Last Monday, April 21st, students in NASH’s Preschool Practicum took their annual visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo. This trip was only for seniors and preschoolers in the morning session. The group in the afternoon pre-school session will travel to the zoo in May.
There were 13 preschoolers and 29 seniors on the trip, along with Mrs. Loeffert, the NASH Preschool Practicum teacher.
“Out of all the spring field trips for the class, 90% of the time it’s the zoo,” Loeffert said. “Typically they all like the zoo more, but some also really enjoy the Science Center, which is where we usually go in the fall.”
According to Loeffert, one of the highlights of the annual field trip occurs before the group even arrives at their destination.
“No matter where we go, their favorite part always tends to be the bus ride,” she said. “It’s their first time on the bus, and after watching their older brothers and sisters go on the bus, they love to do what their siblings do.”
For the seniors who attended, the field trip may have been their last, as the end of the year draws near. And spending such a special occasion with children ages four and five excitedly running around a zoo made a lasting memory during the final weeks of their senior year.
“I had so much fun at the zoo with the preschoolers,” senior Jordan Smithyman said. “I was with one of my close friends and our preschool buddy. It was so much fun with both my friends and the kids, especially as my last field trip ever. It was really bittersweet.”
Some seniors were paired with preschoolers all day, but others helped Loeffert in a different capacity.
“I was a floater on the trip, so I wasn’t assigned a specific kid,” said senior Alanna Imm. “I still had so much fun. My absolute favorite part was watching how excited they got when they saw the animals.”
The class is traditionally last for one semester, but with approval from their counselors, a few students had the opportunity to take the class both semesters this year. Senior Hannah Anderson was lucky enough to have this opportunity and attend the field trips first and second semester.
“I’m majoring in early childhood education, so it really helps out,” said Anderson. “Last semester, we went to Chuck-E-Cheese. I thought that the zoo was so much more fun, and I enjoyed being with the kids more on this field trip compared to the last one.”
And of course, we can’t leave out the stars of the show: the preschoolers themselves.
“Giraffes! I love the giraffes! And the bus ride!” said Vesper.
“I liked the Flamingos,” said Rylie. “Flamingos, flamingos! Zebra! Elephant!”
A handful of this year’s preschoolers also were here at NASH last year. Out of all four field trips they have gotten to go on, the zoo is a fan favorite.
“My favorite one was the zoo. I liked the elephants and wooly mammoths*. The .oo was more fun than Chuck-E-Cheese,” remarked Cooper.
“Yes, the zoo was my favorite,” said Valerie. “I love giraffes and elephants.”
* There were animatronics of Ice Age animals.
