Parents
News
Giving
Fifth Grade Parents,
We are about a few weeks away before your son departs for an exciting and unforgettable educational journey to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia.
We are including a few updates and reminders for you below. Please carefully read all the details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please take time to review the most frequently asked questions about the trip.
Trip Leaders and Groups:
Tony Rudzena, Palmer Albertine, Jackson Boyd, Chris Oliver, Paul Warner, Alice Ball, and Stephanie Anderson.
Each faculty member will serve as the equivalent to a camp counselor while traveling to and from Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Each faculty member will be assigned a few boys to their group. PDS will send a list of groups and assigned faculty members in our next communication.
If you have any questions, please email or contact your group leader once groups are released.
Permission Form and Waivers
Please complete the online trip permission form by October 27th.
Packing List
Boys will follow the PDS dress code while traveling. We ask that each boy bring a PDS hoodie or long sleeve PDS shirt for a couple of group pictures.
Washington D.C. Questions Drop-in Meeting
While most questions regarding the trip are outlined in the FAQ, we will hold a brief drop-in time with trip leaders for clarity about any questions on Wednesday, October 25th at 7:45am in the Hussey Commons.
There will not be a presentation but a time to drop by and ask specific questions you may have that were not covered in prior communications.
Flights
Arrive at Memphis International Airport at 5:30AM for check-in on Sunday, November 5th. Once group leaders have checked-in each boy, they will pass through security together. In order to not overcrowd the Airport Check-In Area, we ask all parents to say goodbye to their son right after their son is checked in with their chaperone.
Flight Departure – Southwest
- WN2129 5 NOV 2023
- MEM 7:40AM (Depart) to ATL 10:00AM (Arrive)
- WN104 5 NOV 2023 ATL
- 11:00AM (Depart) to DCA 12:45PM (Arrive)
Flight Return – Southwest
- WN2014 10 NOV 2023.
- DCA 3:20PM (Depart) to ATL 5:20PM (Arrive)
- WN3108 10 NOV 2023.
- ATL 7:40PM (Depart) to MEM 8:05PM (Arrive)
Hotel
Crystal Gateway Marriott - 1700 Richmond Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202
Remind App
Pictures of the boys’ experiences in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia will be sent via the Remind app. Please text 81010 with message: @pdswa or click this link.
Bike Assessment
Boys will tour the various monuments by bike, making it an enjoyable way of taking in the sights and learning about the history of the monuments. To ensure each boy is comfortable riding a bike we will hold a brief assessment of bike skills on campus. This tour requires basic riding skills and is led by biking guides trained in taking groups around Washington D.C.
IDs for the Flight
PDS will provide a school ID for each boy’s air travel. These will be given to each boy once they arrive at the airport and check-in with their group and designated faculty member.
Food Costs
The cost of lunch and dinner will be each boy’s responsibility. We typically will eat at food courts. We suggest that each person budget $50 daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks ($10 for breakfast, and $20 for lunch and $20 for dinner).
You may wish to send cash with your son (if so, please place it in an envelope). His group leader will help him keep track of his meals and budget.
This is an excellent opportunity to foster independence in our boys. If you are concerned about your son keeping up with his money, you may give this to his group leader at the airport. They will distribute his money as needed. If you prefer to send him with a gift card or credit card, please let your group leader know.
Fifth Grade Parents:
We hope you’ve had an excellent start to the school year. We have an exciting Cultural Expeditions trip planned, one your son will remember for years to come, especially as he grows in his understanding of government and the history of our nation. Below you will find a few announcements and reminders about the Washington D.C. and Philadelphia Trip:
Confirmation
This email confirms your son’s attendance on the Washington D.C. and Philadelphia trip.
Trip Leaders:
Tony Rudzena, Palmer Albertine, Jackson Boyd, Chris Oliver, Paul Warner, and Alice Ball.
Permission Form and Waivers
Please complete the online trip permission form by October 10.
Billing
The remaining trip amount after the deposit will be billed to your account and is due 10/1. If meeting these deadlines creates a challenge, please contact our business office.
Packing List
Boys will follow the PDS dress code while traveling. We ask that each boy bring a PDS hoodie or long sleeve PDS shirt for a couple of group pictures.
Each student is to have one suitcase and one backpack. The average temperatures in Washington D.C. for early November are: 64°F (High) and 46°F (Low). Please be mindful of the temperatures as you pack for the trip.
- Backpack
- Raincoat / poncho (no umbrellas)
- We will take two group photos while on the trip in PDS attire. We will notify the boys of the days they are to wear PDS attire. We ask that each boy bring a PDS hoodie or long sleeve PDS shirt.
- Each day of the trip will follow PDS dress code.
- 1 pair comfortable walking shoes
- Sleeping attire
- Spending money (small bills if possible) / secure wallet
- Toiletry items (toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, brush/comb).
- Camera
- Medication (if needed) in ziploc bag labeled
THINGS NOT TO BRING
- Pillows
- Blankets
- Sleeping bags
- Phones / tablet / computers
Washington D.C. Questions Drop-in
While most questions regarding the trip are outlined in the FAQ, we will hold a brief drop-in time with trip leaders for clarity about any questions on Wednesday, October 25th at 7:45am in the Hussey Commons.
Flights
Flight Departure – Southwest
- WN2129 5 NOV 2023
- MEM 7:40AM (Depart) to ATL 10:00AM (Arrive)
- WN104 5 NOV 2023 ATL
- 11:00AM (Depart) to DCA 12:45PM (Arrive)
Flight Return – Southwest
- WN2014 10 NOV 2023.
- DCA 3:20PM (Depart) to ATL 5:20PM (Arrive)
- WN3108 10 NOV 2023.
- ATL 7:40PM (Depart) to MEM 8:05PM (Arrive)
Hotel
Crystal Gateway Marriott
1700 Richmond Hwy
Arlington, VA 22202
Remind App
Pictures of the boys’ experiencing Washington D.C. and Philadelphia will be sent via the Remind app. Please text 81010 with message: @pdswa or click this link
Bike Assessment
Boys will tour the various monuments by bike, making it an enjoyable way of taking in the sights and learning about the history of the monuments. To ensure each boy is comfortable riding a bike we will hold a brief assessment of bike skills on campus. This tour requires basic riding skills and is led by biking guides trained in taking groups around Washington D.C.
Wreath Laying Ceremony (Essay Contest)
Each year, four PDS boys have the high honor of participating in the Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Please find information regarding the essay contest below on this page. Entering the essay contest is optional.
Next Communication – October
Another communication regarding the trip will be sent mid-October with room assignments and any remaining forms to be completed.
Each student is to have one suitcase and one backpack. The average temperatures in Washington D.C. for early November are: 64°F (High) and 46°F (Low). Please be mindful of the temperatures as you pack for the trip.
- Backpack
- Raincoat / poncho (no umbrellas)
- We will take two group photos while on the trip in PDS attire. We will notify the boys of the days they are to wear PDS attire. We ask that each boy bring a PDS hoodie or long sleeve PDS shirt.
- Each day of the trip will follow PDS dress code.
- 1 pair comfortable walking shoes
- Sleeping attire
- Spending money (small bills if possible) / secure wallet
- Toiletry items (toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, brush/comb).
- Camera
- Medication (if needed) in ziploc bag labeled
THINGS NOT TO BRING
- Pillows
- Blankets
- Sleeping bags
- Phones / tablet / computers
Four PDS boys will have the high honor of participating in the Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. As a part of the honor guard, they will place the wreath at the foot of the monument and remember those buried that sacrificed their lives for the freedom of this country. The students selected will be representing PDS, their community, and family. In order to be considered as a potential wreath-bearer, a student must submit an essay.
ESSAY REQUIREMENTS:
- Essay Prompt: Why I Want to Participate in the Wreath Laying Ceremony
- Maximum 500 words / Minimum 350
- Formatting: Times New Roman 12 or something very similar; include a title; indented paragraphs; 1 ½ spaced. List any websites consulted at the end.
Your essay should include the following:
- A personal or family reason why this would be meaningful to you.
- Significance of this ceremony to the nation.
- References to the history of the Tomb of the Unknowns and Arlington Cemetery. Consider using these three topics each as separate paragraphs.
ESSAY EVALUATION
- Essays will be evaluated on organization, thoughtful content, originality, grammar/mechanics, and historical accuracy.
- A group of PDS faculty will judge the papers.
IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED:
- Think about freedom, patriotism and the sacrifices that have been made by military veterans of all wars. How do these sacrifices impact your life personally?
- Do some family research. Do you have any relatives or family friends, past or present, who have served in the military whom this act might honor?
- What would it mean to you to represent PDS, your friends and your family in a national ceremony?
- Read about what the ceremony itself represents – honoring unknown soldiers who gave their lives in the cause of freedom throughout our history, fighting against the forces which have threatened our freedom and that of others. Why would you like to be a part of this ceremony?
The four students selected will represent our school, community, family, and friends before silent spectators from all over the United States and the world. To have such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pay homage to Americans who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom we often take for granted is an honor in which few people in the nation are ever able to participate. Make the most of this opportunity. Whether or not you are chosen, you can be proud that you gave it your best.
Registration Deadline: May 1
The He Family Scholarship for Cultural Expeditions
With the expansion of the PDS Cultural Expeditions Program, we desire for every boy to participate and have these seminal experiences. Through the He Family Scholarship provided by the He Family Foundation, boys with financial need are able to step into historical spaces and cities to understand the culture and experience those locations play in our history.
The He Family Scholarship for Cultural Expeditions is a need based scholarship providing over 10 students the opportunity to participate in the Cultural Expeditions Program.
Each student receiving the scholarship submits a short reflection paper on his time and learning on the respective trip.
