I have some comments regarding the recent Gilroy Unified School
Board meeting and the discussion about out-of-town field trips.
Dear Editor,
I have some comments regarding the recent Gilroy Unified School Board meeting and the discussion about out-of-town field trips.
School field trips are an important supplement to core education programs. Without them, often times, students don’t fully understand the practical applications of what they are learning, how it affects them, others, and the world around them. I know this sounds sad, but for some of our students, the extended educational field trips are the only opportunities for them to have exposure outside of our small community.
The Board has already disallowed field trips on the water (marine science related) due to liability insurance reasons. The Board has also stated and enforced that field trips must be curriculum related (some of them weren’t?). Now they want to add to that – can’t miss an entire day or multiple school days, as if the learning potential of the field trip is less than what is learned at school. REALLY?! I can’t believe they were even having that discussion!
What we are really talking about here is missing regular classes for choir and band trips and competitions, Future Farmers of America and other agriculture-related trips, college and vocational related tours/trips, athletic competitions and tournaments, speech contests, government related trips to Washington D.C., student leadership conference and trainings, science related programs and camps, 8th grade trips, senior trip to Disneyland, and many others.
Or, the students can do them if they are outside of regular school hours and as long as the teachers are willing to donate their time after hours and on weekends.
In many cases, these trips are already outside of school hours or a combination of both. It’s important to note that some of these activities are directly related to grants or other special funding – written in as part of the education program.
Personally, I think that it would be short sighted of our Board to further restrict field trips. It will only hurt our kids in the long run and limit their growth and potential for understanding. Our Board should understand that these trips support student engagement and enjoyment in school curriculum, which helps to give them a better foundation for future success.
My other concern, as a Gilroy resident, is if we continue on this path of limiting the learning and activity potential of our students, our district’s schools, especially our high schools, will become less competitive against others.
If I were a parent of a young child (she already graduated) and knowing how important the supplemental parts of the education programs are for her now and for her future, why would I send her to Gilroy schools when a neighboring district, charter school, or private school has better curricular offerings, sports programs, and other supplemental educational opportunities?
I need to think of her college opportunities, of her being able to compete for sports or academic scholarships, and how well the school will prepare her for her future professional life.
I encourage everyone to communicate their views directly to the board via e-mail, this newspaper, and keep their eye on future meeting board agendas (attend and speak at the meetings).
Jan Alonso, Gilroy
The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.
