Return

United 967 was a really nice flight. (Rome to DC) 
It was not one of the really huge planes...2-3-2 seating....so at times you could feel turbulence, but generally it was a nice flight. Many of the students appeared to get some sleep....I had a couple of nice naps, took a few strolls down the aisle and chatted with the attendants a bit.
If the students appear rested and energetic upon their return, I still caution parents not to turn them loose for a night on the town too soon. Jet lag affects everyone differently, but the goal is to get back to your USA schedule as quickly as possible. Getting to bed tonight well before MIDNIGHT on USA time should be the goal. Thursday should be spent resting, completing journals and printing photos.
The J- term grade will be based upon the quality of what is written in the journal. (Creative liberties are encouraged in writing styles and journaling.) We are looking for content of discoveries and such, not a time line of activities. 
Each student is also to turn in his/her camera card(s) or a cd copy of the cards to Mr. Darnell by the luncheon on Friday. This is also a part of the academic grade and part of their contribution to the photo cd...mandatory.
Students are not to be on campus on Thursday. 
Mandatory Luncheon on Friday...also part of the grade. You should have received information from the school and parents might have also been invited. Mr. Salerno does a great job with this activity, so be sure to attend. (This was optional last year ONLY due to the snow day and late arrival to the states.) I believe it is scheduled around lunchtime, so please contact Kelly in the school office to indicate the number of people that will be attending so the events class will be prepared.

By the time this posts, your young people should be home again. Most of them had some of their favorite American foods in the DC airport. Their new friends from Cornerstone headed off for their flight to Chicago and Jimmy was able to reschedule through Atlanta and is on his way to Dallas. 


Customs in DC was an interesting experience and I could make some political comments about our borders, but I will use another platform for my 'hobby.' Let's just say that they were very thorough and the agents mean business. You do not cut in line and you do not argue with them. (We observed some who tried...not our group though)


Some of us experienced the new body scans in security and at least one had the pat down. Our kids look so dangerous, don't they? And we got to enjoy the drug beagle scout out my own luggage. (I was transporting a fresh cannoli). The humorous thing is that no matter when or where I travel...I get stopped for something. At least my bag was not dumped out this time, and I did not have to give up the canoli!


We all understand the importance of guarding your American passport as the precious and valuable document that it is......and though we loved our time abroad....it is really good to be back in the USA.