With these funds we will be taking a trip with our four Autism classes (kindergarten-6th grade) to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. There will be 45 students, one parent per child, and 15 staff members going to the zoo. Due to our students deficits in social skills, communication, and function this trip would be beneficial in generalizing needed skills for community awareness and interaction with others. Also, this gives the students the opportunity to spend one on one time with their parents in a fun setting. This trip will also integrate the academic concepts being taught within the classroom such as science, social studies, and language arts in a real life setting. They will be able to see real life animals, habitats, and provide hands on learning which is so important for children with Autism. The benefits of such an opportunity are countless; being able to work on and generalize social skills, interacting with others, to learn in a non-school setting, having the freedom of being themselves, and spending quality time with their parent. As a teacher watching the smiles on our students faces, seeing their eyes light up, and hearing them talk about what they are seeing is greatest reward of all!

Many of our students do not have the opportunity to visit many places due to their deficits in social and functional skills, so this trip will provide an opportunity for them to practice and generalize needed skills taught in the classroom on how to interact with their immediate environment. Also, our students work diligently to perform their best  and are eager to learn. They are willing to please their teachers and follow the school rules. Despite their disability, our students try their best each day!

We will need to charter two busses in order to accommodate our students and parents. We also will be paying the entrance fee into the zoo as well as lunch for our students and parents. Also, we are hoping to give our students at least $15.00 to spend in order to buy a souvenir to remember their special day at the zoo. Furthermore, we will be providing a snack bag for everyone on the bus.

This experience will be beneficial to our students in preparing them for social and community interactions. We would greatly appreciate any donations! Thank you for your interest!!

Back Up Plan