Anonymous wrote:I just received an invoice for a field trip to a Smithsonian museum. It was for $53. Is it just me or is that outrageously expensive?

I do not know if that includes lunch but our school usually does brown bag because of timing issues.

That includes the money you are paying for the parents who are deciding not to pay anything.

The reality is if you're planning on taking the kids downtown to DC, it's going to cost a good chunk of change. This is a case for trying to maximize field trips within the county where costs can be better contained.

I am a teacher as well. I tried to plan a field trip last year and each charter bus was about 1200 to go to the Air and Space in VA. Each bus holds 50 people. I opted out because I also was at a title one MCP buses are only available between the hours of 10 and two. It’s very hard to plan a field trip using them.

Ooy. I'd opt out. That's absurd. 53$ could take my kid and I to a nice meal and the Smithsonian on that same day...using metro.

Yes it's the bus charter, which is expensive. I was very happy for DC to take those kinds of trips, but parents are free to opt out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes for trips downtown they charter a bus because the time window to use MCPS buses is too short to get there, have a decent field trip, and make it back on time. That adds a ton of cost.

This is correct information.

This is interesting. So would they use MCPS busses for a Title I school, but instead charter a bus, and charge $$ for those in other areas? Not OP, but felt this was a rather large amount for a public school field trip.

They either don’t take a field trip or the time is short.

Regardless of whether you take an MCPS bus or a charter bus there is cost. The amount of time you have available is shorter when you take an MCPS because it has to be between when buses are not being used for morning or afternoon pickup and drop off. So that means usually between 9-2.

So let’s say you are 35mins away. You factor 45mins just in case for traffic. Lunch is another 30mins. Loading/Unloading/Headcount/ is another 10-15 mins. Kids being kids is another 10 mins. 10min Bathroom break. That’s 2.5 hrs. 1.5 hrs to get all the group through a couple of exhibits meaningfully maybe with an IMAX. There’s your field trip.

Buses are expensive.

If you need assistance to pay, just ask. Schools always have a fund to cover the costs for people who need help.

Or just opt out.

Life and experiences costs the moneys. Who knew.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes for trips downtown they charter a bus because the time window to use MCPS buses is too short to get there, have a decent field trip, and make it back on time. That adds a ton of cost.

This is correct information.

This is interesting. So would they use MCPS busses for a Title I school, but instead charter a bus, and charge $$ for those in other areas? Not OP, but felt this was a rather large amount for a public school field trip.

I was a Title 1 school parent for many years. We simply did not take field trips like this that had high fees. Even a moderate or low fee trips are also funded from the PTA for families who cannot afford the fees.

+1 Title 1 schools only had boring and useless field trips to the Smith Center.

Anonymous wrote:$40 for bus is normal.

I am the teacher that responded and yes, that is correct. However, I do not know what else is included for it to be 53. A packaged lunch? A treat afterwards? an experience that needs tickets at the museum? Also, someone asked what happens for the students that can not afford the trip. Usually, the guidance counselors will reach out to specific students in which they know are homeless, or have financial issues. The PTA will also, at times, allow those with free or reduced lunches to pay half of the price and they (The PTA) will cover the other half. It all depends on funds. We try our best to include everyone.

Anonymous wrote:is it possible it includes Imax tickets? ( still wouldn't explain that high of a price tag, but could be part of it)

That’s a possibility I had not considered. I will update the thread if that is the case.

$40 for bus is normal.

Its the cost of the busses.

is it possible it includes Imax tickets? ( still wouldn't explain that high of a price tag, but could be part of it)

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't pay $53 for my kid to go to a basic Smithsonian visit. That's ridiculous.

In Maryland curriculum based field trips are free for all children.