Next year we are going to start something new. we are very small and rural and each year the 4-6 grade goes on a 3night 4day field trip often out of state. This years trip was just over $7000. We started raising on 1-1-06 and we raised it by 3-3-06. Next year there will be rolling accounts to help pay for these trips. Each class will be resosible for planning and hosting a family night. Whatever funds they raise will go into this rolling account. It is not by teacher but by grade. When it comes time for them to go on their overnighter they will have the funds in hand to do so.
We budget $100 per class for field trip use from the PTO. That is our only specification. Some classes have asked for money from parents, others don't.
IMO, I wouldn't want the classes to start fundaising. I can't imagine trying to coordinate for and 3 different fundraisers going on with my 3 kids - different types, times, etc. And on a whole from the school point of view, I can't imagine a principal wanting to track what's going on with each of them either.
WE allow 16.00 per child for there field trips. They may take as many as they can until there allowance is spent.That price includes the bus and the cost to get in .
We discussed paying for field trips last year, but with 700+ students, it takes a huge chunk of change to make a dent in the cost per student. Our parents pay for the field trips which are planned by the principal and teachers to tie directly into our annual school theme and curriculum.
One year we did pay for field trip funds for each grade level, we found that it took too much of our budget and took out of our family fun night funds so we decided not to do it again unless we have a block buster year...which we are still waiting for!!
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
We fund all of our school field trips. They are allowed only $250 per class. They only take 1 trip, that's all they can afford. We want each class to start doing their own fundraising. We think they could easily raise double this and go on more and better field trips. I know I would be more willing to give to my childs classroom especially since I know the money would stay in that classroom (for the year).
We are going to present this idea to the teachers for next school year. We'll even help them pick fundraisers (pizza kits, candles, etc.). We are also willing to do all the fliers, promote, distribute, so they don't have to. We know they have enough stuff to do. [img]smile.gif[/img]
