MCPS run international trips

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recall someone mention to me that they spend a few thousands for their daughters to Europe for spring break, and it is run by MCPS HS. Is it only specific for certain HS or maybe MS? Is it worth it?

this thing is annoying - it's like spam. got an email from teacher every other week - if you have two kids, double the emails.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recall someone mention to me that they spend a few thousands for their daughters to Europe for spring break, and it is run by MCPS HS. Is it only specific for certain HS or maybe MS? Is it worth it?

MCPS makes it virtually impossible to take a field trip across state lines, even to DC, let alone international. These are not official MCPS trips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recall someone mention to me that they spend a few thousands for their daughters to Europe for spring break, and it is run by MCPS HS. Is it only specific for certain HS or maybe MS? Is it worth it?

MCPS makes it virtually impossible to take a field trip across state lines, even to DC, let alone international. These are not official MCPS trips.

Our MS goes to DC in every grade.

[Anonymous]

Are the MS trips to Spanish speaking countries also this private company advertising through the school?

Do they do this for all World Language classes?
I don't mind it on principle, but they should be clear about who's running the trip.

[Anonymous]

I chaperoned a HS and a Jr. high trip through People to People. I am a teacher at the elementary level so I never had to "advertise' to get kids but I know other teachers had to. My trip was completely paid for, which is nice though it was still a bit of work doing pre sessions prior to the trip and then hands on during the trip. The company coordinated everything though including busses, guides, food, etc. The kids got to do some unique experiences, like doing a home stay, scaling down a castle wall, taking a cooking class and also in the process making friends and having isome independence in a foreign country. We combined kids and chaperones from the metro area so there were new people to meet. Many of the kids are still friends today (there is a Facebook group). Some of the kids raised money through their church, one girl worked at Panera to pay for her trip and some parents were able to fully fund, it rant the gamut. At the high school level, most kids were quite well behaved and just all around great kids. The jr. high kids were also great but just harder. At the end of each day most kids were pretty tired so there weren't too many shenanigans (that I knew of).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the MS trips to Spanish speaking countries also this private company advertising through the school?

Do they do this for all World Language classes?
I don't mind it on principle, but they should be clear about who's running the trip.

They shouldn't be allowed to advertise it via email and MCPS when it's not an MCPS approved trip. My husband got all excited to see them until I showed him all the information and he realized it was pretty shady.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the MS trips to Spanish speaking countries also this private company advertising through the school?

Do they do this for all World Language classes?
I don't mind it on principle, but they should be clear about who's running the trip.

They shouldn't be allowed to advertise it via email and MCPS when it's not an MCPS approved trip. My husband got all excited to see them until I showed him all the information and he realized it was pretty shady.

100 percent this. The teachers are using their public offices for private benefit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s too expensive for what it is if you can afford to travel as a family, in which case you can get much better food and lodging for the same price.

So I feel it’s only for families who cannot afford to go themselves, or have the money but not the time.

I don't think the pricing is bad when you consider they are providing professional tour guides and chartered buses for transportation.

No, it's bad. The company is making a hefty profit. When you plan the same trip for your family, it's all at cost. You could absolutely plan a better trip.
You do realize you too can get professional tour guides that don't cost the earth? And that when they're in a group, kids don't listen? Your kids will get a lot more out of it if they go with you.

- French person who looked at the EF French trip, out of curiosity, and could have done better for less. Granted, I'm French and know the ropes in that country, but I think that with a little research you could take any destination offered and do better.

Agree. There is no reason these expensive commercial trips should be advertised and promoted through MCPS.

[Anonymous]

You guys do realize its a lot of work for the teachers... Id rather not be on the hook for chaperoning a large group of high schoolers abroad.

Complain more and those options will disappear. I bet there are fewer each year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You guys do realize its a lot of work for the teachers... Id rather not be on the hook for chaperoning a large group of high schoolers abroad.

Complain more and those options will disappear. I bet there are fewer each year.

The companies take care of most of the arrangements. Given the price, it should not be MCPS advertised as it excludes many kids. It also should be disclosed the financial arrangements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You guys do realize its a lot of work for the teachers... Id rather not be on the hook for chaperoning a large group of high schoolers abroad.

Complain more and those options will disappear. I bet there are fewer each year.

The companies take care of most of the arrangements. Given the price, it should not be MCPS advertised as it excludes many kids. It also should be disclosed the financial arrangements.

https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/careers/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the MS trips to Spanish speaking countries also this private company advertising through the school?

Do they do this for all World Language classes?
I don't mind it on principle, but they should be clear about who's running the trip.

They shouldn't be allowed to advertise it via email and MCPS when it's not an MCPS approved trip. My husband got all excited to see them until I showed him all the information and he realized it was pretty shady.

100 percent this. The teachers are using their public offices for private benefit.

This. It’s weird. We’re at a lower-income MS with a high ELL/FARMS rate and there are two teachers who advertise this quite heavily using their MCPS email. It is an email coming FROM your kid’s teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the MS trips to Spanish speaking countries also this private company advertising through the school?

Do they do this for all World Language classes?
I don't mind it on principle, but they should be clear about who's running the trip.

They shouldn't be allowed to advertise it via email and MCPS when it's not an MCPS approved trip. My husband got all excited to see them until I showed him all the information and he realized it was pretty shady.

100 percent this. The teachers are using their public offices for private benefit.

That's sketchy. Seems like this shouldn't be allowed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No they are run by for profit companies and it’s misleading if teachers to advertise through school means and imply that they are endorsed by the school or a school trip.

This. Teachers probably get a free trip and paid through the company. It’s crazy expensive.

Teachers and their family members get a free trip depending on how many students (and family members) they can register. It is very barebones accommodations, transport and meals - and costs a lot.

[Anonymous]

I don't mind. My 2 kids went without us on one of these trips. It was fun to have the teachers, other students from the school and to see new places. Lots of activities and places to see. They fitted in quite a bunch of things in very few days. We trusted the teachers and the students and everything was taken care of. Great if you can afford it and if you don't have time to take kids to such vacations yourself.

I like that the teachers are chaperoning and it is fine if they get a free vacation out of it.