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Submitted by Dan Cosgrove
Students from the Arnoldsburg Summer Academy, Kinder Academy and Arnoldsburg Energy Express programs traveled to
the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium on July 25th to enjoy the sounds and sights of animals from around the world. Both the
students and lions agreed it was a roaring success! From skunks to elephants, ostriches to penguins, students had the
opportunity to see (and touch) many animals they had only looked at in books.
As I listened to the screams and shouts of excitement as students rounded a corner and saw another exciting scene, and while
I knew they were having fun and school was the last thing on their minds, I couldn't help but think of the educational value a
trip like this has. At the elementary school level it seems just about every book has something to do with animals. These
students now have a frame of reference and can make a better connection, hopefully increasing comprehension in their
readings.
Although the bus ride was long and seeing city rush hour traffic reminded me why I don't want to live in a city, I questioned
each student on the way home and not one mentioned the traffic. Instead they went on about the Anaconda eating a rabbit,
the bears doing tricks, being able to pet a deer, seeing Santa's reindeer, riding the train, dropping a purse in with the alligators,
running past the skunk, how cool the octopus was, were they feeding the jelly fish or giving them medicine, and on and on. I
had a number of parents tell me the next day their children kept on talking about the trip and the animals.
From our finance personnel to group leaders, cooks, bus drivers and more, it takes a lot of people to make a trip like this
happen. Their efforts were, and are, appreciated. A special thanks to Deb Cunningham, Matt Kirby and the rest of the
Energy Express folks for all their hard work in making sure the students had a safe and worthwhile experience. Anytime three
groups can work successfully together as a team is noteworthy and the teamwork displayed by Energy Express, Summer
Academy and Kinder Academy was superb.
A very special thanks to all the parents who waited patiently for our return. We appreciate your understanding. We also need
to thank the parents who were called along the way and went to the school to inform waiting parents of delays due to
accidents, detours and other unforeseen events (I'll never complain about being stuck at the light in Spencer again). I have to
thank our bus drivers one last time who were put to the test navigating the streets of downtown Pittsburgh. They came through
with flying colors and we appreciate your hard work and calm nerves.
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