Chesapeake Public Schools Field Trip Chaperone Guidelines and Orientation

AGENDA Welcome and Introduction Mission of Chesapeake Public Schools CPS Field Trip Belief Statement (handout) Guidelines for Field Trip Chaperones Expectations, Responsibilities, and Duties of a Chaperone Virginia’s Anti-Hazing Law Superintendent’s Do’s and Don’ts

Goals of Orientation Program To provide training for chaperones To define field trip goals To ensure that CPS regulations regarding student extracurricular activities are followed

CPS Mission Statement Through the combined efforts of students, parents, community, and staff, our mission is to provide a quality education in a safe environment that will ensure that all students attain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to become lifelong learners and productive citizens.

Field Trip Belief Statements All chaperones will receive this document during this orientation program

Guidelines for Field Trip Chaperones (Non-School Employees) As a chaperone, you are working with students under the direction of a teacher/sponsor/coach

Expectations of a Chaperone You must reflect the positive attitudes sought by the program and school system You must be supportive of the teacher/sponsor/coach and decisions made by each You must be aware of and strive to achieve the expectations of the teacher/sponsor/coach, the program, and the students

Expectations of a Chaperone Good judgment and common sense must prevail The safety of the student is the upmost importance at all times If you doubt something, ask a question

Expectations of a Chaperone Chaperones cannot engage in the following under any circumstances: Use profanity during a field trip or in casual conversation with students/parents Use verbal abuse, racial slurs or other derogatory comments at any time Engage in relationships (other than as a supervising adult chaperone) with a student

Expectations of a Chaperone Chaperones cannot engage in the following under any circumstances: Socialize with students outside of the field trip time unless it is a parent chaperoned activity (a wall of separation must exist between chaperones and students concerning social gatherings) Offer criticism in a destructive manner Go directly against the objectives set forth by the teacher/sponsor/coach Consume alcohol at any time during a field trip

Responsibilities of a Chaperone Must be screened through the Sex-Offender Registry Must meet with the teacher/sponsor/coach to ensure clear understanding of the field trip objectives Must report to the teacher/sponsor/coach any incidents that may be in violation of Chesapeake Public Schools policies and regulations

Responsibilities of a Chaperone All student activities must be supervised at all times Male and female students may not fraternize in hotel rooms Again, if you doubt something, ask a question before moving on!

Responsibilities of a Chaperone Specific Duties: Enforce rules established by the teacher/sponsor/coach Supervise each activity closely Provide proper guidance at all times Warn of inherent risk

Responsibilities of a Chaperone Specific Duties: Assist in providing a safe physical environment If an accident occurs, request help and evaluate the student for injury or incapacity Assist with record keeping, if asked Assist in the safe transportation of students

Virginia’s Anti-Hazing Law As a chaperone, you must be knowledgeable of this law to prevent its occurrence: It shall be unlawful to haze, or otherwise mistreat so as to cause bodily injury, to any student at a school, college, or university.

Virginia’s Anti-Hazing Law Any person found guilty thereof shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, unless the injury would be such as to constitute a felony, and in that event the punishment shall be inflicted as is otherwise provided by law for the punishment of such felony.

Virginia’s Anti-Hazing Law Any person receiving bodily injury by hazing or mistreatment shall have a right to sue, in civil court, the person(s) guilty thereof, whether adults or infants.

Definition of Hazing Hazing occurs when an act is committed against a student or a student is coerced into committing an act that creates a substantial risk of harm to the student or to any third party in order for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with any school group, club, athletic team, grade level, activity or organization.

Examples of Hazing Any activity involving an unreasonable risk of physical harm, including paddling, beating, whipping, branding, electric shock, sleep deprivation, exposure to weather, placement of harmful substances on the body and participation in physically dangerous activities.

Examples of Hazing Any activity involving the consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco products, or any other food, liquid, or other substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of physical harm.

Examples of Hazing Any activity that subjects a student to an extreme and unreasonable level of embarrassment, shame or humiliation or which creates a hostile, abusive, and intimidating environment for the student. Activities involving any violation of federal, state or local law, or any violation of school district policies and regulations is hazing.

SUPERINTENDENT’S DO’S AND DON’TS $ Handle money carefully Communicate clearly with Students Parents Teachers/Sponsor/Coach Administration (Principal) Community

SUPERINTENDENT’S DO’S AND DON’TS con’t. Document discipline concerns Be careful what you say to the media Don’ts Verbally abuse Emotionally abuse Physically abuse

Thanks for all you do!