HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 10-11 WA Adopting a School Sanction Trips policy WESTLAKE ACADEMY
RESOLUTION 10-11
A RESOLUTION OF THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
APPROVING AND ADOPTING A POLICY ESTABLISHING PARAMETERS FOR
SCHOOL SANCTIONED TRIPS FOR WESTLAKE ACADEMY.
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees considers school sanctioned trips to be an important
component of the learning environment and an integral concept in pursuing an International
Baccalaureate education; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees wishes to identify grade level trips for planning and
fund-raising purposes, which are specific to Primary and Secondary; and,
WHEREAS, a safe and structured environment is desired for each trip; and,
WHEREAS,the Board of Trustees finds that the passage of this Resolution is in the best
interest of the citizens of Westlake as well as the students, their parents, and the faculty of
Westlake Academy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
WESTLAKE ACADEMY:
SECTION 1: THAT, all matters stated in the recitals hereinabove are found to be true
and correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety.
SECTION 2: THAT, the Board of Trustees for Westlake Academy,hereby approves the
policy titled, Board Parameters for School Sanctioned Trips attached to this Resolution as
Exhibit "A".
SECTION 3: IF, any portion of this Resolution shall, for any reason,be declared invalid
by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions
hereof and the Board hereby determines that it would have adopted this Resolution without the
invalid provision.
SECTION 4: THAT, this Resolution shall become effective from and after its date of
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 16th DAY OF AUGUST, 2010.
Laura Wheat, President
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ATTEST:
Kell Ed ds, Board Secretary Thomas E. B er, uperintcndcnt
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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School Attorney
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TOWN OF WESTLAKE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES POLICY
Policy No. 09-08:
Date Board Adopted: March 9, 2009
Date Board Amended: August 16, 2010
Effective Date: March 9, 2009
Policy Name: Board Parameters for School Sanctioned Trips
Policy Category: Student Achievement
Policy Goal: Students Who Become Well Balanced, Life Long Learners
Policy Description: The Board of Trustees supports Academy sanctioned trips as a
means to pursue, promote, and enhance IB learning goals for Academy students as set
out in the IB Learner Profile. As such, all school sanctioned trips should fit and promote
this IB Learner Profile, the IB curriculum, as well as be of direct educational value for
the student participants of these trips. In an effort to provide the safest possible
environment for the students of Westlake Academy, this policy for student trips will be
enforced on any and all trips that require students to be away from the property located
at 2600 J. T. Ottinger Road, Westlake, TX 76262.
Board Approval for Out-of-State Trips
The Board shall approve all out-of-state, school-sponsored trips. Such approval shall
consider the immunity laws applicable for the destination, District and employee liability
for damages arising from accidents and/or injuries that may occur during the trip, the
stated educational value of the trip, and whether participation results from advancement
in a regional or national competition.
The following grade level(s) and trip formats have been identified as consistent with the
IB curriculum and Learner Profile and thereby, effective as of the 2011/2012 school
year, approved as to a standing schedule for the Academy.
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Grade Trip Format/Location Date of Occurrence
Primary
4 Team Building (Local destination) Spring
5 Domestic or International Trip (Location subject to approval) Spring
Secondary
7 Team Building (Domestic) Fall
8 Historical/Boston, Washington D.C. (Domestic) Spring
9 Language Immersion (Domestic) Fall
10 International Trip (Location subject to approval) Fall
11 Team Building (Local destination) Fall
12 Senior Trip (Location subject to approval) Spring
All other policy directives contained in this document will begin with the 201012011
school year as it relates to, requests to organize student trips, staff training and
chaperone responsibilities, non-school sanctioned trips, conduct expectations and
consequences, and student participation.
Requests to Organize Student Trips
Other than the previously identified trips associated with each grade level, trip requests
within the contiguous 48 states must be submitted to the Principal of each section for
review, prior to Board approval.
Requests for student trips to locations outside the United States will be submitted to the
Superintendent for review, prior to Board approval.
Student trips should coordinate with the Academy's school calendar as much as
possible. If any part of the requested trip will occur during scheduled instructional time,
the request should adequately address how the academic needs will be met for any
students not participating in the trip. The Superintendent or his/her designee is
responsible for establishing required chaperone ratios that address safety needs.
All student trips must be organized in accordance with the requirements established in
the Parent-Student Handbook, other applicable administrative procedures, and any
requirements imposed by the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall review the
request and, if applicable under this policy, forward it to the Board for approval.
All student trip decisions are the sole purview of staff and faculty, subject to the
restrictions of this policy. As such, parent input on such trips will be encouraged and
utilized as appropriate however all final decisions on Westlake Academy student trip
destinations and trip logistics will be made by Superintendent designated staff and
faculty subject to the parameters of this policy.
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Any trip taken away from the school is a privilege, not a right, and as such, students are
required to represent our school in a responsible manner. This privilege could be
revoked as a disciplinary measure if deemed necessary by the school administration.
Students who violate the code of conduct or directives given by school staff during a
school trip, will be subject to the disciplinary processes contained in the Parent/Student
Handbook. Serious conduct violations that occur during a school trip may result in
expulsion in accordance with Academy policies and Parent/Student Handbook.
Vendor Identification
Staff shall utilize a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to identify and select a vendor
to provide the school sponsored trips on an annual basis. All trip locations will be
coordinated through the selected vendor who will work with the Superintendent or
his/her designee to schedule the events.
Staff Training and Chaperone Responsibilities
Any staff member who participates in a school sponsored trip will be required to
undergo a training process which explains the trip guidelines and responsibilities
associated with serving as a chaperone. The foremost duty of all chaperones shall be
the care and supervision of the students. All written and implied rules of conduct in the
Employee.Manual or found in the Parent/Student Handbook will be followed.
Additionally, trips will have a designated Group Leader, assigned by the appropriate
Principal, to serve as the staff member who will coordinate the logistics, recruit
additional chaperones, communicate with parents and make any necessary decisions
which concern the welfare of the students while away from the Academy.
Chaperones are not permitted to bring a spouse or other children who are not otherwise
eligible for participation in a school trip as their guests, even at their own expense.
Participation in Student Trips
The Academy shall obtain written parent permission before any student may participate
in any school-sponsored student trip or other activity away from school. Participation is
subject to any pre-requisites that may be set in compliance with the Parent/Student
Handbook.
Students who participate in school-sponsored trips shall be required to ride in
transportation arranged or provided by the school to and from the event. An exception
may be made if the student's parent or guardian personally requests that the student be
allowed to ride or travel with the parent or presents a written request to the office. The
Academy shall not be liable for any injuries that occur to students being
transported/traveling outside the school arranged transportation.
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Each school sponsored trip will be subject to a minimum number of student participants
that will be deemed necessary to continue with the event. The Board has established
2/3 as the minimum number of student participation rate for each grade level trip.
However, should a simple majority of 50% be achieved, the Superintendent, or his/her
designee, is directed to review the educational benefits of the trip and determine if the
trip should proceed as planned.
Non-residential trips will require the Principal's approval for both location and the
minimum number of student participants necessary to plan the event.
Non-school Sanctioned Trips
As school attendance, participation in the classroom environment and exposure to the
appropriate educational material is vital to the success of the student, families are
encouraged to refrain from removing their children) for family trips during the school
term.
Parents who schedule trips during the school year, which are not officially sanctioned by
the Academy, subject their student(s) to unexcused absences. Any absences of this
nature must be submitted to the Principal for review and approval prior to the
withdrawal of the student. Approved trips will be given an excused absence and
conversely unapproved trips will be given an unexcused absence, which will follow the
guidelines in the Parent/Student Handbook for make-up work and attendance
consequences.
Residential Trips
At Westlake Academy, we believe that residential trips give the students greater
opportunities for experiential learning within an appropriate, relevant and authentic
context, as well as the chance to develop their independence and self-management
skills.
Time away from home helps cement and forge friendships, as well as strengthening the
bonds that they have with their teachers.
In addition to the aforementioned, residential trips afford students with the opportunity of
experiencing different perspectives and cultures, thus promoting and developing greater
understanding and international-mindedness.
The following are the Learning Outcomes for Residential Trips:
DEVELOPING KEY SKILLS
• Using and applying knowledge, skills and understanding in different, realistic
and exciting contexts
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• Developing the ability to work co-operatively
• Developing the ability to communicate successfully
• Showing initiative and a positive attitude
• Showing greater independence, moving towards self-reliance
• Becoming increasingly risk aware and increasing understanding and
independent action
RAISING ACHIEVEMENT BYBOOSTING SELF-ESTEEMAND MOTIVATION
• Raising self-esteem through successful participation and enjoyment
• Developing a positive attitude to learning
• Helping demonstrate strengths and understanding of limitations
• Encouraging responsibility
• Improving behavior
• Addressing disaffection
DEVELOPING SOCIAL EDUCATION AND CITIZENSHIP
• The ability to work with others, accept and support them, building relationships
• Learning to tolerate others and respect their views — understanding equal
opportunities
• Learning to accept the consequences of their own actions
• Learning to defend their own point of view
• Encouraging a commitment to voluntary service
• Exploring attitudes and values they will carry into adult life
PROMOTING EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
• An appreciation of the natural world as a source of interest and challenge
• A concern for living things
• An understanding of the need for interdependence between people and the
environment
• Recognition of the effect of present actions on the future
• An increasing ability to access evidence and make personal decisions
PROMOTING HEALTH AND FITNESS AND A POSITIVE USE OF LEISURE (where
applicable)
• Developing a positive attitude to physical activities and a healthy lifestyle
• Developing and experiencing physical fitness and well-being
• Achieving success in physical activities
• Developing self-respect and self-discipline and the ability to cope with adversity
Revised 080210
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