Thursday March 24, 2011
Today we headed back to Thomas Jefferson High School for our second day with the students in the special education classroom. However, today was going to be a little different according to Elizabeth. Today’s morning would consist of a field trip for all of the kids, paras, and us. Usually, the students would go on a trip together to Target or work on Thursday mornings. However, since today they has a plethora of volunteers, we would be going with the kids to the pet store, a coffee shop, Target, or BeauJos, a local, inclusion supportive restaurant.
After we had split up into groups (I would be going to the coffee shop) we headed to the bus stop. The kids were each handed a bus pass, and they filed into the bus one by one. The paras and teachers stood back as the students got on, asked
for a transfer, and sat down. This impressive feat of independence was an example of the staff’s work to make these students less dependent on them.
for a transfer, and sat down. This impressive feat of independence was an example of the staff’s work to make these students less dependent on them. Finally, the rest of us piled in as the bus trailed down Yale Street. At the first stop, some of the kids got off while the rest of us stayed sitting. At the second stop we got out, and crossed the street to catch our transfer which would take us closer to the Denver University campus.
We got off at what looked like a miniature Mass Street and headed to a local French bakery to grab a treat for some of the students. One student in the group was unable to take part in the festivities of chocolate croissants because of a gluten allergy. The paras were already on the lookout for foods she could eat, and even brought a gluten-free granola bar. However, it soon became obvious that finding other gluten-friendly drinks and food was extremely difficult. After we had bought our drinks and enjoyed the patio of the coffee shop, we headed back to the bus stop.
Back on the bus, we had the opportunity to meet up with the other groups and exchange stories or pictures. We also met Ray, the adored bus driver, who greeted and teased us as we boarded. When we arrived at the school, we walked with the students back to the classroom to grab our lunches.
We stayed for a couple more hours after lunch before leaving for the rest of the day. About fifteen minutes outside Denver is the town of Golden. There w
e went up to a lookout where you could see miles and miles of Denver and the surrounding suburbs. The sky was pristine and clear. Although we were all shivering as we climbed back into the Tahoe, we were all in awe of the gorgeous sight before us. A little further up the road was Buffalo Bill’s gravesite where we took in more of the spectacular view before travelling back down the mountain.
e went up to a lookout where you could see miles and miles of Denver and the surrounding suburbs. The sky was pristine and clear. Although we were all shivering as we climbed back into the Tahoe, we were all in awe of the gorgeous sight before us. A little further up the road was Buffalo Bill’s gravesite where we took in more of the spectacular view before travelling back down the mountain.After Golden, we headed to my aunt’s house for dinner and some basketball. She prepared an amazing dinner of quesadilla’s, taco salad, guacamole, and brownie’s with ice cream. Sitting around stuffed, but happy to relax as we watched the basketball game in the living room. With a ‘thank you’ from everyone, we piled back into the car and back to the church for another early night.
No comments:
Post a Comment