Students on their way to Sacto

Nearly 400 Tracy Unified students, parents and teachers are set to head to Sacramento tomorrow morning for a hands-on lesson about the state budget. Or, depending on how you look at it, for some under-the-radar activism.

The school district doesn't play politics, so this is not a lobbying trip, as stressed to me by school district officials several times. There won't be signs and slogans shouted down the halls of the Capitol.

But there's no hiding the intent of the parents who organized this stellar idea of a field trip — make State Sen. Lois Wolk, Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani, and Lt. Gov. John Garamendi answer some very uncomfortable questions about this year's budget and drastic cuts to school funding.

It's a protest that isn't a protest. And here's wishing the kids and their supporters luck when bending those legislative ears.