Trip provides hands-on history for CLMS students

Canyon Lake Middle School teachers Joe Quinn and Dawna Gatrost escorted 32 students to Washington D.C, Philadelphia and New York. Nine parents and two District employees, Cassie Gatrost and Martin Amador, also accompanied the group on the trip.

Students were able to experience hands-on history in the nation’s capital while visiting famous memorials with powerful messages.

Highlights included seeing the White House, taking a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol and visiting George Washington’s plantation home, Mount Vernon.

“Lucky for us the cherry blossoms were in full bloom during our visit,” said Dawna.

Before traveling to New York, the group visited Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell.

In New York, students attended the Broadway musical Aladdin, shopped along Times Square and 5th Avenue and strolled in Central Park. They also took a guided tour of Ellis Island.

“Our tour guide really brought this lesson to life with stories of immigrants passing through,” said Dawna. “Students had time to look up relatives and look through the archives and history.”

Students enjoyed breathtaking views of New York from 102 stories up One World Trade Center and spent time at the 911 Memorial honoring those who were lost during the terrorist attacks.

Canyon Lake Middle School 7th graders who are interested in attending next year’s trip should contact Joe Quinn at joe.quinn@leusd.k12.ca.us.