New York City - Thursday, December 12, 2013

Thursday, the students and staff boarded the bus to Liberty State Park in order to catch the boat to Ellis Island and Liberty Island.  Upon arrival, everyone had to walk to a temporary security screening site due to the lingering damage to the main park buildings of the old train depot.  After a 25 minute wait, all were able to board the boat to Ellis Island.  At Ellis Island the students were able to see the brand new museum displays and a movie on the history of immigration and the role Ellis Island played in accepting immigrants into the country.

Next was the trip to Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty.  The students first ate lunch, visited to the souvenir store and then walk around Liberty Island and took pictures of the statue.  It was quite cold and the wind reddened each person's face.  After the students took pictures, all took the boat back to the WPSD bus to start the journey home.

The Manhattan skyline with the Freedom tower...

Brrrrrr.

Students warming up...

Mrs. Dunbar sharing her family history with with her students...

The Ellis Island Museum Display...

A park ranger explains the history of immigration...

A view of the Statue of Liberty from Ellis Island...

Mr. Prezioso explains how immigrants registered at Ellis upon landing...

On the water again...

Another view of Manhattan...

Lady Liberty!

New York City - Wednesday, December 11, 2013

After a quick breakfast at the Spring Hill Suites, everyone boarded the bus to return to Manhattan.  First on the agenda was a quick trip to the Rockefeller Center to see the famous Christmas tree and the skating rink.  Everyone then went to St. Patrick's Cathedral to view the Nativity Display before going to the Radio City Music Hall for Radio City's Christmas Spectacular.  Everyone greatly enjoyed the performance.  For lunch, the students got the opportunity to experience a true New York Deli Sandwich in Times Square.  Ripley's Believe It or Not was the next destination.  All greatly enjoyed the unusual exhibits.   The day wrapped up with a shopping expedition in Little Italy/Chinatown followed by a fantastic meal at Puglia's restaurant with some music and dancing mixed in.

Tomorrow, the students will visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty before boarding the bus for the long trip home to Pittsburgh.

The happiest faces at Rockefeller Plaza

Students looking around in awe...  

Getting ready for the show...

Radio City Music Hall

The Rockettes perform...

Ordering food at the Deli...

Yum!

The Word Trade Center site made entirely with matches...

Sam compares old forms of punishment with detention.

Michael's science fair project...

The fresh seafood display in Chinatown.

Justin passes judgement on a delicious meal...

Primo!

Students join an Italian song... after being encouraged by the singer.

Waiting for the bus to return to Spring Hill Suites.

New York City - Tuesday, December 10, 2013

 26 students and 7 staff left bright and early amidst a light snowfall today at 6:30 am.  After stopping in Bloomsbury for lunch, the WPSD coach pulled into New York City at 2:30 pm.  The first destination was the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Students had the opportunity to tour different sections of the museum and seeing a variety of artwork from different eras.  The students' favorite parts of the museum were the European artists especially those of the 19th and 20th century such as Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet as well as the Egyptian and Greek arts displays.

The Sophomores and Juniors are all smiles prior to departure

Lunch!

Mr. Prezioso giving his impression of Impressionism.

Carl standing to icon Vincent Van Gogh.

Mr. Prezioso gives his impression of Impressionism.

Three hard thinking gentleman in front of Rodin's sculpture, "The Thinker".

After the art museum tour, everyone walked down Fifth Avenue for a quick look at Rockefeller Square before heading to Planet Hollywood for dinner and then wrapping up the evening with a visit to the Empire State Building.

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