The Week Without 8th Grade

By Emmasae Hallen

No 8^th grade? Most of the 8^th grade students at GBS are on a class trip to Washington DC for 5 days. The Monday after vacation at 7:00 am is the departure time for a week without 8^th graders.

Here is a schedule of what they are going to be doing.....

Day 1 Monday April 26, 2010	7:00AM 12:00 PM 9:00 PM	Depart from school Statue of Liberty/ Ellis Island- eat lunch Check into Best Western- Arlington
Day 2 Tuesday April 27, 2010	7:00AM 8:30 AM 11:45 AM 1:00PM 2:00 PM 5:00PM 6:30PM 7:30PM	Breakfast at Hamlet in Crystal City National Zoological Park Group Picture at the Capitol Building, Capitol Building Tour (inside) Lunch at Ronald Reagan Building Ford's Theatre and the Petersen House U.S. Holocaust Museum Dinner at the Pentagon City Mall Kennedy Center, Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial
Day 3 Wednesday April 28, 2010	7:00AM 8:00AM 11:00AM 12:30PM 4:30PM 6:00PM 7:00PM	Breakfast at Hamlet in Crystal City Arlington National Cemetery, Iwo Jima Memorial National Archives Sightseeing on the Smithsonian Mall until 4:30PM. National Air & Space Museum, Museum of Natural History Depart for Baltimore Arrival and Viewing of the halls at Medieval times Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament begins
Day 4 Thursday April 29, 2010	8:00AM 9:00AM 11:00AM 12:15PM 1:30PM 3:30PM 5:15PM 7:00PM	Check out of the hotel and depart for breakfast at the Hamlet in Crystal City Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean Memorial, World War II Memorial National Cathedral, Embassy Row Lunch at Ronald Reagan Building Museum of American History Depart for Baltimore Check in at the Holiday Inn Express in Baltimore Baseball Game: Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees with dinner
Day 5 Friday April 30, 2010	7:00AM 8:00AM 6:00PM	Breakfast at the hotel and check out Depart for home- Lunch enroute Estimated arrival in Antrim NH

“Why are we going to these places anyway?” 8^th grader Jesse Edwards asked. Ms. Doherty answered, “ To go see the museums are a valuable experience to these kids. Most of these things they are studying right now.” For example the they are learning about the Holocaust so they are going to the U.S. Holocaust Museum. Also their text books are called the American Journey so they are going to the Museum of American History.

When the students are not in their room they are not allowed to have their phones with them. They have to give their phones to their chaperones.

“I think it's dumb that they are taking our phones away. What if we need them?” Jack St. Jean said. If you are caught with your phone after they tell you to give it to them they call your parents. If they catch you again you could be sent home.

“I am really excited to go! This is my first year going on the trip but I remember when I went when I was in 8^th grade. It was so much fun!” Ms. Leclerc said. This is Ms. Leclercs 1^st time going, for Mr. Bolduc however has gone on this trip for 13 times.

It sounds fun doesn't it? Wish them well and have fun while they aren't here! Too bad for the unfortunate 8^th graders that have to stay here at GBS while they others have fun on the trip. But they have some great plans for them to do here too.