Quinta Brunson aims to provide free school field trips for thousands of children in Philadelphia.
Quinta Brunson, the Emmy Award-winning actress and comedian, is leading a new initiative aimed at enriching educational experiences for students in Philadelphia. In collaboration with officials from the Philadelphia School District and the leadership of the district’s nonprofit wing, Brunson has launched the “Quinta Brunson Field Trip Fund.” The announcement of this fund was made on a recent Tuesday.
The purpose of the fund is to provide financial support specifically for field trips, allowing educators within the district to broaden students’ experiences beyond the classroom. Teachers and administrators will have the opportunity to apply for grants by completing a short application, which will be evaluated by an independent group of educators. This merit-based system aims to distribute funding effectively, with grants set to be allocated biannually.
Brunson, renowned for her role in the critically acclaimed series “Abbott Elementary,” grew up in West Philadelphia, where she attended both district and charter schools. Her experiences in these educational settings greatly influenced her, notably her sixth-grade teacher Joyce Abbott, who inspired the name of her show. Brunson has highlighted the significance of field trips during her own education, recounting how they played a pivotal role in expanding her horizons and fostering creativity. She believes that exposing students to new environments proves invaluable in helping them visualize and achieve their dreams.
Each season of “Abbott Elementary,” which is now in its fifth season, features an episode centered around a school field trip. These narratives depict trips to local attractions such as the Smith Playground, the Franklin Institute, and the Philadelphia Zoo, emphasizing the positive impact of such experiences. Officials from the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia recognize that the Quinta Brunson Field Trip Fund will help remove financial barriers that often hinder students’ participation in enriching activities.
The fund’s launch coincides with Giving Tuesday and includes an undisclosed donation from Brunson herself, setting the stage for future contributions to the cause. Kathryn Epps, president and CEO of the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, expressed her enthusiasm for partner leadership with Brunson, emphasizing the importance of providing students with opportunities to envision their future potential.
Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. also voiced his appreciation, reiterating the necessity of bridging classroom learning with real-world experiences. He noted that expanding these opportunities equitably would contribute to the growing academic success of the district, positioning it as one of the fastest-improving large urban school districts in the United States. The establishment of the Quinta Brunson Field Trip Fund marks a significant step towards enhancing educational engagement for Philadelphia’s youth, underscoring the importance of experiential learning in a well-rounded education.
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