Last spring, eighth grade students at Greenwich Public Schools’ Eastern, Western and Central middle schools traveled to Washington, D.C. for a three-day, two-night educational experiential trip with their peers and teachers after a three year COVID hiatus. 
This trip was a beloved capstone tradition spanning over four decades and the verdict was unanimous: The trip was a huge success and very much missed.
Just read some of the glowing reviews from some of the trip attendees last year:
“I had so much fun at Mount Vernon, talking to the people in costume, eating the bread they made there, and the museum was amazing!”
“It was my first time staying away from home without my family and I really felt like I was doing a great job on my own. I learned so much.”
“The best part was the African American Museum.”
“While you can’t really say you ‘liked’ the Holocaust Museum, I think it was the most important thing I studied this year.”
“I want to go to college in DC now.”
The 8th Grade D.C. Trip Fundraising Committee, in partnership with the Greenwich Alliance for Education, Pitch Your Peers and the PTAs, teachers and principals at Western, Central and Eastern middle schools are now raising funds for current GPS eighth graders.
Last June, they kicked off with a “Giveback Night” at the Garden Catering locations in Greenwich and Old Greenwich.
Both the Hamilton Avenue and Old Greenwich Garden Catering locations generously donated 25% of sales that day.
Next month, the Committee will host a live music fundraiser called “Dancing for DC” on January 19 from 6:00-9:00 pm at Old Greenwich Social Club.
The event will feature beloved local band “That’s What She Said” in addition to free appetizers, fabulous raffle prizes and a cash bar.
Two of the band members are former and current CMS parents.
You can purchase tickets by visiting https://greenwichalliance.org/ogsc.
If you can’t make the event but still want to support, consider buying raffle tickets, which are only $5.
Winning tickets will be drawn at the event but you do not need to be present to win the prizes donated by our wonderful community merchants.
As always, you can make a donation to the DC Trip fund directly by visiting the Greenwich Alliance for Education website and type “DC Trip” under Allocation.
No donation is too small and all donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
The 8th Grade D.C. Trip Fundraising Committee is a group of parents from all three GPS middle schools. We welcome all parents to join us and help us raise fund by emailing [email protected].
The fund raising committee is committed to ensuring that the trip continues for years to come, for all eighth grade GPS students, regardless of financial need.
Middle school families with demonstrated financial hardship should reach out to their building principals for confidential financial assistance. Washington, D.C. is more than just about seeing monuments. It’s about making lifelong memories with friends and experiencing the soul of our Nation through an immersive trip to its capital.