One popular way that schools, homeschool groups, online learning communities, and families celebrate education during National School Choice Week is by going on a field trip. 

Field trips can be fantastic opportunities for students to deepen friendships with classmates and engage in their local community. They also celebrate how learning can take place everywhere. Wearing School Choice Week’s signature scarves on the field trip can help students feel like a team and think about the impact that choice has made for them. 

Selecting a place to visit and planning for chaperones, transportation, and other details will require some prep work. The result? A new, exciting adventure for students.

In Washington, for example, Olympic Christian School students celebrated learning during National School Choice Week 2020 with an all-school trip to the Pacific Science Center. Students had a chance to explore marine life, rockets, galaxies, and much more.

Meanwhile, in Virginia, the community at Virginia Virtual Academy celebrated National School Choice Week and ten years of online learning by field tripping to the state capitol in Richmond for a day of festivities. Students and parents received School Choice Week’s signature yellow scarves. After signing a School Choice Week banner, they enjoyed a commemorative group photo in front of the capitol building. 

In Ohio, Emerson Academy of Dayton’s choral group students took an outing to Cincinnati during National School Choice Week 2020, where they had the opportunity to perform “God Bless America” at a professional hockey game. They didn’t forget to wear their National School Choice Week scarves!

The bottom line is this: A field trip is more than a day of learning; it’s a lasting memory for students. You’ll need to develop and follow guidelines for meals, transportation, and more to make sure the trip runs smoothly. But the adventure will be worth it! Don’t forget to take photos and videos to share with families or local media. 

How will you celebrate? 

If you’re interested in planning a field trip or another special event this January, reach out to Mackenzie Mate at mackenzie@schoolchoiceweek.com.

For more celebration ideas, explore our Event Ideas and How-To Guides. 

Our How We Celebrated series gives you insider glimpses into how a few of the thousands of NSCW participants have chosen to celebrate their schools.

Schools and homeschool groups in all 50 states celebrate National School Choice Week because education is worth celebrating. Schools are where children become successful, happy, and ready to give back. 

One of the easiest ways to participate in the Week and build school spirit is by decorating your learning environment. Each year we receive hundreds of inspiring photos of the ways schools decorate to celebrate. Many schools even make decorating into a class contest! 

In California, for example, International Bible Baptist Academy held a craft contest day during National School Choice Week.

Some schools host a classroom door decorating contest or bulletin board decorating contest, encouraging each classroom to showcase their style during National School Choice Week.

And in every state, students and teachers of all ages decorate School Choice Week placards each year. Filling out placards can be just for fun. Or, there can be prizes for the most creative, most surprising, most thoughtful, and so on. Don’t forget to invite teachers and staff to fill out why they love the school too!

If you’re aiming for collaboration rather than a fun classroom contest, working together to complete the National School Choice Week banner may be a good move. For example, many schools and families make the banner their own each January, personalizing it with their handprints, logo, or just plenty of color with paints, markers, colored pencils, or crayons.

The bottom line is this: Decorating and classroom contests can be as simple or as involved as you choose. If you encourage students to reflect on why they love their school choice, the depth of their reasons may surprise you. Post these reasons around the school (or around your house if you’re a homeschooler!). They can have a lasting impact long after National School Choice Week is over. 

How will you celebrate? 

If you’re interested in planning a class contest or another special event this January, reach out to Mackenzie Mate at mackenzie@schoolchoiceweek.com.

Already know how you’re celebrating? Sign up for your free Deluxe Event Planner Kit today. 

Our How We Celebrated series gives you insider glimpses into how a few of the thousands of NSCW participants have chosen to celebrate their schools.