PARENT TRANSPORTATION EXPECTATIONS

OVERVIEW OF TRANSPORTATION & TRAVEL POLICY

Because the School operates primarily online, transportation services are minimal and optional.

However, safety procedures are required for:

Hybrid center travel
Field trips
Community-based learning
Family drop-off/pick-up
Staff travel for school duties
Virtual field experience participation

All transportation activities must comply with state laws, insurance requirements, and school safety policies.

GENERAL TRANSPORTATION POLICY

School-Provided Transportation

The School does not generally provide daily transportation services.

Transportation MAY be provided for:

Field trips
Hybrid center special events
Assessments (optional)
School-sponsored enrichment experiences

Transportation availability depends on:

Budget
Staffing
State voucher guidelines
Safety requirements

When provided, only school-authorized vehicles and insured drivers may transport students.

Parent/Guardian Transportation Responsibilities

Parents are responsible for:

Transporting students to hybrid centers
Transporting students to scheduled assessments
Transporting students to optional hybrid sessions
Transporting students for field trips unless school transportation is provided

Parents must ensure:

Timely drop-off and pick-up
Appropriate supervision during travel
Compliance with hybrid center safety guidelines

Carpooling Policy

The School does not arrange carpools.

Parents may independently coordinate carpools but the School:

Assumes no responsibility for carpool arrangements
Cannot verify carpool driver backgrounds
Does not insure private vehicles

DROP-OFF & PICK-UP PROCEDURES (HYBRID CENTERS)

Drop-Off Procedures

Parents must:

Follow posted signs
Remain in car unless instructed
Only drop off in designated zones
Ensure student enters the center safely
Avoid blocking traffic

Staff must be present during drop-off windows.

Pick-Up Procedures

Procedures include:

Showing approved ID (if required)
Using authorized pick-up list
Remaining in vehicle in carline
Following staff direction
Signing out if picking up early

Students are released ONLY to authorized adults.

Late Pick-Up Policy

Parents arriving after the pick-up window may incur:

Late pick-up fees (if applicable)
Documented incident reports
Required parent meetings for repeated lateness

FIELD TRIP POLICIES

Purpose of Field Trips

Field trips extend learning by offering:

Hands-on experiences
Real-world applications
Cultural enrichment
SEL growth
Career exploration
Thrively passion project connections

Hybrid and virtual students may participate equally wherever feasible.

Field Trip Approval Policy

All field trips must be:

Requested at least 30 days in advance
Aligned with curriculum standards
Approved by administration
Within budget limitations
Supported by risk assessment

Required Documentation

Each field trip requires:

Permission slips (signed by legal guardian)
Emergency contact forms
Medical needs disclosure
Chaperone agreements
Transportation roster

Students without permission forms cannot participate.

Supervision Requirements

Hybrid field trip ratios:

Elementary: 1 adult per 8–10 students
Middle: 1 adult per 10–12 students

All chaperones must:

Complete background checks
Attend a pre-trip briefing
Agree to supervision guidelines
Use approved communication devices

Student Conduct Expectations on Field Trips

Students must:

Follow directions immediately
Stay with assigned group
Use respectful behavior in public spaces
Demonstrate safety awareness
Follow digital device rules
Use school-appropriate language

Violations may result in removal from future trips.

Transportation for Field Trips

If the School provides a vehicle:

Drivers must be insured and approved
Students must remain seated
Seatbelts used at all times
Emergency contact lists must be accessible

If parents provide transportation:

They assume all liability
They must follow trip arrival/drop-off guidelines

The School does NOT allow students to drive themselves.

Medical, Dietary & Accessibility Accommodations

Teachers must review:

Medication needs
Allergies
Accessibility requirements
Special accommodations

Appropriate supports must be provided when feasible.

VIRTUAL FIELD EXPERIENCES

Purpose of Virtual Field Trips

Virtual field trips expand opportunities cost-effectively by offering:

Museum livestreams
Outdoor nature webcams
Virtual career experiences
Guest speaker sessions
Virtual science lab simulations
Thrively-aligned passion exploration experiences

Virtual Field Experience Conduct Policy

Students must:

Remain on camera (unless accommodations apply)
Engage respectfully
Use appropriate chat messages
Follow teacher instructions
Complete required assignments or reflections

Students removed for behavior may be assigned alternative work.

Safety & Privacy in Virtual Field Trips

Staff must ensure:

Only enrolled students have access
Recording rules are adhered to
Links are secured and not publicly posted
Chat is monitored
Breakout activities follow safety protocol

OVERNIGHT TRIPS, EXTENDED TRAVEL & SPECIAL EVENTS

Overnight Trip Eligibility

Overnight or multi-day trips require:

Board approval
Parent information meeting
Additional permission forms
Emergency contact updates
Medical clearance if needed

Only students with positive behavior records may attend.

Funding for Travel

Travel may be funded through:

Family payments
School budget (limited)
Grants
Fundraising (must follow Section 11 policies)

Voucher funds typically cannot cover travel costs.

Safety Protocols

Includes:

Separate sleeping arrangements by gender
Nighttime supervision
Curfew enforcement
Emergency procedures specific to trip location
Documentation of student whereabouts at all times

STAFF TRAVEL POLICY

Staff Transportation of Students

Staff may NOT transport students in personal vehicles unless:

Approved in writing by administration
Insurance documentation is provided
Background checks are up to date
Parent permission is obtained
No other transportation is available

This is strongly discouraged and only permitted under exceptional circumstances.

Staff Travel Reimbursement

Staff traveling for school duties may receive reimbursement for:

Mileage (at approved rate)
Lodging (with receipts)
Meals (per diem or receipt-based)
Registration fees for training
Parking/toll expenses

All travel must be pre-approved.

SAFETY INCIDENTS DURING TRAVEL OR FIELD EXPERIENCES

Incident Response

If an incident occurs on a trip:

Supervisor assesses situation
Provide first aid if trained
Contact administration
Notify parents
Document incident
File insurance report (if needed)

Lost or Missing Child Procedure

Steps:

1. Notify administration immediately
2. Contact venue security
3. Contact parent
4. Contact law enforcement if not found within minutes
5. Document entire timeline

Parent Transportation Expectations