An Administrator's Guide to California Private School Law

Chapter 16 – Off Campus Activities

American children born abroad. 2238 Therefore, parents and students should be made aware of these offices as well.

2. S TATE D EPARTMENT R EGISTRATION The State Department website permits a school to register its international trip on the site by completing an online form (available at https://step.state.gov/step/). Registering a trip makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to locate travelers associated with the school in the event of an emergency, terrorism, civil unrest or any other catastrophe. 2239 Registering the school’s trip with the State Department also makes it easier for parents or guardians to contact students in the event of an emergency arising in the U.S. 2240 LCW Practice Advisor The State Department travel website provides general

information regarding passports and visas. 2241 A school should provide parents and guardians with the State Department’s website early during the process of planning a trip abroad. This will ensure adequate time to utilize the website’s resources.

3. P ARENTAL P ERMISSION The United States Department of Homeland Security recommends that whenever a minor is traveling without both parents, the adult traveling with the child obtain a note from the absent parent granting permission for the trip. The purpose of the note is to ensure that the child is not being taken out of the country as part of a custody or other dispute. Having the letter notarized is not necessary but highly recommended. While the United States does not require notarized documentation, many other countries refuse entry without a notarized document. 2242 LCW Practice Advisor For any international trip or study abroad program, schools should consider creating a crisis management plan in advance. All travelers, trip leaders, and

administrators should understand their roles and the procedures in the event of a crisis. All families should also have a detailed copy of the itinerary and there should be plan for both regular and emergency communications.

B. P LACEMENT O F F OREIGN S TUDENTS W ITH H OST F AMILIES I N C ALIFORNIA 1. S TATE R ULES In California, the Uniform Supervision of International Student Exchange Visitor Placement Organizations Act of 1994 regulates the placement of foreign students in the homes of host families. 2243 The Act applies to “[e]very person, partnership, corporation or other entity” that

An Administrator’s Guide to California Private School Law ©2019 Liebert Cassidy Whitmore 544