Making School Trips Safe

By Samantha Wilson

I loved school field trips when I was a kid. Even if my class headed out the door to a neighboring park to collect colorful maple leaves for a fall art project, it was a real treat to break free from the classroom and learn in a new environment. School trips are popular and effective in making a learning experience memorable. However, taking the time to plan for the unexpected can make the difference between a successful field trip and a tragic one.

The very best approach to field trips is to plan ahead and book the time off work so you can go with your child. Schools usually welcome parents as extra supervision, and school-aged children still want Mom or Dad around as much as possible. Your child will be ecstatic if you are able to go on the trip. I remind myself often that before I know it, I will be begging for their attention! Field trips can be a great way to spend memorable time with your kids in their world, and it can be quite enlightening to see your child interact with their peers.

If you can't be present, be sure that you take extra steps to get the details of the trip well in advance. As well as inquiring about the educational value of the trip, you should ask the teacher the following questions.

• What is the exact time of departure and return?
• How will the children be transported? Is it by school bus or parent drivers?
• Do all parents have proper safety belts and restraints in place?
• How many adult supervisors will be going? How many children?
• What activities will the children participate in?
• Are there any hazards the teacher needs to be cautious of? Do you need to discuss them ahead of time with your child?
• How much time does the teacher take discussing the safety rules with the children before the trip?
• What plan does the teacher have in place if a child becomes lost or injured?
• Is the teacher certified in Emergency First Aid in case a child is injured?
• Do they have all the information they need to contact you immediately if there is an emergency?
• Do they have a recent picture of your child that they will take with them in case they become lost?

One final suggestion, always submit a recent color photo of your child to their teacher at the start of each school year. Write your child's name, weight, and height on the back. These photos should be brought by the teacher on any school outing. If a child becomes lost or separated, the photo will assist officials in locating the child quickly.