Think "school field trip" and what do you picture? Beaming second-graders on the bus to the Lensic, 10-year-olds learning how to use the public library, fifth-grade students exploring one of Santa Fe's museums. Probably you picture our youngest students taking a bright yellow school bus to someplace fun and educational.

But do you picture a teenager? Santa Fe's middle- and high-school students are some of our most at-risk children. Many don't make it through high school; many more don't see college as an option. For them, a field trip can change their entire future.

Last year, a 12th-grade student from Santa Fe High School said, "I'm writing to thank Partners in Education and their donors for funding our trip to Santa Fe Community College. It made me realize I do want to go to college. Without that trip I may have never realized I wanted to go. Thank you so much!"

As we head into spring, teachers at the high schools are calling to request buses to take their students to New Mexico Highlands University, the community college, The University of New Mexico — to open their eyes to the possibilities available to them. They also take trips to local businesses for career training, to the Roundhouse to observe our Legislature in action, as well as to museums and the Mountain Center. Unfortunately, we are out of funding for middle- and high-school field trips.

Elementary-level trips are funded mainly through a contract with the city of Santa Fe's Children & Youth Commission, which usually lasts through the school year. Secondary-level funding comes from private donors, and like many nonprofits, we are seeing the effects of the economy on donations. That reality doesn't make it any easier to tell a teacher, "No, your students can't visit our local colleges this year. We can't afford it." The dilemma — how can we afford not to?

A gift of $100 will sponsor an in-town trip for up to 40 students. A $250 donation pays for an out-of-town trip, such as to UNM. A gift in any amount will help us say yes to our children as they head into adulthood.

If you would like to sponsor one or more field trips for this school year, please call Partners in Education at 474-0240.

For more information, contact 474-0240 or rgreeley@sfpartnersineducation.org. Correspondence can be sent to: Partners in Education Foundation, PO Box 23374, Santa Fe, N.M. 87502.