5th Graders Visit New York City

  The 5th grade class had the experience of a lifetime in New York City sampling a wide range of cultural and educational activities as well as some unexpected surprises and adventures. RCA kicked off the trip with a magical trip to the observation deck of the Empire State Building on a night where the clouds were swirling all around them at high speeds. The next day was spent touring Harlem and visiting the historic Apollo Theater, the home of Langston Hughes, and eating a southern-style lunch at the famous Sylvia's Restaurant. During the next couple days of the trip, the group attended an unforgettable performance of The Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic Theater and also ate at the Jekyll & Hyde, a haunted house restaurant where each waiter was in character throughout the meal, scaring all of the students! The students showed off their knowledge of art during the Metropolitan Museum of Art Race, and Ms. Mosley's team came in first place. A morning speedboat cruise around Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty was also an exciting way to see the city, and several of the students got soaked!

  The highlight of the trip was the Amazing Race, a day-long adventure that had the students and chaperones running all over New York City to exciting sites like Rockefeller Plaza, F.A.O. Shwarz, the U.S.S. Intrepid Museum, Chelsea Piers, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, and Central Park. Mrs. Bearden's team came in first place, demonstrating their excellent teamwork skills, speed, and cleverness in interpreting Mr. Clark's creative clues! The trip ended with a surprise performance of the Blue Man Group at Astor Place Theater. The students were all seated in the first four rows, and several got squirt with banana cream and jello! The 5th grade class walked away from this incredible trip with memories and knowledge to last a lifetime.