On May 25, Mountain Avenue Elementary School’s sixth grade class returned from its week-long trip to Washington, DC. This year, 102 students, teachers and chaperones flew to the East Coast to see the sights they had been learning about in class: monuments, memorials, museums and the National Archives.     They visited Arlington National Cemetery and personally thanked veterans at the Korean War and Vietnam War memorials. Students watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The sixth grade class had the opportunity to enter the U.S. Capitol and see the statues and architecture. They sat where Congress meets to hear about laws and how they are voted on and listened to the story of Lincoln’s assassination in Ford’s Theater. The group then walked across the street to the Peterson House to see where the nation’s 16th President died.

“I believe this was our school’s 25th year,” said sixth grade teacher Kelly Schroeder. “I have led the [Washington trip] program for 16 years, and over that time our itinerary has been pretty much the same. We added Monticello 14 years ago.

“What’s special about the trip is the opportunity to see almost everything in DC as well as Mount Vernon, Monticello, and Colonial Williamsburg. This may be the only time some of our students visit the nation’s Capitol and the East Coast, so we want to make the experience as meaningful and exciting as possible. It’s the trip of a lifetime, and it’s a joy to make it possible for our students and parents year after year. It’s something they look forward to as soon as they are in kindergarten, and when kids come back to visit as high schoolers or later, the DC trip is always the standout … a memory they will always treasure.”

She went on to say that this year when she posted a picture of Monticello on her Facebook account, she received many comments from students and parents who had previous gone on the trip and fondly remembered it.

In addition to Schroeder, Nancy Dziok put much effort into preparing for the annual event and the students, staff and teachers who took part in the trip expressed their appreciation for the pair’s efforts.

Submitted by Julie JILIZIAN

  Julie JILIZIAN