Three Short Days

"We will now be starting our descent over Boston." the stewardess said over the intercom. Heads looked up, earbuds came off, and eyes opened for the first tome that flight. "It's over already?" was the thought on everyone's minds. The hyped up trip that every student in Parker Middle School looked forward to was over. After three short days we were back in Boston, back home.

The plane jolted as it touched the runway, waking everyone up for real. Bags were grabbed from under seats in a rush and the teachers were trying to make sure everyone had everything they came with. Yes, the rip was over, but the affect it had on our grade was not. Everyone in our grade was now closer to each other than they were before this trip. Walking around all day in the sweltering heat was a sure way to make people bond. No doubt about it, our grade was closer. All the time we spent together as a whole had that effect on all of us, making us less of individuals and more of a whole. The trip was over, but the memories would never fade.

- Brenna S.

Back Home

We made it back home. Currently, we're just waiting for the busses to take us back to Reading. Not long now.

A Withering Line

I write this post as I stand in line for our bags to be checked. After a long bus ride to the airport the students of Parker Middle School are dissapointedly heading home. The three days we spent here were seemingly short and filled with memories to last a lifetime.

As the line begins to wither so does our time in DC. There were ups in downs during the trip (believe it or not, middle schoolers can full of any social scandal). We shared laughs at the Kennedy Center, thanked our fallen soldiers for their service, and more. Most of all though we created a memory to remember.

- Aymon L.

Part of a Fun Day

The Folger Shakespeare Library was a very fun part of our final day in Washington D.C. We did lots of activities involving Shakespeare's plays. Everyone participated although not everyone acted on stage. In one activity six students went up on stage to reenact a scene from one of Shakespeare's plays.

After that we looked around at the items on display in another part of the library. There were lots of historical items . There was also a gift shop with books and other souvenirs. After we went to the Smithsonian Museum of American History. The last day was fun but it will be sad leaving.

-Kyle H

On Location in DC

A Visit to a Lesson

It was a time of great war. There was much loss and sadness. This is a memorial for the soldiers at Iwo Jima. Iwo Jima is a mountain in Japan where a large battle was fought until the American Forces took control of the land. The memorial is a statue of six soldiers putting up an American flag. This is very important to us because of the symbolism in it. It is showing how by working together we can achieve things that even seem too hard to complete. 

This was great for us to show that no matter what, just presevere and you can succeed. The lessons taught were good for everyone. 

- Justin T.

Pictures From the Folger Shakespeare Library

Our Final Breakfast in DC

Our final breakfast in Washington D.C. This is the last time we will wake up and go down stairs to eat breakfast with our friends. This morning is very quiet because we all stayed up last night watching a play. 

Today we were served scrambled eggs, waffles, sausages, and any fruit and cereal we wanted. This was all delicious as usual. The sausages seemed to be a favorite among most of the students. My personal favorite was the waffles. Many of us are tired and can't wait for the day to start. 

- Michael C.

Shear Madness

I think the whole eighth grade can say that this play was hilarious! Parker students experienced a new kind of play while watching "Shear Madness." The audience shouts out ideas on who murdered Isabel while four suspects get accused. The actor who played the hairdresser was a group favorite among everyone because of his zany personality. Every word that he spoke was followed by an erupted laughter from the crowd. The entire cast of "Shear Madness" did a great job adding in connections that were targeted to the audience. There were humorous lines about celebrities and even some jokes about each other. Some moments looked as if the actors were laughing and smiling!

During the brief intermission students went outside to see a beautiful view. On the top floor many students took the opportunity to take pictures and talk to one of the actors. We were given the chance to talk to the "lead investigator," and ask any questions. After about ten minutes, Parker shuffled back into the Kennedy Theatre to ask questions to the characters on stage. At the end of the play the whole audience voted on who we thought was guilty. This was defiantly a good way to end our last night! 

- Rachel C.

Our Reward

We're finally back after a long day of walking and bus riding. Everyone is low on energy and needs to refuel. This day has been great with so much to do and so much to see. The site of a bed is very satisfying, and getting to sleep is the most precious thing here. 

With all the walking we've been doing, it is great to get off of our feet. Back at the hotel rooms, we are having fun with our friends and getting to eat all the food we have saved. Sleeping away the long days to wake up later to a new fresh one with new possibilities is just amazing. It has been fun here in D.C.

- Justin T.

Communication Is Key

After a day filled with activities, many were looking forward to falling back on the hotel bed. Sleep, however, wasn't everyone's wish to return. Some used it as a chance to talk to friends and family back home, or even play (technically not allowed) games with friends. The room definitely serves it's purpose as a place to unwind.

This particular night, the hot topic was the just-viewed Shear Madness. We were wondering how some people back in Reading would react. All of this, of course, during a texting session with friends in other rooms here at the hotel. It absolutely helps people talk, proving that communication is, after all, key.

- Ronan

The Holocaust Museum

We all know what happened in the Holocaust. The Germans, just after losing badly in WWI needed a scapegoat. As the Nazi party and Adolf Hitler rose to power, this scapegoat was totally apparent.  The scapegoat was the Jewish people.  The Nazis took Jews from their homes and into labor and death camps.

In this somber and depressing museum there were not only sad pictures and artifacts, but stories and first person testimonies. Out of all the places in D.C. that we have visited this is definitely the saddest and most emotional. The students from Parker were definitely touched emotionally by this museum.

- TJ

Tiring Days

We wake up early, and we walk around the most of the day in the hot sun. There are a lot of tired people by the end of the day, and staying up for about 17 hours at a time, like we did on the first day, isn't normal, especially while doing as much as we were.  

After a very long day of walking from monument to monument to museum to the next thing a good hotel is a necessity. We were not only physically tired but mentally too. After learning about all different things in D.C. our brains were exhausted. Not only that but the emotions were high.  After the Pentagon Memorial, a few people were tearing up and crying.  Such a beautiful memorial to remember such a sad day.

- TJ

A Place to Reflect and Remember

A place to reflect and remember. The Arlington National Cemetery was a great way to learn about and honor the thousands of soldiers that fought, and still fight for our country everyday. After a long, but well worth it walk up the hill, we watched an extremely moving ceremony called The Changing of The Guards. Parker donated a wreath to the Marine Corps, and four of our very own Parker students got to participate in the wreath laying. The soldiers perfectly executed the ceremony, and it was an amazing experience.

As we walked back down the hill, we visited the eternal flame. It is a gas light, and will never burn out. It is in honor of former president John F. Kennedy who was assassinated. Everybody found it very interesting that this has been a constantly burning flame for so many years, and the fact that it will never die. This was definitely one of my favorite places we visited so far, and I know I'm not the only one.

- Sydney C.

Barack Obama is This Big!

Everyone's in the bus after dinner and the question stands, "Where are we going next?" Everyone's hoping for the same answer, the best part of the trip. The White House. The leader of bus two finally says, "Next we'll be going to the White House." People are excited, getting their phones or cameras out for photos and checking if their phones are charged. Excitement is filling the bus. We pull up to a building and pile out. We stand outside of a building as we listen to directions and we walk over to the White House.  

Everyone's squeezing through groups of people to get as close as they can for a good photo. It's crowded and filled with people taking photos. We were so close to Barack's home and the home of so many other presidents. It was fun to see such a beautiful home and fascinating to know so many things about it.

- Caroline D.

Revisiting a Family Connection

On our trip in 2011, Kevin's brother Dan was able to find a relative who is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. So, we were glad that this year we were able to carve out a bit of time so Kevin could do the same. It took a bit of searching, but it was a nice moment as he was able to pay some respects and take a few pictures.

Yup, It's Hot

The sun is up and it's the second day of our annual school trip to Washington, D.C. As the night turns to morning and morning turns to afternoon, the sun becomes almost unbearable to most people. The temperature is just breaking 90 degrees, but it feels like 100 degrees. The whole afternoon has felt like walking through a sauna and no one has enjoyed it. 

Our lunch at the art gallery was the high light for most people during the afternoon today. The lunch room was air conditioned and people could finally eat. There was also this really cool fountain that you could see from where you were eating. So, eating lunch has been the highlight of this Thursday afternoon.

- Calvin

Memories of Those Who Served

Today we visited the Arlington National Cemetery. This cemetery is especially for soldiers that died in war or battle, but to be buried here you didn't have to die while serving. You just had to serve for a little bit.

All these brave soldiers deserve a place in our memory. Something unique that I have never seen before that I saw today was a Wreath Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Tomb is a unique place where soldiers died during battle, but their identity could never be found. I think the Arlington National Cemetery was definitely one of the best places to go while we were in DC. 

- Raquel M.

Something for Everyone at the Newseum

First stop today - The Newseum. The tour guide had already got me excited to go I get to wander through six floors and learn about the history about news. I know some people find the news boring, but I have always enjoyed watching it and reading it. This museum isn't just about the news on TV, though. They have real newspapers from historic events. They even have had an exhibit based on the movie Anchorman.

As soon as you walk into the Newseum, everything looks modern and new with newspapers hanging all over the walls with bold headlines just waiting to be looked at. Two huge glass elevators bring you up to the 6th floor. Each room has something interesting. There is a September 11th section and Civil Rights Movement room full of articles. There was a very long line for a 4D movie about how the news started and how it was important for everyone to know what was going on during their time. I think everyone who made it to the movie enjoyed it because the seats moved and wind blew during intense scenes. The trip to the Newseum was a success.

- Doran B.

The Newseum

Today we visited the Newseum, a museum that is dedicated to the history of the news. This museum has many important facts from major headlines in news. There is a radio tower from the top of one of the towers from 9/11. Also it holds pieces of the Berlin Wall from Germany. The Berlin Wall was a wall put to jeep people from leaving or goon into the city. These two artifacts are very important and hold a lot of emotional importance. The part of this trip was learning about old news rooms and learns what reporters did. 

There were many games and interactive activities to help us understand how reporters put together a story. One of the games was deciding on what a reporter should do if something happens during there story. These games were very factual and interesting. This trip helped everyone learn a lot and enjoy it at the same time. 

- Michael C.

A True American Breakfast

My breakfast was a sure American breakfast with scrambled eggs, strips of bacon, home fries, pastries, and a variety of morning beverages. I had a coffee and orange juice. We gathered with friends at the large round tables and conversed as we ate. This was a true stereotypical American breakfast that I would love to have any day. 

- Brian S.

Off We Go Again

After getting a good night's sleep and after a long day of fun we finally have to wake up and make our way down to breakfast. There is eggs, bacon, toast, and cereal. As everyone makes their way in at their own pace breakfast comes to end. I'm still really tired but we have to wake up because soon we will be on our way.

 

After breakfast is over everyone goes downstairs and waits in the lobby for the Coach buses to arrive. After a few announcements and a lot of waiting around the buses finally come and we make our way to the first stop of the day, the Newsuem.

- Brian C.

Finally Able to Rest...Maybe

With a day consisting of over 17 hours, we finally are able to rest. We have walked about 10 miles. We have explored the not long lost mysteries of the past. We have traveled through the not-so-treacherous roads of Washington DC. We have not undergone major tribulations. 

Those who are not exhausted keep the rest up as much needed time for sleeping drifts away. We are not the kind of people to waste time that we could be using to enjoy each other's presences, so it is difficult to predict when we will actually go to sleep. 

- Antonio

Nothing But Excitement

We woke up to the sound of all our alarms at 6:30. Nothing but excitement grew into our body for the fact that today is our first full day here in DC, but most people including myself were just excited for the fact that we got food.

Walking down to breakfast I was greeted by my classmates sitting with all their friends. As my friends walked up to get their food in the long line of choices, every teacher and student was doing the same.

Although it was 7:30 and everyone was too tired to be as loud as they might have been, everyone was still excited. Our breakfast today was only the beginning of an amazing second day in DC and the learning experience of a lifetime

- Laura M.

The Benches

Tonight, the students of Parker Middle School's 8th Grade got to pay their respects to the people that died on September 11th, 2001, onboard the flight that crashed into the Pentagon as well as those that died within the Pentagon.

When the middle schoolers arrived at the Memorial, I know that not even having seen the memorial yet I was going to cry. As we walked into the bench filled courtyard my eyes suddenly became foggy. As I walked among the many benches, I was filled with sadness. Why so many people, innocent people. The benches though contained more sadness than the actual humans though. They were so beautiful and sleek, but nothing can replace a human that most likely had a family to care for and things to live for. The more I thought about it though, the people who perished would have wanted to be remembered and this is the most kind thing the American Government could do to honor their memory

-Aymon

Life on Bus 1

The life on the bus is pretty exciting, but it is also kind of relaxing. It is an experience for many that may have never ridden in a coach bus. It's the time where we get to relax in between the monuments or the memorials we go to. The bus ride gives us time to relax our legs and catch our breath for a little bit before we continue on walking.

On the bus we also get to choose who we sit with, and we get to talk about what we are most excited for. Also, being on the bus can possibly improve friendships with people we may have never talked to before. It is also a good way to get to know the surroundings in DC that we may not visit while we are here.

- Raquel

The 9/11 Memorial: Haunting and Beautiful

Most horrific events leave memorials in their wake. These memorials do their best to recreate feelings during the actual event. There are many ways to do this, but some end up doing this more powerfully than others. Like the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon.

The scenery was both haunting, and, at the same time, beautiful. It had a very solemn air to it. The time of day also added to it. We got at the memorial right at twilight, so lighting was dim, night beginning to show. All of these things, combined together, made for a very moving and powerful event arguably just as memorable as the original event.

- Ronan S.

We Won't Forget the Sacrifices

It is difficult for us, the living, to comprehend the dead. We can't understand why some, individually, fought. As a nation, during WW2, we fought for freedom, or our perception of freedom. It is possible that we were the quietest while we were at the WW2 memorial. Perhaps it's because it was a war that we are very familiar with. Perhaps it's because it was a war that many of us know veterans of.

However, it is a surreal experience, just trying to fathom the tribulations that our veterans endured. It is said that we take for granted the freedoms that we have today. We earned this freedom. We can't forget the past; we can't abandon the dead who gave their lives for what they believed in. We may not completely understand what those involved in World War 2, but we will not forget their sacrifices, and it is evident in the thoughtful faces of my peers. 

- Antonio

Dinner!

As the long anticipated first DC day starts to wind down, everyone was excited to hear the words "dinner time." Tonight we went to a very nice Italian restaurant, Buca di Beppo. They served lots of food. We walked in to the restaurant, and they already had fresh salad and bread waiting for us on our table ready to eat. 

This has been a great first day and and a great first dinner here down in the District of Columbia. I can't wait for the next two days here, but dinner tonight was definitely a dinner I will not forget. This was a great way to take a break from the educational part of the trip as well. All has been good so far, and I can't wait for the next couple of days.

- Matt S.

A Great Time to Take in the Beauty of DC

The Jefferson Memorial was a beautiful representation of what Thomas Jefferson stood for. Exact quotes from him are placed along the inner walls of the building that capture the entire theme of the monument. It has a beautiful Neoclassic architecture, featuring long columns spaced on the outer edges of the building. The statue of Jefferson in the middle stands at an astonishing 19 and a half feet tall and is made of bronze metal. 

Almost directly across from the Jefferson Memorial is the Washington Monument, and students took the extra time before dinner to sit together along the water. Everything was rather calming, and it was a great time to take in the beauty of Washington, DC. Day One is quickly coming to an end, but the heat is long staying. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial was a stunning site, inside and out, and was one of the greater highlights of the trips.

- Olivia R.

Remember This?

Can't believe that this photo by Maeve was taken earlier today. Seems like so long ago.

The Most Touching Memorial

The WWII Memorial has big fountains and a small pool with ducks swimming around. The pillars all around the fountains had the names of the fifty states of United States. There are also many stars that represent the families that lost loved ones to the war. This memorial really touches your heart even if you didn't lose someone that you love.

When we were there, a group of veterans in wheelchairs that once fought in World War II visited. This was a very nice thing to watch as those men felt so proud while everyone clapped for them. 

- Maeve C.

The MLK Memorial

As I stand here looking at the MLK Memorial, I realize the impact he has had on our past. When I look at the memorial, I'm able to see how much he was able to unite our entire country. I never really was able to see or understand the meaning or the impact of him on us until I'm standing next to a memorial, next to my classmates, and really listening to how much he changed our world.

Martin Luther King was someone who stood up for what he believed in and was able to fight for what was right. The impact he has had on our nation has given people better lives and changed our future for the better. During his time, he stood up for people and made an impact on people's everyday lives. For that I am truly grateful he was able to have this impact, and I believe he was a very well known man who should be remembered.

- Laura M.