Did your FCPS go on a really pitiful field trip this year to the Smithsonian art museum?

[Anonymous]

We were told buses had to be back at 1:30.

[Anonymous]

My 6th grader is going to The Edge in May from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, hope this is better than the art museum school trip.

[Anonymous]

Going to Luray Caverns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 6th grader is going to The Edge in May from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, hope this is better than the art museum school trip.

what is The Edge?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This has been an interesting discussion. It is sad that FCPS has so much money but won't pay for field trips. This leaves poor schools to basically do nothing.

I’m not sure how you got to this conclusion. “Poor schools” go on field trips and get lots of financial support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I grew up in Manassas Park (POOR schools) and we went to DC at least twice a year! I don't understand why FCPS sucks so much.

FCPS sucks now but it hasn’t always been this way. I attended the ‘bad (lower income)’ FCPS schools in the 80’s and 90’s and remember going to the Capitol, MANY Smithsonian museums ( National gallery, Natural History, American History, etc), the mint, and Mount Vernon in elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I grew up in Manassas Park (POOR schools) and we went to DC at least twice a year! I don't understand why FCPS sucks so much.

FCPS sucks now but it hasn’t always been this way. I attended the ‘bad (lower income)’ FCPS schools in the 80’s and 90’s and remember going to the Capitol, MANY Smithsonian museums ( National gallery, Natural History, American History, etc), the mint, and Mount Vernon in elementary school.

And the Kennedy center! Forgot that one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I grew up in Manassas Park (POOR schools) and we went to DC at least twice a year! I don't understand why FCPS sucks so much.

FCPS sucks now but it hasn’t always been this way. I attended the ‘bad (lower income)’ FCPS schools in the 80’s and 90’s and remember going to the Capitol, MANY Smithsonian museums ( National gallery, Natural History, American History, etc), the mint, and Mount Vernon in elementary school.

So many good local options. How much does it cost to rent commercial buses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This has been an interesting discussion. It is sad that FCPS has so much money but won't pay for field trips. This leaves poor schools to basically do nothing.

I’m not sure how you got to this conclusion. “Poor schools” go on field trips and get lots of financial support.

Really/ In this thread, it seems like the PTA is funding the good field trips, and some schools are only getting the shitty paid-for-by-fcps-35-minutes-at-the-museum trips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This has been an interesting discussion. It is sad that FCPS has so much money but won't pay for field trips. This leaves poor schools to basically do nothing.

I’m not sure how you got to this conclusion. “Poor schools” go on field trips and get lots of financial support.

Really/ In this thread, it seems like the PTA is funding the good field trips, and some schools are only getting the shitty paid-for-by-fcps-35-minutes-at-the-museum trips.

I also think people don’t realize that field trips take out from instructional time. Every time we go on a field trip we miss writing and SS/Science since those are in the morning. Taking more than 2 field trips messes with instruction. Most schools do
2 trips. But this is all based on teacher discretion. If a grade level is challenging behavior wise they might decide on less field trips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This has been an interesting discussion. It is sad that FCPS has so much money but won't pay for field trips. This leaves poor schools to basically do nothing.

I’m not sure how you got to this conclusion. “Poor schools” go on field trips and get lots of financial support.

Really/ In this thread, it seems like the PTA is funding the good field trips, and some schools are only getting the shitty paid-for-by-fcps-35-minutes-at-the-museum trips.

All schools get the museum field trip, it’s organized by Central Office.

[Anonymous]

I remember a field trip (I was a chaperone). We got to the museum and barely had any time there. Another mom was letting her group of children run around. Then we ate lunch on the steps outside and got back on the bus. When we were within three miles of the school, the bus driver insisted on following some directions she had instead of listening to the teacher, and we went about five miles out of the way to get back to the school.

We live at the far reach of FCPS. Going into DC is just a big risk with traffic, etc. Not worth it unless transportation can be adjusted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I grew up in Manassas Park (POOR schools) and we went to DC at least twice a year! I don't understand why FCPS sucks so much.

FCPS sucks now but it hasn’t always been this way. I attended the ‘bad (lower income)’ FCPS schools in the 80’s and 90’s and remember going to the Capitol, MANY Smithsonian museums ( National gallery, Natural History, American History, etc), the mint, and Mount Vernon in elementary school.

So many good local options. How much does it cost to rent commercial buses?

Based on previous trips, I think it's about $50 per student and families are asked to pay it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember a field trip (I was a chaperone). We got to the museum and barely had any time there. Another mom was letting her group of children run around. Then we ate lunch on the steps outside and got back on the bus. When we were within three miles of the school, the bus driver insisted on following some directions she had instead of listening to the teacher, and we went about five miles out of the way to get back to the school.

We live at the far reach of FCPS. Going into DC is just a big risk with traffic, etc. Not worth it unless transportation can be adjusted.

driving anywhere is a risk. Gimme a break. DC’s museums, zoo, botanical garden, capital, bureau of engraving, etc. are a field trip dream for most American students. Be thankful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember a field trip (I was a chaperone). We got to the museum and barely had any time there. Another mom was letting her group of children run around. Then we ate lunch on the steps outside and got back on the bus. When we were within three miles of the school, the bus driver insisted on following some directions she had instead of listening to the teacher, and we went about five miles out of the way to get back to the school.

We live at the far reach of FCPS. Going into DC is just a big risk with traffic, etc. Not worth it unless transportation can be adjusted.

driving anywhere is a risk. Gimme a break. DC’s museums, zoo, botanical garden, capital, bureau of engraving, etc. are a field trip dream for most American students. Be thankful.

Yes. However, parents can take the kids there and spend the day. I would say, though, that Title I schools should go on MORE field trips.

There are plenty of places in Fairfax County that are close by that are appropriate for field trips.