Join the Class of 2028 on the annual Eighth Grade trip to the nation’s capitol!
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Our annual Washington, DC trip began dark and early on Saturday morning, March 23, 2024. The 8th graders and their chaperones pulled away from Clarksville Academy at 5:30 AM and began the first leg of the trip to Charlottesville, Va.
Upon arrival, the group stopped at The University of Virginia to learn all about the history of the campus and its founder, Thomas Jefferson and what student life and admissions is like today. Students visited The Whispering Wall, the famous Rotunda on the lawn, the college dorm room of Edgar Allan Poe, and paid their respects at the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers wall.
After the hour-long campus walking tour, the group walked to dinner at a popular college hangout, Boylan Heights. Then, before checking into the hotel for the night, grabbed ice cream at The Dairy Market.
March 24, 2024
After a good night’s rest, and breakfast in the hotel, and before heading to Washington, DC, the group headed to the home of Thomas Jefferson, Monticello. A guided tour of the grounds and house helped the history of Thomas Jefferson come to life. Students toured the reconstructed residence and work areas of the 600+ enslaved laborers of the plantation. Additionally, they learned about the story of Sally Hemings. Our visit closed with a near mile hike down the mountain to visit the gravesite of Thomas Jefferson and his family.
March 25, 2024
Monday started with a rare trip to tour the inside of The Pentagon. Clarksville Academy is fortunate to have parent and CAPA member, Tee Fountain, for MANY reasons, to include her willingness to arrange a private tour of The Pentagon for our 8th graders. The Pentagon does not provide these private tours for school groups any longer, but through Tee as a former military employee of The Pentagon, we are able to visit. Students saw the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, the Navy Memorial to 9/11 (rare for the public), artwork and dedications to all branches of the military, and the interior courtyard. This was an amazing and once in a lifetime experience. We are so grateful to Tee for her arrangement of this educational experience for our students.
After leaving The Pentagon, students ate lunch at the Pentagon City Mall food court. From there, students learned about the history of African Americans through The Smithsonian’s African American Museum and The Smithsonian’s Museum of American History.
Before dinner, the group stopped at the base of The Washington Monument and got some energy out by running around, playing volleyball, throwing a frisbee, and relaxing in the sunshine. After enjoying the lawn, students ate dinner at The Hard Rock Cafe.
To finish the day on Monday, students visited Lafayette Park and took a group picture at The White House. Interestingly, while there, the park closed as diplomatic visitors were visiting The White House, and students watched as news cameras were set up. After the museums and The White House visit, and museum visits, students were able to stand outside of Ford’s Theater and The Peterson House. Students observed the original steps where Abraham Lincoln’s body was carried after being shot in Ford’s Theater.
To end the night, the group took another nighttime walking tour of some of the many amazing monuments in the city. Students spent time at The Jefferson Memorial and The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. While viewing and learning about these monuments, the Cherry Blossom Festival around the tidal basin wowed everyone.
Thank you to Victoria Dye for designing our wonderful shirts for the week!
March 26, 2027
Early morning on Tuesday, students drove to the home of George and Martha Washington, Mount Vernon. Students walked the grounds and had a guided tour of the house. Much of the home is original. Additionally, the group walked a trail to see the tombs of the Washingtons and also graves of the enslaved laborers that worked at Mount Vernon.
From Mount Vernon, students visited The United States Capitol. The tour of The Capitol was guided and students were able to stand in the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall to see where dignitaries and presidents lie in state.
An exciting development on this trip was learning there is now permission to take photographs at The National Archives. Students viewed the founding and original documents for our nation.
The group capped off the night with some relaxation and fun at Pinstripes Bowling Alley and a short walk around Georgetown University.
March 27, 2024
The day started cold and rainy- the appropriate and somber backdrop for a trip to Arlington National Cemetery. While at the cemetery, the group took the long walk to the top of the hill to witness the changing of the guard ceremony located at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. From there, students walked to the prominent grave location of John F. Kennedy (eternal flame) and also the memorial to The Challenger space mission crew.
Wet and cold, students went to dry off and recharge at L’Enfant Plaza for lunch. From there, the group experienced another somber and sobering stop at The Holocaust Museum learning about the horrible events in our history.
The museum stops ended with The Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History. Students enjoyed seeing the huge exhibits that focus on all aspects of nature in our history. They also enjoyed buying hats!
With a few extra minutes before students needed to board a dinner cruise, we took a bus tour of Washington, DC locations. Locations viewed included the original American Red Cross building, another view of The White House, The Daughters of the American Revolution building, and the World War II Memorial.
The night and trip capped off with a traditional student favorite- The Spirit Dinner Cruise. Students boarded the ship and coasted down The Potomac River viewing the DC skyline and dancing the night away. Amauri Bussey won the dance contest on the ship and even a few chaperones were seen joining the fun. It was a great way to enjoy one another’s company and bond as a class.
After the cruise, a tired group headed back to the hotel to pack up for the ride home. On Thursday, we will be Clarksville bound with a stop at the Natural Bridge Park and rest stops.
March 28, 2024
Thursday, all got up early to head home! After a few hours on the bus, everyone got to enjoy the crisp air and sunshine on a short hike (with 137 stairs!) to the naturally formed bridge at The Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia. This area was owned by Thomas Jefferson from the 1770s-1830s.
This stop was also where the group said goodbye to John Ivory, our amazing tour guide for the week.
Students loaded the bus then for the final trek to Clarksville Academy. An amazing time was had by everyone and another tradition has been fulfilled. The 8th graders are absolutely fantastic and received compliments from COUNTLESS guides, drivers, and workers throughout the week. They even had a bus driver, Lawrence, and John Ivory request to serve our group again next year. Lifelong memories and friendships were made.
Now, it’s time to enjoy Spring Break and get some rest!
Follow along as our eighth grade students continue the CA tradition of visiting Washington, D.C.! They are off on the adventure of a lifetime!
Sunday, March 12
First stop, University of Virginia! The students had a wonderful time exploring the University that Thomas Jefferson helped to create. It was a very cold and snowy tour, but well worth it!
Monday, March 13
After a night in Charlottesville, VA, the group set out to visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s beloved mountain top home.
Along with a docent-led tour of the house itself, our students were also able to visit Mulberry Row (enslaved people’s quarters), Jefferson’s garden, the north annex, and the Jefferson gravesite and family cemetery.
Following the tour of Monticello, the group boarded the charter bus to travel on to Chantilly, VA, and the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Center. Students were able to see many different types of aircraft, including the Space Shuttle Discovery, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress “Enola Gay,” and a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird.
After a delicious dinner at Chevy’s Fresh Mex, the group crossed the Potomac River to see the Lincoln Memorial. This awe-inspiring memorial made a fitting end to our first full day of touring and sightseeing.
Tuesday, March 14
Our second full-day dawned clear but cold, but our intrepid group was undaunted! Tuesday’s first stop was Arlington National Cemetery, where students were able to visit the Tomb of the Unknowns, the JFK gravesite, and the Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial.
In addition to the Changing of the Guard ceremony, we also had two students who were able to visit the graves of family members interred at Arlington.
From the ANC, our group moved on to a truly rare experience. Through the assistance and connections CA parent Tee Fountain, a retired US Army service member, our students were able to tour the Pentagon! In fact, the CA group was one of only two tour groups in the building on March 14th. Our Pentagon-sponsor, Mrs. Joycinda Hinton, met the group at the Visitor’s Center and introduced us to our tour guides, who were led by Sgt. Hawkins. The guides– members of the US Air Force, Army, and Navy– took students through several areas, including the Vietnam War exhibit, the Eisenhower exhibit, and the Women in the Military exhibit. Perhaps the most-moving portion of the tour was 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Chapel and the 9/11 Quilts display, which were quilt beautiful.
After the Pentagon tour, we moved across the street to the Pentagon City Mall, where students were allowed to pick from the varied options of the Food Court for today”s lunch. After this quick repast, we again boarded the charter bus to travel back into D.C. for our next stop– the United States Holocaust Museum.
This museum is an unique, interactive experience that documents the history and horrors of Nazi Germany’s “Final Solution.” Throughout the entire visit, the CA students were attentive and engaged, frequently asking excellent questions and making connections between the artifacts and their own life experiences.
During the visit, Mrs. McQueen ran into former CA student Kadence Winters, who was in Washington, D.C., with her parents!
After leaving the Holocaust Museum, we traveled to the National Mall and took a group photo with the Washington Monument.
Continuing on from the Mall, the group stopped at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
Although our stop was brief, the students had a terrific time in Natural History, exploring the many exhibits and the Museum Shop, which is the source of the “squid hats” seen in some of the forthcoming pictures.
Following Natural History, the group again boarded the charter bus to go to dinner at Good Stuff Eatery, where students enjoyed a dinner of hamburgers, pizza, or chicken sandwiches, along with some of the best french fries to be found. After dinner the group returned to the Tidal Basin area to visit the MLK, FDR, and Jefferson Memorials.
These last three visits of the day began at the MLK monument, which is one of the newest monuments in D.C. From there, the group walked around the Tidal Basin to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial.
Despite the setting sun and cold temperatures, the students were very attentive and asked good questions about FDR, his family, and his historic presidency. From the FDR monument, we made the short ride to the Jefferson Memorial, where students learned more about Jefferson and his monument.
While it was certainly a very full and somewhat long day, the students were absolute troopers and seemed to have a great time in the nation’s Capital. A short bus ride brought everyone back to the hotel to get some sleep before Wednesday morning’s visit to Mount Vernon!
To be continued ….
Wednesday, March 15
Wednesday’s adventure began with a bus ride to Fairfax County, VA, and the home of our nation’s first President, Mount Vernon. Shortly after arriving, the group viewed a short video about the site, its history, and the Mount Vernon’s Ladies Association, the civic group that owns and operates the facility. Since we had a bit of a wait until out tour started, the group moved to the Education Center to tour the Mount Vernon Museum.
Afterwards, we were able to a 4D film presentation about Washington’s role as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. The film highlighted the victories at Boston, Trenton, Princeton, and Yorktown. From the Education Center, the students walked up to the mansion to begin the tour. Highlights included the “New Room,” which is actually the last room added to the mansion. We also saw five bedrooms, including the room were George Washington died, and examples of authentic period furnishings.
Washington family’s harpsichordWashington’s desk where he likely wrote his will
After exiting the mansion, our group moved to the East lawn for a group photo featuring Washington’s view of the Potomac River.
From the East lawn, we headed down South Lane to visit the Washington mausoleum and the Slave Memorial, which we learned includes one of the earliest historical markers in the US to acknowledge the life and work of enslaved people from the Colonial Era.
After a box lunch while driving back to DC, the group visited the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, commonly known as “the Wall.” While at the monument, Cade Wallace had the opportunity to make a pencil rubbing of PFC Kenneth Lee Conner’s name; PFC Conner had served in Vietnam with Cade’s grandfather before being killed in a helicopter crash in 1969.
From the Wall, the group traveled along Constitution Ave NW to the National Archives Museum. Inside the Archives, we entered the Rotunda of the Charters of Freedom, where students were able to see original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Additionally above these exhibits, visitors observe the Faulkner Mural, which were painted in 1935-1936 and depict an imagined version of Thomas Jefferson presenting the Declaration of Independence and of James Madison presenting the completed Constitution.
After leaving the National Archives, the group moved to the west side of the US Capitol for our official group portrait. Copies of this photo will be delivered in the next few weeks as a memento of the 2023 D.C. Trip.
After the photoshoot, the group walked to the Capitol Visitors’ Center to begin our tour. In the Capitol, students toured many areas of interest, including the Crypt, the Rotunda, and Statuary Hall. The Crypt is located on the lowest level of the Capitol, is the oldest part of the building, and at one time was intended to be the final resting place of President George Washington.
Wednesday’s activities concluded with a visit to Pinstripes (Georgetown) Bowling and Bocce. This unique establishment serves a delicious food and provides a full-service bowling alley and indoor bocce court! Students spent an honor on the bowling alleys before sitting down to a delectable Italian family-style dinner service. Before leaving for the hotel in Manassas, the students partook in several different games, including a “Telephone”-style storytelling game that was quite interesting.
All-in-all, Wednesday was another banner day for the Washington, D.C. 2023 Trip!
Thursday, March 16
What a way to bring things to an end …. Thursday was our last day touring in Washington, D.C., and if was a day jam-packed with activities. We began with the SPY Museum, where the group learned about basic spy-craft, ciphers, and disguises. We also participated in one of several simulated missions, which required students to make use of the skills they learned about in the museum.
From the SPY Museum, the group traveled back to the National Mall area in order to visit the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Before entering the museum, Mrs. McQueen issued the students a challenge: find at least one fact that was new information to you and that you think no one else on the trip would know. Our tour itself started with a viewing of “Old Glory,” the original flag that flew above Fort McHenry in 1812 and was the inspiration for Francis Scott Key’s poem that provides the lyrics for the National Anthem. Afterwards, the students were allowed to move freely through the museum to explore the many and varied exhibits. Several people mentioned be excited to see important objects of pop culture like Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz, Mister Roger’s sweater, and Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street.
Several of the boys also enjoyed seeing a bat used by St. Louis Cardinals’ great Stan Musial, Satchel Paige’s glove, and one of Babe Ruth’s bats. Some were also excited by an exhibit named “Dave’s Dream,” which was a customized Ford LTD lowrider.
After leaving American History, we traveled to L’Enfant Plaza, a unique underground shopping center with a large food court that game folks many options to choose for today’s lunch. After everyone ate, the group then walked about half a mile to return to the National Mall and the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). On the way, we stopped the English Garden, which lies behind the Smithsonian Castle. we enjoyed the warm sunshine as well as the many beautiful flowers and trees, and we paused for another group photo. Unfortunately, the Castle itself– the very first building of the Smithsonian Institution— was closed for renovations so we could not check out those exhibits.
At the NMAAHC, our group was subdivided into platoons of 10 students plus one chaperone. Each group was directed to a predetermined location to begin our self-guided tour of the museum. Two groups headed upstairs to begin in the “Culture” displays, while the other two groups went downstairs to go through the History of African Americans, Slavery, and Segregation from the 1500s to the 1960s.
In the lower History levels, students learned about the development of slavery throughout history, from the Ancient World all the way through to Europeans trading in slaves for their colonies. The next section addressed slavery in American how that practice related to the Charters of Freedom. The exhibit then took students along the historical trail of abolitionism, the Civil War, the Reconstruction and Jim Crow, early 20th-century African American culture, and the Civil Rights Movement.
On the upper Culture levels, students viewed modern works of art created by African American artists, and learned about the many ways that African Americans impacted America and American culture. We saw exhibits that discussed the contributions of African Americans to the US military, Sports, Music, and Film & Television. Although the students were not familiar with all of the artists, musicians, actors, and tv shows and movies, many of them found the artifacts quite interesting. Naturally, the chaperones were sure to point out Clarksville-native and Olympian Wilma Rudolph.
CA students watching a video about Jackie Robinson and Negro League baseball.
Once we left the NMAAHC, the beautiful weather beckoned us to spend some time outdoors, so students were allowed a “recess” at the base of the Washington Monument. Everyone, especially the chaperones, truly enjoyed this 45-minute rest period in warm, late afternoon sunshine.
After recess, the group trekked from the Washington Monument area up to Lafayette Park and the White House. Along the way, we passed the Treasury Department and the bronze statue of Alexander Hamilton. Upon reaching Lafayette Park and the White House, the group organized for a quick picture with the White House as a backdrop.
From the White House, we traveled to the Promenade to board the Odyssey for our nighttime dinner cruise on the Potomac River. The group enjoyed a tasty meal and more than an hour of dancing aboard ship.
For those not interested in the dance party, the decks offered lovely views of D.C. and its environs. We were also treated to great views of a couple of very important buildings, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Watergate Hotel and Office Building.
All told, we spent about 13 1/2 hours touring D.C. today. It was a full and exciting day, but it certainly took a toll on many of the kids, as one can see in today’s final photo. This photo shows Mrs. McQueen’s view of the bus on the drive back to our hotel.
Tomorrow is the final day, our return to Clarksville. While most of the day will be spent on the bus, we are planning one final tour at Virginia’s Natural Bridge State Park. It has been a wonderful week full of new experiences and great memories, but if we’re honest, most of the group is ready to get home, see family, and sleep in our own bed. With that said, we will see everyone in Clarksville Friday night.
Winterim 2023 kicked off on Sunday, January 1. Two groups boarded their flights for Ireland and Iceland. Monday, January 2 another group left for their adventure to south FL. Tuesday, all groups began their Winterim experience. Below you will find a daily recap of each adventure. We hope you will join us on this exciting journey!
January 2, 2023
Ireland
Fifteen students and two staff began their travels to the Emerald Isle on January 1. Their arrival to Ireland was early in the day on January 2.
We began our adventure in Ireland on the morning of January 1, at 8:15, which is around 2:15 am, back in the United States. Our jet lag was terrible, and the flight was bearable, but we were encouraged by our guide Edwina to power through and go about our day. As we left Dublin Airport, we walked until we reached our coach. After that, we drove to our hotel, the Academy Plaza, around 20 minutes from the airport. During our drive, we learned a new term, “crack,” which means fun or to have great fun in Irish slang. Seeing the street signs with the Irish Gaelic written above and English below was interesting and very helpful for understanding the language (which would be nearly impossible for those unfamiliar with the language).
Our group checked in and, an hour later, set off on our walk around the city of Dublin. We walked around the amazing city for about 3-4 hours, learning about the memorials, architecture, statues, and history. In particular, the information about the National Post Office stuck out to me. The Irish soldiers waited and waited after commandeering their independence (albeit briefly) during the Easter holiday. Then after the holiday, when the Irish were waiting like sitting ducks, the British soldiers arrived, and to say the least, it didn’t go as planned for the Irish. Bullet holes from the bombardment are still visible along the street where the P.O. sits, particularly in the pillars at the front of the building and some street monuments.
After we grabbed our first Irish meal, we began our way to the Ireland National Gallery. This gallery contained some of the most exquisite pieces I have ever seen, such as “The Marriage of Stronghold” and “The Song of the Mad Prince.”
Then we walked around the corner to the National Museum of Ireland Archaeology and History, which held what I found to be highly fascinating bog bodies. Which outsiders may find odd, but Ireland sure doesn’t. Ireland has numerous bogs that contain artifacts, such as jewelry and, in this case, bodies. The bog preserved the bodies for centuries, kind of like Egyptian mummies. The bodies are now located in the museum, but only after years of taking a thick swim in the bog.
To fill our growling stomachs after a long day, we walked to, arguably, the oldest pub in Ireland, dating back to 1198, The Brazen Head Pub. I had amazing chicken and mashed potatoes, and others enjoyed traditional Irish Stew. Then we ended our night after falling asleep at the dinner table due to jet lag, with a 30-minute walk back to the hotel. — Ella Childers, 10th Grade
Iceland
Twenty-three students, two teachers, and three staff with UK International Sports Tours left Nashville yesterday for the trip of a lifetime! Upon arrival, the group immediately began exploring. Their adventure started with a ‘Golden Circle Tour.’ They first went to Þingvellir National Park and walked between two continents over the tectonic plates. Iceland is divided by the Mid-Atlantic Rift; some parts, such as the Westfjords and Reyjavík, are on the North American tectonic plate, while others, such as Vatnajökull glacier and the East Fjords, are on the Eurasian plate. Iceland is the only place in the world where this rift is above sea level, and nowhere can you see the edges of both plates as clearly as in Þingvellir… and walk between them.
They followed this with visits to the Strokkur Geyser and the amazing Gullfoss Waterfall. They ended the day with a wonderful meal and a good night’s sleep!
Orlando
Arriving at the Nashville Airport, some of CA’s finest students started their Winterim trip at 5:00 am with a lovely flight to Orlando. Our Course Leader picked us up and off to Universal Studios for a day of fun and adventure! All had roller coasters and other fun rides. The adventure is only beginning!
January 3, 2023
Culinary Fun
Today in culinary, we made pizza from scratch! We were able to cut our toppings like mushrooms, peppers, and onions! We even cut lettuce to make our side salad! Then we would sauté the meat and the other toppings we cut, so they were cooked and ready to go on our pizza. We then had to roll out our dough. Each student got a piece of dough and used a roller to roll the dough thin or thick. You could even make it into any shape or form you would like! We then put sauce and toppings on the pizza, popped it into the oven, and enjoyed the yummy meal! — Neveah Brooks, 10th Grade
Music City
Today was a fun day discovering Downtown Nashville. We hopped on a bus and began with a guided tour which included the Parthenon, Centennial Park, the TN State Capitol and much more. This tour also included stops at the Ryman Auditorium and The Country Music Hall of Fame. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable about the history and passed along great trivial facts we did not know already. Did you know that the number one industry in Nashville is the medical field with over 500 health care companies?! That’s right, the music and entertainment industry is 2nd to the medical industry. We finished the day with an amazing lunch at the Assembly Food Hall. The eatery was packed with a variety of food and dessert choices including Nashville’s famous hot chicken!
Culture of Crafting
Our local Winterim began today with a discussion about the difference between art and craft, questioning if there is a difference and if craftsmanship is as revered as it once was. The discussion then moved to the link between craft and culture.
Our focus for the day was on ink arts and Chinese culture. Students learned that the earliest examples of tie-dye come from 5th-century China. Students then created their tie-dyed t-shirts. They have to sit overnight. Stay tuned for pics!
Next, we began looking at kites in Chinese culture. There are kite festivals worldwide, but one of the biggest is held in Weifang, China which is believed to be the birthplace of kites. The first use is said to be in 200 BC by a Chinese general who used a kite to measure the distance his troops would need to dig to bypass enemy forces, and it worked! Kites eventually would help Americans better understand wind and weather from Benjamin Franklin and also help the Wright brothers on their path to flight.
Students used alcohol ink paints to decorate their nylon kites. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate, and we can try flying them Wednesday!
Disney
Disney Winterim departed in the dark and rain of Nashville and landed in the sunny warmth of Orlando! The group spent the day enjoying Animal Kingdom. Students rode Mount Everest and Avatar coasters and dined on treats from Asia and Africa! After beginning the day with a 4 AM arrival, the students (and teachers) were exhausted after a fun-filled day. We found making new friends (some were famous) and others strengthening their bonds with old friends. Wednesday begins our class and we are excited for the adventure!
Physical & Mental Well-Being
Physical and Mental Well-Being had an exciting first day of Winterim. We began with a healthy breakfast while downloading fitness and nutrition apps. This was followed by some of our students first experiences with guided meditation. After a brief walk and stretch, we proceeded with a full-body workout in our fitness room. After lunch, we entered our data into our fitness and nutrition apps. We then spent time reading our newly purchased book, The Teenage Guide to Stress by Nicola Morgan. Our students also experienced several other activities throughout the day, including choosing books to read to lower school students tomorrow and blindfolded team games to emphasize ways to enhance mental health through giving back teamwork.
New Orleans
After arriving in New Orleans, our group jumped on the St. Charles streetcar and made our way to the lavish Garden District, where celebrities like Beyonce and John Goodman own homes. We got back on the streetcar, the oldest in New Orleans, and made our way to Jackson Square, where street performance, The Old Guys, entertained us with classic R&B. We walked around the French Quarter with our local tour guide, Milton, who taught us about the history of New Orleans as well as the Creole and Cajun cultures. (And languappe told us that St Charles streetcar #922 is the streetcar named Desire!) We finished day one of our New Orleans experience with dinner at the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans, Tujagues.
Iceland
Day Two began with an early morning ‘ThunderCat Scavenger Hunt’ around the City Center. The kids got around on foot and scooters in the early morning darkness (the sun doesn’t come up until after 11:00 am!), tracking down cryptic clues, finding famous landmarks, and having locals assist them with their tasks. They poured drinks and served cake in coffee shops, posed for album covers on the Rainbow Road, chased Geese, and geotagged and documented everything on their phones for a prize!!
After lunch, they undertook a 3-hour Whale Watching Cruise in the frigid North Atlantic Ocean, where we were lucky enough to spot playful humpback whales. A great dinner and fun time at the hotel with the kids and staff before they prepare for a full day of waterfalls, black sand beaches, Northern Lights, and ATV riding Wednesday!
Ireland
We began our second day in Ireland by learning how to use public transportation. The public transport in Ireland is called the Luas, which is the Irish word for speed and is very clean and efficient. We took the Luas until we reached a decent walking distance from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The Cathedral was initially established as a Catholic Church but was later reformed into a Protestant church by King Henry VIII. After a quick history lesson in St. Patrick’s Park, we headed inside to explore. The Cathedral was full of intricate stained glass and historical alters. Several of us wrote in the prayer book as we returned to the front to meet for our next destination.
After St. Patrick’s Cathedral, we headed towards Dublin Castle (more on that later), where we stopped at the Christ Church Cathedral. We got several lessons on the Cathedral’s history and some information about the Irish flag, which represents the unity between Irish nationalism, Catholics, and Protestants in Ireland. After that lesson, we headed off for a quick coffee break.
Following our coffee break, we got the opportunity to wander the halls of Dublin Castle. An interesting fact about Dublin Castle, the statue of Justice is neither blind nor balanced. She looks towards an upright sword, which is a symbol of aggression. We explored the castle for about an hour before making our way to the castle’s gardens. The Dubh Linn Garden is a large circle of grass and hedges, which add a nice pop of green to the stone-covered area we were in.
When we returned to the hotel, we listened to Irish music and learned some basic Irish dances. The music was very interactive, and we listened to several different tunes. We listened to several songs on the guitar, as well as jigs and reels. We learned our dances in two groups. We did partner and group dances, all of which used the same basic moves. We were all tired by the end as we headed back to our rooms to prepare dinner.
We had a very posh dinner at the Shelbourne in the constitution room, where the Irish constitution was penned. Our meal began with an appetizer of tomatoes, greens, and goat’s cheese. Following the appetizer, we had a chicken, potatoes, and greens dish. Our dessert was a plate with brownie, macaron, and opera cake, followed by tea or coffee with petit fours. It was the perfect end to a long day of adventuring. — Ashlynn York, 11th Grade
Community Engagement
Students met on campus to work on resume building, college and career exploration and to prep for job shadowing placements. Students will spend the week visiting various business and professionals to learn more about their jobs. Today’s group talked with Sports Broadcasters, Therapists and Professional Photographers.
Fitness
We began our day on Tuesday morning by meeting in the classroom and having breakfast. During that time leading up to Defy (jump zone), we discussed what happened with Damar Hamlin in last night’s Bills vs. Bengals game. We talked about the mental impact on the athletes and how long it took the NFL to announce the decision to cancel the game.
We then went to Defy Jump Park and participated in everything they offered. The students had a blast playing basketball, dodgeball, rock climbing, and more. Afterward, we took our break for lunch.
Our afternoon activity was a class at NBalance Yoga and Fitness. The students participated in the private lesson, a mix of yoga, meditation, and mental resetting. This was a fantastic way to end our first day of Winterim.
APSU GIS Center
Yesterday we were at the GIS center, which stands for Geographic information system. We mapped out either Clarksville Academy or the Sports Center. We could use Points, Lines, or Polygons, to represent certain things. For example, I used points to plot the parking spots and Lines to map out the roads. I used Polygons to map out the buildings, and we also made classes to classify specific points and Lines and distinguish them; for example, some points were green, and some were blue. Blue was handicapped, while green was a normal spot. — Cesar Ugalde, 9th Grade
Everglades
Twenty students and two faculty members left Nashville Monday on an overnight flight to Florida. After a brief night of sleep, the adventure began!
On Tuesday, students went to Sombrero reef and snorkeled. Students were able to see jellyfish, snapper, and amazing colored coral. While the boat ride out was rougher than usual, students learned about the conservation efforts of the Florida coral reefs and the importance of protecting them.
After the snorkel adventure, students kayaked the mangrove forests on Big Pine Key. Students learned about the wildlife in the mangrove forest and found horseshoe crabs and the exoskeletons they had shed while growing. Students also learned about the different types of jellyfish found in the mangrove stream.
After an amazing sunset dinner and the Sunset Grill and Raw Bar, we ventured to Key West and went on a Ghost Tour. Students learned the history of Key West and the people who are said to haunt the island. Our tour guide showed us how to use paranormal equipment and allowed the students to experiment with it at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Orlando
We set off on an environmental and ecological tour of the Florida Everglades in an airboat! Alligators of all sizes, all types of birds, and the beauty of the freshwater glades made for a beautiful ride and experience. Afterward, we had a great lunch and pet a boa constrictor and an alligator at the wildlife zoo. The next stop was Wonderworks for numerous STEM-related activities with cool simulator rides and hands-on events. We had dinner and a magic show there and were mesmerized by the magician’s act.
January 4th, 2023
Disney
Disney Winterim Day Two began with an early morning class evaluating the physics of Disney Theme Parks. The 29 students took a fast-paced, behind-the-scenes tour of how the three laws of motion are at work on the rides in Hollywood Studios. In particular, students evaluated the experience created by Imagineers on the Rocking Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror! Students spent the afternoon exploring the remainder of the park designing light sabers, meeting Sulley, and capping off the evening watching the Fantasmic Fireworks Show!
Crafting
Students were able to see their handiwork on their tie-dyed t-shirts this morning, and they were very cool! We then moved to pottery. Students created two styles: Mexican-inspired pinch pots and stamped bowls or dishes. These have to dry before painting.
The group broke out the paints today and created woven paintings. Students made two paintings of their choice, cut them into strips, and wove them together to create a fascinating new painting. Tomorrow we are starting paper crafts and will try our hand at quilling.
Everglades
Today we visited Shark Valley in the Everglades. Students learned about conservation in the Everglades and the importance of the Everglades to our world. We also learned about invasive species and their negative impact on the ecosystem. After Shark Valley, we visited Robbie’s of Islamorada, where students fed tarpons and fought off hungry pelicans! We could see alligators and crocodiles since the everglades are the only place in the world to see the two together.
Music City
Today our adventure was discovering the Opry Mills area. We began with a fun and entertaining backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry. Wow! There is so much history there, dating back to the mid-1920s! Seeing all the inductees plated on the walls and the dressing rooms where they prepare for shows was fun! Next, it was a short walk across the street to Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. You couldn’t have told the students they did not meet the stars in person. The wax models look so so real! We got lots of fun photos with Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, and more! We made our way to lunch at Paula Deen’s Country Kitchen and had more food than we should have. It was the best southern fried chicken we’d had in a while. Finally, the students were excited to finish the day at Dave and Buster’s. We can’t wait until tomorrow!
Physical & Mental Well Being
Today was another day filled with growth toward becoming physically and mentally fit. We again started with a healthy breakfast and guided meditation. Mid-morning, we fit in a beginner’s Yoga class between reading and playing games with our elementary friends. We introduced our PreK to the Library’s new box books. The books are read to the student while they track each word with their fingers. Thanks to Mrs. Swallows for allowing us to assist with introducing this new learning tool! After lunch, it was off to the City Forum for fun and games while learning to socialize positively.
New Orleans
We spent the morning at the Voodoo Museum, the only one of its kind in America, with New Orleans Nate, who educated us on the history of Voodoo — not Hoodoo — in New Orleans. After a walk through the French Market, our local tour guide Lewis took us on a Hidden History walking tour, explaining the aim, strategy, and targets of the 1811 Louisiana Slave Revolt. We concluded the day with an evening meal at the Hard Rock Cafe. Today’s lagniappe was a one-night-only performance by Adam Pearce, a 2017 contestant on The Voice.
Fitness
Our second day of Winterim started with breakfast in my classroom. During this time, we had a discussion, and then, since we were ready for the day, we made our way to Liberty Park. We worked on soccer skills, tried the workout equipment, and walked around the park.
After lunch, we walked to Sanctuary on Main to enjoy a Restorative Yoga class. The class was very relaxing and left everyone feeling rejuvenated. We then walked back to campus and ended the day in the classroom, discussing today’s events and our plan for tomorrow.
Iceland
We started the day with an ATV adventure in the dark and snow before heading to the southern shore of Iceland. Did you know it stays dark in Iceland until approximately 11:00 AM and is only light for a few hours? Our students are slowly adjusting to this short time of daylight! We took in both the Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls before heading to the incredible Black Beaches of Vik. The day ended with us ‘chasing’ the Northern Lights!
Orlando
The first stop is the Kennedy Space Center to see the Apollo Rocket Program and the Atlantis Space Shuttle. Students learned what it took for America to get our rockets and astronauts into “The Space Race.” Tours of these spaceships, Mission Control, and even the new rockets of Elon Musk’s SpaceX were viewed and explored. After a day of space, it was off to Disney Springs for dinner, dessert, and a little shopping.
Ireland
We started the day by leaving the Capital city of Dublin and began our journey to the Powerscourt gardens and out west to the port city of Galway. Powerscourt is a large country estate dating from the 1700s with a large manor and beautiful gardens. The gardens are surrounded by gorgeous vistas overlooking the rolling hills of the Irish countryside. These gardens are filled with plants from across the globe and decorated with statues and small stone towers for a better view of the trees. My favorite part of the Powerscourt gardens was the sense of peace and serenity walking along the many paths. After we visited Powerscourt, we began the drive across the Island to the west coast of Ireland and the City of Galway. Once we checked into our hotel, we were greeted by our guide Liam for a walking tour of Galway. We walked through the winding city streets and observed old city walls, cathedrals, squares, and the rushing river Corrib. We finished the day at McSwiggans for dinner and then went to our hotel. My favorite part of Galway was our tour guide, Liam’s passion and pride for his city, which can only be described as uniquely Irish. — Aiden Jones, 11th Grade
APSU GIS Center
We finished digitizing our maps on ArcGIS and started making them printable. We then flew drone simulations. we also made 3D models with the blender. The first 3D model we did was a keychain. we then sliced the 3D model in Prusaslicer or Ultimaker Cura. After the model was sliced, we uploaded it to our thumb drives. Before we printed, we changed the filament in our printers. After the thumb drive was inserted, we could print our 3D model on the 3D printers. — Lexi Cruse, 9th Grade
Culinary
On day two of our culinary class, we made two kinds of dumplings, pork, and cabbage. Everything was super yummy! Everyone loved the cabbage with the sauce. We also had Asian cucumbers, which were very good but simple. A lot of people took that recipe home to make for the family. –Raegan Irish, 11th Grade
We also made one of my all-time favorite foods from scratch Scallion pancakes. To start, I made my dough with a flower and water mixture, and while my dough was setting, I made my filling using oil, water, and flour. After my dough sat for 20 minutes, I rolled it out into six balls, then 6×10 inch thin rectangles. I then placed my filling on one side of the dough, rolled it up, and rolled it back into a circular shape. Once I was finished with that, we put them in a frying pan with hot oil and cooked them to taste. We made a sauce using a mix of rice vinegar, soy sauce, and water. The process was a little tedious but worth it because they were elegant. Jackson Goyings, 12th Grade
January 5, 2023
Physical & Mental Well-Being
Today for Physical and Mental Well-Being, we had our normal healthy breakfast followed by a 20-minute Stress and Anxiety relief meditation. The following hours were spent at one of Clarksville’s hidden Gems, Mt. Olive Cemetery. There we learned lots of information about the physical and mental lifestyle lived during slavery and the health issues encumbered during the time period. Our students then rushed back to assist the library with the break out of our new box books to Kindergarten. In the afternoon portion of Winterim, we viewed a Ted talk on Social Health and discussed our field trip and information gained through the Social Health video. For the last segment today, our students were introduced to circuit training and performed a full-body circuit training workout.
Culinary
Today in our culinary Winterim, we made a variety of pasta taught to us by Chef Kris of Black Diamond Culinary. We first made potato gnocchi, an Italian-style dumpling made from potatoes. Next, Chef Kris helped us make fettuccini pasta, which was put through several machines to thin out the dough and cut out pasta strips. While this was taking place, other students were making fine sauces that would go along with the pasta and garlic bread. Finally, all the pasta was put into the pot and cooked, and it was delicious! For dessert, we had Tiramisu Cake and Italian Lemon Cake. Truly one of the most fun and interactive cooking classes ever! Sedge Waltmann, 9th Grade
Community Engagement
Today students volunteered at Manna Cafe during the morning helping to prep items for distribution. In the afternoon students helped with tasks around CA’s camp – moving the old cafeteria tables and chairs to storage, organizing the concessions area and helping in the Library.
Willie Wilson shadowed Dr. Steven Zavers (Pharmacist), Kelvin Ladner shadowed Frazier Allen (Businessman) and Sawyer Barnes shadowed Erin Poland (Attorney)
Music City
Today began with a walking donut tour in downtown Nashville. It was 2 hrs of a little bit of sightseeing, history, and a whole lot of DONUTS! We enjoyed this one a little too much. There was something significant about each of the donut parlors we visited, and by the end, we all were able to decide which was our favorite. Next, we stopped to visit both the Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline Museums. There were so many things to see and many hands listening activities. We all were amazed at the length of Cash’s career and the things he accomplished even in his old age. On the contrary, Cline’s career had nearly just begun before she died too soon, but the impact she made in that little time is quite remarkable. Lastly, we visited Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, and we did not only tour his mansion but also participated in a special tour highlighting the lives of the many enslaved workers Jackson owned. Walking through what their lives would have looked like at that time was very enlightening. It was a great day!
New Orleans
Day 3 in New Orleans began at the National WWII Museum. Once we were able to drag Coach Trent away, we walked over to Mardi Gras World and saw props being constructed for this year’s Mardi Gras parade — in 47 days. The streetcar took us to the Jazz Museum before we met our local tour guide in Louis Armstrong Park. David, a former teacher, entertained us with stories about Louisiana’s unique culture and music history. Our lagniappe of the the day was Iko, a 30-year-old cockatoo, who lives on Burgundy Street in the French Quarter. Iko, named for Dr. John’s song “Iko Iko,” greeted us with “Hello,” and David serenaded her with jazz music.
Crafting
Today students worked on paper art crafts. First, we talked about quilling, a 15th-century French and Italian art in which paper strips are curled into different shapes to create varying designs. It is a very relaxing craft but can be a little tedious. However, students picked it up quickly and made some incredible designs. Then, we talked about Japanese origami. Students followed online tutorials to create birds, stars, and paper airplanes. Luckily, the weather was perfect for testing out our kites from Tuesday. Tomorrow we will get our pottery painted and wrap up our week with an art parlor game from the early 1920s.
Everglades
We started the morning off on Thursday at a local favorite, The Stuffed Pig, for breakfast. After we finished there, we went to Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters. Students had a guided tour through the aquarium, where they learned about the different species and the rehab and conservation efforts to protect them. Students learned about conch shells and why they are so protected in Florida. Students dressed in wet suits and got into the aquarium tanks, where they interacted with the sting rays and fish. They could free-swim and feed both the sting rays and the fish. They could also feed the sharks in the tank next to them! While at the aquarium, students were given a tour of the life support system (LSS) at the aquarium and were shown how they monitored the water quality throughout the facility. We were also able to dissect squids and learn about the anatomy of the squid!
That afternoon we ventured to The Turtle Hospital. The Turtle Hospital is open 24/7 and specializes in the rescue and rehabilitation of sea turtles. Students learned about the effects of pollution and human impact on our turtle population and what we can do to help with conservation efforts to protect all the different species of sea turtles. After the presentation, students were given a tour of the hospital and the current turtles that are there for medical care and rehabilitation. We were also allowed to adopt one of the resident turtles. Resident turtles were injured to the point where they will never be released back to the wild and are cared for at the facility.
We finished our night up with a dinner at Burdines Waterfront.
Ireland
We started out the day funneling to our bus after leaving one of the best hotels in Galway and began the journey up the winding roads of the countryside in County Clare; one hill was aptly named “corkscrew hill” because the road bent back on itself. We arrived at the Cliffs of Moher to a breathtaking view of waves crashing against the cliffs, and we could go into a nearby 19th-century tower that gave us a better view of the entire cliffside.
After the cliffs, we headed back towards Galway, where we visited a schoolhouse and a castle called Thoor Ballylee, which are both funded and run by the local community. The schoolhouse was a significant meeting place for writers and, most significantly, W.B. Yates, who lived in the nearby castle when he wrote his most famous poems, interestingly after he had already won the Nobel Prize. The castle had a creek running along the kitchen window, which was picturesque (perfect for a poet), and had a relatively more recent addition of a house connected to the still-standing castle tower.
Once finished at the castle, we had tea and cakes at a cafe halfway between Galway and Dublin. The return to Dublin ended with a nice take on American BBQ for dinner, which was good for anyone feeling a bit homesick. Overall, it was a fantastic day with moments of awe while at the cliffs and moments of downtime catching up on sleep while riding the bus back to Dublin. –Connor Crain, 11th Grade
Disney
The Disney Design Winterim had an epic day at Epcot! Students took the staff-only entrance through the back lots of the park to the Disney Imagination Campus. Students experimented hands-on with the inner workings of animatronics and then crawled in the dark backstage. To see the technology firsthand at both the American Adventure and Ratatouille! Students spent the afternoon on a global adventure, sampling everything from scones to sushi. Students explored the rides at the park, and some even had the chance to ride the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride!
Iceland
What a day here in Iceland with the Clarksville Academy kids!!
We started with a tour of one of the many lava tunnels around the island before we took things to a new level of adventure!!
We were snorkeling in the freezing waters at Silfra, in the middle of two tectonic plates. This is off-the-charts crazy and incredibly cold. The water temperature was 32, and the air temperature was 14. The kids and staff donned dry suits and braved the frigid waters for a once-in-a-lifetime experience they will never forget as they swam in the gap between the North American and Eurasian plates. We are now hoping everyone thaws out before dinner and our next adventures tomorrow.
GIS Center
We learned how to 3D print. We learned how to slice our figures to 3D print them. We also learned how to laser print photos onto wood. Next, we learned how to build a simple drone, which included screwing the motors to the drone’s base. Finally, we did the drone flying simulator to help us with flying drones outside competitively the next day. –Devin Cheek, 9th Grade
Fitness
For our third day of Winterim, we met in my classroom as we have each day and ate breakfast while having a discussion. Shortly after, we went to Trifecta Fitness to participate in a strength training class. The class was a great workout and tested the whole body. After that, we took a break for lunch. After lunch, we took a break to get ready for a walk at Dunbar Cave Park. Dunbar is always a great place to run/walk, and it was no exception today with the great weather.
Orlando
All had a super fun day with a trip back to Universal Studios and all things Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, and Marvel Comics! Our students were on a quest to ride all of the attractions as many times as possible with the roller coasters known as “The Hulk,” “The Velocicoaster,” “Revenge of the Mummy,” “Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket,” and “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike” at the top of the list! Wow! Wow! Wow! These rides were fantastic, and the laughing and screaming were nonstop, except for the wait times in line. No worries, though, as that was a perfect time for students and the chaperones to get to know each other better and further enjoy each others’ company.
January 5, 2023
Iceland
The kids spent the morning running around Reykjavik on foot and scooters, enjoying some free time, and shopping for souvenirs and gifts.
In the afternoon, we traveled to take in, and explore the Kerid Volcanic Crater, formed 6500 years ago by an eruption. After a quick stop for cake and coffee, we finished our week with what was undoubtedly well deserved, a soak in the world-famous ‘Blue Lagoon,’ Iceland’s largest geothermal hot spring. A week worth of fun and excitement leaves them with tired muscles that the Lagoon was able to soothe!!
Disney
Today students took a look at the Theme Park Design. Students analyzed the stories told by the Disney team. Students evaluated the various components of everything from Main Street to the backstage spaces that create the magic. Students then had the chance to work with a team, design their own three-dimensional theme park, and present it to the Disney Imagineers! We spent the afternoon exploring Magic Kingdom! We rode Space Mountain and Splash Mountain! We ate Dole Whip and purchased souvenirs! We’re heading home tomorrow!
GIS APSU
When we first started learning how to use drones for mapping and operations, this led us to learning how to create a flight plan for the drone to plan to. This would give the drone its flight direction. This leads you to set the parameters so you can complete the pre-flight checklist you go through before the drone takes off. After completing the checklist, we would input the distance and images into the drone. It would take pictures or videos while the drone is in flight. After bringing the drone back, we set up an obstacle course to race between the two teams with the drones. –Jacques Wyatt, Senior
Music City
We wrapped up our fun today by visiting the beautiful Belle Meade Plantation, which has many of the original home furnishings from the 1800s. It was so cool to see! We learned much about the Harding/Jackson family and their great thoroughbred horse breeding business. We had a fabulous southern cuisine lunch right on the property. Finally, we stopped at the Parthenon. Incredibly, Nashville is home to the world’s only full-scale replica of the Greek Temple! It was vast and mind-blowing to see. We especially enjoyed the student art displayed on the second floor from the art contest winners. It was a gorgeous day out, so before we loaded up, we all could take one last stroll in Centennial Park to chat about our week of learning. We even fed the ducks and geese that live in the man-made pond “Lake Watauga.” This was one of the best parts of all week!
Crafting
We wrapped up the week by painting our pottery and playing games. The students were so creative this week and seemed to enjoy the week. I think we will all miss being able to spend the days playing in paint and clay!
Culinary
Today during our final day in culinary class, we created savory and sweet crêpes. Crêpes are ultra-thin French-style pancakes. They are very versatile and fun to use creatively. We made our crêpe batter and cooked each delicate pancake. Then, we made the fillings from scratch. We made a spinach filling for one of the savory crêpes. We also created a savory crêpe containing ham coated in breadcrumbs, then folded and fried. For our sweet crêpes, we used chopped strawberries covered in sugar and topped with fluffy whipped cream. To go along with our savory crêpes, we made a treat called popovers. Popovers are rolls made in muffin tins. Crêpes were a tremendous final lesson. It was interesting to have a dish that could work as dinner and dessert. I Enjoyed our class with Chef Kris and will miss learning and eating every day at Black Diamond Culinary School! –Nora Shea, 9th Grade
Orlando
The culmination of our Winterim trip was our indoor skydiving lesson and STEM class with “iFLY”! This was one of the most anticipated events for our group, where the instructors gave us a course on the aerodynamics of free fall parachuting and proper body position while inside the air tube chamber. The Instructors did a fantastic job with all our students flying in a simulated free fall. Upon concluding, we had a late lunch at “Hard Rock Cafe” and then headed to the airport. It’s been a wonderful trip with awesome course leaders, and our CA students had beautiful weather and fun times. We hope next year’s Winterim will be just as fun!
Friday, April 8, three Clarksville Academy teachers and one Administrator embarked on a trip of the lifetime. They flew to Chicago and met up with a group of twenty more teachers and from there headed to Finland. They will spend the next week, immersing themselves in the culture, visiting area schools to experience new teaching techniques, and will even get to spend some time exploring. They are still adjusting to the eight hour time difference! Follow along as we experience their adventure with them! Sherry Cawood, Middle School, Gina Goostree, Head of Lower School, Shelley Holt, Lower School and Christine Lindsey, Upper School will fill us in on their daily adventures!
Friday, April 8-Saturday, April 9
CA faculty heading to Finland are full of anticipation for the trip. After many hours in O’Hare, we boarded for our 6.5 hour flight to Reykjavik, Iceland. We had a very brief layover. In 0 degrees Celsius and gusty winds we boarded our final flight to Helsinki, Finland. We arrived at 2 p.m. for a tour of Helsinki to learn about its vast history and culture. Following the tour, we took a quick rest and joined our group for dinner. Tomorrow begins another exciting day! –Shelley Holt, Pre-K
Sunday, April 10
We began the week’s educational experience on Sunday by learning more about Finland’s history and culture. In the morning we traveled to the town of Porvoo, one of six medieval towns in Finland. Porvoo, We began the week’s educational experience on Sunday by learning more about Finland’s history and culture. In the morning we traveled to the town of Porvoo, one of six medieval towns in Finland. Porvoo, which means castle on a river in Swedish, is 200 years older than Helsinki. Finland’s long history with Sweden was evidenced here in the architecture, signs, and the number of residents (30%) who speak Swedish as their primary language. After lunch we traveled to Suomenlinna Island, a World Heritage UNESCO site. Here we learned more about Finland’s history with Russia. On Suomenlinna Island (linna=castle) is a fortress built in the mid 1700s on one of 8 islands in an archipelago. At this time the Swedish Empire was concerned about the developing city of St. Petersburg in Russia and built the fortress as a defense. Finland was ceded to Russia by Sweden in 1809, and in 1917 Finland declared independence from Russia. A few buildings still have the onion top design, though most were removed. After we returned from Suomenlinna we had the opportunity to explore the waterfront market. The evening was capped with a group meeting including the 16 educators joining us from Chicago and administrators from the schools we will visit tomorrow. –Christine Lindsey, US Science
Monday, April 11
Moi (Hello) from Finland! What an awesome day! Wow! We started our day at /Otaniemen Lukio Upper Secondary School for Mathematics and Natural Science in Espoo, a Helsinki suburb. The school mascot is the bear.
The school library at Otaniemen Lukio Upper Secondary School & a classroom at Otaniemen Lukio Upper Secondary School.
The school was designed in collaboration with the students. Students selected the colors, designed the mascot and were instrumental in deciding the layout and furnishings. One of the student’s top “wishes” for their communal space was the coolest indoor conversation swing set. All morning, we were looking for a few spare minutes to try out those fabulous swings!
Our guest speaker, Jari Lavonen, Ph.D. and head of the Department of Teacher Training at Helsinki University, discussed design thinking and the innovative process of creating multidisciplinary learning modules and implementing and sustaining multidisciplinary courses. Mrs. Lindsey’s morning also included time in the high school robotics lab learning more about their program. Mrs. Goostree, Mrs. Holt and Mrs. Cawood visited at nearby Laajalahti Elementary School. We sat in a third grade classroom as the teacher demonstrated how robotics is implemented in Finland for that age. Later, we watched the teacher start a project based learning activity on weather instruments with sixth grade students.
Next, we headed back to the Secondary School to eat the school cafeteria lunch. Finland focuses on teaching healthy eating habits in children from an early age. Our menu was baked fish, boiled potatoes and other vegetables along with a salad and several toppings.
Our afternoon was spent at Aalto University Junior. We observed high school students visiting the lab for the day to make and test a compound of aspirin.
Next, we headed upstairs to a classroom for our own hands-on activity. We assembled a hydrogen-fueled model car as part of our discussion on the activities that Aalto does in their program.
We ended our day with a breathtaking ride on the Ferris Wheel overlooking The Baltic Sea.
Our guide told us that the number one thing we should not miss is a visit to the Helsinki Central Library Public. She was right. It did not disappoint! When designing the library, a survey was sent out asking the residents what they would like to have in a library. The library’s second floor incorporates their wishes. This level offers everything from sewing machines, 3D printers, gaming rooms, oversized printing, meeting rooms, a demonstration kitchen, recording studios, green screens and video production equipment, and musical instruments that may be checked out with a library card. It was truly a fascinating place to see! –Sherry Cawood, MS Social Studies
Tuesday, April 12
Greetings from Finland. Tuesday, April 12, we ventured to the Eastern side of Helsinki. We were split into two groups to pay a visit to two Finland schools.
Mrs. Lindsey visited Vuosaari Upper Secondary School, (age groups 16 – 18). As you can see, she had a close encounter with a unique Finnish guy…..
Puistopolku Comprehensive School, (age groups 7 – 15), welcomed Mrs. Cawood, Mrs. Holt, and me. While there, we observed classes, held dialogues with teachers, and toured the school. The Finns believe they are the world’s most impactful, equitable, and effective place for learning. The government requires good schools for every student, for all to be respected as valued individuals, and a strong democratic school community. We were amazed all the elementary schools are shoe free! Notice the students, at their desks, are wearing only socks.
Even visitors are required to wear shoe covers. Check out our fancy feet!
Our lunch, was at Luonnontiedelukio Upper Secondary School of Natural Sciences, in Helsinki. The schools provide lunches for all students, and they are not allowed to bring lunches from home. All students in elementary and secondary school self serve their lunches.
The students are taught responsibility at an early age. In some areas, groups of seven year olds and older walk home alone. Parents are at work and homes are unlocked.
We visited Helsinki’s Design Museum for a dialogue dedicated to design thinking and learning in the Finnish education sector. Finnish design has established a reputation as a flag bearer for equality. Many of its most iconic design products have been perceived as having the ability to increase equality in daily lives. The Design for Every Body exhibition addresses this idea.
The first unisex fashion collection was designed, for Marimekko, in 1968. The design was inspired by the American youth fashion trends and was hailed as a symbol of equality because everyone looked the same.
Bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, as well as Sweden, Norway, and Russia, Finland is the northernmost country in the European Union. The Baltic Sea is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean enclosed by Finland, Estonia, and other European countries. Upon an administrator’s request, (Guess who?), our tour guide was kind enough to stop the bus, so we could touch the Baltic Sea! How intriguing! –Gina Goostree, Head of LS
Wednesday, April 13
For our last morning in Helsinki, we began our morning at the Olari School in Espoo, Finland.
Teachers shared about their programming and robotics program, mathematics, and science. We also watched a demonstration by the robotics club. After visiting classrooms, students gave us a tour of their wonderful school.
Next, we visited Code School Finland at the Helsinki Education Hub. Code School Finland works with schools and trains teachers to teach coding, programming, AI, and robotics. They walked us through the history of Finnish education, the unique Finnish approach, and the services they offer.
Next, we were off to the ferry terminal. We travelled two hours across the Gulf of Finland to Tallin, Estonia.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by our Estonian guide and his family and given a very quick tour of the downtown Tallinn area. We checked into our hotel and set off on foot to explore the picturesque Tallinn Old Town. It is the best preserved medieval city in Northern Europe with Gothic spires, winding cobblestone streets and absolutely enchanting architecture.
Lastly, Mrs. Lindsey stopped a couple of local police officers to complete a special request for Officer Dericho. These very kind officers gave a “challenge patch” to take back to Dericho along with their name and address for him to mail one back in return. –Shelley Holt, LS Teacher
Thursday, April 14
Tere (hello) from Tallinn! Thursday morning started with a visit to Tallinna XXI Kool, or Tallinn School 21. We were greeted by a beautiful performance from the choir. Silva and Michelle were our student guides on a tour of a first grade class, library, robotics lab, and music, physics, and math classes. The walls are covered with incredible student art. Every year the school chooses a different country as a theme and the art reflects that choice. This year’s country is Egypt. The students were welcoming and answered many questions, and instructors shared the resources used to incorporate STEAM into as many classes as possible.Our second school is Pelgulinna Gymnasium, a grade 1-9 arts focused school with 850 students. Pelgulinna’s motto is “Choose Create and Do”. We saw the school’s pool with a swimming lesson in session and were treated to a performance by the first grade music class. We participated in a robotics lesson with third graders before a presentation on the school’s mission and growth.The third and final school on our itinerary was Tallinn University. We learned about the Tallinn educational system and its history before spending time in the EduTech space.The evening will be spent exploring Tallinn’s beautiful Old Town. Good Friday is celebrated in Estonia so we will head to Lahemaa National Park tomorrow morning! –Christine Lindsey, US Science
Friday, April 15
This was a “Good Friday” in more ways than one! Today was spent learning more about the geography and history of Estonia. We started our cold, rainy morning with a visit to an ancient burial site.
Next, we toured two manor houses built in the 1700’s and learned the history of the families that built them.
We traveled about an hour outside of the city of Tallinn to Lahemaa National Park. We hiked along the icy trail through the bogs.. Our guide stressed that if we accidentally stepped off the trail pathway, that our footprint would remain for 15 to 20 years due to the composition of the bog.
The trees in the forrest are about 150 years old. The guide had everyone in our group place a hand on the tree to focus on the tranquility in nature and the inner peace one can find when connecting with nature.
Our view from the scenic overlook of the bogs and forrest.
Our next stop was in a quaint little fishing village on The Baltic Sea for the loveliest lunch of smoked salmon, boiled potatoes and rhubarb squares. We toured the Maritime Museum and got to touch the The Baltic Sea once again, but on the opposite shoreline from earlier in the week.
We ended the day back in the capital city of Tallinn exploring The Medieval Old Town. It’s a full moon and the 500 year old buildings looked like something straight out of a fairy tale. The night was absolutely magical! –Sherry Cawood, MS Social Studies
Saturday, April 17
We began our long journey home! Thanks to all who followed along!
Aloha! Today we woke up bright and early to hit the road on the surf bus! We had the BEST driver who gave us lots of information about the history and geography of Hawaii. He also let us take pictures at some scenic stops! We headed north to Waimea Falls, where we began our 30-minute hike up to the waterfall. The water was freezing, but we all had so much fun jumping in. after we hiked down, we were able to stop at Haleiwa, where we ate some delicious burgers, amazing Hawaiian shave ice, and browsed some charming little shops. after this, we boarded the surf bus. We headed to a quick stop at the Dole Plantation, where we could shop in the gigantic gift shop and sample the iconic dole whip! We headed back to the hotel to get ready for our sunset dinner cruise, where we enjoyed a delicious dinner and a fabulous Polynesian show and took tons of sunset pictures! after we left the dinner, we went out for one final run to the ABC store and headed into our hotel to pack up for our early flight home. (Graysie ’22)
January 7, 2022
Southern Cities
Today began our last day of touring; we headed out to Patriot’s Point to take a self-guided tour through the USS Yorktown. We toured the flight deck, museums on the ship, and some of us sat in the Captain’s bridge seats and even saw a dolphin. We then had a picnic-style lunch on the bus.
After lunch, we boarded our boat for the tour to Fort Sumter. At Fort Sumter, we had a guided tour and some time to explore independently. The fort saw the first casualties of the Civil War, but interestingly not during the 34-hour bombardment. After the Union surrendered the fort to the South Carolinian confederate troops, two men were killed during a 100 gun salute. The Confederacy would hold the fort, under constant attack, until February 1865, when General William T. Sherman swept through the south, leaving a trail of fire, destruction, and fear in his wake.
We boarded the boat to head back to Charleston for a carriage tour. Our carriage was pulled by a draft horse named Gibbes, an old Charlestonian name. Gibbes just returned from a long vacation after the carriage company rotated their horses from work to open fields; they do this routinely. The draft horses in Charleston have usually rescued horses, and the adoption extends their life by approximately ten years longer than if they had been left in their previous conditions. While on tour, we learned about the city’s modern culture, houses and rode through the college campus. The students got to pet Gibbes before heading back to the bus for dinner.
Our final night on the trip, dinner was a relaxed affair at Andolini’s Pizza, where we shared (family style) breadsticks and pizza; we each got our bowl of salad, spaghetti, and a chocolate chip cookie. After everyone had time to shower and pack up for our early morning departure, some of us partook in a fierce hand of Uno. It was a great way to finish the trip! Once back at the hotel, we said goodbye to our phenomenal tour guide, Robin. In the morning, we will board the bus, with the talented Kenny at the helm, to head home full of stories, experiences, and great memories.
Hawaii
We started the day at 10:30 for pickup, and it was a lovely morning because we got lots of rest! Our tour guide was Earl, who we love, but he tends to make many stops, so the bus ride took a while. We stopped at many scenic spots to take pictures, and Earl informed us of each site and its significance. On our way to the Polynesian Cultural Center, we stopped at Fumi’s to eat. They only have eight items on the menu, and it’s all shrimp—except one chicken item. The shrimp was super fresh and yummy! There was also a live performer singing while we ate outside; his name was Woody. He made lots of jokes and was a good singer. After that, we were off to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We were greeted by our tour guide Lorran (pronounced Lohan), from Brazil, when we got there. He was an excellent tour guide and showed us each of the highlighted islands at the center. My favorite island was Samoa. The show we watched there was super funny and entertaining. We also went on a canoe ride through the “islands.” After going through each island and learning about their cultures, we made our way to the Luau. We were greeted with beautiful purple leis. It was an all-you-can-eat buffet. There was a variety of Hawaiian foods. My personal favorites were the poke, taro buns, pineapple smoothies, and chocolate gelato. We ate while we watched the luau show, it was very entertaining with graceful dancers. After the Luau, we moved onto the theater to watch a performance. I didn’t know what to expect going into this, and I thought we were watching a movie. But, it was a live performance, and it was spectacular! The story was captivating, and the performers were incredible. The coolest part was probably the fire performers. After the show was over, we headed back to the hotel. It was a long day, but probably my favorite day we’ve had so far. I learned so much about the islands’ culture and had fun while learning! (Molly, ’22)
January 6, 2022
Hawaii
The group started the day a little later than the previous days. We hopped on the bus that took us to the boat dock! Although we didn’t get to snorkel because of the waves and currents, we got to see sea turtles and whales! The whale put on a bit of show for us with his giant tail. We experienced our first full sunny day of the trip! After a few hours of lying in the sun, we were all hungry. The boat provided lots of good food for us. We had pork sandwiches, teriyaki chicken, rice, salad, and pineapples! After everyone finished eating, the captain drove us back to land. Once we got back to the hotel, we split up for dinner and said goodnight! (Katie Thrash, ’22)
Mexico
The final dives were amazing! These students showed so much growth in the last few days and are wonderful divers. We cannot wait for our next experience!
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Florida
We were up early and on the boat by 8:30 for our snorkel trip, after a 45-minute boat ride to the coral reef. At the coral reef, students observed marine life in its natural habitat. We even got to see the Christ of the Abyss statue on our snorkel trip. After snorkeling and a quick lunch stop, we went to the Mangrove forest for a kayaking trip. This was a 3.5-hour adventure through the Mangrove forests of Key Largo. We got to see numerous marine life to include starfish and jellyfish. We had to learn how to work together as a pair to navigate kayaks through extremely narrow tunnels and passageways, with lots of us running into the trees. After a 30 minute break to change, we went to dinner and then to Dolphins Plus for our night program. We learned about the ecology of the intertidal zones and the different phyla found within the Animal Kingdom. We touched and held numerous marine life to include stone crabs, lobsters, starfish, shrimp, sea urchins, and coral. After this, we broke into pairs and did a squid dissection. We learned about the anatomy and physiology of the squid. The squid used was sushi grade squid, so students could taste test if they wished.
Southern Cities
This morning we went to Boone Hall Plantation, the longest operating plantation in the country. Because of its more remote location, Boone Plantation survived wars and continued to operate through at least two depressions. It still produces a variety of goods from strawberries and blueberries to buckwheat and corn, and they even produce their own honey and candles. Boone Hall has also been the set of famous movies and tv series: North and South, Queen (the follow up to Roots), and most recently, The Notebook. The Avenue of Oaks, the entry to the plantation, is also one of the most photographed locations in the south, for a good reason; it is beautiful, and the oaks that line the drive have been there for almost two centuries!
Our next tour had us walking through historic Charleston, where we learned about the buildings, houses, and churches that give Charleston the nickname of the “Holy City.” Then we had the opportunity to shop in the famous City Market, full of local goods and artisans.
The next stop for the day was Fort Moultrie, known for many things, but specifically the posting of Edgar Allen Poe. The fort has seen several upgrades over the years and was a lookout point beginning during the American Revolution through World War II. One of the most interesting things we learned about was the disappearance of the first attack submarine, the Hunley. It is now in a museum, after being lost during the Civil War and rediscovered by an effort funded by author Clive Cussler. The Hunley was recovered in the harbor, just off the Cooper River, by joint federal and private company efforts.
Dinner at Hyman’s was an awesome experience, students tried fried green tomatoes, clam chowder, and some gave raw oysters a shot! The food was fabulous and the meal one of the best so far. After dinner, we met our tour guide Zach (with Bulldog Tours), for our ghost tour of the Holy City. To say that we got a spooky tour would be putting it mildly. One thing is for sure; the students can tell you the difference between a graveyard and a cemetery, a plateye and boohag, and what haints are!
January 5, 2022
Florida
We went and explored the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, FL. We were able to see surgery performed on a rescued sea turtle. We learned about the effects of water pollution on sea turtles and how human activities and human interactions harm the turtles. Students were able to interact and feed the resident rescue sea turtles and observe the rescued injured/ sick sea turtles. We then went to Seven Mile Bridge and Pennekamp State Park. At Pennekamp, we went over proper water etiquette and safety while snorkeling. Students learned how to use their snorkel gear properly and then practiced within the small coral reef. That evening we did a student activity on adaptions found in animals as a team-building activity.
Lifeguard Certification
Today our students worked on CPR training and responding to injuries and illnesses.
Southern Cities
Wednesday afternoon, after our walking tour of Savannah, we boarded our bus and drove to North Charleston to visit the Magnolia Plantation owned by the Drayton family. The Drayton family has owned the plantation for 13 generations without interruption, retaining ownership through both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. The tour we took was called “From Slavery to Freedom” and is told from the point of view of the slaves that worked the plantation. Students toured a variety of slave cottages that have been salvaged and reconstructed to display different periods beginning with an 1850 structure when the original 11 cabins were built until 1990 when the houses were vacated. Each cabin was a duplex that housed two families before the Civil War. Our guide was Joe McGill, originally from Kingstree, SC. He is currently working on a book, Sleeping with Ancestors (working title). Joe is the founder of a project called “The Slave Dwelling Project,” attempting to change the narrative of plantation history. Not erase it or stop it, but the behind-the-scenes history tells the story of those who provided the framework for the storybook, “Gone with the Wind” plantation life often told. After the guided tour, we split up into groups and explored the property, some visiting the animals, others the gardens, and all taking in the beauty of our surroundings. Upon leaving Magnolia Plantation, the group cut loose and had dinner at Frankie’s Fun Park. We played arcade games, putt-putt golf, hit a few pitches in the batting cages and raced around the track in Go Karts. We had a wonderful time, some of us setting records on the arcade games: Mrs. Hotchkin and Connor played a game collecting seven character cards to win a jackpot prize of 2,500 points (in all, they won 3,700), while Coach Kretz set the new high score on the basketball “Hot Shot” game, and Colby and Miya racked up over 2,200 points on various games. While the games were fun, the prizes were even better and quite hilarious! It was a great way to end our day of travel and the first night in Charleston.
Mexico
Yesterday our Scuba Winterim Group did their deepest dive to date. The Group embarked on a shelf dive of Planacar Cave Reef. Reaching a maximum depth of 80 feet, students swam through an amazing reef on the shelf off the island’s western side. Weaving in and out of canyons of coral formations and swim-throughs, they saw incredible coral formations, spotted eagle rays, and various tropical fish. The group went on their first night dive using lights swam around the reef and were able to see nocturnal aquatic life. Students saw many lobsters, small rays, a large lion fish and even got a rare squid and octopus sighting!!
Ceramics
Today students learned how to create a bust using red clay. After thinking about what to make and sculpting the piece, we had to invert the busts on a sponge and hollow them out for drying. Students created celebrities, cartoon characters, animals, and skulls. In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to tour APSU’s beautiful campus with a senior ambassador.
College Tours
Today our group travelled to Memphis and visited Christian Brothers University and the University of Memphis. It was a wonderful trip and they were so glad to experience a little bit of Memphis while there.
Local Government
Today we started off our trip early by driving to Nashville at 8 a.m; our first stop was to the Tennessee State Library and Archives. We got a behind-the-scenes tour of how historical documents are processed and shelved when we entered the library. One of the stops for books or paperwork would be in the blast freezer. We got to experience minus 30 degrees temperature in this freezer, which kills mold and other impurities that could damage the historical documents. Our second stop for the day was at the Tennessee State Museum. We got to tour artifacts from when Tennessee was first made a state and tour artifacts from World War II. Our last stop was for lunch at Farmer’s Market. While there, the girls on our trip got a ten scoop ice cream plate.
Learning to Coach
Students were able to see firsthand a behind-the-scenes look at the necessary planning it takes to properly deliver instruction or lesson as both a teacher and a coach. Following the development of their teaching and coaching plans, students would provide their instructions to the rest of the class as a taught lesson or practice segment of their choice.
International Food & Film
Day three of International Food and Film!! We discovered the sights and sounds of India! Dr. Booth cooked Chickpea Curry, Basmati Rice, Garlic Naan, and Chai Tea for the students! They watched the Indian Film Lunchbox!
Hawaii
We woke up early and went on the bus at 7 a.m. Our bus driver, Earl, was the best- he’s a native Hawaiian and drove us around and told us about all the landmarks we passed. We went horseback riding at the Kualoa Ranch for about an hour and a half. Many movies have been filmed here; we saw scenes from Jurassic World, Curious George, Jumanji, and many more. We then went to the secret island beach, where we took another boat out to the island. We kayaked, paddle boarded, and played volleyball after we went back to the hotel and then went to dinner.(Noah Goble ’22)
Fitness
Today we went to Weakley Park and did team sports. We played seven on seven two-hand touch football and Spike Ball teams. After lunch, we went to Rotary Park and explored the several different offerings that they have there.
January 4, 2022
Mexico
The morning saw us go for a guided tour of the San Gervasio Mayan ruins, approximately 10,000 years old. The afternoon has seen us back on the water for two boat dives, where the kids dove to depths of 70ft on the reef. They saw turtles, moray eels, and a few sharks. We will be back in the water for a night dive with the nocturnal octopus and fishes tonight.
Hawaii
Today we were on the bus at 7 am and headed to Pearl Harbor. We learned a lot about what happened on December 7, 1941. They repurposed most of the ships and turned them into a memorial. Next, we when to the USS Missouri. It was so cool. We were able to explore the boat and see the living conditions of the sailors. It started pouring down hard while we were there, but we managed to make it fun! Then, we went to the Iolani Palace, where the last queen and king of Hawaii lived. It was beautiful. After that, we went back to our hotel, and most of us went to the beach, ate dinner, and went to sleep. (Brooke Keifer, ’22)
Southern Cities
Tuesday was our last days in Savannah, GA. Tuesday, we started bright and early with a tour of Fort Pulaski. Our interpreter, Ranger Joel, took us on an exciting and very informative tour of the Fort. During the tour, we stood in the magazine room (the room reserved for gunpowder) and learned how close Fort Pulaski was to being nothing but a crater in the ground when the Union took the Fort during the Civil War. Initially, the brick walls we saw would have been covered by wood slats, but at some point, those were removed. Because of this, we got a chance to see a part of history that would otherwise have been missed: the fingerprints embedded in the bricks while they were being formed by the enslaved men, women, and children who constructed them. As Ranger Joel said, “History is in the details. The only reason we get to see this is because we never fully restored the magazine.” And he is so right; history is in the details, the personal lives of those that have come before. The thought is enough to give you chills, especially when you know you are walking in a place that housed not only people hundreds of years before but retains their literal fingerprints throughout time.
We then boarded our bus and drove to Tybee Island for lunch and a tour of the historic Lighthouse and learned about its history and that of its keepers. The Lighthouse has seen some historical moments, from the town’s foundation, through the Civil War, to weathering storms today. During the Civil War era, Confederate troops, not wanting the Lighthouse to be used against them, decided to burn down the wooden staircase inside and removed the small lens from the light. To this day, no one knows where the lens is; it is believed to be quite valuable if someone were to find it! The current lens in the Lighthouse was installed as a replacement in 1867, and can be seen for up to 18-22 miles at sea.
Immediately after the lighthouse tour, we met with Dr. Joe for an ecology tour. We were featured on his Facebook Page, Tybee Beach Ecology Trips, and Tybee Beachcomber! Students had a blast learning about beach ecology and dove into the experiential learning (some literally, into the water).
The busy day wrapped up with a ghost tour through Savannah and dinner at the Pirate House. Duels and disease and murders, oh my! We had a blast learning the darker history of Savannah; we just hope we don’t bring any ghosts home with us.
College Tours
This group visited Lipscomb University and MTSU. The students enjoyed seeing both campuses.
Lifeguard Certification
We started the morning off by going over our drills, from jumping into the pool from the lifeguard stand to all the different methods of helping a drowning victim out of the pool. They were able to train using the backboard to get someone out of the pool. The most intense workout they felt was combining a deep dive rescue with the bodyboard to lift them out of the pool.
Local Government
We started early on today’s trip by going to Fort Donelson National Park. When we first got to our location, a bald eagle flew over directly over us and to his nest. We then toured where confederate and union soldiers would be housed. We then had an up-close view of the same cannons that were fired in the civil war, and there we learned how to shoot the cannons and the roles of everyone involved. Later, we went to Fort Donelson National Cemetery, and we got to see all of the fallen confederate and union soldiers’ graves. Around lunchtime, we went to Lance’s for pizza and subs and then headed back to the school to end our day.
Fitness
Today we participated in organized kickball and soccer at Liberty Park. Afterward, our group traveled to American Pride Boxing on Wilma Rudolph Blvd. for a private boxing lesson. Students were challenged with a hard workout, but were praised by the coaches. They were excited for the days adventures and want to return to American Pride soon!
Florida
Students spent the day at Shark Valley in the Everglades yesterday. They got to have up-close interactions with the wildlife in its natural habitat. We learned why conservation is so important for our environment and how human impact has been so detrimental to our planet. Students took a tram tour through the River of Grass in the Everglades and learned that while the water looks stagnant, it moves about 100 ft per second. We finished the day with a sunset over the Keys and ice cream from the Key Largo Chocolate Shop. (Alyssa Ray)
Ceremics
Students are hand molding clay and returning to the potter’s wheel. In the afternoon we will learn from Dr. Kim about his professional experience.
College Visits
Eleven students kicked off a week of college campus visits with a brisk walk to Austin Peay State University. Despite the cold weather, they enjoyed a full tour of the campus. Some “Peay” worthy stops were the new Art+Design building where student artwork covered the walls, including a colorful display of hanging streamers, and the Sundquist Science building where the ceiling depicted vivid murals displaying the university’s history. Students had the opportunity to see inside student dormitories, which featured hotel-style rooms with their own showers and plenty of counter space! After the tour, they visited the Austin Peay bookstore — for Starbucks and some shopping —before returning to CA to prepare for a week of road trips.
International Food & Film
Day two was crepes and cappuccinos from Madeleine’s as Dr. Booth’s International Food Food and Film Winterim explored French Cuisine and Culture. Students learned cinema originated in France and watched Francois Truffaut’s 400 Blows!
January 3, 2022
Hawaii
We all woke up at 8:00, got ready, and headed to get some breakfast. It was very rainy today, so we did some shopping. We ended up going to get açaí bowls, musubis, and some fruit at a little restaurant on Kalakaua Street. Afterward, we all went back to the hotel to play some card games, and then the beautiful Hawaiian sun came out. We all came to the beach to swim and get some vitamin D. My favorite part was swimming, enjoying the clear Hawaiian ocean water, and listening to music on the beach with my friends. After the beach, we all went to dinner at the hotel. Many of our meals consisted of tuna bowls, fish, rice, and shrimp. We all have a big day tomorrow, and after dinner, we decided to go to bed earlier. (Written by Ayden Kujawa ’22)
Florida
Mrs. Alyssa Ray and Mr. Brian Kueter along with fifteen students boarded their plane to Florida yesterday. After an extended time on the tarmac, the students finally arrived and were ready for an adventure! The group went straight to the Everglades and it was an experience they will never forget. Students were able to experience the Everglades at night in complete darkness. They learned about invasive species that can be found there as well as the profound ecological importance of the Everglades. Students used flashlights to count alligators. Their eyes glow red at night reflecting the light.
Southern Cities
Today, we started off walking in the steps of Martin Luther King Jr. We visited the home he was born in, the Church in which he preached in Atlanta, and learned about the six principles of nonviolent protest while visiting the reflecting pool where MLK Jr. and his wife, Coretta, are buried. We then traveled to the Atlanta Aquarium. The group watched an amazing dolphin show and learned about training dolphins. Did you know that dolphin trainers work for at least a year with a dolphin out of water before ever training in the water? For lunch we visited a local Atlanta favorite, The Varsity. It has a long history and tradition of serving delicious burgers and hotdogs, along with a signature orange drink served as a soda or shake. Now that we are ending our second day of travel, we find ourselves in the beautiful city of Savannah, also known as America’s most haunted city! It is now time for bed to rest for a new adventure, in a new place, tomorrow. (Written by Kristen Kretz)
Local History & Government
Coach Trent’s began the week with a few guest speakers. Monday we enjoyed a presentation entitled “A Day in the Life of a Civil War Soldier”, presented by William Parker, CA ’84, who is the Historical Interpreter at Fort Defiance. During the afternoon session a presentation by park ranger Susan Hawkins, from Fort Donelson National Park. (Written by Lydia Ramos ’24)
Lifeguard Certification
Ms. Hardison’s group had a wonderful first day of lessons. They spent time learning how to enter the water safely and how to extract victims. They also had a lesson on how to deep dive into the water. At the end of this week the goal is to be lifeguard certified!
Ceramics
Clarksville Academy is partnering with the Community School of the Arts at APSU for a ceramics winterim. Eleven students and Mrs. Lindsey are learning about different techniques from Dr. Wansoo Kim. On day one they learned throwing on a potter’s wheel. Students made mugs, bowls, and mushrooms for fairy gardens. When the items are dry they will be fired and glazed. Students are already looking ahead to future projects, such as sculpting a head in clay.
International Food & Film
Dr. Danica Booth’s group of twelve students enjoyed their first day learning about a new culture. Students explored elements of Japanese Culture, Cuisine, and Cinema in the morning and dined on Bento Boxes from Fujiyama while watching Ponyo in the afternoon. Students found the experience delicious and enlightening.
Fitness
Shaine Walker’s Fitness jumped into the new year in a big way! This group of eighteen Junior and Senior boys began the morning with an overview of their week. The goal this week? Learn more about alternate fitness opportunities in our community and to develop a healthier lifestyle. Today’s stop was DEFY jump zone. The group enjoyed various team building activities while burning many, many calories! The week includes boxing, yoga, golf, and more!
January 2, 2022
Hawaii
The morning began early for our group traveling to Hawaii. We started our day very early, at 3 AM at the airport. We flew to Phoenix and then to Honolulu. After 14 hours in the airport, we had finally made it. We checked into our hotel and went to find somewhere to eat. We ate at an outdoor restaurant where everyone was glad to have an actual meal. We got to watch the sunset on the beach and walk along the shore. We ended our night by sitting in one of the girl’s rooms telling stories and just hanging out. After a long day of traveling, we were all happy to finally be inHawaii!Traveling with Ms. Piper Bell and Mrs. Lori Peay are a group of fifteen seniors. (Written by Bella Allen ’22)
Southern Cities
The morning began early for this group as well, boarding their charter bus at 6:00 AM. Ms. Kristen Kretz and Mrs. Amy Hotchkin will travel with ten students in a whirlwind trip of the south. Ms. Kretz sent an update on their first day: “Our Tour of Southern Cities began at 6:00am this morning as ten students and two chaperones boarded the charter bus to head for the first destination: Atlanta, Georgia. After a quiet, sleepy, and thankfully clear route we reached the National Center for Civil and Human rights. We spent time learning about the Civil Rights movement throughout the Southeast in the 1960s and 1970s (including the Freedom Riders and the Great March/The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom). We also spent time learning about a variety of human rights activism all over the world today, and the steps governments are and have been attempting to take in order to curtail atrocities committed against subjugated people. We then had a quick lunch and headed to the World of Coca-Cola. Our group learned about the history of the Coca-Cola company, from the creator to its modern form we all recognize today. We were able to interact with displays, create our own bottle designs, smell ingredients of the different sodas, and taste Coca-Cola products from around the world! Finally, we stopped for dinner at Mary Mac’s Tea Room, the last restaurant of its kind. Mary Mac’s has a unique history, in that it was once one in a collection of 16 Tea Rooms in Atlanta. These Tea Rooms, as explained by our server George, were started by war widows to feed their children during a time when it was uncommon for women to own and operate businesses (1940’s). Today, Mary Mac’s carries on the tradition of that era, and was their favorite part of the day. Everything in Mary Mac’s is made onsite and never frozen, from the bread and cinnamon rolls, fried chicken and mac-n-cheese, to the warm peach cobbler. Southern cuisine was on prime display and did not disappoint, neither the Sweet Tea! Students (all of us really) have been pleasantly surprised by the things we have learned so far, and we are looking forward to further adventures this week. Afterall, that is the point of this Southern Cities experience, to vacate the norm, branch out, learn and experience southern culture in a new way! Many in the group are from the south, but all of us have new experiences ahead and lifelong memories and stories to bring home.”
January 1, 2022
Mexico
We are off! Winterim kicked off with our first group traveling to Mexico. Christie Burger and Tony Sonnabend traveled with ten students to Cozumel, Mexico for a week of scuba diving. Upon their arrival, this group enjoyed their first sunset on the beach.
Join us as we follow along with our fabulous 2022 Winterim groups on some amazing experiences!
Scuba Diving in Mexico – Christi Burger & Tony Sonnabend
Florida: A Splash into Science – Alyssa Ray & Adam Welch
Tour of Southern Cities – Kristen Kretz
Hawaii – Piper Bell & Lori Peay
Ceramics @ APSU – Christine Lindsey
Local History & Government – Mike Trent & Bob Baker
Fitness – Shaine Walker
International Food & Film – Dr. Booth
American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification – Nicole Hardison
Clarksville Academy Students in the Disney Lab Rats spent the first week of Winterim learning robotics coding and learning the physics principles of roller coasters.
Yesterday, these 16 students traveled to Disney World to see the science behind the park. Students will take courses in Exploring Careers in Zoological Sciences and Energy and Waves Physics Lab. Like their Leadership counterparts, students will take course in the mornings and will be asked to document evidence of what they learned as they enjoy the parks in the afternoon.
Day 1: Today students learned about careers in zoological sciences at the Animal Kingdom. Led by Abby, an educator with expertise in the field, began by telling students about the park and how each part focuses on conservation. The tree of life is modeled after an oil rig. We rode Kilimanjaro Safari and learned about the steps taken by Disney to function as a zoo and the many careers involved in the care of animals and development of their habitats. Student played games and participated in demonstrations before heading “off stage”. In this area no cameras are allowed. Students went to the Tembo house, where elephants receive care. We met ectotherm specialist Trevor and his snake, Siba. Nutrition for the animals was discussed and preparation was observed. We even saw Disney veterinarians operate on an antelope! Abby described the many careers that play a role in maintaining a zoo and shared her experiences with the students. Tomorrow we will head to the Magic Kingdom to learn about energy and waves, and development of special effects.
Day 2: Today’s lesson focused on energy and waves, and how both are used in the Magic Kingdom. Our leader, Rusty, discussed types of waves and their properties. Students created a human circuit to successfully power a light. We rode The Little Mermaid ride to demonstrate the manipulation of sound to enhance rides. Students rode the Haunted Mansion and then were taken underneath the ride! We saw how Disney uses mirrors and scrim to create the Pepper’s ghost illusion used throughout the ride. We were able to watch riders in “doom buggies” from the other side of the dancing figures in the haunted ballroom. Forced perspective is used all over the park to trick the eye. Our final stop was Mickey’s Philharmagic. All of our lessons merged with this attraction that manipulates sound and light, in addition to using other sensory tricks to create a rich experience. For example, over 180 speakers are used in that attraction. They range in size and direction to create a magical show.
Day 3: Today’s experience focused on the art of Disney. We participated in two classes at the Contemporary Resort. Our first class taught the history and techniques of cel animation. Artists Gina and Lynn, who worked on “The Princess and the Frog” and “The Little Mermaid ” took students through the steps of creating their own cels. Our creations will be dried and shipped next week. Kevin, one of Disney’s professional photographers, led our second class. Students received a set of lenses to use with their phones. Kevin gave the students five tasks in and around the resort. He proceeded to demonstrate and discuss tips to take great pictures and had students use the tips to redo their tasks. We then compared the images before and after learning professional techniques. Kevin was adamant that the type of camera is not what makes a great picture. The photographer’s choices are what can make a cell phone picture look professional. After our classes we visited the Animal Kingdom. Tomorrow we return home.
Clarksville Academy students in the Disney Global Leaders spent the first week of Winterim identifying their Strengths as Leaders and as Individuals and using these strengths to complete various challenges such as a Marshmallow Paper Bag Challenge and a Robotics Coding Challenge.
19 students traveled to Disney World to learn even more about leadership as they take courses in Managing Your Personal Brand and the Disney Leadership Strategies. Students will spend the mornings learning the new curriculum and during their afternoons in the park, they will be asked to identify evidence that exemplifies these lessons.
Day 1: On Monday, the Disney Leadership students took a class entitled “Examining Your Personal Brand!” Students had the chance to self-reflect on how they present themselves through everything from dress to what they post on social media. They also set goals for the future! We then turned our perspective outward and evaluated branding and experience through the Disney Corporation in the Rock N Roller Coaster!! We spent the day exploring Magic Kingdom and capped our first day with phenomenal fireworks!
Day 2: On Tuesday, Disney Leadership students spent the day at Epcot! The morning seminar was entitled “Disney Global Leadership Strategies.” Throughout the morning students evaluated three types of a Leadership and how they are actualized in the Disney Corporation. We rode “Soarin’” and learned the history of how one imagineer took on the Leadership to create the physics behind the experience! We spent the afternoon exploring the countries at Epcot and sampling way too many tasty treats! In the evening, students opted to head back to the resort and spend some fun time relaxing at the pool!
Day 3: Today, Disney Leadership has the good fortune to return to Hollywood Studios and to have a second course, from our new favorite instructor, Dave! Through hands on activities and riding a couple more roller coasters, we learned about how rollers coasters manipulate gravity and speed to function!! What better example of both gravity and speed than The Tower of Terror!! We also learned about how the science and set design interact to tell a story!! We are now in Animal Kingdom ready for yet another phenomenal day!!
Disney Leadership Winterim: Day 4
On Thursday, there was no seminar, and it was Hollywood Studios Day!! Half of the students elected to wake in the pre-dawn, to check out of the hotel, and to race with a mass of other Star Wars fanatics for a place in an electronic cue to ride the new Rise of the Resistance!! We were successful!! It was spectacular!! Students rode the Rockin’ Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror repeatedly until it was time to leave for the airport. We arrived in Nashville at midnight and Clarksville by 1 a.m.! We were exhausted but elated after a 22-hour day!!
The Freshman Seminar Winterim is designed to allow them to explore a wider range of subjects and skills. This will be a chance for them to learn in a variety of settings and from a variety of professionals. They will work in both large and small groups and have a chance to expand their leadership skills. Throughout the two weeks students will visit the Makerspace, Fine Arts, leadership, fitness, learn etiquette, ACT prep work and more. Winterim encourages deeper faculty-student relationships and reminds us that learning is not restricted to a classroom. Each day we will post short updates and photos on what our Freshman are experiencing.
In ACT Prep students have been playing Proof, a mental math game. Using 9 numbers written on their card, students must create equations. If a successful equation is made, they get a point.
During fitness, students have travelled to Skyline Bowling and Rotary Park. Both off campus experiences were a nice change of pace for the students.
What is your soundtrack of 2020? From the lyrics of a classic Kenny Chesney song I Go Back, “Everytime I hear that song, I go back. We all have a song that somehow stamped our lives, takes us to another place and time”
This week Freshman have been thinking about their goals/resolutions for 2020. Students were asked to think of 3 short term goals to finish up freshman year and 3 long term goals to begin Sophomore year. Each student then created a 2020 Playlist of songs that will inspire, remind, and motivate them as they challenge themselves to meet and exceed their goals for the year!
Freshman learned about the brain, how to enhance their memory, and then challenged themselves in some games of the Match Game.
STEM Challenges in the Maynard Makerspace are always fun!
The Winterim course “Where Is Your Next Meal Coming From” will explore where meals “come from” both literally and philosophically.
Day 1: We spent the day talking about our food experiences and examining ways that food “shapes us into who we are.” Kenny York, founder of Manna Cafe, and Hope Boyd, volunteer coordinator at Manna Cafe, visited our class and spoke about the work their organization does to nourish the body and soul of people who don’t know “where their next meal is coming from.”
Day 2: Building on the theme of “where is your next meal coming from,” we explored food etiquette. Certified etiquette consultant Pat Woods visited and spoke about the evolution of food etiquette and the importance of knowing food etiquette and displaying proper manners at the table. We then prepared no-bake desserts and our table. Ladies seated, napkins in lap, proper utensils in hand, we sat down for a mannerly meal together.
Day 3: On this beautiful January day, we traveled to Manna Cafe’s new building to help with food box distribution day, which occurs from 9:30-4:00 every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The day was bright and sunny, but the warehouse was cold! We worked throughout the day either sorting donations or helping distribute a week’s worth of groceries to clients. By the end of the day, more than 250 food boxes had been distributed to people in need.
Day 4: Shanna Lively of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture visited our class today to discuss food safety. She explained how state and federal laws and regulations safeguard “where our meals come from.” For lunch, we walked to Johnny’s Big Burger to experience a local favorite since the 1960s. After eating the “best hamburgers in town,” we went to the Smith-Trahern mansion for another food safety lesson — which led to an impromptu tour of the historic mansion.
Day 5: We spent the day with Joanne Askew, lower school science lab and STEM instructor, and Brandi Phillips’s 4th grade students. We learned about the importance of the farmer and about growing the food we need whether we live on a farm or in a city. Mrs. Askew shared her knowledge about farming and about creating a city garden in a downtown Clarksville neighborhood. She instructed the students on planting vegetable seeds. Upper school students and the 4th graders planted seeds together, and the 4th graders will continue to watch them grow.
Day 6-7: Heavy rains over the weekend kept us from taking a field trip to Mrs. Askew’s family farm, but CA Alum (and Mrs. Askew’s son) Walt Askew brought the farm to us. He talked to us about his farm and business, Barker Beef, and enlightened us on how food, especially meat, gets from farm to table. Mrs. Askew donated and cooked her locally raised beef, which we made into a chili lunch. CA Director of Marketing and Development, Sally Allen, also visited today to provide her expertise on planning and throwing a tailgating event.
Day 7 : Tasked with throwing an epic tailgating experience to celebrate CA and to support the basketball teams’ games against Friendship Christian, we became full-fledged event planners. We divided into teams and learned first-hand the intricacies of orchestrating a successful tailgating event. The logistics team gathered the supplies and planned our overall vision; the decorating team planned the overall look of the event to highlight CA; the caterers coordinated the food and even made festive snacks; the entertainment team planned and set up games and music. Mr. Christmas fired up his grill and grilled burgers and hot dogs as his Winterim group joined ours for food and fellowship.
Day 8: We volunteered at Manna Cafe again this week. Last week, Manna Cafe distributed 999 food boxes (274 of which we helped distribute last Wednesday). We not only distributed food boxes again this week but also built USDA food boxes to be distributed to families this Friday. Building the boxes required a great deal of organization, cooperation, and persistence, so we put our event planning skills to good use and built three pallets of boxes (that’s 108 of boxes of canned goods) in less than two hours.
Day 9: We walked Downtown today. Teams navigated around Public Square, Strawberry Alley, Franklin Street, and the Downtown Commons on a scavenger hunt to learn about the various places to grab a meal as well as historical points of interest. After completing their missions, students went to the Blackhorse, one of Downtown’s most popular restaurants, for lunch.
Day 10: We ended this Winterim exploring “where your next meal is coming from” on a college campus. Despite the freezing temperatures, we took a tour of APSU’s campus and their dining hall. Corey Choate, Director of Dining at APSU, greeted us, talked to us meal plans for students living on campus, and invited us to eat lunch — all you can eat lunch. Lunch at “The Caf” was outstanding.
Our Backcountry hiking course is designed for the high purpose of experiencing and observing self and nature for the improvement and appreciation of both. Some excellent benefits of this course are personal health, maturity, and independence. We’ll also learn some practical survival skills and have an adventure. During our two weeks together we’ll spend time learning about gear, practices, principles and philosophies of hiking. We’ll also take several hiking trips, each one longer than the last, culminating with a 3 night backcountry hike in the Apalachicola National Forest in Florida. This year we have 7 young men participating and having a great time. Hammock camping is the way to go!!
Aside from on campus training, we had three main off campus events. First, we attended a training session at Dunbar Cave with ranger John Ball. We hiked at LBL, making a 5 mile loop to test our gear. Then we headed down to Florida and hiked 12 miles to a backcountry campsite in the Apalachicola National Forest.
We camped and hiked and learned about backpacking and prepping for survival in the wilderness. We got to know each other better and had a great time and got some great memories. This was a wonderful experience for our students. When asked about their trip a couple of the students commented,
“It was like a reset for my brain, so I can come back and I don’t take for granted the things I have.”
-Landon Bailey
“Keep your head up and look at the world around you”
