Higgins, Jodi

Important Information:
Field trips offer students an opportunity to extend, enhance, and integrate classroom curricular knowledge. In order for all students to obtain the maximum benefit from field trip experiences, excursions must proceed in an orderly and safe manner. It is critical that students listen, show respect, be cooperative, and follow directions. Misbehaving students jeopardize the safety of the entire group. Also, when Lichen students go out as a group into the community, their demeanor reflects upon the entire Lichen School Community. Thus, well developed student social skills are a prerequisite for participation on field trips.
Students whose social skills this school year have not or are not now meeting grade level expectations may lose the privilege of participation in one or more field trip experiences and be placed with work into another Lichen class during the field trip time. Social Skills area deficits which may result in the loss of the field trip participation privilege are the following:

• Having earned an "N" in any trimester of this school year in one or more of the following social skills:
• Follows classroom rules and directions
• Follows school rules and procedures
• Works, shares, plays cooperatively with others
• Respects rights and property of others
• Having received a Progress Notice for the current trimester indicating the student is in jeopardy of earning an "R" in any of the above Social Skills.
• A change to inappropriate behavior which results in the students being issued a Citation.
• A change to inappropriate behavior which results in a parent/guardian notification by a teacher or administrator.

If your student has lost the privilege of field trip participation, you will be notified. However, by showing outstanding effort and improvement in the deficient area(s), a student may earn back the privilege to attend a trip with his/her class. Hopefully, any student who stays behind will learn from the experience and with maturity will be able to participate in the future.

1. Make child care arrangements for siblings. They will not be allowed to attend.
2. Approach the trip with a good, supportive mental attitude. Your role can affect the entire trip.
3. Be with your group at all times. Make sure you are always within 10 yards of your assigned students.
4. Share in being responsible for all students. Offer your support to other chaperones when necessary.
5. Be supportive of the teacher/docent/instructor by focusing your attention on them. Help the students do the same.
6. Avoid and discourage separate conversations at inappropriate times. Do not chat with other chaperones during instructions or presentations.
7. Be helpful. Guide students to discover and experience for themselves. Do not monopolize discussions with the teacher/docent/instructor.
8. Follow all policies, procedures, and laws for the safety of all students.
9. If driving, be prepared with gas, food, and all necessities. Stopping at restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations (except for emergencies), is not permitted.

For the majority of field trips all parents who want to chaperone will be given the opportunity to attend. In the case of field trips where the number of chaperones is limited due to the organization's requirements, priority will be given to parents who meet the chaperone requirements for the particular trip (i.e., student health and safety, gender balance for overnights, size of vehicle, etc.)

The teacher is ultimately responsible for maintaining discipline and control of the group. Chaperones are under the direction of the teacher. All final decisions are made by the teacher.

We ask that chaperones acknowledge that their participation is important to the learning experience of the students involved, and that they will follow the above guidelines.

Failure to follow any of the above guidelines may result in the chaperone being removed from the chaperone list.