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 21^st @6:00pm. 

HTML Link: Stuyvensant Heights Montessori

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