MCPS run international trips

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Its not MCPS sponsored so they should not be advertising through MCPS.

[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.

A lot of those field trips have free chaperones. I have gone to many as a parent chaperone and never paid. I cannot imagine given what we paid and knowing the entrance fees the adults were charged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What are you talking about? Lots of the trips relate. Foreign language teachers take students to places where said language is spoken or heck just a different language so students get to experience in person the culture and heritage of another place. History teacher takes kids to places they have or will learn about in history. etc.

Just because YOU wouldn’t give to this experience for a kid doesn’t mean others would not. Some of us understand the benefit of exposing kids to more than just their own backyard.

[Anonymous]

My kids went on a trip by World Strides (Educational Tours). However, the teacher decided where they wanted to lead the trip to. And of course, while the accommodations were comfortable and clean, they were not living in 5 star hotels and dining on caviar. It is very well-run, and the teachers more than earn their free trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What are you talking about? Lots of the trips relate. Foreign language teachers take students to places where said language is spoken or heck just a different language so students get to experience in person the culture and heritage of another place. History teacher takes kids to places they have or will learn about in history. etc.

Just because YOU wouldn’t give to this experience for a kid doesn’t mean others would not. Some of us understand the benefit of exposing kids to more than just their own backyard.

Some teachers, yes, some are unrelated. It's funny how MCPS screams equity except when the privileged get to get rid of their kids for a week and get their babysitting in.

We give our kids plenty of experiences. However, this isn't something you are giving/doing with them. It's an expensive glorified camp experience. Our trip doesn't relate to what the teacher teaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids went on a trip by World Strides (Educational Tours). However, the teacher decided where they wanted to lead the trip to. And of course, while the accommodations were comfortable and clean, they were not living in 5 star hotels and dining on caviar. It is very well-run, and the teachers more than earn their free trip.

For $5K+, for less than a week, I'd expect 5 star private rooms.

[Anonymous]

EF is horrible. Never ever EF. Read reviews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids went on a trip by World Strides (Educational Tours). However, the teacher decided where they wanted to lead the trip to. And of course, while the accommodations were comfortable and clean, they were not living in 5 star hotels and dining on caviar. It is very well-run, and the teachers more than earn their free trip.

For $5K+, for less than a week, I'd expect 5 star private rooms.

The $5k includes international flights, ground transportation within country, a dedicated tour guide, 24/7 chaperone, admission to sites and activities, and at least some meals. What economy do you live in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids went on a trip by World Strides (Educational Tours). However, the teacher decided where they wanted to lead the trip to. And of course, while the accommodations were comfortable and clean, they were not living in 5 star hotels and dining on caviar. It is very well-run, and the teachers more than earn their free trip.

For $5K+, for less than a week, I'd expect 5 star private rooms.

The $5k includes international flights, ground transportation within country, a dedicated tour guide, 24/7 chaperone, admission to sites and activities, and at least some meals. What economy do you live in?

One where we travel for much less but I don't need anyone to chaperone or take mine traveling as that's what we can do as a family. In what world do you live in where you are that wealthy and need to dump your kids on someone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:EF is horrible. Never ever EF. Read reviews.

My three kids traveled with EF and had great experiences. They have well organized trips to interesting places. One of my kids plans to travel with them again in college since the student prices are offered through age 22.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids went on a trip by World Strides (Educational Tours). However, the teacher decided where they wanted to lead the trip to. And of course, while the accommodations were comfortable and clean, they were not living in 5 star hotels and dining on caviar. It is very well-run, and the teachers more than earn their free trip.

For $5K+, for less than a week, I'd expect 5 star private rooms.

The $5k includes international flights, ground transportation within country, a dedicated tour guide, 24/7 chaperone, admission to sites and activities, and at least some meals. What economy do you live in?

One where we travel for much less but I don't need anyone to chaperone or take mine traveling as that's what we can do as a family. In what world do you live in where you are that wealthy and need to dump your kids on someone else.

I’m not wealthy and I travel with my kids. However, I also recognize that they benefit from increased independence from their parents by traveling without us. We also camp as a family, but still had them do Outdoor Ed and Scouting.

Why are you so fixated on the idea that only rich people take these trips? You’ve already been told that isn’t true. Let go of that false narrative already.

[Anonymous]

I've taken my kids on week -long trips to Europe for half that 5K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids went on a trip by World Strides (Educational Tours). However, the teacher decided where they wanted to lead the trip to. And of course, while the accommodations were comfortable and clean, they were not living in 5 star hotels and dining on caviar. It is very well-run, and the teachers more than earn their free trip.

For $5K+, for less than a week, I'd expect 5 star private rooms.

The $5k includes international flights, ground transportation within country, a dedicated tour guide, 24/7 chaperone, admission to sites and activities, and at least some meals. What economy do you live in?

One where we travel for much less but I don't need anyone to chaperone or take mine traveling as that's what we can do as a family. In what world do you live in where you are that wealthy and need to dump your kids on someone else.

I’m not wealthy and I travel with my kids. However, I also recognize that they benefit from increased independence from their parents by traveling without us. We also camp as a family, but still had them do Outdoor Ed and Scouting.

Why are you so fixated on the idea that only rich people take these trips? You’ve already been told that isn’t true. Let go of that false narrative already.

Because $5-6k is per child for a week is a lot of money for many of us. You think low or middle income are able to afford that? That is double our mortgage. Be real. And you are wealthy.

[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.

That is absolutely, categorically UNTRUE. I have received many emails and flyers about these trips though Canvas, for multiple trips, with different teachers over several years in MCPS and they consistently fail to state that they are not affiliated with MCPS. Not only that but I know parents who sent their kids and didn’t understand that it wasn’t an school trip until after they had committed to attend.

[Anonymous]

I take my kids on family vacation to these places just because Europe could be shitty sometimes with the strikes and boycotting. At least there is more wiggle room when I’m with them.