World Book Day

USA: Day 8 - So Long, Farewell!!!!

After having breakfast at school, it was time to leave. The hugs, kisses and tears could tell about the unforgettable experience both American and Spanish students had had - and none of them wanted it to be finished. Students have promised they will keep in contact and they will try to visit each other soon. This IS life-long learning!!!

USA: Day 7

We started the day at the American Museum of Natural History: the dinosaur fossils were just amazing! We then crossed the street and walked along Central Park to Bethesda Fountain, a perfect place to have lunch and enjoy the lake. After lunch, we walked down to Broadway and took some pictures in the middle of Times Square!

In the evening, the students attended a multicultural dinner at Port Chester Middle School. We were all given a Certificate of Recognition by the Mayor and the school band even played the Spanish National Anthem for us!!! We then enjoyed student-performed dances, songs, jazz music, and the delicious pot luck dinner prepared by the school community. Thank you very much for such a wonderful evening!!!

USA: Day 6

The two-hour cruise today made us enjoy New York's impressive skyline, sailing down Brooklyn Bridge and enjoying the numerous landmarks along the harbour. After lunch, the bus took us to Chinatown and Little Italy, where we could do some shopping and experience the hustle and bustle of that part of the city.

USA: Day 5

Early in the morning, we left for Manhattan to get the ferry that would take us to the Statue of Liberty. After lunch, we took another ferry to Ellis Island, where we visited the National Museum of Immigration.

USA: Day 4

Students attended school today with their hosts and learned a lot about how schools work in the USA. We were first invited for breakfast at the library and then students attended the regular classes and had lunch in school. We were also offered a special session at the school's planetarium!

USA: Day 2

Today our students had their first experience with American yellow school buses (or the Simpons bus, as many called them!) It was a cloudy day, with a chance of showers and storms. Our first plan was to go up the Empire State Building, but they said there was not good visibility at the time. So we walked to Madison Square Garden and then along 5th Avenue, where we visited St. Patrick's Cathedral. We stopped at Grand Central Station for lunch at around 12.00. After lunch, we decided to try the observation deck of Rockefeller Center and enjoyed the spectacular views of Manhattan. Then we visited the NBA and Disney stores on 5th Avenue, which was a lot of fun! In the evening, all the students attended a musical performed by the students at Port Chester Middle School.

USA: Day 1

Today we left at 7.30 a.m. and took our flight at 11.30 a.m. right on time. We arrived in New York at 1.30 p.m. local time after a long and tiring flight, but we were too excited to think about that! Mr. Guijarro was waiting for us and walked us to the coach which would take us to Port Chester. We arrived at Port Chester Middle School at around 4.00 p.m. All the students and parents were there waiting for us, together with Mr. Macchia, Mr. Ramos and Mrs. Iantorno. Thank you for the warm welcome!!!!

Spain: Day 7

All good things come to an end. Today the American students and teachers left at 7:30 in the morning around sad faces and some tears. But we will meet again in just ONE week to keep the experience going!!!!

Spain: Day 6

Holy Toledo!!!

Spain: Day 5

Boadilla del Monte's town hall offered our students a tour around its facilities, including a tasty breakfast with "churros" which students enjoyed. They then travelled to Madrid to visit the Royal Palace and the changing of the guard, followed by a walk around Plaza de Oriente, Viaducto, Plaza de la Villa, Calle Mayor and Plaza Mayor, where they had the typical fried calamari sandwich for lunch. After lunch, students proceeded to Puerta del Sol, Calle Arenal and Plaza de Isabel II.

Spain: Day 4

Segovia's aqueduct and cathedral, followed by a visit to the monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, have been today's major attractions. Students also enjoyed a walk around the Jardines de la Casita del Príncipe. When they returned home, a lot of students and teachers met at a nearby shopping centre to spend the rest of the day.

Spain: Day 3

After visiting our high school and attending our classes for the first two periods, students departed for Madrid to visit the Museo Reina Sofía and its impressive Spanish contemporary art collection, including Picasso's Guernica. Students then walked to Parque del Retiro for lunch and enjoyed the peacefulness in a fantastic early Spring day.

Spain: Day 2

Today students spent the day with their families. Museums, ice-skating, shopping, or "el Rastro", are just a few of the activities reported by students. We know quite a few enjoyed their first home-made "paella" and liked it a lot!

Spain: Day 1

Our American friends are already here! Tired, but excited, students arrived in Madrid at 10 in the morning and headed for our high school where all our families were waiting for them. After the greetings, the students went to their houses and met again at 12 to leave for Ávila.

The journey to Ávila was a shy one: students were starting to meet for the first time and the ice needed to be broken. After lunch, two excellent guides provided us with an entertaining tour around town: the Cathedral, Basílica de San Vicente and, of course, a walk around the city wall. The American students were dead tired by the end of the tour and so they slept well on our way back home! We are so happy you are here!!!