About this Handbook
This guidebook is a work-in-progress and will be updated before Service Learning Week 2017.
Guiding Principles
Lincoln's Mission
An education to the highest U.S. accreditation standards, focused on academic excellence and developing confident, ethical world citizens
Lincoln's Vision
At Lincoln, we inspire the next generation of creative and critical thinkers, dedicated to a life of integrity, nurtured in an environment where young people enter to learn and leave to serve.
Lincoln's Values
Our community is at its best when we:
An education to the highest U.S. accreditation standards, focused on academic excellence and developing confident, ethical world citizens
Lincoln's Vision
At Lincoln, we inspire the next generation of creative and critical thinkers, dedicated to a life of integrity, nurtured in an environment where young people enter to learn and leave to serve.
Lincoln's Values
Our community is at its best when we:
- Balance seriousness of purpose with a joyful pursuit of learning
- Inspire globally-minded citizens
- Find strength in bilingualism and cultural diversity
- Value respect and honesty
- Promote respect and honesty
- Promote socially responsible action
- Create opportunities for individual growth and reflection
- Strive for resiliency and compassion
- Place inquiry at the center of our learning
- Celebrate and welcome differing world views
- Care for each other and our environment
Trip Leader Duties and Responsibilities
Listed below are some of the responsibilities of Trip Leaders:
- Communicate with the Service Learning Coordinators.
- Communicate with Educational Travel agents.
- Communicate with Local Guides, Teachers, etc. to determine projects.
- Ensure that the "Scouting Trip Checklist" information is accurate and up-to-date.
- Collect paperwork from trip participants.
- Ensure paperwork is complete and then turn it in to the Service Learning Coordinator.
- Hold several meetings before the actual trip (see below).
- Communicate with students signed up for the trip (ie. using Google Classroom).
Chaperone Duties and Responsibilities
Note: these chaperone guidelines have been adapted from various sources.
Chaperoning is an important responsibility and needs to be taken seriously. The safety of all is compromised when chaperones do not follow the established procedures.
We expect our chaperones to behave in a positive manner that our children can use as a model.
All school rules apply on school sponsored field trips. Chaperones are expected to follow school rules, follow the directions given by the coordinating teacher, work cooperatively with other volunteers and school staff members, and serve as a role model for students. If you are unfamiliar with school rules, a copy can be found in your Trip Binder.
Chaperones Should:
Chaperones Should Not:
Chaperones should report any concerns to their Trip Leader, Service Learning Coordinator or Principal.
Chaperoning is an important responsibility and needs to be taken seriously. The safety of all is compromised when chaperones do not follow the established procedures.
We expect our chaperones to behave in a positive manner that our children can use as a model.
All school rules apply on school sponsored field trips. Chaperones are expected to follow school rules, follow the directions given by the coordinating teacher, work cooperatively with other volunteers and school staff members, and serve as a role model for students. If you are unfamiliar with school rules, a copy can be found in your Trip Binder.
Chaperones Should:
- Follow all Lincoln policies, procedures, and laws for the safety of all students.
- Approach the trip with a good, supportive mental attitude. Your role can affect the entire trip.
- Share in being responsible for all students. Offer their support to other chaperones when necessary.
- Be helpful. Guide students to discover and experience for themselves.
- Be with your group at all times and do head counts often. Students must be supervised at ALL TIMES while on the field trip.
- Be responsible for Student Behavior.
- Please keep cell phone calls to emergencies or trip related purposes only.
Chaperones Should Not:
- Use or possess alcohol, tabacco or illegal substances.
- Use tobacco in the presence of, or within the sight of, students
- Use inappropriate language.
- Administer any medications, prescription or nonprescription, to students
Chaperones should report any concerns to their Trip Leader, Service Learning Coordinator or Principal.
Sick or Injured Student Protocol
Note: Each trip binder contains the Lincoln First Aid Booklet as well as medical information about each student.
The Trip Leader or Chaperone will always place safety in the highest priority.
You must ensure that activities are safe before embarking on them.
The lead chaperone must identify the closest hospital or medical facility to their basecamp prior to the beginning of the trip.
If a student is injured - always err on the side of safety - bring the student to medical attention and notify school authorities and the persons listed as the student's emergency contact (found in the Trip Binder).
There will be at least one chaperone per trip who has fulfilled the CPR / First Aid workshop to act accordingly in an emergency.
When a student gets sick we will be applying the following protocol:
You may not administer any medications, prescription or non-prescription, to students.
First Aid Kit
The Group Leader should ensure that the First Aid Kit is always available.
The First Aid Kit should be returned to the Lincoln Wellness Center the first school day following the trip conclusion.
The Trip Leader or Chaperone will always place safety in the highest priority.
You must ensure that activities are safe before embarking on them.
The lead chaperone must identify the closest hospital or medical facility to their basecamp prior to the beginning of the trip.
If a student is injured - always err on the side of safety - bring the student to medical attention and notify school authorities and the persons listed as the student's emergency contact (found in the Trip Binder).
There will be at least one chaperone per trip who has fulfilled the CPR / First Aid workshop to act accordingly in an emergency.
When a student gets sick we will be applying the following protocol:
- Have the student checked immediately by a doctor. Note: Chaperone will be present at all times during the medical check up.
- After getting diagnosis, chaperone will communicate with parents and principal.
- Chaperone will get parental approval (phone) to give medications if prescribed by the doctor.
- If applicable chaperone must bring back: X-rays, blood tests or any other form of medical studies to be given to family upon return.
- Should transportation of a sick student to Buenos Aires be needed, the educational consultants will help us plan the process.
You may not administer any medications, prescription or non-prescription, to students.
First Aid Kit
The Group Leader should ensure that the First Aid Kit is always available.
The First Aid Kit should be returned to the Lincoln Wellness Center the first school day following the trip conclusion.
Meetings Before the Trips
All trips will be expected to have weekly meetings before the actual trip.
This will involve approximately 5 meetings (ex. Friday at lunch)
These meetings will serve to team-build, brainstorm and prepare projects and activities.
Group Leaders will be given materials for each meeting.
This will involve approximately 5 meetings (ex. Friday at lunch)
These meetings will serve to team-build, brainstorm and prepare projects and activities.
Group Leaders will be given materials for each meeting.
Documenting the Trip
Please make sure that you appoint one or more photographers / videographer to document your trip. Ideally this would be somebody with a good camera who is a good photographer. Photos will be included in the yearbook, photo gallery, this website, etc.
Please ensure that photos get to Phil Giansante upon return from the trip. You can submit memory cards, USB drives, Google Drive links, etc.
Each trip will be expected to produce a 3 to 5 minute video about the project.
Please ensure that photos get to Phil Giansante upon return from the trip. You can submit memory cards, USB drives, Google Drive links, etc.
Each trip will be expected to produce a 3 to 5 minute video about the project.
Tweeting Guidelines for Trips
Many of the areas we conduct Service Learning Projects in are remote and have limited or no connectivity.
Please designate ONE chaperone per trip to be the official tweeter.
Tweets should start with the name of the trip to help parents
ex. Chaco Trip - Today we made 200 bricks!
Use the hashtag #aelincoln and #lincolnservicelearning
Tweets should always reflect the positive nature of the work we are doing.
Tweets should be limited to 5 per day with a maximum of 10 images.
Please designate ONE chaperone per trip to be the official tweeter.
Tweets should start with the name of the trip to help parents
ex. Chaco Trip - Today we made 200 bricks!
Use the hashtag #aelincoln and #lincolnservicelearning
Tweets should always reflect the positive nature of the work we are doing.
Tweets should be limited to 5 per day with a maximum of 10 images.
Reflection
An important part of Service Learning is Reflection. As such, we have developed a "Service Learning Reflection Booklet". Booklets are available in Phil's room.
All students will be required to fill out this booklet and return it to either Silvina or Phil.
How you choose to do this is up to you. For example, Silvina will bring the booklets to Chaco and give them to the students there. She will collect the booklets before students leave Chaco. If students require more time, they can get the booklets from Silvina upon returning to Lincoln and they can return the book up to two weeks later. The completed booklets will be kept on file in Silvina's room.
Your trip should also have a group reflective component. This can be done within the trip or upon return. Those of you that have been on the Chaco Trip are familiar with the campfire we hold on the last night and how students use that time to share thoughts and reflect. I remember one that went from midnight to 5 a.m.
All students will be required to fill out this booklet and return it to either Silvina or Phil.
How you choose to do this is up to you. For example, Silvina will bring the booklets to Chaco and give them to the students there. She will collect the booklets before students leave Chaco. If students require more time, they can get the booklets from Silvina upon returning to Lincoln and they can return the book up to two weeks later. The completed booklets will be kept on file in Silvina's room.
Your trip should also have a group reflective component. This can be done within the trip or upon return. Those of you that have been on the Chaco Trip are familiar with the campfire we hold on the last night and how students use that time to share thoughts and reflect. I remember one that went from midnight to 5 a.m.
Money and Receipts (Facturas)
Oftentimes Group Leaders must make payments in cash at local restaurants and stores.
In all cases, an official receipt (Factura B or Factura C) must be obtained.
In the rare case where receipts cannot be obtained, keep track of the money yourself.
At the end of the trips, all receipts must be turned in. All receipts must be clearly marked.
The total amount of the receipts must equal the total money spent.
All un-spent money must be returned to the school cashier the first school day following the trip conclusion.
A spreadsheet summing up the amounts must be shared with the Service Learning Coordinator as well as the school accountants and business manager.
In all cases, an official receipt (Factura B or Factura C) must be obtained.
In the rare case where receipts cannot be obtained, keep track of the money yourself.
At the end of the trips, all receipts must be turned in. All receipts must be clearly marked.
The total amount of the receipts must equal the total money spent.
All un-spent money must be returned to the school cashier the first school day following the trip conclusion.
A spreadsheet summing up the amounts must be shared with the Service Learning Coordinator as well as the school accountants and business manager.