Sixth Grade Trip to Philadelphia and Gettysburg

Sixth graders recently embarked on the highly-anticipated trip to Philadelphia and Gettysburg.  Their adventure spanned three days and two nights.  The boys, their teachers, and their parent chaperones all had a wonderful time.

Upon their return, Mr. Moraitis assigned a speculative writing assignment.  The hypothetical situation was that Mr. Johnson had threatened to cancel the sixth grade trip to Philadelphia and Gettysburg.  The boys were challenged to write a letter to Mr. Johnson convincing him to keep the trip for future sixth graders.  A particularly convincing letter has been included below.

Dear Mr. Johnson,

It has come to my attention that the administration at St. Bernard’s School is considering cancelling any future sixth grade trips to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  For decades, students have piled into buses to visit a variety of places during their years at St. Bernard’s School, but no field trip is more important than the sixth grade trip to Gettysburg.  The trip allows students to bond with their classmates and experience history outside of the classroom.  I believe this trip should be preserved for future generations.

Last week I was privileged enough to attend the famed and infamous three-day journey to Philadelphia and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  Over the course of many hours on the bus, I was able to spend time with my classmates in an environment that was not dictated by lunch or recess.  We arrived at the National Convention Center Museum in Philadelphia last Tuesday afternoon after an uneventful journey.  The day was overcast and a little rainy as thirty-nine boys and sixteen parents descended from the bus to meet the city of Brotherly Love.  After visiting the Constitution Center and exploring exhibits, we headed off to lunch.  Together as friends we explored the Redding Terminal Market, eating cheese steaks together, shopping together, and loaning each other money when we came up short.  It was a moment where we were not just a class on a field trip, but a group of friends looking out for one another.

Upon our arrival in Gettysburg we were sorted into our hotel rooms for the next two days.  Eight hours a day in the classroom together is very different than sleeping in a room together.  Learning to navigate and negotiate personalities and pet peeves was just as much part of this trip as learning about history.

Bright and early the next morning we explored Little Round Top and visited the museum and surrounding town.  The highlight of the afternoon for me was the epic game of ultimate Frisbee.  Even though my seasonal allergies left me stuffy and swollen, it was a moment I will never forget because over the course of time our game grew as more people joined.  Eventually we even had Mr. Landesman in our game.

I believe the highlight for many boys, including me, was participating in the reenactment of Pickett’s Charge on the last morning of the trip.  We were exhausted and dirty having neither slept nor showered, but like members of the Union Army, we persevered.  Our guides provided us a firsthand account of the action, including the soldiers’ feelings and reactions during this sobering event.

Boarding the bus home, we sank into our seats with heads full of knowledge and sneakers full of mud.  We laughed, joked, and even slept the entire way home having shared a bonding experience we never would have had it not been for this trip.  Much like the battle fields and historical lands of Gettysburg, this trip should be preserved for future generations.  History comes alive when you can walk the same ground as so many soldiers, and friendships come alive when you can leave your blazer and khakis at home.  I urge the administration to reconsider their decision.

Many thanks for considering my request,

Darius A.

Photos were taken by Benjamin A., Michael C., Simon C., Marc G., North L., Sayada R., and Jaan R.