Blue Umbrella Official Blue Umbrella Summer Issue | Page 6

?This trip is open to adults as well,? Mrs.
Klimes said. ?I hope that these kids will
come away with lots of memories and new
relationships or developed relationships
with students and parents. I hope for a
growth in the way they perceive the world
because we will see a lot of different
cultures and ideas in Washington. I hope
they glean a better sense of where
Americans come from and what it means to
be an American.
When asked about a word of
encouragement for kids deciding to go, Mrs.
Klimes said:
?I would like to say that this is an
opportunity that they might not want to
pass up because it?s a once in a lifetime
opportunity,? she said. ?Last time we went,
we visited the World War II Memorial as well.
During our time there, we discovered that
there were around 50 World War II Veterans
visiting the memorial that day! Our kids got
to go up to each of them, shake their hands,
and say, ?Thank you for your service.? That
was completely unplanned. Things happen
on these trips. Everybody?s got a story.
Sometimes we need to hear those stories
and it brings us together.?