Field trips are a part of academics that many students look forward to. Because, let’s be honest, being able to skip class for a fun trip for a special event makes nearly every teen happy.
However, field trip forms are necessary to go on these trips. The forms are signed by both a parent and the student and hold students accountable for their schoolwork while they’re gone.
Senior Nisha Iyer explains the type of form that is signed and also why the form is needed.
“You sign a form that holds you responsible for the homework that you miss,” Iyer said. “It also allows for teachers to know that you’re going to be out, so it avoids any miscommunication.”
Sophomore Taiesha Goyal adds that the schoolwork load is manageable depending on each student’s activities.
“My field trip was on a Friday, so it was already less stressful than it could have been,” Goyal said. “I’m used to completing my homework in a short amount of time because of tennis, so it wasn’t that bad, but I think for the average student who doesn’t have a sport or many other commitments, it would have been harder.”
As a teacher who has both taken students on a field trip and had students miss her class because of them, English teacher Kristen DiGiorgio-Kadich offers her opinion on what each student should do when going on a field trip.
“You need to communicate with your teachers in advance that you will be gone,” DiGiorgio-Kadich said. “You are responsible for checking to see what work you missed and then communicating with that teacher either before or after class, or during M30, to make sure you are making that up.”
Victory House counselor Bob Vozza adds his own advice on staying on top of the work that students miss due to field trips.
“The sponsor of the field trip thinks it’s an educational benefit, so I encourage people to go on field trips,” Vozza said. “I would just ask the student to communicate and be upfront with their teachers. Here’s where I’m going. Here’s what I’m doing. The teachers and students should be on the same page knowing what is going to be missed and when those assignments should be due.”
On the student side of things, Iyer states that you should measure your capability to make up work when considering a field trip.
“Before you sign up for a field trip, make sure you can handle it,” Iyer said. “I think field trips are really good opportunities to pursue what you like to do during the school day or show your talents to other students, but just know what you’re signing up for.”
Goyal advises her fellow students to get ahead of assignments when they have an upcoming field trip.
“When you know in advance that you’re going on a field trip, just try to finish your work as soon as possible instead of procrastinating because you’re going to be drained when you come back,” Goyal said. “Plus, if you finish your work ahead of the field trip, then you don’t have to worry about homework during your trip.”
