My Special Day Class and IEP students at Oakland Unified School District are facing new challenges this year due to a district-wide budget freeze. For the first time in my 20 years of teaching, we can no longer get transportation for our Community-Based, Career and College Awareness and Readiness field trips. Three of our planned trips have already been denied, including visits to the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, Oakland Ice Center, and a career awareness tour at Semifreddi’s bakery. Our next trip is scheduled for February 12, 2026, but without transportation, we may have to cancel it too.

These field trips are more than just outings—they are essential learning experiences for our students. We use these opportunities to practice real-life social skills, such as going out to lunch together, using manners and hygiene, and even calculating tips for waiters and waitresses. These moments are especially important for students who will be working in service jobs in the future. Unfortunately, many places have expensive entrance fees, like the Oakland Zoo, Academy of Sciences, and San Francisco Giants Education Day. In recent months, we have had to ask students to contribute toward costs, something I’ve never had to do before.

We are always searching for free field trips and community-based learning, but costs add up quickly. Your support will help us pay for BART, AC Transit, and district-provided transportation, as well as entrance fees, so our students can continue to learn and grow outside the classroom. Every donation makes a difference and helps us provide meaningful experiences for our students. Thank you for considering a gift to help our class continue these important opportunities!