Link to Photo Stream

You may have received an email sharing a photo stream from both Bruce Fox and myself... These are all individual pictures as they happened directly from our phones. If you'd like me to add any of the picture collages as you see on this blog, please let me know! The link below connects to my stream (not Mr. Fox's); however, if you would like that link as well just let me know! Thanks :)

https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#AFJtdOXmGadqFj

One last message for students and parents

Thank you to the parents, chaperones, tour guides, bus drivers and most importantly students who made this a successful and nearly worry-free trip! As a final note , if there are any parents out there who would like the photos from this blog (maybe some group pictures that your student's camera didn't capture), please let Ms Thomas know as I can send you any of the images from this blog as individual pictures in an attachment on email.

Parents: on behalf of the chaperones and students, thank you for being the trip's cornerstones!

Students: thank you again for making this trip the best it could ever be! Live from WBUS, I bid you goodnight.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

As the trip winds to an end, our final stop included one of the most beautiful and iconic memorials to the astounding President Jefferson. The sun setting over the dome and Washington Monument just across the basin was certainly something to behold!

The National Mall

Running out of time, we split up as some students preferred different museums along the mall. Possibilities included the Natural History Museum (pictures below - including the Hope diamond!) and the American History Museum.

We also managed to see...

The Newseum, the Holocaust Museum, and a plaque in remembrance of souls from Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001 (not in that order!)

Library of Congress and The National Archives

The Capitol

Spent some time touring the Capitol listening to an energetic tour guide discuss the paintings, statues, and history as America fought for a free and balanced government.

A small symbol of home!

Two Tired Teachers

Even teachers get tired now and then! Our guide snagged these pictures on our way into the city.

Shear Madness at The Kennedy Center

After a day of memorials and Honest Abe, we headed to the sophisticated center dedicated to John F Kennedy. The performance of Shear Madness is one that can only be described by its name. Ask the students - it was insane! Comedy meets murder mystery meets improv meets Newton Middle Schoolers :)

Ford's Theatre and the Petersen House

Learned about Lincoln's life and legacy, including the intimate details of his assassination. The column of books in the image below stacks three stories high and contains nearly every piece of literature written about one of America's most acclaimed leaders.

A Morning of Memorial Mania

Our tour guide jam-packed another beautiful morning with some of the most magnificent and mesmerizing memorials of DC including but not limited to: Vietnam War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial (Freedom is not free!), World War II Memorial, and the newest Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial completed in 2011. We learned about their controversies, contrivances, and causes while we admired their caliber. Einstein even had a knee to spare!

The White House

Above all else, I know we were all looking forward to this picture!

Another 5:30 AM wake-up call!

Our tour guide assures us that "sleep is overrated!"

Alexandria, Virginia

Ate a very classic dinner at Fuddruckers, followed by a "Legends of Alexandria" tour including George Washington's very first home, with its haunted backyard! After that, we all got a sugar rush after shopping at Candi's Candies. We also ran into the Powell Middle School group! (Sorry for a lack of pictures on this one - a dying phone battery makes for a useless camera! I'm working on getting everyone more invested in sending their own pictures that I can post. - Ms T)

Marine Corps War Memorial

We drove around the infamous statue depicting the young men lifting the American Flag at Iwo Jima and our fabulous tour guide read a speech to students from the son of one of the men in the classic Vietnam War photo - three died on the island, three came home heroes. Each of the returning soldiers considered the men who never came home the only heroes of the war in one of the saddest yet heroic tales of American history.

The Changing of the Guard

A group of PHENOMENALLY respectful Newton Knights quietly and intently watched the historic Changing of the Guard at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington.

Arlington National Cemetery

A very memorable day at one of the most incredible locations of the trip. Sites included JFKs tomb, the Eternal Flame, Arlington Cemetery Amphitheater, cherry orchards, and the best view of Washington DC you can find! The honor of a lifetime to see.

Mount Vernon

Spent the morning boating down the Potomac River, exploring George Washington's home, and watching a 4D movie about the General's war accomplishments. The shining sun and blooming flowers make for a promising afternoon!

Mount Vernon Excursion Cruise

Cruising down the Potomac River in route to Mount Vernon!

Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center

Made our way through the Udvar-Hazy center - the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum annex established in 2003 on the anniversary of the Wright brothers' first flight. From planes to helicopters to spaceships to flight simulators, they had it all!

On the road!

They're on the bus, on the road, on their way, ready to go! DC bound!

Welcome to our blog!

Parents and students may access this blog at any time throughout our trip to Washington DC, April 19th to the 22nd! Look forward to pictures and commentary keeping everyone updated on the fun and exciting adventures our group experiences. We are delighted to have such an outstanding group of 8th graders and look forward to the trip of a lifetime!
-Bruce Fox, Melanie Thomas, and Ginny Skulan