Wednesday, March 20, 2013

New York, New York -- A Wonderful Town and School Trips

Chesley Bonestell, artist,  Dover Clip Art 
School trips.  During my growing up years there were no school trips -- those trips you take with your classmates usually during Spring break.  But, I am so happy for my grandson, who with his high school orchestra is going to New York City over the Easter weekend to play at Carnegie Hall.  There will be over 100 students taking part from his high school. This happens every Spring with music students from all over the United States.  My grandson's school district has an excellent music program which starts in 4th grade, and with a little coaxing from his maternal grandfather, he began to learn to play the viola while in elementary school.

The itinerary is amazing with visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Empire State building, the World Trade Center Memorial, choice of two Broadway plays, walking tours of Chinatown, Rockefeller Center, and a jazz concert at Birdland, plus of course coaching and practicing for their concert at Carnegie Hall.

Looking over the schedule, I am impressed with all the volunteer parents and others who spent months planning this. This trip could not have happened without them. The students did have to come up with their own expenses, which they did this past year by summer jobs and "donations" from friends and relatives.

Personally, though, I am happy for my grandson who has shown patience, love and understanding for his younger brother who has autism and who takes attention and center stage for much of the time.  This will be my oldest grandson's week.  I am sending him much love (and a little monetary help) and Godspeed for a wonderful week in my home town.

When I was a student teacher in Winchester England, I heard that the students were planning a Spring trip across the channel to France to view the Bayeux Tapestry.  There is a museum that displays this 230 foot needlework--
appliqued depiction of the Norman Invasion and the Battle of Hastings, 1066. The BBC web-site is interesting and shows visually the artists view of the events.  This is a national treasure from the 11th Century.  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/normans/bayeux_tapestry_gallery.shtml

Did any of you bloggers take school trips that you remember?

13 comments:

  1. My one and only school trip involved going to a glass factory where I fell over and broke my camera! An old Browny if I recall. Showing my age ...

    I hope your grandson has a happy and safe trip. Sounds simply wonderful :)

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    1. And of course all those teenagers try and outwit the chaperons another delight of school trips.

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  2. Wendy, I just saw your red dot on the spinning globe -- too much fun!

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  3. Do u know you look like see Wallace from ET

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    1. John, you know I'm not "hip." Who is she? Is it the movie or the TV show? Or do I look like ET?

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  4. Our school band did an exchange with another band in Vermont. We went there and played, and then a few months later, they came and visited us and played a concert at our place. We had a GREAT time. Met a really good trumpet player who was a fantastic kisser, we had dance at each school, and the students hosted the students. Definitely a highlight of my high school band-nerd years.

    Tina @ Life is Good
    Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
    @TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge

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  5. Ah, memories. I like the fantastic kisser part.

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  6. your grandsons, sound awesome!!! yes i remember very fondly, all the school trips, but to tell you the truth, i don't have the same fond memories of going on my kids school trips with them--i haven't tried it with the grand-kids yet :)

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  7. Chaperones have a tough job. I have never volunteered, except I did for a high school prom -- I enjoyed it.

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  8. First of all, I hope he has a wonderful trip! It sounds like he deserves it and has certainly earned it.

    In 8th grade we had the opportunity to go to New York if we sold a certain number of coupon books. I'm not a salesperson, so I just viewed photos of my friends when they got back.

    Shannon at The Warrior Muse

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  9. Thanks, Shannon. PS I always hated to ask for money, even for a good cause.

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  10. Here's hoping your grandson has a terrific time in New York. I'm envious of all the places he's scheduled to see!

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