DC 2.0 - Applications

As many of you may remember, last year I took a large group of students of mine to Washington, D.C. on a field trip (see 5/2/10 post). It was a crazy experiment in the laboratory of my first year as a teacher. Eighty raucous and hormone-hyped teenagers can be crazy enough in the classroom, but put them in a big city and allow them to bring candy and cell phones, and you just bought yourself front-row tickets to the circus. That's how it felt, anyway. Don't get me wrong - I loved that trip and I'm glad I did it. The smiles of the kids faces as we approached the 25-foot statue of Abraham Lincoln, or the look of wonder in their eyes as they peered toward the top of the Washington Monument, the tallest building they had ever seen, made the trip worth every annoyance.


This year is going to be different, though. This year is going to be better.


Why? Because I'm a seasoned vet, in part. But also because at the beginning of the school year, I applied for a grant for an overnight field trip to D.C. through Fidelity Investments. It was around Christmas time that I was notified that my grant had been approved to the tune of about $1,700. Holla!!!

With $1,700 dollars in my pocket, I'm going to make this year's trip EPIC - way better than last year's. We're doing everything we did in 2010, but we're adding the Holocaust Museum, the U.S. Capitol, the Charters of Freedom, and if things go right, a guided tour of the White House! And on top of all that, we're staying in a motel. That might not sound like much for you and me, but it's got my kids so excited they can't walk straight.

"Like a real motel, Mr. Olsen? Like with a pool and a maid and stuff?"

"Yes, Jakwan, a maid..." I can understand his confusion. Most motels in Henderson have an hourly rate and have about as much drug traffic as Amsterdam.

The only downfall to this whole trip (yes, there is one), is that because it's an overnight trip, and because we're limited on funds, I can't take a big group like I did last year. In fact, according to my math, I only have enough money to cover 15 students.

So what did I do to narrow the field to the elite candidates? I made applications - long applications, with lots of tough questions to help me weed out the chaff. The applications were due on Friday, and Celeste and I have spent the weekend reviewing them. If you ever need a good laugh, just come hang out with my kids. Here's a little sample of what they're capable of:

Question #1 - What would you bring to this trip that is unique or special about you?

"I will bring candy and a portable dvd player." -S.J.
"Just quietness and I stay up late sometimes." -J.A.
"I'm a one-man party." -T.J.
"I am smart so I can use my smartness." -J.W.
"My mentallity of course." -V.H.
"I don't snore. I am a uplifting person. I follow directions and obey rules. Also my feet don't stink." -A.R.
"I would say my bible, to make sure I'm safe and so that in my free time I can read the word of the Lord." -D.P.
"I will bring clothes, toothbrush, tooth paste, towel, rags, and socks." -B.T.

Question #2 - We might meet some important politicians. What would you ask them if you had the chance?

"If I meet a bodyguard I would ask for tips on being a better bodyguard." -S.J.
"I would ask them for their autograph." -J.A.
"I would ask many good questions, like 'When was this building built?'" -M.A.

Question #3 - We'll be walking a lot. What will you owe me if you start complaining?

"I will owe you a 750 typed essay on how I messed up the trip." -S.J
"I will owe you $5 and 30 sentences saying I will not complain." -J.A.
"Pushups. Like up to 50." -R.V.
"I would gladly run the rest of the way or carry your things." -A.M.
"I would owe you about 20 or 30 jumpjacks." -L.R.
"If I start complaining I owe you my Ipod." -C.L.
"I won't complain. Walking was the only transportation before bikes and horses were invented." -D.P.

These kids are priceless, and I cannot WAIT for this trip.

Spring Sports

With Spring upon us, schedules around here have become pretty hectic. Both Jackson and I are coaching a sport this season with Jackson returning to baseball for his second season for HMS and I am embarking on a new adventure as an assistant coach to my high school track team. Practice is every day after school, and we now never get home until after 6:00. That may not sound too late, but it makes me exhausted.

For those of you who know me well, are aware that I am nowhere near qualified to be a track coach, but don't tell my athletes. For all they know I was a champ at regionals, when in all honesty the last time I ran track was in middle school. I vaguely remember trailing behind all the other kids while running the 800 and 1600, awkwardly jumping the triple jump and being too chicken to try to high jump. Luckily, I was a swimmer in high school, and some of the workouts follow similar routines, and since I coach the medium and long distance runners the real trick is just making them run. A lot. The other assistant coach (shout-out to Claire!) and I mostly just make stuff up, and since the head coach hasn't said anything to the contrary, we must be doing okay.



Jackson's first game is on Tuesday. They are hoping for improvement from last year's record - I believe they only won one game... It kind of reminds me of Aggie football, they have the opportunity to double or triple their wins and the fans will have something to brag about. I'll take some pictures/video and hopefully have something to post in the coming weeks.

Our team doesn't have a meet until mid-March (we can use all the time we can get!), but I'll keep you posted.