Eighth grade students of St. Hedwig School went on a five-day educational trip to Washington D.C. and Virginia late last year from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2. They were accompanied by their teachers Ms. Keri Flynn (History), Mrs. Sarah Visser (English) and four parents. Ms. Flynn explained, “The objective of this trip was for the students to have a firsthand experience of the topics they learn in US History in 8th Grade.
Eighth grade students of St. Hedwig School went on a five-day educational trip to Washington D.C. and Virginia late last year from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2. They were accompanied by their teachers Ms. Keri Flynn (History), Mrs. Sarah Visser (English) and four parents. Ms. Flynn explained, “The objective of this trip was for the students to have a firsthand experience of the topics they learn in US History in 8th Grade. From the development of colonial America, to the Revolution, and the creation of our nation’s government, the students got to see actual historical sites and documents, as well as living historical venues.”
The students had a busy itinerary in both states, including sightseeing of monuments and memorials; and wreath laying ceremony. In Washington D.C, the group stayed at Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel for two nights and toured the following sites: Arlington National Cemetery, Smithsonian Museums, U.S. Capitol, National Archives and The Mansion (George Washington’s Mount Vernon). Congressional Intern Dana Preedeeliok from Congressman Alan Lowenthal’s office toured the U.S. Capitol with them. The students were happily surprised to discover that he is a St. Hedwig School graduate. In Virginia, they toured Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville and Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum in Chantilly. They stayed at Wyndham Hotel for another two nights. While visiting, the class gave several donations to historical venues in financial need, including Mt. Vernon and Jamestown, Ms. Flynn reported.
On the side, they also visited the Basilica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Concepcion and watched ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Ford’s Theater while in Washington D. C. Some of them got sick during the trip unfortunately but they managed to accomplish what they planned for with the help of their fantastic tour guide Lorna Holland from the Tour DC With Us. Of the total 40 students in 8th Grade, thirty two were able to participate. According to Ms. Flynn, the eight 8th Graders who could not join visited all the same venues via digital tours. They did the same journaling and answered the same questions as the students on the trip. In addition, they got to experience a small trip to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA.
A number of fundraising projects were implemented to cover some expenses of the trips. These include hosting hot lunches and selling bottled water during the school’s Spring Sing shown in May 2016.
The parents also held a raffle and sold school parking spots. Students from all grades participated to support the graduating students.
You can learn more about St. Hedwig School’s program via their website: http://www.sthedwigk8.org/ or you are welcome to attend their Open House scheduled on Sunday, Jan. 29 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A separate Open House for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23.