Several years ago the school administration tried to eliminate the Outdoor Ed trip for sixth grade students. Parents fought for this wonderful educational experience and were successful in saving the trip. For the past three years the administration has been trying to eliminate another beloved trip, the eighth grade German trip to Washington, DC. This year they have cancelled the bike tour portion of the trip, and the assistant superintendent mentioned at our last meeting that he would prefer to eliminate ALL middle school field trips.
Dr. Aderhold has been speaking on a regular basis about the district’s “Whole Child” focus and desire to reduce stress. What better way to do that than by taking a trip that is both educational and fun? This field trip is a remarkable experience that nurtures the whole child — not just academically — but emotionally, socially, and physically as well.
On this unique trip students interact with members of the Swiss Embassy to learn about German-speaking careers, dine in German restaurants (ordering in German, of course), and tour national sites in the same way Europeans would — on bicycles! They only miss one day of school (the trip is on a Friday/Saturday), and parents wholeheartedly support the trip (a good value, and parents pay the cost).
Please join us in asking the administration to reinstate the bike tour portion of the trip, and to support the whole trip in perpetuity. Parents shouldn’t have to fight every year for this trip to be approved. Go to ThePetitionSite.com and search: “WW-P Keep the German language trip” to sign our petition. And please spread the word.
Virginia Manzari
Keeley Loreski
