International Field Trips
School Council Chair and Trustee General Meeting
Oct 4, 2016
International Field Trips • District decision to put a Moratorium on
International Travel 2015/16 school year • Revisit in 2016/17 • Engaging with parents and the school
community as part of the decision making process
• Board and District Administration working together
Decision Rationale • Our district has a legal obligation to
ensure a safe and caring environment. Student, staff and chaperone safety is first and foremost.
• Increase in recent terrorist attacks and mass casualty shootings outside of Canada create unnecessary risk to staff and students.
3
Decision Rationale
• Staying in Canada has advantages • Crossing any border carries a risk. • International trips are considered
enhancements and not curricular requirements.
• Harm or loss of life would be inexcusable.
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First-hand Experience • St. Mary’s trip to France / Belgium • We are one of the only districts to
have direct experience in this issue
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Stakeholder Feedback • Concern of safety was shared by many • Multiple meetings with senior high
principals and district administration • Condensed consultation with a small
sample of teachers and parents • Diversity of responses • Consultation with Metro Superintendents • Communication with Tour Companies • Consultation with Business Services • Discussions with Board of Trustees
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Advisement from Urban Schools Insurance
Consortium (USIC) • Recommends that all international travel
sanctioned by USIC members be re-evaluated for the remainder of 2015 and going forward through all of 2016.
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Committee Work Currently
• We have had a committee reviewing our processes for the past year and half
• Mitigating risks – always potential for financial loss, etc.
• This work continues
2013-2014
# schools # students Can USA Intl
Senior High 9 830 3 6 10
Junior High 0 0 0 0 0
2014-2015
# schools # students Can USA Intl
Senior High 8 1008 0 9 10
Junior High 4 229 4 0 0 Represents approx 8% or less of our SH students
Benefits of International Travel for students
• International Fine Arts competitions
• Visits to Holy sites throughout world (St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican)
• Visits to historically significant locations (Auschwitz, war memorials)
Benefits (cont.)
• Visits to Art Galleries throughout world (New York City)
• Students travelling to world locations where English is not the primary language
• An opportunity for students to ‘travel’ together…
Travel risks • Mode of travel • Destinations • Activities • Complex needs of student travelers • Dynamics of group (chaperones and students) • Natural disasters or Disease (eg: earthquake, Zika
Virus) • Terrorism • Geo-political • Service Provider • Travel insurance coverages
Current Status • Continue our moratorium on international
travel • Continue and expand our consultation
process to inform future decision
Consultation Process • Use IAP2 process with a strong educational
focus o Spectrum of Consultation = Inform o Use feedback to the maximum extent possible
• DLC – Sept 27th • School Council Chair and Trustee General
Meeting Oct 4th • Use Principal’s Councils, School Councils,
Parent and Trustee Forum, TAC, SAC • Transition year…
October 13, 2015 15
Our Public Participation Goal
IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation
© 2005 International Association for Public Participation
October 13, 2015 16
Our Public Participation Promise
IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation
© 2005 International Association for Public Participation
Sustainable Decisions Sustainable decisions combine all
four elements: Technically feasible
• Educationally sound and in the best interest of students
Economically viable • Fiscal responsibility
Environmentally compatible • Provincial and district
parameters
Publicly acceptable • From ‘me to we’ thinking • All stakeholders
October 13, 2015 17
© 2005 International Association for Public Participation
Questions • What factors are most important
for you in determining if your child will take part in a travel experience?
• What would you like us to know in regards to travel as we revisit the moratorium on international travel?
Table Talk and Consultation with SC Chairs
• Designate one principal per table to take a lead with facilitating the conversation
• Principal with laptop will record SC Chair
responses
Timeline • Principals will have tonight's PPoint • Expectation is that there will be a joint
presentation at your SC meeting (you and your Principal – however you decide…)
• We need feedback from your School Council by the end of November (Oct or Nov meetings)
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