Eight city schools received grant money for field trips to the Liberty Science Center, the New Jersey State Botanical Garden, the Apollo Theater, and many more from the Field Trip New Jersey initiative funded by the Community Foundation of New Jersey and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
Don Bosco Technology Academy, School 5, School 6, and the School of Information Technology at Eastside High School each received $700 which is the maximum grant amount awarded by the program.
The Paterson Charter School for Science & Technology, the Paterson Family Center, School 2, and the New Roberto Clemente School were also awarded grants as part of the program.
Launched in January, the Field Trip New Jersey initiative gives educators at schools with 65 percent of students eligible for free and reduced lunch under the National School Lunch Program the opportunity to apply for grants to help fund educational field trips.
The Program will cover transportation costs for the schools to visit the Bronx Zoo, New Jersey State Botanical Gardens, the Liberty Science Center, the Apollo Theater, and several universities within the NJ area from March 15th until the end of the 2015-2016 school year.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to award these grants to help bring learning to life,” said Chris Daggett, president of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
Field Trip New Jersey has awarded 83 grants to 15 New Jersey counties totaling more than $45,000 to support educational field trips.
“Field trips add a whole new dimension, making learning fun while also deepening students’ educational experience. All of our students deserve these opportunities,” said Daggett.
The announcement of the grants program generated more than 150 applications according to Hans Decker, president of the Community Foundation of New Jersey.
“With the costs associated with field trips becoming increasingly hard to come by, there’s a need to fill the gap. We want to continue providing this fund, but we need your help and invite anyone with a fond field trip memory or a love of learning to show their support,” said Decker.
Both foundations are aiming to raise $2 million in the hopes of making the Field Trip New Jersey fund permanent so as to offer $50,000 in grants annually through the initiative.
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