school-related social, educational, cultural, athletic, school band, or other extracurricular or co-curricular activities. A field trip to a foreign country may be permitted to familiarize students with the language, history, geography, natural science, and other studies relative to the District’s course of study. (Education Code 35330)
(cf. 6143 – Courses of Study)
(cf. 6145 – Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)
(cf. 6145.2 – Athletic Competition)
All trips involving out-of-state and out of country travel shall require prior approval by the Superintendent and the Governing Board. All overnight field trips shall require the prior approval of the Assistant Superintendent and Risk Management. Other trips may be approved by the Principal or Site Administrator.
When planning trips, staff shall consider student safety, objectives of instruction, the most effective use of instructional time, the distance from school, District and student expense, and transportation and supervision requirements. Trip attendees shall be limited to school District staff, assigned school students, and authorized chaperones. Guests are strictly prohibited.
No field trip shall be authorized if any student would be excluded from participation because of a lack of sufficient funds. The Superintendent or designee shall coordinate with community groups to supply funds for students in need. (Education Code 35330)
(cf. 1230 – School-Connected Organizations)
(cf. 1321 – Solicitation of Funds from and by Students)
(cf. 1700 – Relations Between Private Industry and the Schools)
Students with disabilities shall have equal access to field trips and shall not be excluded from such trips on the basis of disability.
The Board may approve the use of District funds for student expenses for in-state, out-of-state, or out-of-country field trips or excursions when permitted by law. In addition, expenses of instructors, chaperones, and other personnel participating in such trips, as well as incidental expenses for the use of District equipment during the trip, may be paid from District funds. (Education Code 35330)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
8760 Authorization of outdoor science and conservation programs
32040-32044 First aid equipment: field trips
35330 Excursions and field trips
35331 Provision for medical or hospital service for pupils (on field trips)
35332 Transportation by chartered airline
35350 Transportation of students
44808 Liability when pupils not on school property
48908 Duties of pupils; authority of teachers
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE
17550-17550.9 Sellers of travel
17552-17556.5 Educational travel organizations
Management Resources:
WEB SITES
American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org
California Association of Directors of Activities: http://www.cada1.org
U.S. Department of Homeland Security: http://www.dhs.gov
Please note that compare references, or “cf”, refer to CSBA model policies and do not necessarily indicate that the San Francisco Unified School District has adopted the referenced policy.