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.

4

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

6

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)