Field trips-has your school cut out most of these because they think the parents can't afford it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Interesting. The prices you quote about covers the cost of admission only-what did you do for transportation, did parents drive or did you use the school bus?

Our school only uses school buses. They use charter buses for longer extended field trips (Jamestown and Richmond in upper grades).

So apparently FCPS does not ask parents to reimburse the county for the cost of the driver and mileage. We're in MCPS where we have to include those in the cost of the field trip. Of course that's a much larger expense than any admission cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To add-- some cultural programs have grants that cover buses for school groups. In DC schools near Metro, these free buses are often declined because it is just easier to take Metro to most destinations.

Do you have any more information on which cultural programs might have bus grants?

Sorry- nothing current. Sometimes this was offered as an option when I used to teach. My guess is that funding for this kind of thing is relatively limited now given the current crisis... which highlights the advantage of Metro accessibility.

Some extreme upper NW schools that aren't near Metro will organize parent car pools to make field trips possible. That's another potential solution, though it may be that VA and MD districts have liability concerns that prohibit this.

[Anonymous]

So apparently FCPS does not ask parents to reimburse the county for the cost of the driver and mileage.

I have no idea. We just get a sheet with the cost. I'm sure it's a liability issue. And honestly there is no way I would allow another parent to transport my kid in their vehicle for a field trip.

[Anonymous]

My 3rd grader in an Arlington County ES goes on about 5 field trips a year, and they cost less than $10 each. I believe our PTA contributes to the cost of the buses. Also, my child has gone on field trips on the Metro in the past (only one metro stop away).