Marvell to NYC 2012

Working with Mr. Franks to launch Marvell to NYC 2012! Get ready!!

Memphis Airport!

Thank You!

Thank you to all of the donors that made this trip possible!! We are humbled by your generosity and support!

Alex Sooley
Alex White
Alexandra Corcoran
Alida Mirabelli Elsbree
Allegra Brett Asplundh-Smith
Allison Nagle
Amelia Rue
Andover Water Polo
Andy Teran
Anne Carney
Aurore Ankarcrona
Beatrice Reinecke
Bernadette Caslin
Beth DeMaria
Brian Fuhrmann
Bruce Gillooly
Caitlin Sharp
Carol Gillooly
Carolyn J Ferolito
Carrie Amarante
Chad Kenney
Charles D. Favela
Christopher Constant
Christopher Hutchens
Clement Wood
Coastal-Marty Mart Marvell
Cristina Almendrales
Daggett H Howard
David Anderson
Dena Osborne
Doris Hoffmann
Edward Williams
Elena Siebert
Elizabeth Gillooly
Elizabeth Hattemer
Elizabeth Nolan
Eric E. Stevens
Eunice Kim
Evan Briggs McGarvey
Evan Leitner
Franklin C. Crow
Gail Clancy
Gavin Crynes
Hayley Duus
Ilgaz Arikan
Isabel Bernardo
Itai Dinour
Jacqueline Asplundh
Jacques Hugon
James Geers
James Gillooly
Jane H. Repp
Jared Osborne
Jason S. O’Toole
Jeanne Markel
Jeff Siegal
Jennifer N. Kohlsaat
Jeremy Maurer
Jessica Caramico
Jill S. Paulson
Joan Hill
John and Marty Farris
Johnson & Johnson Corporation
Kate M. Cody
Keith Morton
Keller Rackauckas LLP
Kieke Okma & Ted Marmor
Kristen Holmes
Kristina Chang
Kyle A. Maurer
Lara Drasin
Larry O’Toole
Laura Adler
Lauren Galinsky
Lee Lippe & Marion White
Linda B. White
Lindsay S. Repp
Lisa Gillooly
Lucy G Foma
Magali Mel
Maio Nishkian
Margaret F. Ellis
Mariah Mills
Marla Landa
Martha M. Wyckoff
Mary Ann M Griffin
Mary Ann M. St. Peter
Mary K. Meacham
Matt Bengloff
Max Lippe
Michael Allen Kerber
Michael and Sue Hoffmann
Milisa Cutlip
Miranda R Heller
Mrs. Bonnie Gillooly
Nancy Roberts
Nancy White Lippe
Olivia Zandra Oran
Pace Goodman
Patricia O. Cox
Penny K. Gertridge
Peter and Judy Kohlsaat
Philip Scot Rabe
Rachel B. Hooper
Remmel Dickenson
Revital Roza
Richard John Gillooly
Ruth B. Denson
Ryan Nixon
Ryan Parker
Sarah Muffly
Sarah Parker
Sheryl Fuhrmann
Spencer Powers
Stephanie C. Landry
Stephanie Yung
Sunil Abraham
Susan Neuwirth
Susannah L Gund
Suzanne and Brian Troast
Sylvia Nessan
The Asplundh Foundation
The Cassidy-Gardner Family
The Carousel Restaurant Marvell
The Ciampa Family
The Gruber Family Foundation
The Holmes Family
The Irvin Family
The Lane Family
The Mayer Family
The Reinecke Family
The Valentino Family
Theodora D. Maurer
Thomas Mistele
Thomas Rand
Tony Spiridakis
Troy & Joan Gustavson
Tucky Pogue
Tyler Cande
Victoria King
Walmart Helena-West Helena
William Nunan

Article for Helena Daily World!

Twenty-four 8th grade students + New York City = …. A recipe for success. Or so found Lauren Gillooly, Jamie Neuwirth, and Amy Lippe, all Teach for America Corps Members at Marvell High School.

Since August 2010, the three teachers have been planning the trip to New York City, organizing local fundraisers with their students and enlisting the support of family and friends outside the Delta to fund the $30,000 necessarily for a 3-day, 4-night tour of the city.

Last Friday, March 18, they departed from Marvell and traveled with 24 students, and 3 additional chaperones, Paulette Parker, Sylvia Moore, and Leroy Powell to New York City. For most of the students and chaperones, it was their first time on an airplane and, of course, in New York.

Over the course of three days, the group toured New York on foot, subway, bus, and ferry, visiting the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Modern Art, the New York Public Library, Rockefeller Center and Union Square. Highlights included attending “Memphis,” a celebrated musical on Broadway, and ice skating at Rockefeller Center.

Advice for future travelers to New York? “There are a lot of people, and bring someone who knows the city,” said eighth grader Mark English.

Tempting the Pigeons on Ellis Island

Videos of Ice Skating in Rockefeller Center

Although we were tired and sore from 3 full days of walking around NYC, everyone was excited to find out that the surprise event was a trip to the world famous Rockefeller Center to ice skate under the lights. For most of the students, this was their first time ever skating on real ice, but they didn't let their lack of experience stop them from having a great time!

A warm welcome from Mrs. King!

Welcome Home!

On the bus crossing the bridge between Mississippi and Arkansas: "Ms. Lippe, I told Ashley to look out the window at the Empire State Building and she did! HAHAHAAHA."

If, at the very least, they tell NYC inspired jokes, I'm happy.

Thanks to all!

- LIPPE

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Back in the Delta!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

heads up NYC 2012...

Advice from Quanisha, Freddonia, Ashley, Sommer, and Jameka while waiting to board the flight home for future NYC travelers:

- bring chewing gum
- look forward and not up
- bring comfortable walkin shoes so your feet dont swell up (no flats!)
- dont get lost
- sit by someone on the airplane who's gonna have u rollin so you dont shed no tears
- be first to shower
- make sure you get a person who really knows ny (not mr Neuwirth!)
- but if you want someone good looking with you, bring mr Neuwirth


*Lippe

As we landed, jameka turned to me and said, "I'm staying on this plane when it goes back to New York."
"What will you do when you land?"
"go to grand central and take a train to connecticut to see your sister at her college."

- lippe

Getting ready to board the plane!
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Through security like seasoned travelers and in the terminal buying last minute souvenirs and gifts for family. Enjoyed surprise bonus tour of queens.

Lost in queens with our bus driver on the way to laguardia.

On our way to the airport! Sad to be leaving, but excited to see our friends and family!

Surprised the kids at the whispering corner in Grand Central with ice skating at Rockefeller center. They were so pumped and several skated for the first time, to the delight of the diners in the adjacent restaurant.

Another delicious lunch- fresh pasta and pizza at Figaros! Thanks so much to the Valentino Family for donating this yummy meal! En route to MoMA!

Scholars

Admiring the ceiling in the New York Public Library

Mark and Derrick's Thoughts After Day 2!

LG

Last Day in NYC!

Good Morning!

I can't believe it is already our final day in NYC! We have had an incredible two days so far, packed with amazing visits to NYC landmarks, delicious dinners, and lots of walking!

I am so impressed with the way the students have overcome their fears, taken care of each other, tried new things, and challenged themselves throughout this trip. From Katy conquering her fear of heights and climbing to the Top of Rockefeller Center to Quanisha pushing herself to walk up that last flight of stairs even though she really wanted to sit down, everyone has done thing they never dreamed possible. In just two short days, the kids have transformed into confident, caring, supportive young travelers!

Some highlights include:

- Elevators, escalators, and moving walkways!!

- Taking off and landing on an Airplane!

- Observing the clouds from the airplane (Ms. G- Look at those stratus clouds!!)

- Observing the city from the airplane

- Every student has tried at least one new kind of food (avocados, blue cheese dipping sauce, Hummus, Indian Food, Salad, Italian sausage and meatballs, Chicken Parmesan, Canolis and much much more!)

- Every student has mastered the NYC subway! (using their MetroCards, getting on and off, balancing through transitions, and using a subway map!)

- The lead actress from the cast of the Broadway musical Memphis gave us a shout out after she took her final bow!

- Meeting members of the cast and crew, as well as one of the producers Mr. Remmel Dickenson, of Memphis after the show to learn about being an actor on Broadway.

- Hearing the song we had learned being performed live on Broadway- Thanks Mr. Sussman for helping is learn the final song from Memphis!

- Riding the Subway, Busses, and Ferry

- Climbing the Statue of Liberty and taking in the amazing view of the city

- Looking at the NYC skyline from the Top of Rockefeller Center (Thanks you Irvin Family for donating the tickets!)

- Dinner at Bills Burgers where the students displayed impeccable dining etiquette and impressed the staff with their perfect manners and behavior.

- Tony's dinner toasts- "to all of our teachers who have made this trip possible for us"

- Visits from our friends and family!

- Good food! Good food! Good food!

- Having a dance party in our hotel's exercise room.

- Mr. Neuwirth and Ms. G getting us lost-
"Ms. G, I don't mean any disrespect with this, but you have lost your leading privileges- we need Ms. Lippe back!"


Today we decided to skip our visit to the United Nations to give the students a chance to get some much needed rest. We will be heading to Bryant Park for lunch with Mr. Valentino at Figaros at 11:30, followed by our highly anticipated mini-shopping excursions. We will rendezvous for dinner at 6:00 PM at Grand Central Station, and then proceed to our final surprise event this evening. If you are in the area, and would like to come meet up with us, we would love to see you!

Thank you so much to everyone who has helped to make this experience possible- your support means so much to all of us!

LG

Tony's thoughts after day 2!

Here is what Tony had to say after his second day in NYC!


LG

New York Stomp

Khahlil and Jacques' NYC Stomp!



LG

New Yorkers??

Thank goodness for hot wings

We almost unanimously ordered buffalo wing appetizers, cheeseburgers and vanilla milkshakes at Bills Bar and Burger at Rockefeller Center Delicious and revitalizing after our long day.

Overheard at dinner:
- students referring to their hotel rooms as apartments
- students correcting teachers for elbows on tables
- "Ms. Lippe, how hard is it to talk to a New York woman?"
- "I want to live here."
- "I want to go home."

- ms Lippe

Huge thanks to Jennifer Valentino for organizing an awesome space and dinosaur themed scavenger hunt at the American Museum of Natural History!! - ms lippe

Subway pros

Metrocards were put to good use on subways, buses and ferries today.

Top of the rock

A couple cases of vertigo but otherwise very cool.

Top of the Rock!

Immigrating

@ Ellis island

Impressed by Eiffel tower structure holding up statue of liberty Khahlil is "speechless."

Climbed all 113 stairs to the top of the pedestal! Super proud of Quanisha and Ashley for making it all the way. - ms Lippe

Carlous and lady liberty. Cold but happy! - ms Lippe

Ferry to statue of liberty!!!

After a cold thirty minutes to board the ferry and a lovely razorbacks themed serenade by a street performer, we're on our way!! - ms lippe

Best part of NYC so far

As heard at dinner ...
- Wall Street
- taking the subway
- bagels
- modern art at the Metropolitan Museum
- seeing new memorial at ground zero being built
- Greek art at the Met
- chicken wings at Grand Central
- St Johns Cathedral
- Van Gogh paintings at the Met

*we had three desserts at dinner and out of cannolis, cheesecake and tiramisu, cannolis were the favorite


- Ms Lippe

Seated front balcony at Memphis, nice and full from our Italian dinner at Tony's. Can't wait for the show to start!--LG

Dinner!!

At Tony's, dining lessons really paid off. Everyone's excited for the big show. Bonus- Tony King just gave a great toast at the dinner table.--Coach Neuwirth

View from our block

View of ground zero

From world financial center. New frank gehry building in the background - ms lippe

At Ground Zero, still a little tired from the plane ride, but excited to see Memphis on Broadway tonight!--Coach Neuwirth

Lunch @ grand central

Loving modern art at the met

Henri Rousseau !

Greek and roman at the met

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Just checked out the gothic architecture at St. Johns Cathedral! Back on the bus and heading to the Apollo Theater.

LG
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Admiring St Johns Cathedral

Mr. Gillooly just welcomed us to NYC! On our way to the Vanderbilt YMCA! Thanks for coming Dad!
LG
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Just landed in NY! After a rough start and some screams and tears, everyone settled in and enjoyed the flight!

Sitting with Quanisha, jameka, Moesha and sommer on the plane - trying to convince jameka to keep the window up so she can see!! "nervous as I know what" says jameka. - Amy

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About to take off!
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Mr. Neuwirth teaching Tony how to do Sodoku puzzles while we wait for the plane!
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Journaling at the Memphis airport

We're all excited about our trip to New York. We're grateful for the ones who have made this opportunity possible. This is an experience of a life time - we're all smiles. - Ms. Moore (elementary school principal and chaperone)

Start spreading the news. I'm on my way.

Paulette Parker
Chaperon

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Just had an amazing send off from our friends, family, colleagues, principal, and superintendent! We are so excited. On the school bus en route to Memphis, TN!

Send off

Marvell to NYC!

Beautiful morning in Marvell !

That's how excited Que is

Can't sleep ...

It's almost midnight, we're leaving for New York in 11 hours, and we're still getting texts from our kids requesting ziplock bags, various toiletries, and wondering about irons in the hotel...


Although we couldn't figure out Twitter (@marvelltonyc, but really, don't even bother), we did figure out how to text our blogs so promise to update regularly and with photos!!!


The generosity on behalf of so many different people has been overwhelming. A special shout out to our families: the Neuwirth's, Gillooly's and Lippe's - we are so lucky to have such enthusiastic, thoughtful and supportive siblings and parents... We love you!!!

Two days!!

Final Itinerary!

Friday, March 18, 2011
1:35 pm (6th period) Meet outside HS to load and board bus
2:00 pm Bus departs Marvell High School
4:00 pm Arrive at Memphis Airport and Check-In
Dinner @ Airport
6:55 pm Depart Mephis
10:35 pm Arrive LaGuardia Airport NYC
11:00 pm Shuttle to Hotel
12:00 am Lights Out

Saturday, March 19, 2011
8:30 am Breakfast
Morning City Highlights Tour with a stop at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Lunch Grand Central Station
Afternoon City Highlights Tour Continues
Dinner Tony’s Italian Restaurant in Times Square
Evening “Memphis” at the Shubert Theater
11:00 pm Lights Out
Sunday, March 20, 2011
7:30 am Breakfast
Morning Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty
Lunch Ellis Island Café
Afternoon American Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
Dinner Bill’s Burger at Rockefeller Center
Evening Top of the Rock Observation Center
10:30 pm Lights Out

Monday, March 21, 2011
7:30 am Breakfast
Morning United Nations Tour
Lunch Bryant Park
Afternoon 1 Museum of Modern Art Tour
Afternoon 2 Shopping
Dinner Grand Central Station OR Rockefeller Center
Evening 1 *Surprise*
Evening 2 Pack
10:30 pm Lights Out

Tuesday March 22, 2011
8:30 am Breakfast
9:00 am Depart Hotel
10:59 am Depart NYC!
1:05 pm Arrive Memphis Airport
3:30 – 4:00 pm Arrive Marvell High School!!!

Final Parent Meeting

Tonight we hosted two simultaneous meetings in Marvell and Elaine to provide parents with finalized itineraries, emergency contact information, and detailed packing instructions. After reviewing TSA carry-on regulations, and showing NYC trippers and their parents samples of acceptable travel-size shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, and lotions, we distributed brand-new, custom designed suitcases and backpacks to each student and chaperon.

The countdown is on, only 10 more days until we board the plane to NYC!

Steal Your Rock and Roll Part II

Listen to the beat, feel what's in your soul...

Link to the cast verison of "Steal Your Rock and Roll"!!

Two weeks to go!

In just two short weeks, 24 8th graders and 6 chaperons will be boarding a plane from Memphis, TN to NYC! This week we have a busy schedule ahead as we prepare for our big adventure.

On Tuesday, Ms Lippe, Ms. G, Ms. Parker, and Coach Neuwirth will host parent meetings to distribute packing lists, t-shirts, and luggage and give parents the finalized itinerary for the trip. We will be having meetings in two different locations to accommodate the parents of our students who live in Elaine, which approximately 30 miles from the school.

On Thursday, students will attend their second-to-last pre-trip meeting. At this meeting they will learn about airline restrictions, airport security, subway safety, and how to safely navigate the busy streets of NYC.

Marvell High School Presents ...

MEMPHIS!

We're going to see the musical "Memphis" on Broadway so today we set up Ms. G's classroom like a theater and gave students "tickets" to the show. Jacques and Candace played Huey and Felicia, respectively, in our very abridged (although complete with Act 1, Intermission and Act 2) version while Mark worked the light switch. Within 10 minutes, Huey, a white DJ from living in 1950's Memphis who loves black music, meets Felicia, a young African-American woman who wants to be a singer, falls in love, makes her a star, becomes a star himself, combats racism from both the black and white communities, and ends up choosing Memphis over Felicia and his career (check out the "Memphis" wikipedia page for the complete abridged version).

As an encore to their performance, Mr. Susman, the music teacher, taught us the first verse and refrain from "Steal Your Rock and Roll," the song that closes the show. Check out the video!



We also discussed the museums - the Metropolitan Museum, Museum of Modern Art and American Museum of Natural History - we will visit and took a quick poll of what students are most looking forward to seeing at either the theater or the museum. Some of our most popular answers:
- dinosaur fossils
- planetarium
- dinosaur fossils!
- "Memphis"
- dinosaur fossils!!
- planetarium
- ancient artifacts at the Met
- art
- dinosaur fossils!!!

Bulletin Board

Since September we've tracked fundraising and communicated everything NYC related on a huge bulletin board in the middle school hallway. Check it out...

SWAG

To ensure that our students have appropriately sized suitcases and backpacks, and so that we can easily track them in crowds, we ordered t-shirts, carry-on duffle bags, and backpacks.... our first shipment of backpacks arrived yesterday!

Shout out to Matt Balla for designing our logo : )

Airplane Tickets and Shout Outs

Today Ms. G posted the final list of students going on the trip and Ms. Lippe called Delta airlines to finalize our tickets...

Students:
Jameka, Ashley, Sommer, Darius, Mark, Cearious, Candace, Carlous, Tyeshia, Jacques, Bolecia, Dajahia, Katy, Shindawia, Tony, Lacora, Khahlil, Kadavia, Quanisha, Tevin, Derrick, Freddonia, Rayneisha, and Moesha

Chaperones:
Mr. Neuwirth, Ms. Gillooly, Ms. Lippe, Officer Powell, Ms. Parker, and Ms. Moore


Shout outs to our students, who had to complete AT LEAST 22 hours of extracurricular activities to go on the trip. Special shout outs to Sommer, Bolecia Katy, Ashley, and Jameka for serving 30 + hours by attending meetings, tutoring after school (as both tutee and tutor), and fundraising for the trip.


photo: Freddonia and Candace write thank you cards to donors

MetroCards

It's been a while since we've updated the blog, but only because we've been so busy planning! On Friday I received a wonderful UPS envelope at school filled with METROCARDS!

We ended up posting a Donorschoose.org project and received a bunch of money to buy MetroCards for all of our chaperones and students. I purchased them last week with the assistance of a very helpful MTA employee named Kathy, and now have 30 individually wrapped yellow metrocards sitting in my file cabinet waiting to be swiped by our students!

Last week we did a "Magic Subway" tour of NYC led by yours truly Ms. Frizzle. Check out the website we used: http://www.360cities.net/area/new-york-city

Upcoming: Parent Meeting at MHS Thursday January 27 at 6pm! Mandatory for all students who want to attend the trip