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Throughout May, more than 700 A51���� District students in grades 2, 3, 7, and 8 are taking part in an immersive civic field trip experience, designed to highlight the vital roles of local community partners and connect classroom learning to real-world careers.

Taking place over two sets of dates — May 1–2 for grades 2 and 3, and May 29–30 for grades 7 and 8 — the experience includes interactive visits to the A51���� District board office, Abbotsford Police Department, Abbotsford City Hall, Abbotsford Fire Rescue Services, Fraser Valley Regional Library, and The Reach Gallery Museum.

A highlight of the experience is a collaborative art project at the school board office, based on a design by local artist Raphael Silver of Sema:th First Nation. Every student and adult will contribute to this community piece, reflecting themes of connection and civic pride.

"This is such an amazing opportunity for students to see their curriculum come to life," said Lynette Power, District Principal of Languages and Settlement Services. "From Social Studies to Career Education, these field trips are thoughtfully designed to make meaningful connections to what students are learning in the classroom, and to the people who support their community every day."

The initiative was sparked by Andrea Orlosky of The Reach Gallery Museum, who also developed promotional materials and coordinated bookings. “It felt like a great opportunity to bring civic partners together, especially with all of them located so close to one another,” said Orlosky. “The focus is on careers in the community, and the helpers and workers who make Abbotsford function well.”

To extend the learning, pre- and post-visit materials were created for classroom use. Thanks to sponsorship from CUPE 774, all program fees were waived for this experience.

This civic field trip series represents a new model of hands-on, local learning — where students not only learn about their community, but learn within it.