It is hard to believe that a few months ago no one thought it would be possible to take any school trips during this school year. Yet in just the last week-and-a-half, the entire middle school of Westchester Torah Academy has been off-campus enjoying various trips.

Eighth graders enjoyed a trip to Boundless Adventures to zipline and complete a rope course followed by time in FDR State Park for team-building activities and a BBQ. The following week, they spent a full day at Six Flags Great Adventure.

Seventh graders went on a history tour of Philadelphia, where they toured such notable sites as Independence Hall, where our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The tour was led by “historic figure” Robert Hare, a wealthy businessman in the Colonies who helped frame and found the United States. After lunch, the students were able to play miniature golf and ride the historic carousel in Franklin Park.

The week was rounded out by the fifth/sixth grade trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Students opted to ride on the top of the ferry to get the best water view of the Statue of Liberty. It was a perfect day to eat lunch and stroll around the base of Lady Liberty where the students posed for photos. The students then boarded the ferry and headed to Ellis Island. After a week of in class preparation, the students were ready to see and explore Ellis Island and see where immigrants made their first steps in the United States on their way to becoming Americans.