For Teachers

Requesting PSO Funds

The Cedar Valley PSO has funding available to help cover the costs of field trips, transportation, and enrichment activities. We will review and approve of requests on a case by case basis. If you are in need of funding, please follow the steps below to submit your request to the Cedar Valley PSO.

1. Identify funding need and estimated cost. Use this Bus Cost Estimator to estimate the cost of bus transportation.

2. Fill out Funding Request Form.

3. Requests will be reviewed at the next PSO meeting and a decision will be communicated. If your request is urgent and needs review sooner, please email us.

Community Resources

Cascadia Art Museum (http://www.cascadiaartmuseum.org)

Cascadia Art for Schools (CAS) is a free Washington state standards-based art program for K-8 students exploring the art of the Northwest. CAS is an interactive and inquiry-based tour, and students engage with art through facilitated dialogue, storytelling, and hands-on art creation. The program includes an introductory video lesson, a museum field trip, and then a post-trip art lesson. 

City of Edmonds (https://www.edmondswa.gov) 

The City of Edmonds offers various Discovery Programs providing students the opportunity to visit a local beach or forest with an educator to learn about marine and forest habitats.

Edmonds Center for the Arts (https://www.edmondscenterforthearts.org/) 

Education Matinees offer a diverse selection of theater, music, science, and dance performances for school groups. Tickets are $2 per student for school groups with an overall percentage of 30% or higher. 

The Aunt Bette's Bus Fund provides transportation subsidies to schools and community groups that face financial barriers when making fieldtrips to the theatre. Applications are accepted on a first‐come, first‐served basis for schools demonstrating need. Approved applicants will be provided a Bus Scholarship of up to $250, subject to availability. The scholarship will be paid after the performance is attended. 

Every Kid Outdoors (https://everykidoutdoors.gov/)

4th graders are eligible for a free Every Kid Outdoors pass, which gives them and their families free access to Federal parks, lands and waters managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Nature Vision (https://naturevision.org/)

The Watershed Education Program offers free in person and remote learning programs and outdoor field trip opportunities. Sponsored by the City of Lynnwood, these programs are free and cover a variety of topics by grade level.

Islandwood (https://islandwood.org) 

Islandwood offers Day Programs in Seattle and Bainbridge, which are four-hour programs at the King County Brightwater Center in Woodinville that bring classroom learning to life, engage students in experiential and project-based fieldwork that appeals to diverse learning styles. Programs are provided at no cost to schools and free transportation is available for those with 35% or greater free and reduced lunch rates. 

Museum of History and Industry (https://mohai.org/)

MOHAI Scholarships are available to public schools with 40% or more of enrolled students that qualify for government subsidized meals. There are different types of scholarships available - field trip scholarships or a reduced rental fee for the Portable Museum Program. Bus reimbursement is also available. 

Pacific Science Center (https://pacificsciencecenter.org/education/field-trips/)

Discounts available for qualified low-income schools upon approval, up to 100% off field trip rates. Offers hands-on exhibits, shows, and innovative programs ignite students’ curiosity for science. Add on experiences like laser shows or IMAX movies available.

PAWS (https://www.paws.org/)

Kids Who Care is a six-lesson course for fourth-grade classes taught either in person or virtually by a PAWS Educator. There is one 45-60 minute lesson per week for six weeks. Students explore a variety of complex animal issues through hands-on projects, reading, writing, games and more. Kids Who Care utilizes best practices in inquiry-based learning to foster critical thinking skills and empathy development in students.  The cost is $240 but there is a sliding scale based on student/school need.

UW Botanical Gardens (https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/education/youth-family/school-fieldtrips/)

Students can learn about plants, wetlands, forests or Native people in themed, guided field trips. Typically priced at $8.50 per student, financial aid is available on a first come, first serve basis.