Day 4 - Give me a (New York) Minute

To say the last two days were jammed packed would be an understatement. We spent the last two days touring Manhattan, and trying to figure out why anyone would want to drive a car here. On the fourth day we went to Ellis Island, where a picture from 1903 Wild Rose is still proudly displayed. 

We the took the next ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, also arguably one of the most important symbols of freedom in the world. 

 From Emma Lazarus' famous poem "the New Colossus"

One of the comments overheard from several students was "I thought the Statue of Liberty was bigger."

After the statue, we took one last ferry ride to Battery Park in Lower Manhattan where we met up with the busses and headed up to Central Park West. The group then had about 90 minutes to explore the park,  many headed to Strawberry Fields, others to The Lake, some made it up to "Belvedere Tower/Castle" up by 81st street. After meeting up at Central Park South and 59th street we headed to Rockefeller Plaza where we took a few pictures and headed for the Top of the Rock to watch the lights come on over the city. 

(Top of the Rock Looking North at Central Park and beyond) 

(Top of the Rock looking south towards Lower Manhattan, the financial district and points beyond.)

We capped off the evening with dinner st Ellen's Stardust Diner and headed back to the hotel. Day four was an exhausting, but rewarding day. There was a lot of walking, but the group persevered. Day 5 begins early, but I will tell you more about that in my next post....stay tuned

Day 3 - The (Rainy) Streets of Philadelphia

If you read the day 2 post, I said that the forecast called for a chance of rain and thunderstorms and a high of 65. It never reached 65, but it did rain...a lot. We boarded the bus to downtown Philadelphia as a cluster of Thunderstorms rolled through, and when we reached Elizabeth, NJ at 7:30pm it was raining and about 38 degrees. The weather did not stop us from having a great time though and the students and chaperones persevered.

Our tour guides met us at the Constitution Center and took us around historic Philadelphia. Highlights of the walking tour include: Independence Hall, originally called the Pennsylvania State house, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed. The Liberty Bell, arguably the most recognized symbol of freedom in the US, and across the world. Elfreths Alley, the oldest continuously used residential street in the US where houses date back to 1702. The Betsy Ross house, where the American flag was created in secrecy. Christ Church, where many of the founding fathers worshiped, Ben Frankin's grave, and the US Mint, where coins are made. 

After putting on a few miles we ended our time in Philadelphia at the Constitution Center, where we say a powerful presentation on the meaning of the phrase "We The People" and explored the meaning behind our Constitution. There is also founders hall, which features life size statues of the founding fathers and how they may have been posited when the Constitution was being signed. 

SIDE NOTE: Robert Morris is one of the only founding fathers to sign the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution. He also shares his name with my Grandfather. I may have tried to convince the kids that the Robert Morris in founders hall was my my Grandfather. 

We headed up the famous Jersey Turnpike to Elizabeth, NJ and our home base for the next 3 days. Wednesday we tour Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Top of the Rock and more. We have a busy couple of days ahead. Enjoy the pictures below and remember It is a GREAT day to be a Wildcat!

-- Mr. Yeska 

Group photo with Independence Hall in the background. 

Saying Hello to Robert Morris 

Elfreth's Alley - until 6 years ago this was a two way street

A true symbol of Freedom

Inside Independence Hall. This is where the Declaration was signed. 

Out Philadelphia tour guide, outside of Independence Hall.

More pictures to follow. 

Day 2 (Valley) Forging a New Path

Our second day featured a long bus ride through the Allegheny mountains, and rolling hills of the Keystone state. We arrived at Vallley Forge National Park just after 3pm EDT. Our tour guides took us around the park and provided a great history about the significance of the historic site. We also learned about the many lessons the continental Army learned to prevent the spread of disease in the late 1700's. Stops on the tour included replica soil dears quarters (roughly 14'x16' and slept12), General Washington's house where students got to touch and use the same hand railing to get upstairs that George Washington used, and the Episcopalian church built in Washington's honor.

A side note about the church, each Sunday is dedicated to a state in the union determined by the order in which the state joined the union. This Sunday 4/2 is Wisconsin's Sunday. 

We made it to our hotel just before 6, where students had just over an hour to relax, workout, or nap before heading to Dave and Busters for dinner and a night at the arcade. Tuesday we are taking a walking tour of historic Philadelphia, and get to see important buildings in the creation of our nation.

Monday it was sunny and 60, Tuesday calls for a chance of rain and thunderstorms, but on the way to 65. 

Statistics from BUS 1 - Day 2 total
Books Read: .25 (Finished reading Best State Ever by Dave Barry)
Cups of Coffee Mr Yeska drank: 3
Crossword puzzles completed: 2 +1 Sudoku
Movies Watched: 2 (We Are Marshall, Maid in Manhattan)
Rest Stops: 2
Minutes Napped: 45
Number of times someone asked: How soon until we stop - Still too many to count

Statistics from BUS 1 - Trip totals
Books Read: 1 (Best State Ever by Dave Barry)
Cups of Coffee Mr Yeska drank: 4
Crossword puzzles completed: 4 +1 Sudoku
Movies Watched: 5 (Talladega Nights, The Princess Bride, Grown Ups)
Rest Stops: 5
Minutes Napped: 45
Number of times someone asked: How soon until we stop - I stopped counting after 1

(Pictures to follow later) 

Day 1 - Nothin's Gonna Stop Us Now

We left Wild Rose in the pouring rain at 6:30 Sunday morning. It rained heaviest in Wisconsin, and we drove in and out of showers and sun through Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. When we left it was 32 degrees, by the time we stopped in Indiana it had made it up to 53. Everyone seemed excited about the warmer temperatures.

Sunday was a travel day with very little excitement, and a lot of time on the bus. The kids were able to burn some energy at the pool last night. We arrived at our hotel at 6:45 EDT, which gave the spring sport athletes time to stretch and run, or throw and catch.

Our agenda for tomorrow includes: A visit to Valley Forge, where George Washington and hte Continental Army spent the winter of 1777/78, and an evening at Dave & Busters.

Statistics from BUS 1 - 1 day total
Books Read: .75 (Currently reading Best State Ever by Dave Barry)
Cups of Coffee Mr Yeska drank: 1 (I perservered)
Crossword puzzles completed: 2
Movies Watched: 3 (Talladega Nights, The Princess Bride, Grown Ups)
Rest Stops: 3
Number of times someone asked: How soon until we stop - Too many to count

Even on a trip our spring sport athletes are dedicated to succeed 

Two Days Left - Don't Stop Believing

The students, chaperones, and teachers are excited and ready to go. Wheels will be rolling at 6:30 Sunday morning. Our first day will not be terribly exciting, with scenic views of the Indiana and Ohio Turnpikes. However it is not all about the destination, it is about the Journey!

Follow along with our journey, on this blog, I will also try and get pictures to the districts social media sites. If you have any questions, or comments about the trip and what we are seeing. Leave them in the comment section below.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

- Mr. Yeska

Adventure 2017!

3/5/17...21 Days to Departure...

It is hard to believe, but as of today we are three weeks away from departing on the 2nd edition of the Social Studies Trip to Philadelphia and New York City. The students, chaperones, and myself are excited for this adventure. A letter will be going in the mail this week with expectations and final reminders. 

Stay tuned for further updates as we get closer to the 3/26, and follow along with us on this journey. 

Here is a look back at the crew from the 1st trip in 2015!

It is a GREAT day to be a WILDCAT!
-Mr. Yeska

Cleveland Rocks, and Homeward Bound

I was torn between two songs for the last blog post of this great trip, so I went with both. We made it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, on the shores of Lake Erie. For a lot of people on the bus, including myself, 2 hours was not nearly enough time to spend there.

We made it back to Wild Rose around 9:15 tonight. I cannot express enough how grateful I am to this group of individuals for their help and cooperation this week. You were truly a great group to work with. 

I asked each student what their favorite part of the trip was, so as a sign off here is what they had to say...

Top of the Rock, seeing the city. - Tanner

Forcing Mr. Yeska into the pool -Nick 

Being in New York and seeing how nuts it was. Aladdin was good, being able to walk around Times Square, and Top of the Rock were the best, -Jeremy 

New York was pretty amazing, being on the top of the city was great and just hanging out with great friends. - Justin 

The best part of the trip was going to New York and feeing people spend their day in the big apple. -Jerah

Seeing the Statue of Liberty, and even though I was a little scared, going on the rock and seeing all of the city. -Jacob 

The best part was exploring New York, every last bit of it. -Faith

The whole trip was pretty amazing, but the best part was seeing how different we live. - Ari G.

The best part for me was Times Square and the broadway show. - Robbie

The best part was being on top of the rock to see the city. - Austîn 

The whole trip was a unforgettable experience! My favorite parts were seeing the geography of the east coast, and the rock and roll hall of fame. Also the amazing view from the rock. - Mary

My favorite parts were when we drove through New York, I'm not a city person, but it was beautiful! Then we went to the top of the rock! Oh wow was that amazing. Then the last was the rock and roll hall of fame. Every one of my favorite singers were there, well except Dolly. - Dani

My favorite part about this trip was to see all the sights on the on the way there and back, I loved seeing all the buildings in New York, but I'd never want to live there.  I liked walking the streets too. -Monica

My favorite part about the trip was going to Broadway! This part of the trip meant a lot to me because I am all about theater, and it'd be amazing to work up to something like broadway. - Allie

My favorite part about this trip was walking around Times Square. I was able to take a picture with a giant version of the sphere. The view of Top of the Rock was just as great! - Sierra

Most favorite part about my trip was Times Square & Top of the Rock. It was nice and I've always dreamed about going there. - Derek

My favorite part of this trip was going to Times Square. I loved seeing Aladdin on Broadway and walking around in New York City - my dream city (I hope to live there). I loved going to the Hard Rock Cafe and the Rock Hall, and I'd love to be able to go back (and maybe have more time in Times Square). - Megan

My favorite part of the trip was going to New York and exploring Times Square, and exploring Philadelphia. Seeing the architecture and the art within the city and historic buildings were breathtaking! I'm definitely coming back. - Katie

My favorite part of this week was definitely seeing all the new attractions that we didn't see last year. It was beautiful to see all the New York lights! - Haeleigh

My all time favorite part of this trip was going down times square and seeing all of the lights and stores. I loved going to see Aladdin. It was amazing, I love theater so much. - Ari D.

My favorite part of this New York trip was the experience. I mean I've seen pictures of the place, but you can only get ideas from pictures you can't really understand them until you have experienced them first hand. - Haley A.

Finally, over the course of the week we encountered several other school groups. After these encounters I was always left with one of two thoughts:
1) "We have a great group of kids in Wild Rose, very well behaved and respectful."
2) "I would be embarrassed if I was that kids teacher."

The students and chaperones did a great job all week, especially getting on and off the bus in NYC.

I hope to be able to take another group in 2 years!
Until next time,...
-Big Y