School District warns parents of unsanctioned
trips
May 7, 2010
For immediate release
(Abbotsford, BC--) The Abbotsford School District is alerting parents and guardians of secondary school students to be aware of non-school sanctioned excursions being marketed to students. Of particular note are excursions by a business which promotes trips, during various holiday times, to out of country destinations. These trips are advertised as being “overseen (by company personnel) that includes Canadian high school teachers.” Abbotsford School District personnel are not officially part of these trips. A greater concern is the marketing approach which centers on recruiting a few students at each school to organize and sign-up other students.
“The reports we receive indicate students give parents and families the impression these are school-sanctioned trips” notes School District Superintendent Julie MacRae. “They most definitely are not sanctioned by our schools. Recently, we had some disturbing eyewitness accounts of regrettable behaviour by students from our District during an excursion with one of these companies at spring break in the Dominican Republic. We advise parents to be very involved in any decision about allowing students to travel out of country without parents or family, and to have a conversation with their sons or daughters about the potential for problems, including exposure to alcohol and other risk behaviour on such trips.”
“Our schools and District work hard to foster a positive, safe and healthy environment that encourages student growth” says the Superintendent. “This includes being pro-active in advising parents and families when we come across matters that can result in negative consequences and behaviour, including these unsanctioned trips. We appreciate parents and families being aware of their sons and daughters activities. If parents have any concerns about student travel, we encourage them to contact their school administrators or District Administration.”
“When it comes to out of province or country field trips that are sanctioned by the District, there will be very clear communications from the school, including permission forms to be signed by parents and guardians” advises Superintendent MacRae. “These field trips are supervised and monitored by teachers and parents who accompany the students.”
Dave Stephen
Manager, Communications,
Abbotsford School District (#34)
604.859.4891, ext. 1206
dave_stephen@sd34.bc.ca
www.sd34.bc.ca
Mail/ location:
2790 Tims St.,
Abbotsford, BC V2T 4M7
May 7, 2010
For immediate release
(Abbotsford, BC--) The Abbotsford School District is alerting parents and guardians of secondary school students to be aware of non-school sanctioned excursions being marketed to students. Of particular note are excursions by a business which promotes trips, during various holiday times, to out of country destinations. These trips are advertised as being “overseen (by company personnel) that includes Canadian high school teachers.” Abbotsford School District personnel are not officially part of these trips. A greater concern is the marketing approach which centers on recruiting a few students at each school to organize and sign-up other students.
“The reports we receive indicate students give parents and families the impression these are school-sanctioned trips” notes School District Superintendent Julie MacRae. “They most definitely are not sanctioned by our schools. Recently, we had some disturbing eyewitness accounts of regrettable behaviour by students from our District during an excursion with one of these companies at spring break in the Dominican Republic. We advise parents to be very involved in any decision about allowing students to travel out of country without parents or family, and to have a conversation with their sons or daughters about the potential for problems, including exposure to alcohol and other risk behaviour on such trips.”
“Our schools and District work hard to foster a positive, safe and healthy environment that encourages student growth” says the Superintendent. “This includes being pro-active in advising parents and families when we come across matters that can result in negative consequences and behaviour, including these unsanctioned trips. We appreciate parents and families being aware of their sons and daughters activities. If parents have any concerns about student travel, we encourage them to contact their school administrators or District Administration.”
“When it comes to out of province or country field trips that are sanctioned by the District, there will be very clear communications from the school, including permission forms to be signed by parents and guardians” advises Superintendent MacRae. “These field trips are supervised and monitored by teachers and parents who accompany the students.”
Dave Stephen
Manager, Communications,
Abbotsford School District (#34)
604.859.4891, ext. 1206
dave_stephen@sd34.bc.ca
www.sd34.bc.ca
Mail/ location:
2790 Tims St.,
Abbotsford, BC V2T 4M7