Monday, January 23, 2012

SHM Washington D.C. Smithsonian Groundbreaking Eating Arrangements

Stuyvesant Heights Montessori 
Washington D.C. Smithsonian Groundbreaking 
Eating Arrangements
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Tuesday Night
As noted in the prior itinerary we will have a dinner in the L' Enfant Plaza Hotel restaurant (The American Grill) on Tuesday February 21, 2011 at 6:30p.m.  The cost of this dinner will be what ever you select from the menu plus taxes and tip.  I would like for you to look over the menu and submit your selections with payment by February 15, 2011. I have requested a Children's Menu and the Hotel will submit this menu soon. They did tell me that the Children's Menu will be approximately $10.  




Wednesday Morning
The  L' Enfant Plaza Hotel serves Continental Breakfast at an additional fee.

SHM Washington D.C. Smithsonian Groundbreaking Itinerary

2012: A Ground Breaking Year!
Press Release Forms - Print and bring to school office

The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) has Invited Stuyvesant Heights Montessori to join them for their official groundbreaking ceremony in Washington D.C. This is Smithsonian's first museum dedicated to African American History. This museum will be built on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Groundbreaking for the 300,000 square foot building will occur on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 and the museum is expected to open in 2015.  Prior to the construction of this site the Smithsonian’s NMAAHC launched its website www.nmaahc.edu giving the public an opportunity to help shape the museum's collection. Our children’s books will be submitted into the museum's collection! The museum would also like for our students (in the presence of high powered givers) to submit coins during the ceremony as a symbolic gesture that even the smallest person can make a difference. 
We have been invited as a result of the wonderful cultural studies project that SHM’s children participated in last year. Each class created a book, documenting an era in African American History and money was collected and donated to the construction of the NMAAHC. We called it “Collecting Change To Make a Change”. In return the NMAAHC saw fit to include our children in this historic event. This will be a momentous occasion for Stuyvesant Heights Montessori students, parents and teachers from 2010 and 2011. SHM’s trip to D.C. will occur on Tuesday, February 21- Wednesday, February 22.  
We will be staying at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, located close to the groundbreaking site. Ideally, I would like everyone to stay at the same hotel, but if it is not possible I ask that we leave from a  common location to arrive at the ceremony together. We will leave for the groundbreaking on Wednesday morning from the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel at 8:30 a.m. sharp. This will be a central location for everyone that is associated with Stuyvesant Heights Montessori. Please be on time. 
Please note: Stuyvesant Heights Montessori will be closed February 20 - February 22, 2012
IMPORTANT FACTS
Mandatory Meeting
There will be a mandatory meeting for everyone who will be attending this ceremony from Stuyvesant Heights Montessori, January 18, 2012 at 6.p.m. I need  to inform you of specific information concerning our role in this ceremony. I quote “ Dear Tracey nothing about this ceremony will be simple”.  Please be in attendance on January 18, 2012 to hear important details concerning  the trip. 
Transportation
Unfortunately we will not be chartering a bus. There were not enough families that chose this option. Most preferred driving to Washington.  An affordable and comfortable option is the bus. Mega Bus, Bolt Bus or Greyhound.  All have frequent trips to D.C. Please check their websites for more info. They typically arrive in D.C's Union Station . You may then take a short cab ride to the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel.
Hotel
Call to make your reservations
Please remember to say that you are with SHM
480 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, D.C. 20024
202-484-1000
http://www.lenfantplazahotel.com/
  • Room Rates             $129  + 14% tax
  • Check in Time          4:00 p.m.
  • Parking Fee              $46
Here is the personalized link for your reservation. I also reserved a space in the restaurant for your dinner Tuesday February 21st @6:00pm. 
Hotel reservation code SHMF21
    Itinerary
    Tuesday, February 21, 2012
    • 4:00 p.m. Hotel Check In at the L’Enfant Plaza
    • 7:00 p.m. Dinner with Stuyvesant Heights Montessori at L’Enfant Restaurant (menu given out on 1/18/12)
    Wednesday, February 22, 2012
    • 7:30a.m. - 8:00a.m. Meet in hotel lounge for Continental Breakfast
    • 9:00 a.m. SHM Guest Leave for National Mall to attend Ceremony. Please Meet in Lobby(including guest who are not staying at this hotel)   
    • It is best to take a cab to the groundbreaking site. Parking is very difficult.       
    • Dress Attire: Business Casual
    * THIS ITINERARY IS TENTATIVE. IT MAY CHANGE AS WE GET MORE INFO FROM THE SMITHSONIAN

    Tuesday, January 3, 2012

    The Smithsonian's National Museum Of African American History and Culture



    2012: A Groundbreaking Year!
    We would like to announce that SHM has been invited to the Exclusive Ground Breaking Ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This is Smithsonian's first museum dedicated to African American History. We have been invited as a result of the wonderful cultural studies project that your child participated in last year. Money was collected and donated to the construction of this museum.
     A packaged trip and itinerary will be given to you after Winer Break. This event will occur on February 21-February 22. This event will be a momentous occasion for Stuyvesant Heights Montessori students, parents and teachers from 2010 and 2011. Detailed information will follow. Please note in addition to the school closing February 20th & 21st the school will be closed on February 22, 2012.




    From the NMAAHC
    “...In fact, we are already planning our groundbreaking to happen in 2012. This is exciting as it brings the Museum one important step closer to reality. It’s a testimony to the support we’ve received from men and women like you who share a vision and a commitment to see this museum built.  Of course, there are many good reasons to support the Museum, but perhaps the most important is the opportunity to be part of something that will inspire and educate all generations of Americans far into the future. Imagine for a moment the Museum standing proudly on the National Mall, the three-tiered copper-colored corona shining in the sun, with visitors from across the nation and around the world lining up to see and experience the African American story as it has never been presented before. Once they enter, they will be immersed in fascinating exhibitions on each floor showcasing treasures from the collection with activities that will convey the African American experience and its role in our nation’s history. It is a uniquely American story, and it is a part of us all. I know you are as eager as I am to see the Museum’s doors open in 2015.”
    [Reposted from ynative77.wordpress.com/]

    Parent Teacher Conferences


    Parent Teacher Conferences
    Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. School will not be in session that day. A sign up sheet with a time schedule will be posted outside of each classroom when we return form our Winter Break. Please mark your calendars so that you can make the proper arrangements for childcare. Each meeting will be 15 minutes each.