Subject: Re: 4th/5th Grade Field Trip Decision – Request for Further Discussion
Dear Ms. Walter, Ms. Rosales, and the 4th/5th Grade Teaching Team,
Thank you for your communication regarding the changes to the 4th and 5th grade field trip this year. We appreciate your dedication and efforts to create enriching experiences for our children. That said, we have been discussing the decision with other equally concerned parents and wanted to offer some feedback and suggestions.
The trip to Sacramento has been a long-standing tradition at Grattan—something our children have looked forward to as a rite of passage, just as many of us did when we attended elementary school ourselves. Students were extremely disheartened to learn of this decision, and the parent community felt deprived of any prior consultation or discussion, especially given that Grattan prides itself on its inclusive parent community and the fact that PTA funds were raised specifically with this trip in mind.
We understand that planning an overnight trip to Sacramento is labor-intensive and requires significant resources. As a parent community, we are prepared to step up. We would love the opportunity to explore solutions together, such as recruiting additional parent volunteers and establishing committees to assist with the logistical burden. Many of us are willing to contribute more of our time and resources to support this cherished tradition.
Given this context, we would like to request a meeting to brainstorm ideas and next steps. For example, parents could work with a Grattan-appointed liaison to develop a concrete proposal to help keep the tradition alive. Perhaps this might even become the “Grattan Way” for planning future field trips!
For our children, this is more than just a trip. It’s an invaluable exposure to state history, and the community-building aspects of this overnight experience are irreplaceable.
We look forward to your thoughts. Thank you for considering our concerns and for your continued commitment to our students’ growth and development.
Warm regards,
Grattan Elementary School Parents (signed below)
CC: Grattan PTA Leadership
Updates
October 9, 2024
I checked the feed this morning and just felt totally overwhelmed by all the comments because I really did not think this would catch on like it has even though I definitely hoped it would. It goes to show that this Sacramento trip is a massive deal for everyone and honestly I am just trying to figure out the best way to get this energy in front of the school board without overwhelming them too quickly. We have some real intensity behind us now.
7 Comments
LET THE KIDS GO. We have plenty of parents willing to help out with the logistics if that is the main issue.
Why was there zero communication about this?? We raised the money for a reason. Really disappointed in how this was handled.
My son was so excited for this trip. He has been talking about it since last year. Please reconsider.
Need more transparency on this decision.
Sacramento is a tradition! Don't take this away from the kids.
Student: Aneesh Somani
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Subject: Re: 4th/5th Grade Field Trip Decision – Request for Further Discussion
Dear Ms. Walter, Ms. Rosales, and the 4th/5th Grade Teaching Team,
Thank you for your communication regarding the changes to the 4th and 5th grade field trip this year. We appreciate your dedication and efforts to create enriching experiences for our children. That said, we have been discussing the decision with other equally concerned parents and wanted to offer some feedback and suggestions.
The trip to Sacramento has been a long-standing tradition at Grattan—something our children have looked forward to as a rite of passage, just as many of us did when we attended elementary school ourselves. Students were extremely disheartened to learn of this decision, and the parent community felt deprived of any prior consultation or discussion, especially given that Grattan prides itself on its inclusive parent community and the fact that PTA funds were raised specifically with this trip in mind.
We understand that planning an overnight trip to Sacramento is labor-intensive and requires significant resources. As a parent community, we are prepared to step up. We would love the opportunity to explore solutions together, such as recruiting additional parent volunteers and establishing committees to assist with the logistical burden. Many of us are willing to contribute more of our time and resources to support this cherished tradition.
Given this context, we would like to request a meeting to brainstorm ideas and next steps. For example, parents could work with a Grattan-appointed liaison to develop a concrete proposal to help keep the tradition alive. Perhaps this might even become the “Grattan Way” for planning future field trips!
For our children, this is more than just a trip. It’s an invaluable exposure to state history, and the community-building aspects of this overnight experience are irreplaceable.
We look forward to your thoughts. Thank you for considering our concerns and for your continued commitment to our students’ growth and development.
Warm regards,
Grattan Elementary School Parents (signed below)
CC: Grattan PTA Leadership
Updates
October 9, 2024
I checked the feed this morning and just felt totally overwhelmed by all the comments because I really did not think this would catch on like it has even though I definitely hoped it would. It goes to show that this Sacramento trip is a massive deal for everyone and honestly I am just trying to figure out the best way to get this energy in front of the school board without overwhelming them too quickly. We have some real intensity behind us now.
7 Comments
totally agree with everyone else. this is a huge bummer for the 5th graders who have been waiting to go for years.
LET THE KIDS GO. We have plenty of parents willing to help out with the logistics if that is the main issue.
Why was there zero communication about this?? We raised the money for a reason. Really disappointed in how this was handled.
My son was so excited for this trip. He has been talking about it since last year. Please reconsider.
Need more transparency on this decision.
Sacramento is a tradition! Don't take this away from the kids.
Student: Aneesh Somani
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totally agree with everyone else. this is a huge bummer for the 5th graders who have been waiting to go for years.