May 8, 2006

It was a trip of a lifetime for some, a first time flight for another and a fun-filled weeklong whirlwind tour to Washington DC for Sunol Glen School’s eighth grade class. This exciting middle school field trip held the week of April 17, was not only the finale of a year of extensive fundraising by the class and their parents, but it held a certain rite of passage that has been a tradition for many years. The week began with an evening ghost tour of colonial Williamsburg and a tour of a historical Jamestown, VA, settlement. Then it was off to DC to tour Arlington Cemetery, Mt. Vernon-Home of George Washington, Ford’s Theater, where President Lincoln was assassinated and the Capitol building, where we learned our tour guide was a hometown local from nearby Dublin, CA. We also visited the Smithsonian complex, where we split into groups to visit as many of the individual museums as possible.

We toured an old Naval ship at the naval Museum and of course visited the many memorials and monuments that dot the city, such as the somber war memorials, the massive Jefferson Memorial and my personal favorite, the Lincoln Memorial. I also enjoyed the visit to the Roosevelt Memorial and the interesting, yet whimsical statue of Albert Einstein. The Spy Museum was another highlight of the trip that the kids enjoyed.

Due to time restraints during our busy schedule, the parents were not able to enter the US Supreme Court but we managed to get our kids in line to view an actual trial in session. Most of us parents were very disappointed that we could not get in but discovered that if one had to use the restroom facilities, you were permitted, under very tight security, to enter the building from a different side entrance. So, although we were unable to view a trial, we did have an opportunity to walk the beautiful marble hallways and view magnificent pieces of work.

Other highlights included the White House “picture only” stop. As we were walking towards the White House we were stopped by security and told that the area was closed and we could not get anywhere near to take pictures. We were told we may return in a half an hour, so we decided to spend some time in the visitor center then walk back to the White House. After approximately 30 minutes as we exited the visitor center we immediately realized the reason for the closure—the presidential helicopter was departing the White House with President Bush on board. Ironically the President was on his way to California.

The most difficult but necessary museum we visited was the US Holocaust Museum. Although sometimes disturbing, I feel it was very important for our students to learn what happened so very long ago.

We as parents were very proud to hear from several tour guides and representatives that our students were one of the best behaved groups at several locations we attended. Sunol Glen students attending the trip were Nicola Barnes, Jeffrey Bettencourt, Christy Bissinger, Caitlin Carter, Jessica Christian, Gregory Monson, Amanda Moore, Chance O’Connor, Daniel Zinna, Kyle Scroggins, Chelsea Whiteside and Foothill High Junior, Katie Surles and parent chaperones were Victoria Barnes, Judy Bettencourt, Ron Bissinger, Martha Carter, Holly and Dale Scroggins, Guin Van Dyke and Ginny Whiteside.

More School news—tomorrow is the annual Sunol Community Blood Drive. The Red Cross Bus will be at the school from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m Please sign up at the school office or online at www.beadonor.com (sponsor code:SUNOLGLEN).

Be sure to make reservations now for special Mothers Day meals on Sunday at Bosco’s Bones and Brew. A brunch buffet is being served from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and dinner will be served from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Please call 925-862-0821 for reservations.