Anonymous wrote:Are they going to a museum in DC, OP?

When my kid went they ate on the bus after the museum tour. Can't imagine that schools will force a parent to send $20 for lunch.

My child did go on a field trip just like this and they were not allowed to bring bagged lunch and the suggestion was $20-30.

Are they going to a museum in DC, OP?

When my kid went they ate on the bus after the museum tour. Can't imagine that schools will force a parent to send $20 for lunch.

Maybe wherever they are going doesn’t allow food to be brought inside, and bag lunches cannot be left on buses that may not be allowed to park/idle and block traffic on the mall when it’s time to grab the lunches. The cafeterias in the museums are insanely overpriced and you do need $20 to eat there. Not sure about prices for food trucks.

When we had a field trip, chaperones brought a backpack and held the lunches in it, and then kids ate picnic-style on the mall or steps. Maybe not as easy in winter, though.

At our HS, bagged school lunches are provided for the FARMs students. For instance, if the students are going to the HBCU fair or college fair, bagged lunches are available for them to pick up and bring along.

Perhaps, your school has similar arrangement?

Anonymous wrote:It's possible that the school is asking for more cash than needed, so that the kids don't run out of money. They could come back with change.

No, the finances for a field trip are worked out in advance with the financial secretary at the school. Schools are required to be precise and accurate.

Is this a problem for you or are you just projecting potential issues? Schools have systems in place to make sure everyone can go. For example, when I was going through a rough patch, I couldn’t pay for outdoor education so the school paid for my DD. Nobody knew except the school’s office and myself- even the teacher and my daughter didn’t know. Feel free to email the teacher and ask if extra donations are needed, but don’t assume that they don’t already have policies in place.

MCPS is a public school system, and under the obligation to make lunches low-cost. There is a box to check for this on the field trip form, if the family is in need of help. If the form is unclear, please contact the school. There should be a phone number on the form for any questions related to cost.

My 8th grader is going to the African-American History Museum in a few weeks, and she is bringing a bagged lunch.

It's possible that the school is asking for more cash than needed, so that the kids don't run out of money. They could come back with change.

Anonymous wrote:Why can’t they bring the field trip bagged lunch from the cafeteria?
All kids should be able request one.
What school?

They shouldn’t be denied the access to school lunches even for a field trip.

It would be interesting to ask for a cost breakdown for that $20 fee. The financial director for the school would have that information. Not that you would be able to speak to that person unless you cold-called the school and got through that way.

I chaperoned a 5th grade field trip where kids had the option to buy lunch or bring a bagged lunch. It's weird that that's not an option for your field trip, OP.

Why can’t they bring the field trip bagged lunch from the cafeteria?
All kids should be able request one.
What school?

They shouldn’t be denied the access to school lunches even for a field trip.

I could see $5-10 but where are these kids eating? We rarely spend $20 eating out so I'd be annoyed too.

Call or e-mail the teacher. The teacher, via the principal or PTA, may be able to arrange funds for those who need help. Also, the principal should be sensitized to this expense.

That is surprising!

My kid is going on a field trip. Cost is $6 for the bus. I understand that. But I also have to send $20 cash for lunch. No bag lunches allowed. I don’t know why.

$15-$20 is probably pretty accurate for lunch on the mall. Seems rather inequitable to me. If your family can’t afford the $6, there is a mechanism in place for the school to help. How does the school help you buy lunch? $20 is a lot for some families especially for 1 kid to spend on 1 meal. The lunch thing just rubs me the wrong way.