At the CBE, we call “field trips” off-site activities. Off-site activities are learning experiences that occur away from the school site and are organized and supervised by the CBE. All off-site activities must adhere to our Administrative Regulation 3027 – Off-Site Activities.
Off-site activities enable students to participate in quality learning experiences that are:
- Supporting educational outcomes
- Relevant, flexible, and accessible
- Connected to the Alberta Program of Studies curriculum and learning outcomes, Guide to Education and CBE Results statements.
An off-site activity usually originates with the classroom teacher (called the teacher-in-charge) who makes a proposal to his or her principal. Once the activity is approved, the teacher will provide information to parents regarding the off-site activity including potential risks that are unique to the activity.
Student safety is always a priority for us, so before granting approval for each activity we carefully consider the following:
- Potential hazards or risks
- The kinds of incidents that could occur from these risks
- The safety procedures for the students, staff and volunteer
- The training needed for the activity and within the environment the activity takes place in
- The equipment needed for the activity and the training needed to ensure proper use of that equipment
- Emergency preparedness
- How and with whom will we communicate during the off-site activity
Preparing Your Child for an Off-Site Activity
- Read all of the information sent home with your child from the teacher.
- After reviewing information, if you want your child to participate in the off-site activity sign the Acknowledgment of Risk Form and any other documents provided by the teacher.
- A parent meeting is required for all overnight off-site activities, and may be held for other off-site activities.
- Talk to you child about the activity – where they will go, what they will do and what they will be learning about.
- The consent of the parent, guardian, or volunteer must be obtained before the student may participate in an off-site activity.
Volunteering for an Off-Site Activity
If you want to volunteer with an off-site activity, please keep in mind:
- Volunteers on an activity are considered as representatives of the Calgary Board of Education and are subject to the same expectations as staff.
- Volunteers are subject to the requirements of Administrative Regulation 5003 – Volunteers, which includes an application and a police security screening check.
- Volunteers must have the experience and qualifications appropriate for the activity.
- Volunteers are covered by the CBE’s liability insurance policy while performing their assigned duties.
- Volunteers are covered by WCB while performing their duties.
- Volunteers receive direction from and are accountable to the teacher-in-charge.
