Day 3: The Old and the New. Our final day.

It's about 11:30pm and we've just returned from the Baltimore Orioles game against the Boston Red Sox.  The final score wasn't what we were looking for, but the Sox made a game out of it.  I've always appreciated Camden Yards and the City of Baltimore.  It's been in the news an awful lot recently, but the city has earned its nickname "Charm City" in my book.  One of the reasons I like Baltimore is their Inner Harbor.  It is strikingly similar to Faneuil Hall, and Boston, in many ways.  One is old, authentic, and truly historic.  The other is much newer and much more planned out.  I imagine that Baltimore City Planners probably looked at Boston while developing their modern city.

In many ways, this trip has reminded me of the comparisons that exist between Old and New.  Its Thursday night.  Tomorrow, the Belmonte Middle School's Class of 2015 will depart home and in a few short days, they will literally move on.  This trip is a bonding moment between them.  Some will attend the Voke, some Austin Prep, and others might find themselves sitting in front of me at Saugus High School in September.  A week ago, I was attending the high school's After Prom Party.  It was an all night affair within the walls of their high school.  It was their final bonding moment before Graduation.  They have also moved on.

By the time most of you are reading this, we will be on our way home, but you should know that this group of Belmonte students have impressed me.  I had expectations and they've totally surpassed them.  I am excited to think that some of them will find their way into Saugus High School next year.  Today, was another great day.  It was way hotter than I am comfortable with, but the kids didn't really let the heat get them down.  The day began at our hotel and with a breakfast without issue.  I was really surprised to see how much bacon an typical 8th grade boy is comfortable eating...many plates were piled high.  I was a little jealous, but settled for a more modest portion for myself.  We boarded our bus after eating and took off for the city.  The group split into two.  Our destinations were the same, but we reversed the order.  Some of us went to Souvenir City and others went to see the Martin Luther King, Jr. and Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorials.  Carole explained the significance of each portion of the memorials and quizzed the kids throughout the walk.  They passed her examination.  Our journey then took us to Souvenir City and the kids shuffled through buying memorabelia for themselves, family, and friends.  I'd share some of their purchases with you, but I don't want to ruin any surprises.

Through a mountain of turmoil...

...comes a stone of hope.

The MLK, Jr. Memorial.

The beginning of the FDR memorial.

Roosevelt's memorial is a mix of flowing water and still water.  It is really a comfortable and welcoming place.

 The two groups then converged again and made our way to the Capital Building.  There, we met the photographers.  This was a well oiled machine.  They lined the kids up by height.  They placed us Chaperons on the top step.  They then moved the kids into position. It was sweltering, but they told us to take off our hats and sunglasses.  The process took about 2 minutes, but it felt much longer under the hot Washington sun.  Finally, they explained that our pictures were done.  We were free.  Shortly after our picture was taken, I found myself on Facebook.  Whether inspired by this trip, or nostalgic about her past, my aunt had posted a picture of her class trip to Washington DC in 1967.  It was a different time as showcased by the styles, but it also made me think about how our modern experiences are molded by those of the past.

My Aunt's class, in 1967, on their Washngton Trip

Almost all of our kids lined up ready to take their class photo in 2015.

 Our next stop was the Air and Space musuem.  Many of the kids were excited to eat lunch.  Our option was McDonalds, but it was no ordinary McDonalds.  It was huge.  There were hundreds of people in over 25 lines.  The process took only a couple of minutes and we were eating.  The kids all had different exhibits and museums that were their favorite.  I didn't take a ton of pictures because I knew it was a long day and I was conserving battery power for the game.  At Air and Space, I saw new technologies mixed with old.  The change and continuity theme resonating even more.  The trend continued at the Museum of American History.  I walked through one exhibit that showed the growth and change of Ipswich, Mass from colonization through today.  It was so far from home, but it was right in front of me.  The changes, over time, that impact us is a common theme that we discuss in history class and this trip showcased so many examples of it.  I walked down the side of the National Mall today.  I tried to take it all in.  The beauty of it.

The city of Washington, itself, embodies this theme that I kept thinking of today.  There are new museums and there are old ones.  The traditionalists scoff at the technology-based kid friendly exhibits while hundrends of people slowly pass by the more typical displays without much acknowledgment.  In the Native American Museum, the theme is represented in a single exhibit that shows the relationship between Natives and non-Natives.  It is everywhere.  I looked to the city and started remembering how it was built and why it looks the way it does.  Our Founding Fathers were all students of history.  As they constructed a new idea on government, they looked to the past to build it.  They wanted to create a Republic based on Democratic ideals.  They studied the ancient Romans.  They studied the Ancient Greeks.  They didn't take directly from these peoples of antiquity, they modified those old ideas and built something new.  I carry around a pocket constitution whenever I travel.  I usually put a few dollars inside it (another National Treasure reference).  I don't do it because I am a total history geek...ok, that's part of the reason, I do it as a symbol of how much I value the ideas of those men.  They put their differences aside and created something new out of something old.  We could debate their problems, issues, and hypocrisies, for hours...but that's not the point.

Next April, Saugus High School is traveling to Rome and Athens.  I am, without a doubt, going to be referencing this most recent visit to DC on that trip's blog.  Who knows, perhaps some of the kids on this trip will be with me again as we walk through the Imperial Forum in Rome or walk through the Acropolis of Athens.  I've taken Freshman on nearly every foreign trip I've gone on and with the attitudes and respectfulness I've seen this week, I'd have no issues extending the invite to these kids. (Parents can email me for details if they'd like rlavoie@saugus.k12.ma.us)  This idea that we can learn from the past...that we learn while traveling.  It is something that is as true today as it was when Mark Twain first wrote it.

Recreation of the Original Star Spangled Banner in front of the American History museum

Air and Space: A space rocket.

150 years ago, roughly, the capital dome was being constructed.

Our visits to the museums concluded around 4:30pm and we boarded our buses to head towards Baltimore.  There was a bit of traffic, but overall, we made good time.  We were seated in Section 370-372.  The park was pretty empty.  I won't go through a gameday recap, but I will tell you that the good guys made it interesting at the end, but it just wasnt't their day.  At one point, I was walking on the concourse and I came across two of our students, not on my bus.  We chatted briefly and I asked them if they thought they'd be attending SHS.  They said they were.  The two boys began asking me a ton of questions about what high school was like.  I could tell, without them admitting it, that they were a little nervous about the idea.  I answered their questions and we went to enjoy the rest of the game, but the conversation stuck with me.  One of the boys is the son of someone I went to school with and the other was the younger brother of a student I had two years ago.  They seemed like really nice kids and if that conversation helps put them at ease a bit before they show up in the WD-wing, then I suppose having me on this tour makes some sense.  It truly has been a pleasure and although I'm always happy to return home from a great trip, I think I could handle a few more days with these kids.  To conclude tonight, I am simply going to post some pictures I took from the game.

Right before the game.

Beautiful Camden Yards

Mr. Engler had the entire section cheering his name...it was probably heard on NESN

I was able to sit with my brother and nephew.  My Facebook friends are unaware that I have an app on my phone that superimposes pictures on top of other images...making it look like I got on the Jumbo-tron...I did not.

Writing this blog is something that I really enjoy doing.  I love to read the comments and truly take to heart the feedback I'm provided.  I apologize for any spelling and/or grammar errors you might have noticed, but my excuse is that I am usually working on minimal sleep when these are composed.  With that said, I am wrapping this one up.  I've truly enjoyed the past few days and building relationships with these kids.

To the parents of future Saugus High School students, I wanted to share a brief note with you...

This town always seems to be struggling with money issues and that can have an advserse effect on the public profile of our schools.  As many of you have seen over the years, your kids are surrounded by dedicated and passionate teachers.  They work extra hard given the constraints put upon them by financial concerns that are out of their hands.  We do it because your kids deserve it.  We believe in them...We know they will find success in all of their endeavors and we strive to help them achieve their dreams.  This week has allowed me to witness, first hand, the ability and dedication of our middle school staff.  Their efforts this week personify what I am talking about.  When your kids get to SHS, please continue to be involved.  Get to know their teachers.  I think you'll find that they are also great educators who care deeply for the well being of their students.  And even if your kids are never enrolled in one of my classes, please feel free to come say hi.  We can change our town and protect the interest of our kids if we work together.  The old ideas surrounding public education in Saugus must be replaced with new ones.  I hope you'll be part of this process...I know I will.

Thanks for reading...and you really like following the exploits of traveling Saugus kids, please check back in just over 2 weeks as we will be having the adventure of a lifetime in the country of Belize!!!