fcd field trip

finally getting around to blogging about our oh-so-FABULOUS field trip to watch fc dallas against houston on may 28th. the kids were so excited! although we had quite a few soccer players among us, many of them had never been to an mls game before. as soon as we passed through security and made our way toward the stands, the kids' mouths dropped open instantly and then they grinned at each other. fortunately for us, we were sitting close to the field and in section 130, next to guardia roja's section. UNfortunately for us, houston's hardcore group was in 131, on the other side of us. as you'll see in the pictures, they were so hardcore, they were completely surrounded by the park's security guards as well as frisco police. most of them appeared to be completely wasted, several of them were half naked (shirtless) and flipping everyone off. from time to time they also chanted "f#&* you dallas". our AP (assistant principal) complained to the police right away. after the initial attraction of the group's enthusiasm, our 3rd graders weren't really paying close attention to them anymore (overstimulated), but our impressionable 5th graders knew what was going down. of course we educators used that as a teachable moment and pointed out how inappropriate it was and the consequences of doing things like that (the police began escorting them off the premises a few at a time). the houston fans also "hogged" the time by drumming and chanting the whole game! i felt bad for guardia roja and the inferno...never the less, i took the kids up to meet guardia roja during halftime. they were completely thrilled when the guys actually let them play their instruments and take pictures. it was a highlight of the field trip for many of them, so i have to sincerely thank guardia roja for being so accommodating and allowing my students to experience that!

i have to admit monica (my soccer bud/5th grade science teacher) and i noticed how difficult it was to be there at pizza hut park @ a game WITHOUT a beer. everywhere we looked we saw someone drinking a beer or trying to sell beer. it most definitely brought a certain "parchness" for alcohol to our awareness!!! at one point the guy holding a bin full of beer was trying to get past us in the aisle in the stands and tilted the bin TOWARD us, practically putting them in our hands. we painfully laughed about that one.

about the game...have to say that kenny cooper's goal was *sweet*! the kids loved seeing the fireworks and "goal" on the big screen. we were at the top lining up to get back on the bus when fcd scored a 2nd goal. although we didn't get to see it when it happened, we sprinted to the edge of the top seats so we could see the replay and celebrate with the rest of the fans. here's kenny's goal:



i had to call uncle steve on the way home to ask about the final half hour of the game since we had to leave early because it was a school night (he and my cousin jonathan joined us for the evening but stayed for the whole thing). uncle steve said houston scored another goal, so it ended up being tied up (2-2) at the final whistle.

as i watched the kids during different parts of the evening, i inconspicuously took notice of their expressions. it was truly priceless. you could tell they loved being there, soaked up the atmosphere and thus smiled so deeply you could see total joy in their eyes. most of them would have never experienced this had it not been for our field trip, and i felt intense happiness that i was there to share it with them.

finally i'll end with a conversation i had with one of my female students during the game. it was just before kenny scored his goal, so i'd say it was like 25-30 minutes into the game:

student: ms. d?
me: yeah?
student: {looking out onto the field} um, so like, when is the game gonna start?
me: {turns to her, looking puzzled} sweetie, the game is happening *right now*. see those guys on the field? they're playing the game.
student: {looking a little sheepish} Oooh. {then smiles}
me: it's okay, honey. {pats her leg} just know we want the red people to win.

it became quite apparent that she was an *indoor* girl. :)

enjoy the pics!!! (oh, i blurred out my students' faces to protect their identities)

there's part of the houston group (i couldn't get them all in one shot). see the frisco policeman in yellow? yeah, he and the other cops drop the hammer on several of them!

and more security. they *totally* surrounded them. they kept talking on their radios too.

ouch.

after kenny cooper's goal


guardia roja was super cool to let the kids play their instruments!

one of the guys is a, are you ready?, KINDERGARTEN teacher (personally i think only *special* people can do that job). he was amazing, he went the extra mile to give us this truly festive picture!

the kids getting an unforgettable, hands-on experience

i've included some of the letters & pictures i had the kids write & draw while making thank you cards to our principal the day after the field trip. they turned out great! you'll get a real sense of how much they enjoyed themselves. click on the picture to enlarge it.