As a center of Expeditionary Learning, our students learn through the exploration of a variety of different resources, many of which extend beyond the walls of our school building. “Fieldwork” can be distinguished from “field trips” in that it is connected to the curriculum. Students must go out into or beyond the community for the purpose of collecting data, experiencing something first hand, participating in adventure activities, etc. These authentic learning experiences are a key component of our educational program. Fieldwork may call for an hour away from the school, a full day outing, an overnight excursion, or a three-day trip to another state. Overnight trips are planned very carefully in advance.
We often need adult volunteers to assist the crew leader during fieldwork. Although PCCS does own a school bus, it can be challenging to find bus drivers, especially for overnight trips. Also, there is often more than one crew away from school on a given day. Parents/guardians are often called upon to drive, chaperone a small group of students, and/or help in some other way. Teachers generally plan fieldwork well in advance so families are able to make plans. We realize that it is difficult for many parents/guardians to get away during the day due to full-time jobs or small children at home. This part of our curriculum, however, is contingent upon family support and assistance. If, at any point during the school year, you are able to help with fieldwork, we would very much appreciate it. Some fieldwork/adventure opportunities are open to many parent volunteers. Some have limited space for chaperones. This is left to the discretion of the crew leader. Please check with your child’s crew leader to find out how many parents/guardians are needed for each activity or trip.
It is possible for parents to become licensed to drive the school bus. PCCS will pay half the cost of a CDL license obtained through the motor vehicle department. If you are interested in driving our bus, please contact the PCCS office for additional information.