With Hurricane Sandy’s damage to Ellis Island rendering it unable to open in time for Kelley School fifth graders to visit this school year, another exciting, curriculum-appropriate day trip has been planned for May 10.
After finally getting a firm determination from Ellis Island officials two weeks ago that the museum won’t be open until at least Labor Day, Kelley School Principal Teresa Prinzi sought the help of 1st Choice Educational Tours Ltd.
The company suggested other trip options and then fifth grade teachers, with some feedback from parents who’ve worked so hard for months to raise money for what they thought would be the Ellis Island trip, selected a day trip they think students will not only learn a lot from, but enjoy.
On May 10, fifth graders will leave Newark on commercial buses at 8 a.m. and then arrive in Oswego around 9 a.m. and tour historic Fort Ontario and the Safe Haven Museum & Education Center.
During the Battle of Oswego in 1756, Fort Ontario was destroyed in a massive French attack, along with Forts Oswego and George. In 1759, the British returned and re-built Fort Ontario as a star-shaped fortress with 42 mounted cannons on its walls. Playing a prominent roll in nine colonial or American wars, Fort Ontario has been restored 1868-1869 appearance. As part of their tour, students will see how the officers and soldiers lived during this time and witness a rifle demonstration.
The Safe Haven Museum & Education Center is dedicated to keeping alive the stories of the 982 refugees from World War II who were allowed into the United States as “guests” of president Franklin D. Roosevelt. Safe Haven commemorates America’s only shelter for Nazi Holocaust survivors.
At 11:30 a.m., students will depart for Syracuse and eat lunches they’ve brought from home while enroute to the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) in Syracuse.
After their 12:30 arrival, students will see the Earth Science Discovery Cave, Science Playhouse and “TechnoTown,” a new audio-kinetic exhibit.
At the Earth Science Discovery Cave, students will venture through the life-size naturalistic cave and learn about cavern and fossil formation, the earth’s tectonic plates, and waterfalls. In the cave, they will interact with magnetic poles, learn about stalagmites and stalactites, and take their own journey to the center of the earth.
At 2 p.m., they will depart for Howe Caverns Adventure Park in Schoharie County where they will see the real thing.
With Hurricane Sandy’s damage to Ellis Island rendering it unable to open in time for Kelley School fifth graders to visit this school year, another exciting, curriculum-appropriate day trip has been planned for May 10.
After finally getting a firm determination from Ellis Island officials two weeks ago that the museum won’t be open until at least Labor Day, Kelley School Principal Teresa Prinzi sought the help of 1st Choice Educational Tours Ltd.
The company suggested other trip options and then fifth grade teachers, with some feedback from parents who’ve worked so hard for months to raise money for what they thought would be the Ellis Island trip, selected a day trip they think students will not only learn a lot from, but enjoy.
On May 10, fifth graders will leave Newark on commercial buses at 8 a.m. and then arrive in Oswego around 9 a.m. and tour historic Fort Ontario and the Safe Haven Museum & Education Center.
During the Battle of Oswego in 1756, Fort Ontario was destroyed in a massive French attack, along with Forts Oswego and George. In 1759, the British returned and re-built Fort Ontario as a star-shaped fortress with 42 mounted cannons on its walls. Playing a prominent roll in nine colonial or American wars, Fort Ontario has been restored 1868-1869 appearance. As part of their tour, students will see how the officers and soldiers lived during this time and witness a rifle demonstration.
The Safe Haven Museum & Education Center is dedicated to keeping alive the stories of the 982 refugees from World War II who were allowed into the United States as “guests” of president Franklin D. Roosevelt. Safe Haven commemorates America’s only shelter for Nazi Holocaust survivors.
At 11:30 a.m., students will depart for Syracuse and eat lunches they’ve brought from home while enroute to the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) in Syracuse.
After their 12:30 arrival, students will see the Earth Science Discovery Cave, Science Playhouse and “TechnoTown,” a new audio-kinetic exhibit.
At the Earth Science Discovery Cave, students will venture through the life-size naturalistic cave and learn about cavern and fossil formation, the earth’s tectonic plates, and waterfalls. In the cave, they will interact with magnetic poles, learn about stalagmites and stalactites, and take their own journey to the center of the earth.
At 2 p.m., they will depart for Howe Caverns Adventure Park in Schoharie County where they will see the real thing.
As part of their guided tour there, students will take an elevator ride 156 feet below the earth’s surface and when the door opens they will discover an amazing underground cavern. Then, their tour guide will help them negotiate the cave and learn about the magnificent limestone formations, the stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and the tremendous conservation effort underway to protect and preserve Howe Caverns for future generations.
After the tour, students will have dinner and leave for home at 7 p.m. with arrival back at Kelley School around 10 p.m.
“We’re very excited to be able to provide this great alternative opportunity and adventure for our fifth graders that so nicely dovetails with fifth grade history and science curriculum,’’ Prinzi said.
“And we are really so appreciative to a very dedicated group of parents who worked so hard on so many different fundraisers. With their outstanding efforts in raising nearly $14,000, this trip can become a reality for all of our fifth graders. And we want to thank everyone who supported the fundraisers and or made donations. Now, we’re really on our way!”
