McCaffrey Middle School Washington DC Trip 2014

Tuesday I didn't have time or energy to update! As a quick recap, we visited the Lincoln, Korean War, and Vietnam memorials. While at Vietnam, we came across a handful of WWII veterans. I saw many MMS students stop to shake hands and thank them for their service. It brought tears to my eyes. After the memorials we were lucky to be invited into the Saudi Arabia Embessy. I wasn't a allowed to take pictures, but I believer Mr. Rammer was able to take a couple. After lunch we had to hurry to Arlington Cemetery for our wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Four exceptional McCaffrey students were chosen for this honor. While at Arlington we took a tour through Robert E. Lee's home and saw the Kennedy Family Eternal Flame. (As a personal highlight, a couple of students and myself were lucky to meet a woman who told us her story of where she was the day Kennedy was shot and the feelings she remembers from that time. It was special to hear a personal account of that tragic day). Then we headed to Ford's Theater where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated for a lecture. It began raining pretty heavily and the kids were exhausted so we ate dinner and headed back to the hotel for an evening in. Many kids joined us in the lobby to watch the first game of the World Series or hung out in their rooms and rested.

We walked over 10 miles today! Our morning started with a visit to the WWII Memorial followed by a guided tour of the Pentagon. After, we took a 500 ft elevator ride up to the top of the Washington Monument. Next, we made our way to the Holocaust Memorial Museum followed by a walk around the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the FDR Memorial, and MLK Jr. Memorial. We ended our day with dinner and dancing on The Spirit of Mount Vernon on the Potomac River. The kids are packing and getting ready for our last day in town tomorrow! They are having a blast!

Some people are concerned that they aren't seeing as many pictures of their kids as they would like. Please understand that I am doing the best I can to capture moments from this trip. Taking pictures doesn't always take priority and I only have access to the ones on my phone or that are sent to me. Mr. Rammer has been using the official camera and each student will be given a CD with all of the images upon return to school. This Facebook account and the Instagram account are unofficial and I am doing my best. We have been busy from 7:30am to 10pm everyday. I apologize if you haven't yet seen your child but please know I am doing my best! ~Ms. Ceccarelli

You can also follow us on Instagram There are many more pictures there.

Today was busy! We visited the Smithsonian Castle, took a tour of the White House (Adam C. and Mr. Rammer saw Bo and Sonny Obama!) and the Capitol building. At the Capitol we were fortunate to get to meet and interview staffers from Ami Bera's congressional office. We had a very quick and effective stop at the National Archives where we saw the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Magna Carta. After a delicious family style Italian dinner we headed to the Kennedy Center to see a play where an actor was wearing a MMS shirt! Wow. What a day! Tomorrow includes the Pentagon, the museums, memorials, and a dinner and dance cruise!

Good evening family and friends! We had a busy day today at Mount Vernon, the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, the National Cathedral, and a guest speaker by John Farmer of the Irrigation Association of Government and Public Affairs. Whew! What a busy day! The kids are all tucked away in their rooms catching some z's so we can get started bright and early tomorrow!

Hi friends and family! We made it to DC safe and sound. The kids are getting settled in the hotel and then to dinner, German style!

Rise and shine, Bulldogs! See you at the airport in a few! Terminal A, United, SMF.

Today is the last day of school before we leave! Happy Friday!

The countdown is on! Don't forget the mandatory parent meeting tomorrow, Wednesday evening at 7pm in the library at MMS!

Join us for a mandatory parent meeting Wednesday, Oct. 15th at 7pm in the MMS BFLC (library)!