5th grade international trip worth all the effort?

[Anonymous]

No way!!! My school went to DC for 5th grade (it was a long trip for us) and that's what most do. I BARELY remember the trip and what I do remember is hanging out with my friends. Nothing about DC.

My lazy sister went to DC for 5th grade and pretended to be sick so she didn't have to go to the Volcano. What volcano in DC you ask? Mt. Vernon Obviously 10 year olds aren't mature enough.

[Anonymous]

I would not let my 5th grader go out of the country with a school trip. He has been on a few international trips, with our family. It doesn't matter if we paid or if it was completely funded. Too young! I grew up in a different area and our first class trip was a weekend bus ride to DC in 7th grade. I remember having a great time sharing a hotel room and going out to dinner. That's about it.

[Anonymous]

This cannot be serious.
1. Money--just think of how many instructional assistants you could pay with that.
2. Logistics--passports, etc. NOt to mention the personal responsibility for kids abroad.
3. Experience--many of these kids have not been to the Mall. Why would you take them abroad?

Surely this must be a troll thread.

[Anonymous]

Go to a national park instead.

[Anonymous]

Also - if there is a % of children who are undocumented, they will not be able to participate.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's a bad idea at all for an immersion program to sponsor a trip to a country where the language being taught is actually spoken. If planned properly, it could be a tremendously valuable educational experience.

I also do not believe that it would cost -- or have to cost -- anywhere near $3000 per student! I've taken my children to Central and South America many times and haven't had to spend nearly that much on them, including airfare. And we have gone on some pretty nice trips. Particularly with that many students, there will be group deals and discounts to be had.

[Anonymous]

I'm an Orange Hunt parent (German Immersion). We just got a letter for a parent/child trip for next summer. It's $1,500 per person not counting airfare for 12 days (which for my trip last year to germany was about $1500 in the back of the plane!). You are expected to send one parent.

They are kinda vague about how much of the trip is in german. I know when you gather a bunch of kids from the immersion program, they will speak english when parents are not around! And everyone under 45 in germany speaks english.

I'm iffy at $3,000 a kid. I'm only leaning towards it because we've got friends in Germany and I could tack on a visit and the dollar/euro conversion should still be good next year. (however, I would still rather have new carpet or some non-stained furniture)

Our parents run an immersion camp in the summer to work on thier language skills. I know how much those kids "goof" off, I wouldn't send kids internationally, especially at 5th grade (rising 6th grader). You can work on language skills without the risk of international travel.

[Anonymous]

OP again. Since 75% of our schools' kids already speak Spanish at home, speaking that language on the international trip would not be a strong rationale for the trip.
Agree that $3000/kid is too high but I'm guessing $1500 at least with airfare, lodging, etc. Plus as others have noted you would have to pay for teachers and parent chaperones.

My main objection is what several PPs have mentioned -- on that kind of trip, most of the time is spent hanging out with classmates --these are 5th graders, and they aren't going to read every museum placard and soak up lots the foreign country's history and culture. (Having been on school field trips to local museums I can attest that while there's some learning, it's a small part of the trip.) While bonding with classmates is valuable, it seems like you could accomplish the same for much less cost and hassle with a domestic trip.

[Anonymous]

OP again. Since 75% of our schools' kids already speak Spanish at home, speaking that language on the international trip would not be a strong rationale for the trip.

This trip sounds totally ridiculous on so many levels. I agree with a PP that going to a national park or maybe an environmental trip to the Chesapeake Bay would be more meaningful for these kids. They're in 5th grade---do a "hands on" project type field trip.

[Anonymous]

Waste of money.

LOL at the "middle class" pp who travels internationally frequently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I think it's a wonderful idea and would be 100% behind the fundraising effort. It exposes the children to something many Title I students never see. Additionally, it levels the playing field between Latino students who may or may not travel back to their families' country of origin and those with roots here, in the States. It gives the children something to share, a great experience.

It's a middle class privilege that should be extended to all students, as much as possible. My children take international travel for granted, it's part of how we function as a family. It's one of the things that differentiates them from their classmates, this world travel. It certainly differentiates them from their grandparents' life experiences as the generation that moved beyond the working class.

What's your hesitation? It seems life-altering, so positive!

If your children take international travel for granted, YOU ARE NOT MIDDLE CLASS! No one making less than $150,000 with kids in this area is traveling the world enough to take it for granted.

I agree!

[Anonymous]

So, PP thinks it can be done for "only" $1500 per student. Did I not read that this is a Title I school? Could you not think of better ways to spend $1500 per student?

[Anonymous]

So, PP thinks it can be done for "only" $1500 per student. Did I not read that this is a Title I school? Could you not think of better ways to spend $1500 per student?

[Anonymous]

Crazy waste of money to do this as a school trip for ANY 5th grade class. More so when it is a title 1 school so VERY hard to raise funds for even the normal stuff usually. I would NOT be happy at all if general PTA fundraising went to this and would not buy stuff if the 5th grade did separate fundraisers. It is just so far over the top it is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why take only half the class? That, in my opinion, is a big reason not to do the trip. Sounds like the PTA's resources could and should be spent much better elsewhere.

I am all for travel, but do not think 5th graders need an international trip. There are so many places to see close by this area.

X10000 it's everyone or no one. How would they even choose who goes and who stays? I would not support this trip.