Dear Sir or Madam:   This letter is to inform all concerned of how amazing and educationally appropriate yesterday’s field trip was for my son and the first grade class at Pearce Elementary.  I am very thankful as a parent that I was able to be part of it.   The Central Library tied in wonderfully with ArtQuest by beginning with an observation and explanation of their wonderful sculpture, the Tree of Knowledge.  Then the children got a behind-the-scenes look at the machinery and “smart” computer that sorts the returned books for all of the different branches.  By luck, we were able to meet the person who delivers the sorted books to each of the various branches.  

On the way to ArtQuest, Mrs. Hamel initiated a spontaneous game of Simon Says which helped the children (a large group) to get the wiggles out and transition better for the next part of the field trip.   ArtQuest did a fabulous job of engaging the students for the rest of the day by beginning with different line techniques with crayons to make a large piece of abstract art.  They then gave a fantastic example of technology-based artwork.  The kids got hands-on experience with drawing, painting, and working with clay.    Lunchtime was the end of the field trip and I was very impressed with all of the First Grade teachers for their ability to be organized, efficient, and to appropriately allow the kids to run, play, and get their energy out before the bus ride back to school.  

On a personal note, the most important initiative for my writing this letter is to let everyone involved know the impact yesterday had on my child.  When lunch was over and the children began running, playing, and having a large time, my very energetic son pulled out a pad and pen from my purse and began drawing a picture.  I cannot express how amazed and shocked I was by his focus and lack of interest in what the other kids were doing.  He has rarely shown interest in voluntarily drawing a picture that wasn’t instructionally led.  

When the kids began getting on the bus I checked him out for the day and asked if he would like to go back into the Cultural Center and look in some of the art galleries.  He did and we explored several shows.  In the middle of one he asked me how to spell artwork.  As I spelled, he wrote it on the pad at the top of his picture.  

The connections made and the enrichment that I saw in my son made it impossible for me not to write this letter.  Thank you to the many people involved for making this field trip happen.  I hope to never take for granted all of the small and large lessons that can happen in a child’s life.  

Sincerely, Debbie Chodyniecki