New York City: Students Going Global 2018 - Day 2 (5/21/2018)

New York City: Students Going Global 2018 - Day 2

Day 2 in New York City started off with a wonderful hotel breakfast, journaling time and discussing our plan for the day!

On our drive into the big city, we passed by shipyards and discussed trade.

We began our day to journey with a stop at the 9/11 Memorial for all those from New Jersey that died on this horrible day. This is one of the most beautiful memorials I have ever seen! The two mirrored walls depict the names facing the direction of the tower in which they were.

 

 Next we traveled by boat to visit Ellis Island. Two students were able to find the names of great grandparents on the walls recognized as people who traveled through Ellis Island. We learned about the registry and the processing that all new immigrants went through upon arrival. Fact checks, living checks, declaration of status, mental and physical exams and then a test of even more to see if your family would show up to claim you upon arrival. This visit was very eye opening and reminded me once again how blessed we are just because of birth. It’s not something we worked for, it’s a birthright alone. To think and hear about all of the hardships that these immigrants faced to get an opportunity in our country, or escape devastation in their own, is unimaginable. This museum told the stories of the numbers and put faces to the histories.

After Ellis Island, we traveled by boat to Liberty Island to visit the Statue of Liberty. What a symbol of freedom! It was a little busy, we were a part of something crazy (either the helicopters were looking for something or someone, or they were filming a movie scene), and we got off of our boat in an extremely entertaining (safe) fashion. I think it is so important that we teach our students to respect, learn about and visit our national historical sights. Mission accomplished today! ✅

After our visit to the Statue of Liberty, on our way to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, we took a stroll to see Wall Street! We also stopped for lunch at a place called Essex World Cafe! They had great service and are right across the street from the freedom tower. Not only did the have excellent food of all kinds and friendly service, but they also are a family owned business that went out of their way to serve so many during the tragic events of September 11th, 2001.

 

We visited the World Trade Center Memorial Museum today. This stop was an interesting stop. These kids prepared by watching videos, doing a large group discussion and working in journals but when it boils down to it, they weren’t alive on the day of these events. After the Museum and Memorial, I think they truly understood the impact of these horrific tragedies and are able to understand a little more about why we have some security policies in place now. There are so many emotions that go through my mind here...

After our stop at the 9/11 Museum, we did the following:
- Visited the Oculus, a shipping mall built in tribute on top of the old train station
-Walked through Times Square and marveled at the people and the lights

-Took a Latin ballroom dance class at the famous Broadway 520! (I’m so proud of these kiddos for not only their dance moves that they learned but even more so, their willingness to try anything and have fun! 

💃 After all that day 2 has to offer, we were worn out!!!