In continuing the tradition of exposing Fort Bend ISD s students to leadership at all levels, the Office of Student Leadership will take students who participate in Leadership 101, Leadership 102, Student VOICE Advisory Network and other district leadership programs to Washington, D.C. Where much of the students education has largely been centered around local, county, and state leadership, this trip will afford students the opportunity to explore leadership at the federal level in non-profit and government entities. Students will have the opportunity to see their government in action and explore the role they, as students, play in American democracy. Students will also have the opportunity to be exposed to the culture of a major East Coast urban center. Objectives By the conclusion of the trip, students will be able to: Speak clearly about the role that each branch of the federal government plays in the leadership of American society; Identify key legislative actions that directly affect Fort Bend County and the Houston area; Identify key federal education policy issues and articulate the role they play in shaping American education; Identify how Congress and federal agencies set and implement federal law and regulations; Identify key non-profit organizations that advocate for and support education-related issues on a national level and the ways in which they do so; Understand the role lobbyists play in educating members of congress on content-specific issues and in advancing special interests ; Identify the role that the media plays in American democracy; Clearly articulate the way that America honors its fallen heroes. Places to visit U.S. Congress Library of Congress U.S. Supreme Court White House (photo only no tour) U.S. Department of Education National Archives Arlington National Cemetery The National Mall Mount Vernon Newseum Children s Defense Fund Education Trust
Outline of Itinerary Day 1 (Friday Travel Day in evening) Arrive in Washington, D.C. Check into hotel (in the Capitol Hill area) Dinner (Pizza in hotel) Day 2 (America s Beginnings) 6:30 AM Breakfast at hotel 7:30 AM Depart for sightseeing - With Tour Director/Guide 8:00 AM Arlington National Cemetery Challenger Memorial Guard Change - Tomb of the Unknown (9:00 am) 9:15 AM Wreath Laying Ceremony - Tomb of the Unknown - Pending Confirmation Iwo Jima Memorial Lunch - Pentagon City Mall Explore the Mount Vernon Mansion and Grounds George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens Explore the National Archives Discover American history through documents, photos and records, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. 5:30 PM Dinner - Hard Rock Cafe - Washington, DC Visit the Jefferson, FDR and MLK Memorials These National Mall monuments commemorate two of our most influential presidents and the civil rights activist who changed our country s social landscape. 9:45 PM Return to hotel Day 3 (America s Museums) 6:45 AM Breakfast at hotel 7:30 AM Depart for sightseeing - With Tour Director/Guide Lincoln, Vietnam and Korean Memorials Shopping across from Ford's Theatre 10:00 AM Visit Ford s Theatre
Explore the theater where stage actor John Wilkes Booth put on the act that would land him in history books: the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Lunch - National Place Smithsonian Institution (Group's Choice) American History Museum Natural History Museum Air and Space Museum Renwick Gallery National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum From pop culture icons to civil rights activists, this museum portrays the quirks and personalities of the individuals who helped define American culture. 6:00 PM Dinner - King Street Blues-Old Town - Alexandria, VA Tour Alexandria's Haunted Hotspots Unparalleled researchers, historians, and storytellers take students on out of the ordinary tours about George Washington, Robert E. Lee, and unsung heroes and heroines of historic Alexandria, Virginia. 9:45 PM Return to hotel Day 4 (America s Government) 6:00AM 7:00AM 7:30AM 8:00AM Breakfast at Hotel Briefing on Congressional operations/business, Rayben House Office Building Remarks by Congressman Al Green or Senator John Cornyn Tour of United States Capitol building Guided tour of the Capitol Special tour of the Capitol dome for Board members, Superintendent, and adult leadership who attend Tour of the Library of Congress Watch a Supreme Court Lecture Lunch at Union Station Visit to U.S. Department of Education Students will learn about the role of Department and how it affects state and local education 2:15 PM Arrive at United States Holocaust Museum
2:30 PM Visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum In a cold, dark building meant to evoke terror and sobriety, exhibits follow the Nazi rise to power, the lives of Jews confined to the ghettos, the horror of The Final Solution, and in the Daniel s Story exhibit, the experience of a child. World War II Memorial & Washington Monument Take a Photo in Front of the White House 6:30 PM Dinner - Buca Di Beppo - Washington, DC Visit the Pentagon Memorial Dedicated on September 11, 2008 and located just Southwest of the Pentagon building, 184 illuminated benches commemorate the 184 individuals who died in the attack. Illuminated driving tour of monuments and memorials Students will have the opportunity to visit the following memorials; Lincoln and Vietnam Memorials, Washington Monument & Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, World War II Memorial, The Capitol, and The White House. 10:00 PM Return to the hotel Day 5 (America s Advocates) 6:30 AM Breakfast (at hotel) 7:30 AM Life of a lobbyist Student will learn the role that lobbyists play in educating members of congress on content-specific issues and in advocating for their special issue area. 9:00 AM Visit the Children s Defense Fund One group of students will learn about the work that the Children s Defense Fund does in advocating for children across the country from Max Lesko, Director of National Organizing, Intergovernmental Outreach and CDF Action Council. 9:00 AM Visit the Education Trust One group of students will learn about the work of the Education Trust in closing the achievement gap in low-income communities and fighting for equity in education. Students will have the opportunity to interact with John B. King, Jr, former Secretary of Education and the President and CEO of the Education Trust. 11:30 AM Lunch (Reagan Building Food Court) 1:00 PM Visit to the Newseum
This seven-story museum highlights the history, logistics and technology of journalism with stunning interactive exhibits and five state-of-the-art theaters. In an actual TV studio, students can try out authentic equipment as they tape their own news broadcast. 5:00 PM Arrive at Washington, DC Airport Check in for flight Dinner at Airport 7:00 PM Depart for Houston Airport Flight