PARIS — Assessing its $20,000 donation to fund field trips for elementary school students in Oxford Hills as a success, Norway Savings Bank has renewed the program, dubbed “Viking FUNds” for the 2023-24 academic year.

NSB made that first donation early this year after taking stock of requests for assistance it received from educators within Maine School Administrative District 17.

The goal for Viking FUNds was to ensure that every student within the district had the opportunity to participate in experiential learning through field trips or special classroom guests.

Experiences included Chewonki in Wiscasset, Mad Science programs, Lewiston Public Theater, Theater at Monmouth, Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, Boston Tea Party, Freedom Trail, Boston Museum of Science, Victoria Mansion in Portland, Pineland Farms in New Gloucester and the Maine Gem and Mineral Museum in Bethel.

“Nearly all of the $20,000 funds [from NSB} were expended, and the remaining have been rolled over to use this year,” said Jill Bartash, curriculum director for SAD 17. “NSB has awarded another $20,000; one school has already tapped it to fund a project related to outdoor learning.”

Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School has a separate academic boosters program, launched in 2022 with $10,000 donated by alumnus Rob Campbell and an additional $15,000 in matching funds.

With the elimination of field trips from school district budgets in Maine years ago, it has fallen to students to fundraise and educators to seek grants and donations. Bartash would like to see other benefactors contribute to Viking FUNds. “We would be happy to expand the program if there are other donors who would like to offer support,” she said.

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