When news hit the airwaves that the federal government had actually shuttered its doors on Tuesday, October 1, 2013, people throughout the nation began discussing the impact that the shutdown would have on their daily lives. Even as adults have kept their eyes and ears open, waiting for any news of a possible deal, about 55 fifth-grade students from Rowan County Schools’ four elementary schools have become keenly aware of the government shutdown and the impact that it has had on them.
These 5th grade students, their parents, and Genny Jenkins, Rowan County Schools’ gifted education coordinator, have been making plans for the past year for the annual Washington, D.C. trip, taken each year during the week of the district’s fall break. Due to the shutdown of the federal government, though, changes may need to be made to this year’s trip to Washington, D.C. Both Mrs. Jenkins and the representatives of the tour company have been working hard to design an alternate itinerary (Plan B), should the shutdown continue after the scheduled departure on Sunday, October 6, 2013.
“It’s a shame that this impasse in Washington has to affect our students and the nation, as a whole, but we aren’t going to let the politicians ruin this experience for these kids,” said Mrs. Jenkins. “I can guarantee that these kids will have an experience that they will remember for a long time.”
Click here for letter from Genny Jenkins as well as the Plan A/Plan B itineraries.