Family 4/5 has planned several curricular field trips so far this year.  Below is a description of each trip.  No student is obligated to pay for his/her participation on the field trip, and if they are unable to donate, they cannot be individually withheld from the field trip as a result.

Skirball Cultural Center

Students will go on an exciting journey of discovery, learning, and hope! Students will explore the topics of immigration, identity, and values through hands-on activities and engaging discussions in our Visions and Values galleries. By examining real stories of people who immigrated to the United States and connecting them to the present, students will build critical thinking, empathy, and collaboration skills. Students will also reflect on their own personal narratives and core values and create a journal to inspire positive change.

• Thursday, September 19, 2024
• Room 8 (Nassir)
• Room 16 (Pierce)
• Thursday, September 26, 2024
• Room 4 (Close)
• Room 15 (D’Arceaux)
• Friday, September 27, 2024
• Room 7 (Garringer)
• Room 12 (Tanaka)
• Lunch will be back at school
• Departure is at 9:00 am by bus
• Return at 12:30 pm by bus
• Tour from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
• Transportation and admission is funded by CAP

Revolutionary Voyage – Ocean Institute

During this overnight experience, students participate as a new "greenhand" sailor transporting much needed supplies to General George Washington's army in 1777, and students will appreciate the bravery and spirit of those who risked their lives, facing countless dangers as they pursued the American ideals of free trade. Working together, learning how to defend and maintain the ship, handle sails, navigate, provide provisions and medical care under the looming threat of British attack, students will reflect on the political, social, and economic ideas and interests that affected the colonists during the Revolutionary War. 

More information will follow at the Parent Information Meeting on Wednesday, September 19th, at 6:00 pm via Zoom.

• Room 15: Monday, March 17, 2025 to Tuesday, March 18, 2025
• Room 16: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 to Wednesday, March 19, 2025 
• Room 7: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 to Thursday, March 20, 2025
• Room 12: Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Friday, March 21, 2025
• Room 8: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 to Thursday, March 27, 2025
• Room 4: Thursday, March 27, 2025 to Friday, March 2025
• LAUSD parent chaperones and drivers will be needed for this trip
• Departure time from Westwood Charter is 12:00 pm by charter bus
• Departure time from Dana Point is 9:00 am by LAUSD approved parent drivers 
• Students return to Westwood Charter at approximately 10:30 am with parent drivers
• Student cost = $180.00 per student.

International Printing Press

A Museum on Wheels brings the best of the Printing Museum’s educational programs to our school. Beginning at our traveling colonial printing shop, your guide slips on an apron and steps up to Franklin’s press. With the help of students, metal type is hand set to help create his famous Poor Richard’s Almanack. With historical artifacts and quality graphics, the presentation covers the long history of books, from papyrus scrolls and manuscripts to the books and newspapers of today. Students will see a page of Gutenberg Bible, rare Chinese printing blocks, early colonial books and demonstrations of printing and bookbinding.  During the second half of the presentation, the Inventive Dr. Franklin is presenting the story of his life to students in the school auditorium, introducing you to his many inventions and discoveries, from swim fins to bi-focals, from the first lending library to the Constitution. Students are introduced to the world of electricity and science as Dr. Franklin demonstrates his static electrical generator, originally used to create a battery. Franklin aims to ignite young minds with the wonders of science and invention.

• March 1, 2023: Group A 8:20-9:20, switch 9:20-10:20
• Room 11, 12, 16, 17
• March 1, 2023: Group B: 11:20-12:20, lunch, 1:20-2:20
• Room 4, 7, 15
• Cost funded by CAP

Ballona Wetlands

Friends of Ballona Wetlands offers Explore Ballona! as a complete environmental education journey. From a pre-visit lesson, to a hands-on field trip, to post-visit concluding lesson, this experience will help students become environmental stewards. This trip has age appropriate activities that correlate to grade specific NGSS and History/Social Science Standards. Our students will grow their understanding of the natural world and their role in it through Explore Ballona!

• Friday, May 2 Room 7 and Room 15 at 9:30 am - 12:30
• Monday, May 5 Room 12 and 16 at 9:30 am - 12:30
• Friday, May 9 Room 4 and Room 8 at 9:30 am - 12:30
• LAUSD approved parent drivers are needed for this trip
• Suggested honorarium of $5 per student

TOTAL COST = $185.00 per student**

The total cost for all three field experiences is $185.00 per student.  These are paid for with money acquired through donations.  Soon we will provide more information on how to make donations.  

**All parents who volunteer to chaperone must go through the district parent volunteer approval process

***All parents who volunteer to drive on field trips must also go through the district parent volunteer approval process and include proof of current license and insurance. (Will need to be updated based on expiration.)

Sincerely, 

The Family 4/5 Teachers