So Much Learning!

Student on the bus ride home . . .

3.31.2014: This is how Ryan's drawing (which became a painting!) turned out.

Everyone,

Thanks for a GREAT week. You were unbelievably great. You essentially lived for a week on a bus with people you didn't really know very well (now you do! HA!), and you did that most successfully. We dragged you all around D.C. -- most of the week in the freezing cold, and you listened and learned. You learned all kinds of things -- academic things like significant historical events, and the value in memorializing those events. And you learned about other things too, like what to do if you forget toothpaste or clog your toilet and your parents aren't around. Look at what else you learned . . .

Beginning of the week . . .
                                                                                   End of the week . . .

We are really appreciative of your efforts.

Sincerely,

Your teachers, aides, instructors, administrator, nurse, custodian, officer, and firefighter . . .

P.S. Please remember to thank Ms. Sheehan, Ms. Dunn, and Mr. Tully, as a crazy amount of preparation went into this trip. Also, please thank your parents, as they made it possible for you to go. Lastly, please thank your chaperons. We had a great week with you, but, like you, we are also really happy to be home.

Bus 2: Pentagon Memorial

From Ms. Matthews: This is out of order, but I asked Nilos if he wouldn't mind still sharing. Of course we missed other events and venues, but we did our best to convey with limited time and poor WiFi. Thanks to all of the students who contributed -- from all the teams! Thanks to Ms. Bayne for sharing lots of her amazing photographs of students for this blog. Thank you!

From Google Images: Pentagon on 9.11

The Pentagon Memorial honors the casualties of the 9/11 hijacked plane that crashed into the Pentagon with a bench representing each person who died. The direction the benches face represent where they were when they died. The benches pointing to the Pentagon are for those who were in the Pentagon during the crash, and those pointing away are for those who were on the plane. All in all, 125 people represented by 125 steel one-legged benches ordered chronologically by birth date were honored in the Pentagon Memorial.

-- Nilos






                                                                                Student Photo of Memorial

Bus 2: World War II Memorial

          On Thursday we visited the World War II Memorial. When we visited we were lucky enough to be able to see the fountains, which weren't on the day before. Surrounding the impressive water feature were many pillars labeled with U.S. states and territories. On either side of the water were two structures that towered over the other pillars. One was labeled "Pacific," and the other "Atlantic." They were labeled this because we fought the war on these two fronts. There were a select few quotes engraved throughout the memorial, including a quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the President at the time of WWII. The memorial honored those who died by placing gold stars representing the dead on a wall in the back. This open air memorial dedicated to World War II is most definitely a must-see while visiting Washington D.C.

-- Morgan

Bus 8: Ford's Theater

   At Ford's Theater we learned that John Wilkes Booth didn't kill Lincoln on impulses. He originally had a plan with other accomplices to kidnap Lincoln. However, Lincoln didn't show up to the spot of the kidnap. The men then planned the assassination at the theater. Other executives were supposed to die that night: the Vice President and the Secretary of State. Those assassinations obviously failed.

-- Andy

*O.k., we borrowed this picture from http://www.fordstheatre.org/home/performances-events We are so tired, and we couldn't find anyone who remembered to take a picture.

Bus 2: Iwo Jima

          One of the worst battles of WWII was the battle on the island of Iwo Jima. There were six men who climbed atop Mount Surabachi and raised a flag. This flag represented the struggle, hardship, and determination of the US soldiers. Many fought and 7000 died, but all for a cause. This battle was a tide-turning victory that led us to win the war.
-- Jack

This is John and Phil, who is a retired Marine. John is wearing Phil's uniform.

Bus ?: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

          The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington DC represents King being the rock of hope coming out of the mountain of despair. One unique fact about this statue is that it's 24 feet tall and is the tallest statue in Washington DC. This is unique because the statue of freedom was 19.5 feet and no other statue exceeded that height at the time. 
          When MLK was living, blacks and whites couldn't do anything together, so MLK wanted to change that. He wanted to make every man equal. After he gave his speech at Lincoln's Memorial he succeeded, and blacks and whites could share the same things. The MLK memorial is a very important memorial that encourages visitors to remember King, as well as the importance of fairness and equality.
-- Wills

Bus ?: FDR Memorial

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial was a part of the evening tour that, to the best of my knowledge, everyone went to. The memorial is divided into four sections or rooms -- each dedicated to a term FDR served as President. Each one has a couple of quotes from FDR or someone famous from his time period, such as "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." It truly was a great memorial to a great President. He was also probably one of the most deserving Presidents to receive a memorial. He led us out of the Great Depression and through World War II. Truly one of the best presidents. 

-- Jack