With their morning coffee still in hand, the teachers and parent volunteers of
the Oakdale Elementary School`s fourth grade class, lined up alongside their
"groups" recently, and readied for their pending adventure.
The end of the school year is just days away, and thanks to the PTO, the
entire class was going on a field trip together. Teachers Ed Paris, Christine
Stec and Rachel McNamee lined the students up quietly in the hallway,
and it was off to the buses.
Despite the cold rain in the air, there was no way to dampen the spirits of
this group of boys and girls. The reading, writing and arithmetic was all but
behind them now, and they were close to becoming the upper classmen
at school - fifth graders.
The buses made their way through the morning traffic and pulled up at the
N.E. Aquarium in downtown Boston. The chaperones took charge of their
groups and off they all went. The jellyfish, manta-rays, sea-lions, penguins,
and the giant sea turtle won the attention of the crowd. Everyone met up for
lunch at the museum`s cafeteria, and shared stories of their experiences.
Next, it was off to a 3-D Imax movie and back to the buses. As the 60 plus
ten year olds "sang" their way back to Dedham, the parents all agreed -
that was certainly a six-hour whirlwind, but it was sure nice to get a break
from the daily grind ... Next up, school "field day", "family fun night", "end
of the year" parties and a long, hot summer...
