Children's Workshop School PTA

The 5th Grade Washington D.C. Trip is a one-of-a-kind experience for students at The Children’s Workshop School.  The students get to spend three days and two nights exploring all our nation’s capital has to offer. We leave early from school, taking a coach bus and as soon as we arrive in D.C., we hit the ground running!  Students get to visit the National Archives where they can view the Declaration of Independence and other historical documents we’ve discussed throughout the year.  They also explore the National Museum of American History, where the fifth graders get to encounter countless American artifacts. From a covered wagon that rode the Oregon Trail to the lunch counter the Greensboro Four started the sit-in movement in - the experiences are limitless.

            Every year we make arrangements to meet a government official. We have been very fortunate in past years to meet with Congressman John Lewis, a living legend of the Civil Rights Movement. Being able to speak with a person who lived through the events they read about is a powerful experience for the students.  Congressman Lewis has always graciously welcomed the students and shared stories from his life and the hope he has for them as future leaders in our country.

            Last year, we added a new experience to our trip, a visit to Ford’s Theatre, Petersen House and the Center for Education and Leadership.  The students were in awe of being in such an important location in our country’s history, and readily devoured all the information.

During the rest of the daylight that’s available to us, we visit various monuments and memorials around the D.C. area including the Lincoln Memorial to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. From lunch at the historic Union Station, to eating on a dinner cruise of the Potomac River, to an amazing dinner theatre experience – even our meals are action packed!

            This amazing trip comes with a high price.  The cost of the trip is approximately $450 per student, which will total $18,000 for this school year.  We ask our families to contribute $200 to go towards the cost.  However, many of our families are not financially able to do this.  To help offset these costs and pay for the remaining amount of the trip, the fifth graders fundraise throughout the year by organizing school-wide Dress Up Days where students and teachers can donate money and dress up according to a theme chosen by the fifth grade class.  Despite their hard work, the fifth grade is not able to raise the entire amount needed and we rely on the generosity of our PTA to help pay for the remaining costs. 

            The Children’s Workshop School 5th Grade Washington D.C. Trip is a wonderful tradition in our unique community.  The trip offers opportunities for students to travel who have been unable to before and is an incredible end to our year in fifth grade, bringing our entire Civil Rights study to an unforgettable close.