Ms.
Germaine's third grade class visits Barnard College-
students especially impressed with the Arthur Ross
greenhouse and plentiful ice-cream.
May
9, 2000, New York, NY- Today President Judith Shapiro
was pleased to welcome an enthusiastic group of
third graders from P.S. 28 in Washington Heights.
The president invited the students to the College
after spending a morning in October teaching them
at their school, as part of a program run by Teach
for America, the national organization that recruits
college students to commit two years to teach in
schools where they are needed most. She was one
of 189 leaders nationwide who spent part of a day
teaching a public school class; her class time was
focused on her travels as an anthropologist.
The
class spent the morning taking in the sweeping views
of the city from the top of Sulzberger Tower, where
despite the unseasonably hot and hazy day many of
the city's best known buildings were visible. Looking
two miles to the north, many of the students tried
in vain to spot P.S. 28, but the school was hidden
by the hills and valleys of northern Manhattan.
On the ride down from the 18th floor observatory,
one young visitor remarked that "the best part
of the trip is definitely the elevators." A
Barnard student in the same car agreed that the
elevators were quite well appointed.
Later,
the class enjoyed an impromptu game of tag on the
lawn outside Barnard Hall, prompting stares from
many of the passersby unaccustomed to students under
the legal voting age. While the boys' team seemed
to be leading the match, the tour moved on before
any decisive victory could be had.
Passing
through Barnard Hall, the students stopped in the
Lefrak gymnasium to vent some youthful exuberance.
The large room echoed with the happy shouts as the
students ran after one another in another hazily
defined game of tag. Although time constraints once
again prevented a full round, this time the girls'
team seemed to have gained a competitive edge.
Following
a delicious lunch prepared and catered by Aramark
Dining Services, the children were led on a tour
of the Arthur Ross greenhouse, where many beautiful
species of plants are raised. The students seemed
particularly impressed with the many varieties of
cactus, as well as the orange bearing citrus plants.
After
all of the action in the Barnard greenhouse, Ms.
Germaine's class seemed quite pleased to relax on
the Lehman lawn. Ice-cream was on-hand courtesy
of the Office of President Judith Shapiro, and the
children enjoyed a few minutes of watching finals-harried
students walk nervously to their exams.
After
all of the fun at Barnard, Ms. Germaine led the
class across the street to the campus of Columbia
University, where the students marveled at the classic
vistas. Barnard tour-guides explained the significance
of the famous Alma Mater statue, and pointed out
famous buildings such as the Butler Library.
After
a brief good-bye, the class promised to return to
Barnard sometime soon. Ms. Germaine also reminded
the female members of the class that Barnard is
always on the lookout for future students- in this
case, the class of 2010.
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