Additional Time Proposed

For Eighth Grade Trip

By Tanjua Damon

Every year, eighth graders at Newtown Middle School have an opportunity to participate in an overnight trip to Gettysburg, Virginia. But this year a proposed combined trip to Gettysburg and Washington, DC, is being looked at for the end of April.

Middle School Principal Diane Sherlock brought the proposal to the school board Tuesday night. Since the trip exceeds the board policy on cost requirements and adds another night to the trip, it requires board approval.

The cost of the trip is estimated at $325 per student, which is almost $100 more than the district guideline, according to Ms Sherlock. Plus instead of a two-day, one-night fieldtrip, this year’s proposed trip would be three days and two nights.

In eighth grade, the social studies curriculum deals mostly with the Civil War. A trip to Gettysburg allows the students to relish in Civil War history first hand. The additional time would also allow students to visit nearby Washington, DC, where they could also visit the Science and Industry Museum of the Smithsonian, helping to provide additional information to go with the physics curriculum.

While in Washington, the students would also be introduced to literature and theatre by viewing a play at Ford’s Theater and a visit to the Holocaust Museum for students to appreciate diversity, Ms Sherlock said in a letter to the superintendent and board members. A look at the government will also play a role in the unit about elections the students cover this fall.

Ms Sherlock said that the school’s magazine fundraiser will provide a good deal of the cost for the trip and that no student would be left behind.

“I had one parent say to me, ‘we can’t do this as a family, but I can certainly do this for each of my children one at a time,” Ms Sherlock told the board.

Students will know in advance what the expectations are for them to even go on the trip. A contract was signed last year so there are no surprises for students about the conditions of being able to go on the fieldtrip. Only a few were not able to go last year because of disciplinary problems, Ms Sherlock said.

All eighth grade staff as well as other school personnel travel with the class on the trip. Some parents also take the adventure. If the board passes the proposal, Ms Sherlock and Assistant Superintendent Robert Kuklis plan to attend the trip.

Superintendent of Schools John R. Reed believes the trip is a valuable one and that teachers are willing to go overnight with their students, particularly in today’s world.

“I do think it’s very valuable if teachers are willing to be with students overnight.” Dr Reed said.

If the board approves the additional cost and day, a parent survey will be done by the middle school to see if parents find the trip feasible for their children. A vote will take place on Tuesday, October 10, at 7:30 pm at the District Office during the next board meeting.