MCPS run international trips

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Complain to the principal. It’s not permitted.

Not true that it isn’t permitted. Plus, MCPS also permits private companies to advertise other opportunities like used piano sales. These are allowed because there’s a tangible benefit to students.

By high school most families who want a piano have one or most give them away for free. A teacher kickback spring break trip for $5k or more is not remotely reasonable. If it were a fundraiser ok but it is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids have done these trips and it was a wonderful experience. My daughters were already international travelers, but it was DS’s first experience. And his best friend’s. The friend’s family couldn’t afford to take the whole family to Greece and Rome, but they had two years to pay to send their high schooler with EF. Without this program, he would have entered art school without any international travel. He was able to see firsthand many of the works of art and architecture that will influence his studies. Let’s not ruin chances for kids in our community to visit and learn from other countries.

Must be nice to be stinking rich.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1. I’m fine that the teachers trip is covered. They are serving as a chaperone after all so it’s no like they just get to wander off doing their own thing

+1. PP are making teachers out to be grifters. They have a grueling job with low to average pay and little support from the county. Why not allow the “luxury” of chaperoning your children. What a bunch of scrooges.

A lot of government employees have grueling jobs with low wages. They’re not allowed to use their government jobs to promote their side gigs. Would it be OK for a building inspector to rep a construction company using their government email or for an IRS agent to offer tax prep services during audit? Obviously not, and this isn’t OK either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Complain to the principal. It’s not permitted.

Not true that it isn’t permitted. Plus, MCPS also permits private companies to advertise other opportunities like used piano sales. These are allowed because there’s a tangible benefit to students.

Yes, true that it’s not permitted for teachers to send out though Canvas and mislead families into thinking it’s a class trip organized by MCPS. Go ask your principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1. I’m fine that the teachers trip is covered. They are serving as a chaperone after all so it’s no like they just get to wander off doing their own thing

+1. PP are making teachers out to be grifters. They have a grueling job with low to average pay and little support from the county. Why not allow the “luxury” of chaperoning your children. What a bunch of scrooges.

A lot of teachers, especially those with seniority make decent money for a 10 month job. It puts families in an uncomfortable position when we are not able to pay $5-6K for a week long trip for our kids and have to say no. If should disclose it's not through MCPS and parents are paying a premium for the teacher and their guests travel. Be transparent. If something happens, MCPS could be held liable so it's also a bad idea on the school's part to allow the advertising. Our trip was over $1K a day. Hard no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids have done these trips and it was a wonderful experience. My daughters were already international travelers, but it was DS’s first experience. And his best friend’s. The friend’s family couldn’t afford to take the whole family to Greece and Rome, but they had two years to pay to send their high schooler with EF. Without this program, he would have entered art school without any international travel. He was able to see firsthand many of the works of art and architecture that will influence his studies. Let’s not ruin chances for kids in our community to visit and learn from other countries.

This. And they make it so anyone can donate to a kids trip, family , church, etc. There is a payment plan and plenty of time to be able to pay for it. It’s an opportunity. Not everyone will want to participate, but I’m sure if there is a student that does who is making a good faith effort to go, others will help them find a way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids have done these trips and it was a wonderful experience. My daughters were already international travelers, but it was DS’s first experience. And his best friend’s. The friend’s family couldn’t afford to take the whole family to Greece and Rome, but they had two years to pay to send their high schooler with EF. Without this program, he would have entered art school without any international travel. He was able to see firsthand many of the works of art and architecture that will influence his studies. Let’s not ruin chances for kids in our community to visit and learn from other countries.

This. And they make it so anyone can donate to a kids trip, family , church, etc. There is a payment plan and plenty of time to be able to pay for it. It’s an opportunity. Not everyone will want to participate, but I’m sure if there is a student that does who is making a good faith effort to go, others will help them find a way.

In what dream world are you living in? This is for the rich.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1. I’m fine that the teachers trip is covered. They are serving as a chaperone after all so it’s no like they just get to wander off doing their own thing

+1. PP are making teachers out to be grifters. They have a grueling job with low to average pay and little support from the county. Why not allow the “luxury” of chaperoning your children. What a bunch of scrooges.

A lot of teachers, especially those with seniority make decent money for a 10 month job. It puts families in an uncomfortable position when we are not able to pay $5-6K for a week long trip for our kids and have to say no. If should disclose it's not through MCPS and parents are paying a premium for the teacher and their guests travel. Be transparent. If something happens, MCPS could be held liable so it's also a bad idea on the school's part to allow the advertising. Our trip was over $1K a day. Hard no.

I would have said no for over $1k a day. That is quite expensive. I hear there are some summer camp doing international trips for school age kids, and I wonder if any of them are safe. It would be great if there are a few friends and some staff all leave from dmv airport together & return back to dmv airport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1. I’m fine that the teachers trip is covered. They are serving as a chaperone after all so it’s no like they just get to wander off doing their own thing

+1. PP are making teachers out to be grifters. They have a grueling job with low to average pay and little support from the county. Why not allow the “luxury” of chaperoning your children. What a bunch of scrooges.

A lot of teachers, especially those with seniority make decent money for a 10 month job. It puts families in an uncomfortable position when we are not able to pay $5-6K for a week long trip for our kids and have to say no. If should disclose it's not through MCPS and parents are paying a premium for the teacher and their guests travel. Be transparent. If something happens, MCPS could be held liable so it's also a bad idea on the school's part to allow the advertising. Our trip was over $1K a day. Hard no.

Every poster and meeting explicitly state that it is not MCPS sponsored.

Teachers don’t pay to go on field trips like the Science Center or amusement parks where transportation and admission fees are charged. Parents pay extra to cover them, too (and the cost of any subs).

Time to ask yourself what you are really angry about. If you can’t afford for your kid to go, don’t ruin it for others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids have done these trips and it was a wonderful experience. My daughters were already international travelers, but it was DS’s first experience. And his best friend’s. The friend’s family couldn’t afford to take the whole family to Greece and Rome, but they had two years to pay to send their high schooler with EF. Without this program, he would have entered art school without any international travel. He was able to see firsthand many of the works of art and architecture that will influence his studies. Let’s not ruin chances for kids in our community to visit and learn from other countries.

This. And they make it so anyone can donate to a kids trip, family , church, etc. There is a payment plan and plenty of time to be able to pay for it. It’s an opportunity. Not everyone will want to participate, but I’m sure if there is a student that does who is making a good faith effort to go, others will help them find a way.

In what dream world are you living in? This is for the rich.

And yet EF has plenty of non-rich kids go. They even offer more than one mil in scholarships each year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1. I’m fine that the teachers trip is covered. They are serving as a chaperone after all so it’s no like they just get to wander off doing their own thing

+1. The previous posters really think that supervising 40 teenagers is a vacation? They’re working.

I can’t tell if they are just teacher-hating trolls or they can’t afford these trips and would rather their kids didn’t even know they existed.

[Anonymous]

I'm a history teacher and I would LOVE to take my classes to Europe. Even if you travel often and take your kids to museums, most parents cannot provide the connections between different themes and locations. I haven't done one of these and would feel uncomfortable having families pay for my trip, but I do think teachers who plan these trips are doing it for good academic reasons.

It is simple, if you don't want to do it, don't. The idea that no one should have any opportunities in order to save the feelings of a parent who has to say "no" is pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1. I’m fine that the teachers trip is covered. They are serving as a chaperone after all so it’s no like they just get to wander off doing their own thing

+1. PP are making teachers out to be grifters. They have a grueling job with low to average pay and little support from the county. Why not allow the “luxury” of chaperoning your children. What a bunch of scrooges.

A lot of teachers, especially those with seniority make decent money for a 10 month job. It puts families in an uncomfortable position when we are not able to pay $5-6K for a week long trip for our kids and have to say no. If should disclose it's not through MCPS and parents are paying a premium for the teacher and their guests travel. Be transparent. If something happens, MCPS could be held liable so it's also a bad idea on the school's part to allow the advertising. Our trip was over $1K a day. Hard no.

Every poster and meeting explicitly state that it is not MCPS sponsored.

Teachers don’t pay to go on field trips like the Science Center or amusement parks where transportation and admission fees are charged. Parents pay extra to cover them, too (and the cost of any subs).

Time to ask yourself what you are really angry about. If you can’t afford for your kid to go, don’t ruin it for others.

If teachers want to do it, fine but not via mcps advertising. We could afford it but no way I’d agree as the cost of it is absurd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1. I’m fine that the teachers trip is covered. They are serving as a chaperone after all so it’s no like they just get to wander off doing their own thing

+1. PP are making teachers out to be grifters. They have a grueling job with low to average pay and little support from the county. Why not allow the “luxury” of chaperoning your children. What a bunch of scrooges.

A lot of teachers, especially those with seniority make decent money for a 10 month job. It puts families in an uncomfortable position when we are not able to pay $5-6K for a week long trip for our kids and have to say no. If should disclose it's not through MCPS and parents are paying a premium for the teacher and their guests travel. Be transparent. If something happens, MCPS could be held liable so it's also a bad idea on the school's part to allow the advertising. Our trip was over $1K a day. Hard no.

Every poster and meeting explicitly state that it is not MCPS sponsored.

Teachers don’t pay to go on field trips like the Science Center or amusement parks where transportation and admission fees are charged. Parents pay extra to cover them, too (and the cost of any subs).

Time to ask yourself what you are really angry about. If you can’t afford for your kid to go, don’t ruin it for others.

If teachers want to do it, fine but not via mcps advertising. We could afford it but no way I’d agree as the cost of it is absurd.

If they are vetted, quality programs, I’d like to find out about them through mcps. I would love for my kids to do this, but I’m not as likely to go looking for a program on my own, and I like that they’d be able to go with kids from their school/area specifically.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids have done these trips and it was a wonderful experience. My daughters were already international travelers, but it was DS’s first experience. And his best friend’s. The friend’s family couldn’t afford to take the whole family to Greece and Rome, but they had two years to pay to send their high schooler with EF. Without this program, he would have entered art school without any international travel. He was able to see firsthand many of the works of art and architecture that will influence his studies. Let’s not ruin chances for kids in our community to visit and learn from other countries.

This. And they make it so anyone can donate to a kids trip, family , church, etc. There is a payment plan and plenty of time to be able to pay for it. It’s an opportunity. Not everyone will want to participate, but I’m sure if there is a student that does who is making a good faith effort to go, others will help them find a way.

In what dream world are you living in? This is for the rich.

And yet EF has plenty of non-rich kids go. They even offer more than one mil in scholarships each year.

No idea what EF is but there are no scholarships. Most people aren't going to donate to a trip like this. I will gladly help with basic necessities but I'm not paying for a trip we could afford to send our kid to but don't as it's not a good use of money.

Its one thing if its a school sponsored trip, like band thats far less money but the same teachers are sponsoring this trip and there is nothing related to the class the teacher is teaching in it.