Procedure 2.1.1 STUDENT TRAVEL - FIELD TRIPS

• • 1.1.1alignment with an existing approved school program or club;
  • 1.1.2 ability to demonstrate an enhanced opportunity for educational growth;
  • 1.1.3 an assessment of involved or potential risks. See the Risk Management Assessment Form (Appendix B), which is provided to help teachers assess and mitigate risks in planned field trips/excursions;
  • 1.1.4 inclusion of teacher supervisor(s).

• •  1.7.1 Within Ontario – 2 weeks prior to the trip;
  • 1.7.2 Within Canada – 3 months prior to the tip;
  • 1.7.3 Outside Canada – 10 months prior to the trip;

1.8 Exceptions to this timeline will be reviewed on an individual basis and may not be approved if exceptional conditions do not exist. (e.g., Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association (OFSAA) Competitions).

• • 1.13.1 vendor must provide evidence of liability insurance.
  • 1.13.2 applicants must read all waivers and/or service contracts carefully before signing.
  • 1.13.3 when the venue contains an element of risk, the operator must provide a Risk Management Information Package. The Third Party Information Letter (Appendix C) may be provided by the school when requesting a package from a provider.

1.14 Once an itinerary has been approved it cannot be modified without going through the approval process again.

• • 1.15.1 the Principal approves all field trips during the school day within the community; no field trip form is required; parents are to receive notification and information regarding these trips;
  • 1.15.2 schools are responsible for maintaining an internal system for tracking all trips off school grounds;
  • 1.15.3 where parents have shared custody, both parents are to receive the notifications and field trip forms, however only one form needs to be returned with one signature;
  • 1.15.4 ensuring that no student is prevented from participating in any activity because of inability to pay;
  • 1.15.5 scrutinizing all submitted field trip forms to ensure all criteria are met and all sections are completed before submitting them to their Regional Superintendent for approval. Use the Principal’s Checklist (Appendix D) to ensure submitted field trip forms are completed fully;
  • 1.15.6 ensure that pre-trip meetings with parents and students are arranged for all trips with any of the following criteria:
    • Includes high risk activities
    • Is out of province or country
    • All Grade 8 trips
    • Any other trip in consultation with your regional Superintendent

These meetings will be to share information regarding the trip agenda; detail any requirements such as funding, passports, medical forms or insurance; outline expectations regarding behaviour, swimming, supervision; and to answer any questions the parents or students may have.

• • 1.15.17 all requests for special arrangements (e.g., parent transporting their child; a parent transporting another child; student driving themselves) are to be made in writing to the Principal. Such requests must be pre-approved and are at the discretion of the Principal

• • 2.3.1 Pupils may only participate in trips involving boating with explicit specific written permission of their parent/guardian.
  • 2.3.2 All participants must complete and pass the required swim test. Students that pass the swim test wearing a PFD are allowed to participate, but will be required to wear a PFD at all times while on or near the water.
  • 2.3.3 PFDs, as approved by Transport Canada, are worn at all times by pupils in watercraft (e.g., canoes, paddle boards, kayaks, inflatables), except on licensed commercial passenger vessels.
  • 2.3.4 Activities taking place on or near water require participants to pass a swim test. Students who wear a PFD to pass the swim test are allowed to participate but are required to wear a PFD at all times while on or near the water. These tests will be administered by a certified aquatic instructor, and are based on the Lifesaving Society’s Swim to SurviveTM Swim tests must be administered within the school year that the activity is taking place. In lieu of completing the swim test, students may provide proof of Bronze Medallion certification or higher. Students who do not pass the swim test may not participate in the field trip/excursion. This test would include, but not be limited to, the following requirements:

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  • • Rolling entry (backwards or forward) into deep water at 2.75m (9’) minimum depth
    • Tread water for 1 minute
    • Swim 50m (164’) continuously, any stroke

• •  2.3.5 Results of swim tests will be provided to the students, parents/guardians teacher, trip supervisors, lifeguards and instructors. Students who do not pass the required swim test will not participate in the field trip/excursion.

The school must ensure that they meet or exceed the minimum safety standards set out in the OPHEA Guidelines. For specifics regarding your planned activity, visit the OPHEA website at http://safety.ophea.net/.