Field Trips and Extracurricular Activities

As you know, school field trips and extracurricular activities offer many great benefits to children.

Extracurricular activities are a great way for students to make friends and discover new interests and hobbies. They're ideal for children who are not interested in school team sports or who may be sidelined from certain physical activities. Middle school and high school open up a whole new world of opportunities that are more scholarly and artistic, such as the chess club, orchestra, band, and service clubs. Getting involved in such activities will help your students explore their own identity and interests and build bonds with peers who share similar pursuits and passions. Indeed, activities started in middle or high school often continue throughout a lifetime.

When it comes to school field trips and extracurricular activities, students with bleeding disorders have a right to participate. A child cannot be denied participation due to needing medication, treatment, or special assistance. If a field trip is scheduled, it is important to give the parents enough time to plan for the student's needs. In some cases the parent might want to be a chaperone, and it is never a bad idea to have a staff member who has been educated about your student's bleeding disorder go along on the trip. Work with the school nurse and parents to ensure that your student has access to medication at all school-related activities.

Preparing for School Trips and Activities

Here is a checklist to help you prepare for your student's field trips and extracurricular activities:

• The student has a current Individualized Health Care Plan (IHP) with the school nurse or administration.
• The student has provided a copy of the Sample Letter for Trips and Activities, which has been personalized with their specific needs.
• All chaperones have a copy of the Sample Letter for Trips and Activities, provided that is in keeping with the disclosure plan.
• The student is carrying an emergency preparedness card and is wearing their medical alert emblem.
• The student has taken the necessary medication/infused prior to the trip or activity (if applicable).
• The student (or chaperone) is carrying an emergency kit, which includes an ice pack and a traveling dose of factor/medicine (if applicable).