Field trip fund-raiser truly has a field day

POULSBO — When fourth grade pupils at Breidablik Elementary hit the road for field trips this year, they probably won’t be thinking of a rain-dampened Saturday in August. But Aug. 9 will have been important all the same.

Two Breidablik teachers and a handful of volunteers held a garage sale last Saturday, and raised almost $500 for the trips and other class supplies by selling donated items.

Teacher Brittane Hendricks, who helped organize the event, said the end of the dry weather slowed the sale’s start.

“The rain was kind of a downer,” she said, adding that things picked up as the day went on.

The money isn’t enough to guarantee every student will be able to go on a field trip, but it will be used in all sorts of ways, whether it’s helping low-income students go on the trips or helping purchase materials used in social studies units.

Coins from the sale will even be used to help kids in math class.

“Plastic coins don’t do it for me,” said Hendricks, who explained that she prefers to immerse her students in real-life situations as frequently as possible.

About eight truckloads of items were donated for the sale, including lawnmowers, an inflatable pool, aquariums, clothing, books, small appliances and games.

Parent Pam Kirkpatrick helped with the sale. She has a daughter in Hendricks’ class, and knows how important field trips are. And with next year’s social studies topic being Washington State history, Kirkpatrick said, it makes the trips even more important.

“There are so many neat places to go to,” Kirkpatrick said. “It motivates (the students) to read and write and do something about it.”

Trips to the Pioneer Farm Museum in Eatonville, Fort Nisqually and the Burke Museum are planned, as well are visits to the Seattle Children’s Theatre.

Hendricks said another sale may take place in the spring. That way, she could send a note to parents letting them know the sale is happening.

And she could get the students involved.

“The kids could do the pricing and organizing,” she said. “It’s a life experience; they’d integrate with the community, do math, organize, and communicate as a team... it’d be good for the kids.”

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.