FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are considered an integral part of the educational program of the Tuscaloosa City Schools. They are recognized as a means of providing a valuable and enriching learning experience for students outside the school setting. Field trips should be taken only in areas appropriate to grade level and subjects. Participation in a field trip will be determined by the appropriateness of the activity for the individual student. Field trips are not to be used as a reward/punishment activity. Advance preparation of students and follow-up of the field trip are necessary for appropriate learning and safety of the students.

Teachers planning field trips for students must adhere to individual school guidelines and to the following procedures:

1. When requesting a field trip, a request form must be submitted for approval to the principal and/or superintendent. A statement explaining the value of the field trip must be included on the form.
2. At the secondary level, field trips should not be taken during the last week of each six weeks or the last two weeks of the semester.
3. Each school and/or campus will prepare a field trip calendar.
4. Middle and secondary level teachers should be limited to one trip per semester that removes students from other teachers' classes. Field trips within the class period should be encouraged.
5. The teacher must receive principal's approval for all aspects of the planned field trip including adequate supervision of students. Out of the county field trips must be approved by the superintendent. Out-of-state field trips and any overnight field trips must be approved by the board. Request for out-of-state and overnight travel must be submitted to the superintendent at least thirty (30) days prior to the anticipated travel.
6. Overnight field trips should be connected to a weekend whenever possible to minimize the number of days out of class.
7. All parents will be informed of the specific details of the field trips, such as the time, place, travel arrangements, cost, supervision, and purpose of the trip.
8. Written permission from parents or guardians must be secured for all students.
9. The cost of the field trip is to be paid by each participant unless special circumstances prevail.
10. School rules and regulations as stated in the Code of Student Conduct and bus safety rules will prevail at all times.
11. The use of commercial carriers is encouraged. Private transportation is permitted only with the approval of the superintendent. Private vehicles should be driven by an adult with a valid Alabama driver's license i.e., no student drivers. The owner of the private vehicle must show proof of liability insurance.

FIELD TRIP TRANSPORTATION - SCHOOL SYSTEM-OWNED BUSES

In order to reduce the cost of field trips for students, School System buses should be used for local field trips when possible. Privately owned buses/common carriers may be used for trips extending beyond the normal school day based on prior approval by the Superintendent. Approval for the use of privately owned buses/common carriers must be secured from the principal prior to discussions of the trip with students. Private buses/common carriers should be used only when School System buses are not available. When School System buses are used, the following provisions will apply:

1. Field Trip buses, when available, shall be operated according to terms and conditions that apply specifically to such buses. Reservations must be made through the Director of Transportation by the principal or designee with the teacher/sponsor preparing the Field Trip Request Form for approval by the principal.
2. At least one teacher or principal must ride the bus and accept responsibility for seeing that all rules and regulations governing school buses are carried out.
3. All field trip bus passengers must be enrolled in school, be an employee of the School System, or be designated as chaperon by the field trip sponsor and approved by the school principal.
4. The principal of each school is responsible for handling the scheduling of such trips.
5. Mileage and other applicable cost factors (driver, substitute drive, etc.) for each field trip will be computed by the Director of Transportation based on the current, approved rates with billings submitted to schools on a monthly basis.
6. Only adult drivers with a state-approved school bus driver's license will be permitted to drive field trip buses with the cost of paying the driver to be borne by the school or class making the trip(s). If a substitute driver must be employed to complete the field trip driver's regular bus route, the cost of paying the substitute driver also must be borne by the school or class making the trip(s).
7. The Director of Transportation is responsible for arranging for field trip buses based on contact by the school principal, assigning a permit number, employing the driver, and making arrangements for fuel.
8. The field trip sponsor should return the School System-owned bus in a clean condition as determined by the Director of Transportation.
9. Due to energy regulations, allocations, proration, and other financial problems the Board may cancel trips, increase prices, or curtail the use of buses. Principals will be notified if changes occur.

Go back