I would look into how Stokes handles the trips for 6th graders. They have successfully integrated the trips and take the entire grade. There is fundraising for it and no child is left out. The main difference is that the trip takes a week, not two weeks, and is probably 1/3 as expensive per child due to proximity and number of days. The trips are worked into the curriculum. I guess some kids might opt out but I don't think that's usual.

In addition, I went with a public school group of 4th and 5th graders to central america as a chaperone. No child was turned away for this trip due to financial issues. Some parents paid the whole thing, some paid some and some paid virtually nothing. It was a great experience for the kids and the adults alike. My own DC went and gained so much from it. A formative experience.

It's sort of like sleepaway camp... would you let your child go to a sleepaway camp for two weeks in a place you've never been, watched over by strangers? Would you pay a coupla thousands bucks for it? Many, many parents do and I would argue that their kids are the better for it.

Anonymous wrote:oh, and just b/c you can't have "it" DOES NOT mean no one else should have it either.

Not a YY parent but I think, yes it does. When "it" is a very expensive thing offered at a public school in a poor city. You have to know going in that many many children can't have it and it just seems mean to offer it to the privileged few. It's great that some fundraising is planned but unless there is a plan that could potentially lead to money for all interested kids to go, it is unfair. Plus 5th grade seems far too young.

oh, and just b/c you can't have "it" DOES NOT mean no one else should have it either.

I explained to my child why he can't have the Ferrari he's been eyeing for a long time. We can't afford it, he doesn't drive, etc. He cried and I'm sorry I hurt his feelings but that's the way it is... you can't always have what you want and the sooner everyone learns that, the better.

Yes, I explained to my child that we can't afford the trip. $3000 plus dollars is more than our vacation budget for the whole family. We simply don't have that kind of cash to spend on one person.

DC took it well and pointed out that a good number of the students in the class can't handle a bus ride across town without being obnoxious. The thought of being trapped on a plane with some of the kids was pretty unappealing to our DC.

I'm sure there will be tears in May though, but as it's been pointed out before, the feelings of children aren't a big focus at Yu Ying.

Anonymous wrote:So you're pulling your child from a school because it offered a trip to China for kids who have been studying Chinese for 5 years. Well there you go. It's your right.
I guess I don't see what all the fuss is about. Parents need to make decisions based on what they see is right for their child. Some kids will be able to handle this trip and perhaps some won't. The school and parents (or rather some parents) are committed to fundraising for up to 75% of the cost for kids whose parents will commit to help. So why not leave it at that and quit getting hysterical because the school offered the opportunity?? I'm sure it will be offered again.
(By the way, can you name a Chinese-speaking country that's closer to the US than China/Asia??)

ITA. What's so unreasonable about giving kids the opportunity to visit a country whose language and culture, they've been studying for 5 years. The trip isn't mandatory and everyone is willing to fundraise. If you don't want to send your kid for whatever reason, that's fine but stop raining on everyone else's trip.

god i hope this was a joke, because a) it's not a country and b) more cantonese is spoken on the west coast than mandarin, which is what the kids study.

Anonymous wrote:So you're pulling your child from a school because it offered a trip to China for kids who have been studying Chinese for 5 years. Well there you go. It's your right.
I guess I don't see what all the fuss is about. Parents need to make decisions based on what they see is right for their child. Some kids will be able to handle this trip and perhaps some won't. The school and parents (or rather some parents) are committed to fundraising for up to 75% of the cost for kids whose parents will commit to help. So why not leave it at that and quit getting hysterical because the school offered the opportunity?? I'm sure it will be offered again.
(By the way, can you name a Chinese-speaking country that's closer to the US than China/Asia??)

San Francisco Chinatown?

wow. hope you feel better now!

I went on a school sponsored trip as a high school junior. Was it fun? Yes. Was it educational? Hardly.

Even at that age we had problems with kids seperated from the group, groups of teachers and kids getting lost in a city, problems with waiting in hotels and airports for hours. I can not imagine what younger kids would be like on a trip like this.

I would laugh at the parents who pay for such a trip and mock them for the whole year everytime they told me about the educational benefits and I would get my kid to do the same. I would encourage my kid to tell those going on the trip the reason their parents were sending them is because they didn't love them and they are hoping they get lost in country. I think it would be great fun!

So you're pulling your child from a school because it offered a trip to China for kids who have been studying Chinese for 5 years. Well there you go. It's your right.
I guess I don't see what all the fuss is about. Parents need to make decisions based on what they see is right for their child. Some kids will be able to handle this trip and perhaps some won't. The school and parents (or rather some parents) are committed to fundraising for up to 75% of the cost for kids whose parents will commit to help. So why not leave it at that and quit getting hysterical because the school offered the opportunity?? I'm sure it will be offered again.
(By the way, can you name a Chinese-speaking country that's closer to the US than China/Asia??)

Anonymous wrote:so don't go. sheesh. people are so unbelievably petty. its an INTERNATIONAL school!! And if someone pulls their kid "because of the trip" I call bullshit. They wanted to leave anyway and just found something to pin it on.

I was sure our family wouldn't stay for the DCI, but the 5th grade trip moved the departure up by a year. No way my 10 yo is going to Asia without a parent. No way our family budget can accomodate $3500 for one child's "vacation" (times 2 if a parent would accompany), the whole family doesn't spend that much when we all go away (think campgrounds, and relative's spare rooms).

The closest trips I'm aware of -- Stokes sends 6th graders, but to much closer countries, that are close to the same time zone. Deal has optional one week trips during spring break. WES (Wash Episcopal) sends 7th & 8th, included in tuition.

Does anyone know if WIS (Wash International School) has a 5th grade trip for the primary students before they move to MS campus?

Anonymous wrote:
I have a child in the class and I think that giving that child an opportunity to learn about the language and culture of the country in which DC is studying is important. I have concerns that I shared with the administration.

OP, if you want to see what other schools do, go onto school websites. Most private schools in the DC area offer international trips.

PP-please list the schools, the countries and the grade level(s) that go on these trips. Pick any 5.

I have a child in the class and I think that giving that child an opportunity to learn about the language and culture of the country in which DC is studying is important. I have concerns that I shared with the administration.

OP, if you want to see what other schools do, go onto school websites. Most private schools in the DC area offer international trips.

DD is attending YY in a lower grade and although we could probably afford it, I would not let her go for a trip to China as a 10 y.o. It's just too young, not only to remember and enjoy the cultural aspect of the trip but also to travel "by themselves". School is great, teachers are great but what if something goes wrong, what if one student gets sick or injured? I can't even imagine an hospital stay there for an adult, let alone for a kid. In theory, great idea -- In practice. Not so much.

Nothing to do with the "bitching and whining of a few parents who: don't want to make any financial sacrifices or hard choices, never really supported the language immersion and global education that is now smacking them in the head". Just a different understanding of our roles as parents.