​District 47 Students, Teachers Head to D.C. to Witness Trump Inauguration

A group of 160 District 47 8th grade students and 22 teachers are in Washington D.C. this week and will be on hand to witness as Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Friday.

The group departed by bus from Bernotas Middle School early Wednesday morning and will fly to Washington, D.C. later that day. They will return on Saturday, Jan. 21.

“We’re thrilled to be able to give our students the opportunity to witness the inaugural process and gain a better understanding of how we function as a government in a democratic society,” said Hannah Beardsley Middle School Principal Cathy Alberth, who will be accompanying students on the trip.

Hosted by EF Explore America, the four-day trip features tours of The Smithsonian Museums, Arlington Cemetery, Mount Vernon, and a night tour of Washington, D.C. On Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, the group will gather on the National Mall to watch via Jumbotron as Trump takes the oath of office and delivers his inaugural address.

Later that day, students will have an opportunity to attend an inaugural ball hosted by EF Explore America with other middle school students across the nation.

Optionally, on the fourth and final day of the trip, students will have an opportunity to take a guided tour of Washington, D.C. that includes the Washington Monument, the FDR and MLK Memorials, and a walking tour of Capitol Hill.

After receiving board approval last January, District 47 began actively promoting the eighth grade trip to families of current seventh graders. The District has offered eighth graders a trip to Washington, D.C., which usually takes place in June, for the past three years.

This year, the District and the Board of Education opted to change the trip date to January so students could experience the historic event, according to a District 47 news release.

Photos and highlights of the trip will be posted on the following District 47 social media accounts:

Crystal Lake Elementary District 47
Facebook: www.facebook.com/d47schools
Twitter: www.twitter.com/crystallakesd47

Bernotas Middle School
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bernotasvikings
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bernotasvikings

Lundahl Middle School
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lundahllions
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lundahllions

Hannah Beardsley Middle School
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hbmbears
Twitter: www.twitter.com/hbmbears

Photo credit: Lundahl Middle School Facebook page