5129- Policy and Administrative Regulations Regarding Field Trips 

The Newtown Board of Education (the “Board”) encourages and sanctions student field trips that are of value in helping achieve each participating student's educational objectives. 

All student field trips shall require prior written approval by the building principal. In addition, all student field trips that are scheduled to last more than one day shall require the prior written approval of the Superintendent or his/her designee and the Board.

All student field trips that require public solicitation of funds shall require approval by the building principal prior to any fundraising by involved students or others on their behalf. In addition, any such fundraising activities must comply with the provisions of the Board Policy concerning fundraising activities Policy 5127 and any administrative regulations implementing such Board Policy. 

The Superintendent or designee is authorized to develop administrative regulations to implement this policy. The Board will not be responsible for any field trip that is not approved in accordance with the procedures set forth in this policy and any accompanying administrative regulations.  

Approved:                 December 3, 2024            NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Newtown, Connecticut 

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS REGARDING FIELD TRIPS 

Field Trips Staff are required to give at least two weeks prior notice of field trips to the school nurse, in order to allow time for the nurse to review updated medical information and to make arrangements for the safe participation of students with disabilities or special health needs.

For the purposes of medication administration on school sponsored trips, field trips shall be categorized as “curricular” and “extracurricular” field trips. For curricular field trips, the school nurse will prepare necessary medication, equipment and emergency supplies. The nurse will train designated staff in medication administration as needed. For extra curricular field trips, the nurse will be available as a resource to staff to aid in planning for student health and safety needs.

When subsidy for educational field trips is not provided in the school budget, such an educational activity may be planned by staff members with students and conducted with participating students sharing in the cost of the trip. If a student is unable to pay his/her share of the trip costs, the building administrator may use available resources, including funds from local organizations, to help defray expenses.

It is expected that all educational field trips shall use common carriers or school buses unless otherwise authorized by the principal.

In order to minimize the cost to students and their families of multi-day field trips that involve specific classes or groups of students, the teaching staff should select locations closest to Connecticut that meet the approved educational objectives of the planned activities.

Curricular Field Trips: primarily educational trips that enhance students’ understanding of their studies by extending the school experience. (examples: museum trip, nature center, science lab)

Extracurricular Trips: educational, cultural and/or recreational trips that occur outside of the school day and may be organized by an approved extracurricular club, organization or program. Such trips may enhance the educational experience but are not designed as part of the curricular study. (examples: Debate Club, Ski Club) Administrative

Regulations Adopted: December 3, 2024