We allocate a certain amount of funds per chils specifically for Field Trips. $7 per student has been what we have used for the past 3 years...
Three years ago, under the administration of a now retired Principal, Field Trips were not allowed. When we got the new Principal it was one of my most anticipated inquiries, to which he agreed they would be allowed again.
My concept has always been away from school Field Trips. Out first year we did have a couple of grades come to us and ask if they could instead have their in school. We reluctantly agreed, since it had been years and many of the staff were nervous about doing it again.
So last year I formed an Enrichment Committee to help present and assist the staff with planning, organizing, etc. the Field Trips. I am happy to say that last year every single class did go away from school on a field trip.
For the most part the $7 covered the bus. For some it covered everything. For the grades that the $7 did not cover everything the parents had to take on the remaining responsibility. Of course we made it clear to the Principal and the staff that no child would miss out due to financial issues.
So my best recommendation would be to...
1. Set a specific amount per child, like the $7 we use.
2. Form a committee if needed to help present curriculum related away from school ideas to the staff, coordinate the buses, etc.
3. Make it so that $ does not carry over each year, meaning if the staff choose a location that does not use the entire $7 per child, then they don't get to keep that, in addition to another $7 the next year. (effectively the allocation account per grade are zeroed each year).
4. Try to standardize the field trip per grade so that it is known that first grade goes to whereever. Second grade goes to the plantation. third grade goes to the museum, etc.
Our parent club doesn't have a field trip policy, but our school does. It states that administrator approval is required and " such trips and/or activities contribute substantially to the achievement of desirable educational goals. In planning and authorizing such trips, primary consideration will be given the educational values to be derived and the safety and welfare of the students involved."
The parent club must give authorization for payment on any field trip prior to any notification of students or parents if they are involved with the funding for the field trip. This is also included in the school's policy.
All of this was set up because we did have a teacher a few years ago try to get approval for lunch out at a pizza place for her class. We did refuse her because we didn't think it a proper field trip and the parents in her class that year told her off about it as well.
As for chalk - that would be considered classroom supplies by us and would come out the the amount set aside for the teacher for the year.
Does anyone have a written policy as to what kind of field trips your PTO will fund? We have struggled with this issue every year. We have had teachers request money for amusement parks, lunch out at Burger King, and even sidewalk chalk with the rationalization that they are taking the students out of the building so it must be a field trip. I'm thinking a written policy of what we will fund might help, but it is difficult to know where to start. I'd like to have a policy in place (if we can come up with one) before school starts.
