The PTO pays for one field trip in each grade level (art museum, symphony concert, zoo)per year. I'm not sure the amount - but prior to our group coming and budgeting (money was spent 'willy nilly')- parents paid the cost.
The PTO pays no more than $7 per child for one field trip a year. The parents pay a small amount and the PTO pays the balance. Usually most classes average out to less than $7/per child expect our 4th grade. They run a school store during the year and anything over the $7/per child they use the funds from the school store account to pay the PTO the difference.
If a grade would like another field trip they come to the PTO and ask for the money and we would vote on it at that time.
Our school district offers us a good rate for buses for field trips if taken during cetain days or times of day and the school transportation fund has some money to help with this, maybe 1-3 bus uses. The PTO gives each teacher $4 per child to use for educational purposes. This can be a field trip or an ice cream party to reward for a big accomplishment. We have four classes of each grade, K-5, and they usually get together to do stuff to save money. The teachers also ask each parent to donate $1 every time they have a field trip to help with costs.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
We give money to the school to help defray field trip costs, about $3000 per year. The big debate we had was whether the money should be used for all students or just those whose parents couldn't afford to pay anything. We've never been able to cover costs completely, but could at least reduce costs for families. Plus, some grades' trips are more expensive than others, so we wanted to make things fair.
Last year we finally worked out a compromise, where each grade level gets $300 to use any way they want (transportation, entry fees, etc.). The remaining PTO contribution is made available for students who can't afford to pay, and that decision is made between the teachers and school bookkeeper, so PTO doesn't get involved in that aspect. This way, some costs are subsidized for everyone, and we also have the funds for those who can't afford even the subsidized cost.
So far this approach is working. At least, we've never had a kid have to miss a trip, which is the goal, isn't it!
Our school, K-5, field trips are paid by PTO for as long as I have been involved. (11 yrs.) Our local school bussing company takes them, usually at 200-250$ a trip. Their are about 13 trips 2 per grade and the 5th grade get an additional for a "graduation" present. Parents cannot ride though anymore, they have to follow or we usually car pool together. Teachers are the only ones on the bus with the kids, coming and going. and the kids cannot ride with the parents. It has worked well. Last yr. due to my sons class so big they had to rent to busses per trip and we just dealt with the additional cost. Delores
We use a funding request form that is distributed to all of our teachers at the beginning of the year. if they want us to contribute to field trip costs the submit a form either as an individual or a team and we evaluate it at our meetings. We have Gade level reps (2 per grade/ middle school) that keep an eye on the intrest of their childs grade and help with balance. We of course have some things that are budgeted in each year but field trips usually come in on the request forms. BTW we gleen much info from the forms including the full cost of the trip, how much of the cost is comming out of their activity fund, etc.
