Final Day

On our way home we stopped in New Jersey and took the Ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Thinking back on it I would say we arrived at Ellis Island just like many of our nation's immigrants. We were tired, cranky and some of us were hungry.

Most of the students climbed the stairs inside the Statue of Liberty. You can only go up to the bottom of the pedestal, but that is still too high for this Chaperone. Josh opted not to climb and hung out on land with the rest of the Chaperones who bailed as well.

After the Ferry trip we got back on the highway and headed north. We stopped at the Danbury Fair Mall to feed everyone and allow them some time out of the bus. The students rode the Merry Go Round that is inside the mall.

Then we were back on the bus for the final leg of the trip. We watched many movies on this trip: National Treasure, both I and II, Daddy Day Care and RV. On the way home we watched "Field of Dreams", a movie that was made before any of these children were ever born.

This trip was a dream, much like the ball field that Ray Kinsella built. It is now a dream that has come true. These 12 students went to DC as 12 individuals, and returned as a team of 12. The Chaperones did much the same thing, we were 10 different adults when we went, but came back as 10 adults that functioned as one.

Last Full Day in DC

The ZOO. That is truly all that needs to be said. That was the first stop today, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The Pandas are true hams, they knew that there pictures were being taken and played up to the camera. They climbed trees, rolled on their backs and had a great time. Then it was on to the Cheetah exhibit where we learned that female cheetahs do not play well with other females. Fortunately the girls in this 6th grade class are not like that. They generally get along well with each other.

On the way to the Zoo we drove down Embassy Row, so that the students could find their countries. After the Zoo we had a picnic lunch in the bus on the way to the Museum of American History. There we found something for everyone to enjoy. There was pop culture in the form of Dale Earnhardt's helmet, and C3PO from Star Wars. There was Roberto Clemente's uniform from the Pittsburgh Pirates, and First Lady Dresses.

We were ahead of schedule after we finished there so we voted and went to the Museum of Natural History. The girls were just enthralled with the "Hope Diamond", and all the other jewels on display. The boys loved the dinosaur exhibit, as well as the Mummy.

After that we went to Johnny Rockets to eat. The kids got a lesson in how to tip a waitress, and grasped the concept really well.

Then it was off to see "The Einstein Statue". The kids climbed all over him, like he was a monkey. We all hope that Mr. Einstein didn't mind, we realize he is famous and intelligent, but he also makes a really good climbing structure.

The final ride around the city was both exciting and sad all at the same time. We were all sad to leave, but also the tug of home is pulling.

All the chaperones agree that these kids have been fantastic. They are all respectful, and very polite. At no point in time have we been embarrassed by the way this class acts. Going into breakfast yesterday the man who runs our motel told us that we were the quietest group of school children that he has ever hosted. Granted it is a small class, but they are also well behaved, respectful, know how to act in public. This trip has been a joy for all that are on it.

I hope that this blog has allowed all of the families at home to keep up with what we are doing, and enjoy the trip from afar. We thank you for allowing us to spend this week in Washington, DC with your children. They learned a lot, and we learned a lot from them

Day 3

Today was raining but it didn't deter us. We had a tour of The Capitol Building this morning, then on to Arlington National Cemetery. We were successful in finding Margaret's great grandfather among the 300,000 headstones there. We visited JFK's Grave with the Eternal Flame, and Bobby Kennedy's with the simple wooden cross.

The boys were both impressed and mesmorized by the Changing of the Guard at The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. We got to see the Challenger Memorial as we left the Tomb. After that we fed the hungry beasts and then they were ready to go again.

The National Geographic Museum was full of birds, and lions and leopards. Then it was the trip on the Metro. Everyone did great, even Mrs. Brown and Bronte, who were both afraid of being underground. Then it was on to the Portrait Gallery, most of the children found something that they enjoyed there, but I am not sure it would count among their favorites. We then fed the hungry beasts dinner and boy did they get a second wind

Then we went to the FDR Memorial. The girls loved the sculpture of his dog, and many of them sat on it. Then it was a drive by of the Iwo Jima Memorial, then home to the hotel. All the kids are tucked in for the night. Safe ,sound, and very tired

Day 2

We had a very eventful and busy day 2. We started off by seeing the Korean War Memorial, then moved on to the Vietnam Wall. The girls had their picture taken with the Women's Memorial and the boys with Men's. Then we went to visit Ford's Theatre. When we came out of the theatre we had the surprise of our lives. The cross street was being blocked off for..PRESIDENT OBAMA'S MOTORCADE. The students and the chaperones watched in awe as the motorcade came down the street.

We all told Mrs. Looman that she did such a good job scheduling that part of the trip. After viewing the motorcade we got back on the bus and went to have our picnic lunch. In the shadow of the White House.

Then we walked up to the White House and took many pictures of it, as well as pictures of students, and chaperones standing in front of it.

After the White House it was on to the Pentagon. Where the students were reminded NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING. At the end of our Pentagon tour we had another surprise. Mr. Bob Kelly, the former Principal of Colrain Central School caught up to us. He told us that he is the one that instituted the week long field trip tradition at CCS, and it was his dream that someday the students would go to Washington, DC.

After the Pentagon it was off to The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. It was truly enthralling for all, both students and chaperones. Then we were off to the National Museum of the American Indian. The students were truly impressed with the beading and all the handwork displayed there.

Then we went and had dinner at Subway, where everyone was very quiet, because we were so busy eating. Once dinner was done we headed to the Kennedy Center. There we saw the Hall of Nations and all the children got to find the flag of the country that they did their paper on. We moved into the performing art center and saw a very thought provoking modern dance performance.

Now we are back at the hotel, safe and sound. The evening showerers have done so and we are off to our meeting with Mrs. Looman.

It was a very productive, fun and thoroughly enjoyable day.

First Day

We left the school at promptly 6:00 am. The bus ride was uneventful. The heat has been difficult to deal with so we moved a little slower today. We stopped in Philadelphia as planned, saw the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

We made it to Washington DC a little later than planned. We saw the Washington Monument and had a picnic in the shadow of it. The students were awed by the sheer size of it. We then went to the WW II Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. John Bennett told us that the statue of President Lincoln is 19 feet tall, and weighs 100's of tons. We ran out of daylight before we could see the Vietnam Wall and the Korean War Memorial. We plan to see them tomorrow.

The students are in awe of everything they have seen here. It is truly larger than life and has more than exceeded there expectations

Big Changes

The Trip Itinerary has undergone another change. On Friday when we are returning to Colrain we will no longer be stopping at the Battle Creek Cyprus Swamp. We will instead be stopping at Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty. We will travel up the New Jersey Turnpike and get off at Liberty Park. From there we will take the Ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The students were just informed of this change today. All chaperones that were in attendance at Thursday's meeting found out then. Amy swore us to secrecy, and I think all of us kept the promise.

Keep counting down the days, two weeks from today we will be on our way.

Countdown

Now begins the day to day countdown until we leave for Washington, DC. Today is April 10, 2009 and we will leave on April 27, 2009, just 17 days until "liftoff". The Chaperones had their final meeting last night. We got our marching, or shall we say running orders for the trip. I am sure that the Chaperones are going to be running to keep up with the students. These students have boundless enthusiasm, intellect and just plain energy. I hope everyone is walking in preparation for the trip.

The snacks and the water is beginning to slowly stream into Ms. Jensen's classroom, and is stored in a place of honor. This pile is a daily reminder to the students of what is to come. Keep counting down the days, it is almost here.