Ravenswood 8th Grade DC Dreams - Class of 2022

Ravenswood Elementary School's eighth-graders are back in their Chicago elementary school, after a year and a half at home, and are learning and growing together again. In celebration, the whole class is planning a very special educational and memory-making experience—a trip to Washington, D.C! You may be wondering—“DC? Out-of-state travel? NOW?” While it’s true we are still experiencing a lot of uncertainty with the pandemic, please know that Chicago Public Schools and Ravenswood Elementary trip organizers are watching the situation carefully, and the kids will only go if it’s safe. That said, we’re optimistic that out-of-state travel will be safe by early June, and the class needs to plan for the trip now.

For many students, this will be their first trip outside of Chicago. The D.C. class trip is a culmination of our students' history, art, social studies and language arts classes. The students hope to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Smithsonian Museums, the U.S. Capitol, the White House, and the National Mall and Memorials. An overnight coach bus will transport the students in both directions to allow for four full days in D.C. with three nights in a hotel. It's important to our school that all the eighth-graders who want to attend this class trip can do so – regardless of each family's financial situation. We are looking to fully sponsor eight students, who may not be able to attend without the generous contributions of donors.

The 8th graders have been working hard, with candy sales, pizza sales, winter event fundraisers, etc. to raise these funds. Our local community has a history of generosity to support so many fundraising opportunities in the past. However, many of our local sponsoring businesses are either closed or do not have extra funds to support our cause, amidst the pandemic. So we are reaching out to our broader community to help during this season of giving.

We have a diverse group of students and this trip will show our students how people from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs are all part of the United States. Donations will go to Friends of Ravenswood School (FORS), a 501(c)3 organization that helps support programs at the school, and you will receive a donor acknowledgment letter for your tax records.

We are incredibly grateful for any amount you can give! Thank you!

P.S. - If the unfortunate happens and they are unable to travel to DC, the funds will be reinvested in another unique learning opportunity for the class, such as a trip to our state capitol in Springfield, IL or extra local events to celebrate graduation.