8th Grade Trip to Washington DC

On April 3-6, 2024, Grade 8 students from South Milwaukee Middle School spent three full days in Washington D.C. as part of their educational journey in Social Studies. 
 
Traveling to the U.S. capital city on two coach busses, the 89 participating students along with four SMMS staff members and two parent chaperones, stayed at a Holiday Inn location in nearby Maryland and toured Washington with vigor and keen interest. 
 
During the three-day field trip, the students were able to see a healthy variety of historic monuments, landmarks, and museums that represent and/or commemorate important aspects of United States history—including the United States Capitol, Mount Vernon, Arlington Cemetery, The Vietnam Wall and The Lincoln Memorial. 
 
In the Social Studies classes of Mr. Chad Enloe and Ms. Alissa Stanley, a follow-up historical assignment was required of all students as they were to develop and present a ten-page slideshow virtual tour of nine historic locations in Washington using the Google Earth computer program.  
 
“I truly believe this trip is the experience of a lifetime for our students,” said D.C. trip coordinator and SMMS Grade 7 Social Studies teacher Brian Gaudio. 
 
“Every year students say they’ve grown up a little as a result of this trip. For many of our students, this is their first time outside of the Milwaukee area, and I enjoy seeing everything fresh through their eyes. They are seeing and experiencing things that every American should experience, and becoming better citizens because of it.”