I didn't intend to write a newsletter this week,
I was shocked into changing my mind, because of the truly terrifying report from the UK about 34 Hassidic teens who were almost drowned on a '
tiyyul' (= hike) on the English coast.
You can read details
here, more extensive links
here, or just Google 'Dover rescue'. The story was covered in all UK national media. T
here is extensive criticism of the supervising adults.
These 13 - 14 year-olds were improperly dressed, and set out without maps, guides, or supplies. The went clambering over rocks at the foot of some cliffs, and were trapped by a rising tide. They and their teachers were blissfully ignorant of potential danger, and according to authorities, ignored NINE warning signs. As several commentators have pointed out, over the years there have been six or seven similar incidents involving Haredi school groups (numbering fifteen to over eighty students) who have needed to be rescued after getting into danger on UK mountains and moorlands. A Beis Yaakov school was prosecuted and heavily fined after a similar incident. In every case, they were completely unequipped and unprepared for their expeditions.
Accidents or disasters in school or on school trips are prominent among the nightmares of every Principal. They happen in all sorts of circumstances.
But morally, professionally and legally the school must take every reasonable safety precaution.
Not to do so is appalling professional negligence.
In running a school, student safety and security comes above all other considerations.
So - without further comment on this or similar incidents in Israel and elsewhere - here are some BASIC organizational and safety protocols for schools to follow when planning trips of any sort:
Approval:
- Before any preparations begin, and before any announcement is made to students, the initiating staff member has to have the Principal's approval. Do not allow a teacher to announce a trip and then tell students "The Principal wouldn't allow it." Occasionally, teachers will propose trips that are impractical, inappropriate, too expensive, or that you cannot approve for all sorts of reasons. Do not allow yourself to be bullied. With your colleagues, judge the proposal on its merits. Do not approve any suggestions for obviously dangerous activities.
Planning:
- PLAN WELL AHEAD. The Principal should personally 'sign off' on all arrangements, and should not do so until s/he is satisfied that the preparations are complete. Before anything else, check with the school Insurance broker that the school has correct insurance for the trip, and take advice regarding parental waiver signatures, individual student insurance etc.
- Make a check-list of everything necessary - down to the last detail - to ensure a safe and successful trip.
- Budget carefully, and collect the cost of the trip before it sets out....
Staffing:
- If necessary - and ESPECIALLY if the trip involves hiking or other unfamiliar activity - connect with a qualified local guide, and make it part of the Trip Leader's responsibility to ensure that local advice is followed.
- Designate one Staff member the 'Trip Leader'.
- Make sure that each staff member has a clear list of their duties and responsibilities.
- Staffing ratios should be around one adult to every ten students. No group should ever leave with less than two adults, and if the school is co-ed, there must be both male and female staff accompanying. Choose them carefully.
- The first instruction to the Trip Leader is that if there is any doubt about the safety, security or advisability of any activity (planned or especially - unplanned) - DO NOT GO AHEAD
- Give all staff a folder containing:
- Names, addresses, emergency contact phone numbers, essential medical notes for all student participants
- Contact information for emergencies - including local contacts at the destination(s), local hospitals, your own 24-hr contact information, bus company contacts, insurance contacts, local rabbis/Jewish community contacts at destination (if applicable). If the trip is away over a Shabbat, make sure your staff are appropriately instructed, and make necessary arrangements for emergency protocols.
- The Trip leader must have, as a minimum, a cell phone (keep a school cell phone just for this purpose); a first-aid kit (are any of your staff qualified? Courses available for staff and students through the American Red Cross); and an adequate cash float for emergencies and reasonable expenses. A school credit card is also a good precaution.
Students:
- Students must fill out a comprehensive application form, which parents must sign. Students who have repeatedly shown that they cannot be trusted to take notice of instructions (especially safety instructions) - should be told they cannot participate.
- Every student participant must submit a medical form - ask your school nurse or a local physician to design one, and consult with them on individual problems.
- Issue instructions well in advance to student participants, including directions for clothing, footwear and other items they must bring with them.
- Draft a 'Safety and Behavior Code' which students and their parents have to sign, specifying circumstances under which students will be sent home (at parental expense). Go over this verbally before the trip sets out.
Parents:
- Issue an 'Information sheet' for parents. Do not give them the Trip Leader's cell phone number - give them your's, and tell them in case of emergency to call you, and you will contact the trip.
- If your school community is web-connected, it is a great idea to have someone on the trip (Staff or student) post a daily diary, with photos, on a 'trip blog', that parents can look at. You can also prepare links to sites about the places the group will visit along the way, which parents can read.
Debrief:
- When the trip returns - hopefully safely - have a debriefing with the staff to look at what was successful, what was problematic, and how the organization of future trips can be improved.
That is a very basic list. Overseas trips, to Israel or elsewhere, involve even more organization.
But the bottom line is that while everyone wants the students to enjoy themselves and benefit from the activity - in this and every other aspect of school management,
the safety and security of your students is your first, and primary, responsibility.
TAKEAWAY THOUGHTS:
- Do you have an established, documented and adhered-to process for approval and planning of all trips?
- Are you satisfied with it? Would it stand up to scrutiny? When was it last reviewed?
- Is it known to your staff, and detailed in the Staff Handbook?
- How many of your teachers are First-Aid certified?
- Have you reviewed recent trips to identify areas which need improvement?
PaulShavivConsulting is available to you for help and consultation - including speaking at Professional Development or conferences on any of the above issues.
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