The VACAVILLE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION (VPEF)’s Board of Directors wishes to thank all those Vacaville Unified School District teachers who took advantage of VPEF’s 2008-2009 round of mini-grants to introduce their students to the many adventures that can be had on field trips. VPEF awarded grants for field trip travel expenses to a total of 28 classes from 15 schools throughout the VUSD during this school year.
These VPEF grants allowed students to enjoy such diverse trip destinations as the Lawrence Hall of Science, the Exploratorium, Sacramento Zoo, Outdoor Environmental Camp, Loma Vista Farm, Sutter’s Fort, Davis Arboretum, Loma Mar Science Camp, a trip on the USS Potomac, the Monavi Center, and others.
VPEF’s board heard many comments from parents, teachers and students, and not only are these comments especially rewarding, but they illustrated the value these grants have in the enrichment of the educational experience. They only encourage the VPEF to redouble fund-raising efforts so mini-grants can continue to be awarded in the future.
Some of the comments participants sent included this from a teacher whose students visited the Sacramento Zoo: “The grant gave us the opportunity to use our PTC funds to pay for our admission costs (instead of requiring students to bring money)…it is a wonderful gift to be able to provide some enrichment in the lives of our students.” Another commented that “our class would like to thank you very much for allowing us to take the field trip to Loma Vista Farm. It was a real treat for many of my students.
“Students were given a ‘hands on’ experience of a working farm,” said another teacher. “They were able to touch the animals, plant seeds and learn about being kind to one another and animals. Many children had never been up close to a live farm animal. Field trips have almost become prohibitive with the cost of bus transportation. You made 123 children very happy. We were all enriched by the experience.”
Another parent wrote: “We wish to make known our appreciation for the funds provided that allowed the field trip to the Sacramento Zoo. It was both educational and stimulating for the children.”
Even the students weighed in with numerous colorful drawings and comments such as: “I like the horse the best,” “I liked the chickens at the farm,” and many others.
This note of thanks would not be enough without VPEF’s extending it to the many individuals and businesses who made these grants possible through their generous donations and participation in VPEF events. The Board looks forward to continuing its work with the District and schools to help fund similar experiences in the future. To see more comments from teachers and students, please see VPEF’s Web site at www.vpef.org.