Mardi Gras Travel Rich in History, Art and Cultural Experiences

Mardi Gras break was a great opportunity for travel! Students took trips to New York City, Costa Rica, Rome Italy, and Quebec.

Costa Rica
Mr. Ramos and Mrs. Clouatre took eleven eighth grade students on an educational language immersion trip to Costa Rica during the Mardi Gras break. In addition to daily Spanish lessons, students experienced the rich Costa Rican biodiversity through a walking tour and a zip line tour in the tropical rainforests often referred to as “jewels of the earth.” They also explored the culinary traditions of Costa Rica by attending an exciting cooking class and having dinner with a local family, and also enjoyed a salsa lesson! These activities allowed the students to enjoy genuine immersive experiences and interactions with local people, sparking global connections and a lifelong love of language and travel.

Italy
Teacher Michael Posey took 12 travelers to Rome, Italy, on an 8-day odyssey of the "Eternal City." Sites toured included:  the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, visits to the Baths of Diocletian, the Borghese Galleries, and several basilica and churches.  Additionally, students traveled to Pompeii to see the ruins there and explored Vatican City, a walled sovereign state within the city of Rome.  The Vatican is also the home of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. You can visit their blog for daily journals: traversingrome.wordpress.com.

New York City
Drama Teacher, Paige Gagliano, and Choir Teacher, Carter Smith, escorted the Thespian club members to New York City over the Mardi Gras break. The group toured Times Square, stopped by Fun Home and spent time with its star, Tony nominee, and Mrs. Gagliano's good friend, Beth Malone! Other highlights included breakfast at the Galaxy Diner, a private tour of CBS studios thanks to Jamie Wax of Baton Rouge, who also gave the group a tour of Central Park where an epic snowball battle took place!

​While in New York, the group also saw, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, a performance at the  Metropolitan Opera,  Matilda, Les Miserables, the 911 Memorial, The Statue of Liberty,  Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick Cathedral and The Drama Bookshop.

​The group was treated to a very special dance class conducted by  Amanda who plays several different roles in Matilda. She worked with students on the finale of Matilda and was very impressed with what quick learners the students were! We love New York!


Quebec City and Montreal
Mrs. Lemoine and Dr. Breaux (Sevie Breaux's father) took 15 eighth grade students  to Quebec City and Montreal. Their activities included dog sledding, tubing/slides, circus school, space camp, waterfall, basilica, Winter Carnival and ice skating!