Off Campus Education

encourage them to take the risks that real learning requires, support their internal motivation to learn, and report on progress to parents in written reports and conferences. Grades would be a distraction to this authentic learning.

On off-campus education during the 2022–2023 school year: The health and safety of our students and teachers are always a top priority for us. While these trips are important aspects of our program at SFFS, we always consider a variety of factors as to if/when we should embark on them. Weather, accessibility, and transportation are just a few of the variables we evaluate. With regards to COVID-19, we consult with various agencies and organizations and do a thoughtful and thorough risk assessment, focused on the health and safety of our students and staff. While we aim to run off campus education programs this school year, we will continue to monitor and evaluate the ever-changing landscape of the virus, and communicate as often as we can about our thinking and decision-making.

Field Trips – Each grade level takes several field trips each year, including local trips (to museums, cultural events, the library, or various service learning projects) and trips further afield to the beach, the woods, or a farm. We’ll send home permission slips for any excursion that involves parent--driven carpools or a school bus—please be prompt in returning those forms; we don’t want to have to leave anyone behind. We send home a “blanket” permission slip during the summer for field trips that are within walking distance of school or easily accessible by public transport. Our student/chaperone ratio is between 5:1 and 10:1, depending upon the age of the children, and the nature of the trip and activity. (See Outdoor Education for information about overnight trips.)

For trips further afield we either rent buses or use parent drivers. In order to drive for a trip, parent drivers must submit a Volunteer Driver Registration Form and a Motor Vehicle Report Consent Form at least five business days prior to departure. All drivers must have a clean driving record and proof of current auto insurance on file. Our Front Desk Clerk submits DMV background checks for all parent drivers and if there are any issues or missing items the parent will not be able to drive.

Outdoor Education and Trips – Our outdoor education programs and overnight trips seek to immerse our students in cultures, people, histories, experiences, and environments that are completely different from their own. These trips challenge students through healthy risk-taking, encouraging them to stretch themselves in ways they cannot at school. We see