Field Trips: Again, a Source of Confusion
Or are they?
I will be writing a larger story about the annual Garfield field trip for their Marine Biology class. (The school has been taking this trip for about 40 years and many students have said it was a catalyst to their interest in going into the field.)
For right now, though, I thought it valid to state how this issue might be an issue for other schools AND the continuing need for the district to be clear on field trip policy.
I am waiting for feedback to my questions from district communications but here's the confusion that I have concern about for these parents (and other parents).
1) Someone told the parents the trip was on. It wasn't the teacher but someone did. The parents all put down a non-refundable deposit based on that information only to see the district say no, the trip was off.
You could understand how parents could be upset for a couple of reasons. One, losing money and two, their child's disappointment that a trip that was on is now off.
2) What I was told is that the district, possibly based on some behavior issues from past trips, decided a "supervisor" from the district had to go on the trip. I am seeking to clarify what/who that can mean.
Apparently, Garfield could not find someone to fulfill this requirement, so the trip was off.
3) Parents then sought out a group, Post 24, which organizes just such trips. The "school trip" was now not a school trip as it was now privately organized.
However, the teacher, Jonathan Stever, sought to join the students. But the district said no because if he were there, then it was a school trip. (Part of this issue is that the trip is two days on either side of the Spring break so that he would not be at school those four days, just as the students wouldn't be. Naturally, he would be using vacation time for those days.)
Not only was he told he couldn't go; he was told if he did it would be "insubordination." I'm not sure I think a teacher who has organized/created curriculum for a long-time trip is exactly being insubordinate in wanting to go. He is not going but that seemed like a big stick to bring out to make sure he didn't.
So what I find puzzling is the lengths that the district seems to be going to prevent this trip.
Ah, but then there is the news that the parents of a girl who went on the trip several years back and who suffered an accidental head injury are now going to sue the district over the accident. (I believe the Times will be having this story published in the next couple of days.)
I wish the district would be clear on this issue. Parents need to know the parameters about field trips and yet these issues keep coming up. Whiplashing parents and students back and forth serves no one and frankly, makes the district look like their policies are weak and unclear.
I will be writing a larger story about the annual Garfield field trip for their Marine Biology class. (The school has been taking this trip for about 40 years and many students have said it was a catalyst to their interest in going into the field.)
For right now, though, I thought it valid to state how this issue might be an issue for other schools AND the continuing need for the district to be clear on field trip policy.
I am waiting for feedback to my questions from district communications but here's the confusion that I have concern about for these parents (and other parents).
1) Someone told the parents the trip was on. It wasn't the teacher but someone did. The parents all put down a non-refundable deposit based on that information only to see the district say no, the trip was off.
You could understand how parents could be upset for a couple of reasons. One, losing money and two, their child's disappointment that a trip that was on is now off.
2) What I was told is that the district, possibly based on some behavior issues from past trips, decided a "supervisor" from the district had to go on the trip. I am seeking to clarify what/who that can mean.
Apparently, Garfield could not find someone to fulfill this requirement, so the trip was off.
3) Parents then sought out a group, Post 24, which organizes just such trips. The "school trip" was now not a school trip as it was now privately organized.
However, the teacher, Jonathan Stever, sought to join the students. But the district said no because if he were there, then it was a school trip. (Part of this issue is that the trip is two days on either side of the Spring break so that he would not be at school those four days, just as the students wouldn't be. Naturally, he would be using vacation time for those days.)
Not only was he told he couldn't go; he was told if he did it would be "insubordination." I'm not sure I think a teacher who has organized/created curriculum for a long-time trip is exactly being insubordinate in wanting to go. He is not going but that seemed like a big stick to bring out to make sure he didn't.
So what I find puzzling is the lengths that the district seems to be going to prevent this trip.
Ah, but then there is the news that the parents of a girl who went on the trip several years back and who suffered an accidental head injury are now going to sue the district over the accident. (I believe the Times will be having this story published in the next couple of days.)
I wish the district would be clear on this issue. Parents need to know the parameters about field trips and yet these issues keep coming up. Whiplashing parents and students back and forth serves no one and frankly, makes the district look like their policies are weak and unclear.
Comments
SPSP
How do you know that the details of the threat of the GHS student arrested Friday? (as per Ted Howard's letter to GHS families today)Is that the basis of the student's threat, or is that rumor?
http://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle-student-arrested-for-threats-that-teacher-reportedly-dismissed/281-521819975
-TBD
No not the Hawaii trip that is being discussed, I’ve never been to Hawaii.
Personally, even though they have been going to Hawaii for probably 20 years, it is fairly restrictive.
They dont have space for all students in the marine biology classes, and the funds needed are more than many can afford.
However, I do think field trips are invaluable. Along with the Padilla Bay and eastsrn Wa field trips, we have the San Juans right here!
Why not go there? I expected if it was more inclusive the district wouldnt be pushing so hard against it.
Still a “lottery”to go however, as there is not enough room for all students interested.
If a trip is an important part of the class, then it is an important part of the class.
-Pragmatic Xennial
Oceanography/Marine Science trips to Maui are not vacations; they are enhanced educational opportunities. Garfield and Ballard High Schools have run these trips for Oceanography/Marine Science students for years.
The GHS trip to Maui is open to current Oceanography students; there are a limited number of spots available because of the logistics of running such a trip (ratio of chaperones per students, space reserved at Camp Olowalu). Preference for attendance on this trip is given to current oceanography students; a wait list for other students (aka the "lottery") is maintained and, as spots open up due to cancellation etc, students who applied to attend the trip but aren't current oceanography students are randomly drawn from the wait list to fill the open spot.
Jet City Mom said "However, I do think field trips are invaluable. Along with the Padilla Bay and eastsrn Wa field trips, we have the San Juans right here!
Why not go there?"
Well, for one, the eco-system of the San Juans is different from Hawaii. If you're looking for biodiversity, the closer to the equator you get, the more diverse it is. Also, snokeling in the Puget Sound is not possible, and it's impossible to SCUBA dive w/o certification, which involves significant training & costs. Not everyone going on this Maui trip are SCUBA certified; they will be snorkeling instead.
Jet City mom says "Yes, if you qualify for FRL you can get financial assistance." That may be, but financial assistance is available for those who do not meet FRL guidelines. I have two students who are on this trip, and one was granted financial assistance by POST based on our ability to contribute to their trips x2. Also, there is a beach clean-up fundraiser that all attendees are expected to participate in.
Jet City mom says "I expected if it was more inclusive the district wouldnt be pushing so hard against it." If that is your expectation, you would be wrong. Ballard HS is on this very same trip right now; GHS parents have yet to hear what i's were dotted or t's crossed that allowed that trip to approved as a district-sanctioned trip, but GHS's was not.
If anyone has additional questions, I'm sure there are several parents who'd be happy to answer them here.
However, I assume the Maritime program is much bigger than that.
At Garfield for example, there were at least two Marine Bio classes with 32 students or so in each class.
If as you say funds were available to assist everyone who wanted to go, it seems restrictive to limit it to less than half the students.
My student was interested in majoring in Marine Biology and was very disappointed when they were not selected to attend.
I realize that the islands of the Salish Sea are quite different than the islands of Hawaii, but what is the priority here?
To give a few students an amazing opportunity, or to give more students a great opportunity?
It was my understanding when my class of 2016 student was not selected for the trip was that there were a certain number of bunks at the cabins at the study area, and that reason determined how many could go. It also could be the chaperone ratio. It is my understanding that it used to be that UW students who had been GHS alumns of the program were chaperones.
I suspect we all know the answer. No. We don’t take IAs to Hawaii!!! Why should they get a vacay at district expense.l? No. Students with disabilities aren’t in our super programs that go on big trips. They aren’t worth it. For students with disabilities... it’s do the minimum. No field trips. No Hawaii. No Marine Biology. No Biotech.
Folks. So sorry. All means all. Until we figure out the basics of equity....
Cancel Thetrips
General guidelines, are chaperones must be 21, to supervise elementary students on day trips, chaperones must be 25 years or older to supervise middle and high school students for any event.
I am not an expert on it since my student did not go. Maybe they were 25...
-TBD
-TBD
"If you need me to post links to the various news stories to back this post up, happy to do so."
Yes, TBD, please do post a link to news reports of the specific incident you mentioned: POST trip leader who killed himself when it came out that he was using the trips to have access to students for sex. My google searches are coming up empty.
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000203&slug=4002678
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000224&slug=4006544
reader
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000203&slug=4002678
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000613&slug=4026522
https://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Garfield-High-again-seeks-principal-after-Day-1055734.php
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/former-garfield-high-teacher-charged-with-having-sex-with-student/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/700000-settlement-reached-in-garfield-high-field-trip-case/
http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2014/07/seattle-school-district-under-fire-for-handling-of-garfield-high-students-2012-rape-investigation/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/education/garfield-choir-teacher-fired-for-field-trip-lapses/
http://komonews.com/news/local/reports-of-drinking-groping-on-garfield-hs-field-trip-to-new-orleans
And here is past coverage of the some these same issues on this blog: http://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-tragic-story.html
I would post more links, but I’ve hit the Seattle Times pay wall.
-TBD
-TBD
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19991109&slug=2994216
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/State-won-t-punish-Garfield-ex-principal-accused-1084809.php
-TBD
Is it to say Garfield has issues?
Is it to say that overnight field trips shouldn't be allowed?
Is it to say that any field trips that are not equitable in all ways not be allowed?
I'm just asking because it seems this story hit a nerve.
I think they need a leadership change and new leadership needs to go on any overnight trip until a track record of safety and appropriate staff behavior can be build.
-TBD
“2) What I was told is that the district, possibly based on some behavior issues from past trips, decided a "supervisor" from the district had to go on the trip. I am seeking to clarify what/who that can mean.”
I was sharing what I think past trip issues may be.
-TBD
HP