Elementary students will have more field trip opportunities this year as part of our initiative to get students to Engage IRL – in real life – thanks to a partnership with Spokane Transit Authority.
With STA’s Youth Ride Free program, entire classrooms of students will be able to visit local parks, the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, libraries, businesses, college campuses and other exciting destinations with greater frequency through the convenience of public transportation at no cost.
“This is an opportunity for us to do more field trips and get out in the community and get to really enjoy Spokane,” Balboa Elementary School 1st grade teacher Jody Budge told The Spokesman-Review during a field trip to Spokane Fire Station 17 on Tuesday.
“It’s giving schools a way to show kids real life,” Spokane Fire Department chief Julie O’Berg added. “It gives the school economic opportunities to ride Spokane Transit to the fire stations, come in and we have some public education."
Balboa field trip to Fire Station 17 by Spokane Schools
In previous years, most elementary students took one or two field trips per year, limited by the expense of school bus transportation.
At Fire Station 17, students “oohed” and “ahhed” over the fire trucks and equipment while learning how they can keep themselves and their families safe in case of fires. They also received a first-hand lesson in navigating our public transportation system.
“It encourages people to use public transportation,” shared Rene Bettinson, another Balboa first grade teacher. “I would assume that as they get older … they wouldn’t be as fearful, and it’ll just be everyday business.”