More pictures

Here are some pictures I took and ones submitted to me by students or staff. Keep checking back as I will be adding more.

Post Trip Reflections

Another year and dozens more eighth graders who experienced one of the greatest field trips middle schools have to offer. Of all of the years we've gone during February the weather was likely the worst this year but the beauty is it didn't affect the experience our students had. When I heard, for instance, that it was going to be 20 degrees on Saturday with a 25 MPH wind, I became pessimistic but the reality is that we all have winter coats, hats and gloves; we all wore them and we had very few complaints. Does the group below look like they're suffering?

Then we learned that it was going to snow on Monday. When the sensationalist media got a hold of that information you would have thought we were all going to be snowed in for weeks. How miserable do these folks look?

As a result of the snow, we did not get to see the Capitol Building and to top in all off, one of our busses broke down and had to get a new bus for the ride home. Despite the unfavorable weather, things being closed down and a bus that would not get into gear one might think the trip was a failure but ask the kids what they think. This trip has so many wonderful things to offer that it would take far more than what we endured to derail this experience. 

People still ask me, why February? After the weather these past three years it's a very legitimate question. Bus drivers, the people who have to endure the brunt of the weather, are the first to agree that February, early March or the fall are the best time to visit D.C. due to lack of crowds. The reduced crowds and reduced traffic allow us to do so much more and that's even after the Capitol Building being closed. It reduces so much of the travel stress. During the last three years we've experienced unseasonably cold weather and snow and never once have have I ever felt unsafe. The bus drivers simply drive slower and pull over if and when necessary. The stress of the weather is still less than the stress of the large crowds and heavy traffic. 

I can't thank enough all of adults who went on this trip and helped to make all of this happen. Their positive attitude throughout the trip made this experience so great. A very special shout out to Dan Steakley to was the bus 2 captain. Being in charge of an entire bus is like being the trip coordinator in and of itself and Dan handled it marvelously.  I also can't thank enough all of the parents who entrusted us to take care of their pride and joys. There is a tremendous amount of trust at stake and I'm honored and grateful that you have that much trust in us. I'm confident that once again, we did not disappoint.