An educational trip to Washington, D.C. would have a meaningful
and lasting impact on our 9th grade multilingual students, many of
whom come from low-income immigrant families and may never otherwise
have the opportunity to travel beyond their local community. For all
of these students, this experience would be their first time
visiting major historical and cultural sites, staying away from home
for an extended period, and experiencing parts of the country they
have only read about in textbooks. Traveling together also helps
students build confidence, independence, and stronger connections
with their peers and teachers while expanding their understanding of
the world around them.
Along the journey, students will stop in Millennium Park in
Chicago, visit the historic Battle of Gettysburg site in Gettysburg,
and explore Harpers Ferry, where students can learn firsthand about
American history, geography, and culture. In Washington, D.C.,
students will tour the National Mall, visit multiple Smithsonian
museums, and experience national monuments and memorials that honor
important moments and individuals in United States history. One of
the most powerful opportunities will be participating in a wreath
ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where students will
witness a meaningful act of remembrance and respect for those who
served our country. Experiences like these bring classroom learning
to life and help multilingual students build background knowledge,
academic vocabulary, and deeper connections to the history and civic
ideals of the United States.
See our video here:https://youtu.be/wmjs0zixdHA
Unfortunately, there have not been many opportunities for group
fundraising, which means that families must raise or provide the
funds on their own. This creates a significant barrier for many of
our students, whose families are already working hard to meet daily
financial needs. For immigrant and low-income families, the cost of
educational travel can feel out of reach, even when the educational
value is tremendous. Financial support for these students would help
ensure that all students, regardless of income level, have equal
access to this once-in-a-lifetime educational experience. Providing
this opportunity is about more than travel—it is about equity,
inclusion, belonging, and giving students the chance to see that
their futures can extend far beyond the boundaries of their current circumstances.
