A partnership between an Ohio T-shirt company and the Strongsville School district will give students back the field trips they have been missing for the last seven years.
Due to budget cuts in 2010, Strongsville decided to do away with field trips for students in grade K through 8th. Instead of visiting places like the Cleveland Zoo, Holden Arboretum, Science Center and Playhouse Square, students had “virtual” field trips from within the classroom.
According to Superintendent Cameron Ryba, the cost to transport students to and from field trips annually is about $11,000.
“We had to make some reductions due to budget constraints and field trips, elementary field trips, were one of the components reduced in that plan,” Ryba said of the 2010 decision.
“Where I’m From” is a t-shirt company that opened its first storefront in Southpark Mall in July. Owner Ryan Napier decided he wanted to give back to the community.
“Where I’m From” has designed special Strongsville-themed t-shirts to sell in store and will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to the nonprofit Strongsville Education Foundation, which will, in turn, start funding field trips for K-8 students starting this year. Ryba said trips are already planned for the school year. Parents typically pay admission costs.
The t-shirts will go on sale October 17 in store and online and run $29 a piece.
