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

[Anonymous]

Our kids missed the annual 4th grade field trip to Jamestown this year, but I guess it's because Jamestown required a commitment and down payment LAST year and they weren't yet sure if field trips would be allowed at that point (Ugh). So I don't blame the teachers for this, or the school, just more the general sense of 'pandemic panic ' existing in Fairfax County, but it still sucks, because my kid had looked forward to that trip for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our kids missed the annual 4th grade field trip to Jamestown this year, but I guess it's because Jamestown required a commitment and down payment LAST year and they weren't yet sure if field trips would be allowed at that point (Ugh). So I don't blame the teachers for this, or the school, just more the general sense of 'pandemic panic ' existing in Fairfax County, but it still sucks, because my kid had looked forward to that trip for years.

How did all the other FCPS schools manage to go this year? Sounds like your school doropped the ball.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like even in the past ten years but especially compared to when I was in school, FCPS ES have become so much less fun. We used to do so many more fun things during the day, more field trips, pool party, picnics, field days in spring and fall.

our school still does all of that plus more

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our kids missed the annual 4th grade field trip to Jamestown this year, but I guess it's because Jamestown required a commitment and down payment LAST year and they weren't yet sure if field trips would be allowed at that point (Ugh). So I don't blame the teachers for this, or the school, just more the general sense of 'pandemic panic ' existing in Fairfax County, but it still sucks, because my kid had looked forward to that trip for years.

our 4th graders went on this trip in Fall 2021. It sounds like your teachers and principal are to blame, not the county level

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

where should they go in Fairfax County?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like even in the past ten years but especially compared to when I was in school, FCPS ES have become so much less fun. We used to do so many more fun things during the day, more field trips, pool party, picnics, field days in spring and fall.

No Child Left Behind Happened

Yes. The law had good intentions--but, school systems became obsessed with test scores. Irony: most of the schools would have scored better if they had spent more time teaching and less time practicing for the tests.

DD was in elementary school when it changed. it was a sea change.

you are right. That is the irony! I see it year after year now. They are so busy taking pre-assessment, mid-assessments, and post assessments that it robs hours and hours of instructional time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I see. Silly to pay $50 to go to a free museum when we can drive and stay longer and eat at the restaurant, etc.

they are only using chartered buses for longer journeys like Jamestown and Luray. If parents all drove to DC, then parking can be around $22 a car and there is more admin hassle with liability with allowing parents to drive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our kids missed the annual 4th grade field trip to Jamestown this year, but I guess it's because Jamestown required a commitment and down payment LAST year and they weren't yet sure if field trips would be allowed at that point (Ugh). So I don't blame the teachers for this, or the school, just more the general sense of 'pandemic panic ' existing in Fairfax County, but it still sucks, because my kid had looked forward to that trip for years.

Our kid missed it last year and I don't think the school is doing it this year. It is a school by school thing. I have mixed feelings because it is the "big" field trip but it is so much time on a bus and not much time at Jamestown. I think we will be booking a long weekend in the area and go with some friends sometime in the near future. See Jamestown and Williamsburg and enjoy the trip instead of having it be rushed.

They did go to the Natural History Museum this year, it sounded like a quick trip but DS enjoyed it. They are going to Luray Caverns as well. We have been before and it is pretty cool. I can fully see getting through the cavern and enjoying it in a few hours, it makes more sense to me then Jamestown does. And the drive isn't all that bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our kids missed the annual 4th grade field trip to Jamestown this year, but I guess it's because Jamestown required a commitment and down payment LAST year and they weren't yet sure if field trips would be allowed at that point (Ugh). So I don't blame the teachers for this, or the school, just more the general sense of 'pandemic panic ' existing in Fairfax County, but it still sucks, because my kid had looked forward to that trip for years.

Our kid missed it last year and I don't think the school is doing it this year. It is a school by school thing. I have mixed feelings because it is the "big" field trip but it is so much time on a bus and not much time at Jamestown. I think we will be booking a long weekend in the area and go with some friends sometime in the near future. See Jamestown and Williamsburg and enjoy the trip instead of having it be rushed.

They did go to the Natural History Museum this year, it sounded like a quick trip but DS enjoyed it. They are going to Luray Caverns as well. We have been before and it is pretty cool. I can fully see getting through the cavern and enjoying it in a few hours, it makes more sense to me then Jamestown does. And the drive isn't all that bad.

Honestly, 4-5 hours at Jamestown is plenty.

[Anonymous]

Wow - my daughter who generally doesn’t complain about anything said this was the most boring field trip and complete waste of time. The kids were all confused about the experience.

I hope someone at FCPS is taking notice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our kids missed the annual 4th grade field trip to Jamestown this year, but I guess it's because Jamestown required a commitment and down payment LAST year and they weren't yet sure if field trips would be allowed at that point (Ugh). So I don't blame the teachers for this, or the school, just more the general sense of 'pandemic panic ' existing in Fairfax County, but it still sucks, because my kid had looked forward to that trip for years.

Our kid missed it last year and I don't think the school is doing it this year. It is a school by school thing. I have mixed feelings because it is the "big" field trip but it is so much time on a bus and not much time at Jamestown. I think we will be booking a long weekend in the area and go with some friends sometime in the near future. See Jamestown and Williamsburg and enjoy the trip instead of having it be rushed.

They did go to the Natural History Museum this year, it sounded like a quick trip but DS enjoyed it. They are going to Luray Caverns as well. We have been before and it is pretty cool. I can fully see getting through the cavern and enjoying it in a few hours, it makes more sense to me then Jamestown does. And the drive isn't all that bad.

Honestly, 4-5 hours at Jamestown is plenty.

I wouldn't make the drive just to do Jamestown. Going down to do Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown makes sense to me but that is more of a weekend trip and less of a day trip and it ties all that history together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our kids missed the annual 4th grade field trip to Jamestown this year, but I guess it's because Jamestown required a commitment and down payment LAST year and they weren't yet sure if field trips would be allowed at that point (Ugh). So I don't blame the teachers for this, or the school, just more the general sense of 'pandemic panic ' existing in Fairfax County, but it still sucks, because my kid had looked forward to that trip for years.

Our kid missed it last year and I don't think the school is doing it this year. It is a school by school thing. I have mixed feelings because it is the "big" field trip but it is so much time on a bus and not much time at Jamestown. I think we will be booking a long weekend in the area and go with some friends sometime in the near future. See Jamestown and Williamsburg and enjoy the trip instead of having it be rushed.

They did go to the Natural History Museum this year, it sounded like a quick trip but DS enjoyed it. They are going to Luray Caverns as well. We have been before and it is pretty cool. I can fully see getting through the cavern and enjoying it in a few hours, it makes more sense to me then Jamestown does. And the drive isn't all that bad.

Honestly, 4-5 hours at Jamestown is plenty.

I wouldn't make the drive just to do Jamestown. Going down to do Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown makes sense to me but that is more of a weekend trip and less of a day trip and it ties all that history together.

Our school quit doing the Jamestown trip when my DC was in 3rd grade so I don't experience with it - but I thought they did more than one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like even in the past ten years but especially compared to when I was in school, FCPS ES have become so much less fun. We used to do so many more fun things during the day, more field trips, pool party, picnics, field days in spring and fall.

our school still does all of that plus more

I feel the same way. My young/mid elementary kids hate going to school. I never remember feeling that way as a kid but it seems like most of the fun things have been scaled back or taken away. Especially since COVID.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our kids missed the annual 4th grade field trip to Jamestown this year, but I guess it's because Jamestown required a commitment and down payment LAST year and they weren't yet sure if field trips would be allowed at that point (Ugh). So I don't blame the teachers for this, or the school, just more the general sense of 'pandemic panic ' existing in Fairfax County, but it still sucks, because my kid had looked forward to that trip for years.

Nope you should blame the school - a lot of FCPS schools went to Jamestown. Ours did not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like even in the past ten years but especially compared to when I was in school, FCPS ES have become so much less fun. We used to do so many more fun things during the day, more field trips, pool party, picnics, field days in spring and fall.

our school still does all of that plus more

I feel the same way. My young/mid elementary kids hate going to school. I never remember feeling that way as a kid but it seems like most of the fun things have been scaled back or taken away. Especially since COVID.

What?