Greenhill eighth-grade students recently returned from their annual field trip to Washington, D.C., after four days and three nights touring government offices, museums and other attractions in the nation’s capital.
The annual trip allows students to expand on the information covered in U.S. History 7, the required Greenhill history class for all seventh-grade students.
“I feel like it was a great way to close off what we learned in seventh grade,” said freshman Lylah Pouratian, recalling fond memories from last year’s trip.
Though there is an educational aspect to the trip, it’s also an important social milestone for Middle School students. Many students come back feeling more unified and closer to their peers.
“It was a great way to bond with my grade and commemorate my middle school experience before high school,” Pouratian said.
This year, the trip featured a new opportunity in which students met with staffers and members of Congress. In preparation for this activity, students created a list of clarifying questions to ask the office-holders and staffers to better understand the role they play in the U.S. government.
“This year we get the opportunity to meet with eight different staffers,” said Middle School history teacher Kara Smith in the days before the trip.
In addition to opportunities like that, students also bond and catch up with their advisories during dinner.
In the past, each advisory met at a different location. However, this year the dinners will be held in a new location featuring a more diverse variety of foods and restaurants.
“We are going to a different neighborhood this year [called] Old Town Alexandria, so that does give us a few more options opposed to some past years,” said Smith.
Students were excited and sometimes anxious before departing.
“I’m worried about my roommate,” said eighth-grader Sophia Wang. “I want someone who matches my energy.”
Students make a list of 10 classmates they would enjoy sharing a room with, then faculty place each student with one of the people on that list.
Greenhill students and faculty are expected to dress “elevated” during the trip.
The dress code is a common stressor among the students, as a typical school day’s dress code is more laid back.
“I actually really liked the dress code,” Pouratian said. “It made Greenhill seem represented better because there were other kids from other schools wearing pajamas and sweatpants.”
