Field Trip Information
Fifth grade will go on one field trip during the year for sure. It is normally in the spring. There is a possibility that another field trip will be taken in the fall, but that is not a guarantee.
Spring Field Trip: TBD
Chaperone Criteria:
- At least 21 years old
- Criminal background screened (use School Volunteer Application Form--forms are on the website under families and volunteer) and are an approved volunteer-only accepted in August and January
- Physically able to do the job
- Able to work well with students
| volunteer_application_packet_revised_2023.5.25.pdf |
Chaperone Guidelines:
We want to thank you for volunteering to chaperone a field trip/event hosted by ACA. We know that every person brings unique insights and understandings that contribute to the success of a field trip. We appreciate the insights that you bring and your contributions to our students during a field trip.
Our primary concern during any trip is the safety and security of every student. We realize additionally, that every volunteer chaperone and every staff member is a role model to the students who are participating in the trip. Students will often imitate the behavior of adults around them. Therefore, we expect volunteer chaperones and staff to model behavior that reflects the vision, mission, and standards of ACA.
Specific Expectations of Every Volunteer Chaperone or Staff Member:
Appropriate Dress
• Please dress to be a good role model for the students. Meet or exceed the student dress code for ACA.
• Meet or exceed the dress expectations for the event or occasion. For example, if students are expected to wear blue jeans and an ACA shirt, please match the students’ dress as closely as possible in your selections for dress.
• Be careful not to wear any clothing that has inappropriate advertisement, language, insinuation, or provocative display and would not be representative of ACA’s standards.
Appropriate Behavior
• All school rules apply on school-sponsored events. Chaperones are expected to comply with school policies, follow the directions given by the school’s supervising staff member, work cooperatively with other staff and volunteers, and model appropriate behaviors for students.
• Different venues may require different behavioral expectations. For example, the tone of voice or behaviors expected in a museum might sharply contrast from the tone of voice or behaviors used at an amusement park. Please be aware of the expectations required in any particular venue and model appropriately for students.
• Volunteers are expected to give verbal direction and appropriate corrective instructions to students when needed. Volunteers are not to utilize any disciplinary measures other than calm vocal redirection when needed. Volunteers are to refer any disciplinary issues to staff or administration in charge.
• School rules related to student behavior apply. Go over rules and standards of behavior, safety rules, and any site- specific rules with students. Ensure that students do not get involved in extra activities that are not pre-approved by administrators and parents.
• During the entire duration of the trip from time of departure until time of return, in keeping with school standards and educator ethics, no alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, controlled substances, or weapons should be present or used.
• Please use school appropriate language; refrain from use of provocative or profane language.
• Because the school must obtain prior written permission from a child’s parent before transportation is provided, do not transport any students in your car or other vehicle unless they are your own children.
• Do not administer any medications, prescription or nonprescription, to students.
Appropriate Presence
• Students must be supervised at all times while at school-sponsored events. As a chaperone, you will supervise a small group of students, helping them learn and making sure they behave appropriately. Students must stay with you, their chaperone, at all times. Go over the use of the buddy system with students under your care. Account for all participants regularly and before changing activities. Be sure you know when and where to meet the rest of your group at the end of the visit. Chaperones must be readily available, be mindful of safety concerns, and respond to students’ needs.
• Remain with your group at all times. Assigned groups are typically no larger than one adult chaperone for every 10 students and are often smaller if possible. You should only leave your group if you have an emergency and notify another adult near you or if you make prior arrangements with administration.
• Be sure students are supervised at all times and never left unattended. A student assigned to your group must stay with your group at all times. If you cannot see a student, they are not supervised.
• For the protection of both the student and the chaperone, chaperones should not place themselves in situations in which they are alone with a student.
• Family members or friends of a chaperone may not participate in a school-sponsored field trip or event unless prior approval is given from the principal. Additional children can distract you from your duties as a chaperone.
• Be sure to know what to do in an emergency (medical emergency, natural emergency, lost child, serious breach of rule, etc.). Know who is first aid trained, where the first aid kit is, where the cell phone is kept, and who has the copies of parental permission slips with emergency phone numbers and medical information.
• Attempt to schedule restroom and other breaks for the entire group so that students do not have a need to leave the group. Pair students who have restroom emergencies so that they are not left alone.
• If you have to return early, you must receive permission from the administrator in charge and arrange for your responsibilities to be covered by another volunteer or staff person.
WHO Can Be a Chaperone
A chaperone or volunteer chaperone is a person at least 21 years of age who accompanies students to supervise their activities or behavior and who offers their services to Arlington Classics Academy without receipt of monetary compensation. At least one teacher per group or class must attend along with the chaperone. There must be at least one adult chaperone and one staff member on each bus or unit of transportation.
A chaperone must be an ACA approved volunteer. Approved Volunteers must annually submit an application and annually submit to a background check to determine eligibility (approval) to volunteer. The volunteer screening process occurs during two volunteer enrollment periods at the beginning and middle of the school year. The screening process requires a minimum of seven (7) school days.
Our primary concern during any trip is the safety and security of every student. We realize additionally, that every volunteer chaperone and every staff member is a role model to the students who are participating in the trip. Students will often imitate the behavior of adults around them. Therefore, we expect volunteer chaperones and staff to model behavior that reflects the vision, mission, and standards of ACA.
Specific Expectations of Every Volunteer Chaperone or Staff Member:
Appropriate Dress
• Please dress to be a good role model for the students. Meet or exceed the student dress code for ACA.
• Meet or exceed the dress expectations for the event or occasion. For example, if students are expected to wear blue jeans and an ACA shirt, please match the students’ dress as closely as possible in your selections for dress.
• Be careful not to wear any clothing that has inappropriate advertisement, language, insinuation, or provocative display and would not be representative of ACA’s standards.
Appropriate Behavior
• All school rules apply on school-sponsored events. Chaperones are expected to comply with school policies, follow the directions given by the school’s supervising staff member, work cooperatively with other staff and volunteers, and model appropriate behaviors for students.
• Different venues may require different behavioral expectations. For example, the tone of voice or behaviors expected in a museum might sharply contrast from the tone of voice or behaviors used at an amusement park. Please be aware of the expectations required in any particular venue and model appropriately for students.
• Volunteers are expected to give verbal direction and appropriate corrective instructions to students when needed. Volunteers are not to utilize any disciplinary measures other than calm vocal redirection when needed. Volunteers are to refer any disciplinary issues to staff or administration in charge.
• School rules related to student behavior apply. Go over rules and standards of behavior, safety rules, and any site- specific rules with students. Ensure that students do not get involved in extra activities that are not pre-approved by administrators and parents.
• During the entire duration of the trip from time of departure until time of return, in keeping with school standards and educator ethics, no alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, controlled substances, or weapons should be present or used.
• Please use school appropriate language; refrain from use of provocative or profane language.
• Because the school must obtain prior written permission from a child’s parent before transportation is provided, do not transport any students in your car or other vehicle unless they are your own children.
• Do not administer any medications, prescription or nonprescription, to students.
Appropriate Presence
• Students must be supervised at all times while at school-sponsored events. As a chaperone, you will supervise a small group of students, helping them learn and making sure they behave appropriately. Students must stay with you, their chaperone, at all times. Go over the use of the buddy system with students under your care. Account for all participants regularly and before changing activities. Be sure you know when and where to meet the rest of your group at the end of the visit. Chaperones must be readily available, be mindful of safety concerns, and respond to students’ needs.
• Remain with your group at all times. Assigned groups are typically no larger than one adult chaperone for every 10 students and are often smaller if possible. You should only leave your group if you have an emergency and notify another adult near you or if you make prior arrangements with administration.
• Be sure students are supervised at all times and never left unattended. A student assigned to your group must stay with your group at all times. If you cannot see a student, they are not supervised.
• For the protection of both the student and the chaperone, chaperones should not place themselves in situations in which they are alone with a student.
• Family members or friends of a chaperone may not participate in a school-sponsored field trip or event unless prior approval is given from the principal. Additional children can distract you from your duties as a chaperone.
• Be sure to know what to do in an emergency (medical emergency, natural emergency, lost child, serious breach of rule, etc.). Know who is first aid trained, where the first aid kit is, where the cell phone is kept, and who has the copies of parental permission slips with emergency phone numbers and medical information.
• Attempt to schedule restroom and other breaks for the entire group so that students do not have a need to leave the group. Pair students who have restroom emergencies so that they are not left alone.
• If you have to return early, you must receive permission from the administrator in charge and arrange for your responsibilities to be covered by another volunteer or staff person.
WHO Can Be a Chaperone
A chaperone or volunteer chaperone is a person at least 21 years of age who accompanies students to supervise their activities or behavior and who offers their services to Arlington Classics Academy without receipt of monetary compensation. At least one teacher per group or class must attend along with the chaperone. There must be at least one adult chaperone and one staff member on each bus or unit of transportation.
A chaperone must be an ACA approved volunteer. Approved Volunteers must annually submit an application and annually submit to a background check to determine eligibility (approval) to volunteer. The volunteer screening process occurs during two volunteer enrollment periods at the beginning and middle of the school year. The screening process requires a minimum of seven (7) school days.
