The pitter patter of little (and some not-so-little) feet could be heard throughout the ALJ campus on April 27th, as teachers and staff helped celebrate "Bring Your Child to Work Day" by bringing their children to work. 

Kids were seen in every department, making classes laugh at their antics and smile at having a  little one in class. During the ALJ Today show some of the visitors took over the TV station for the day. Ryan Wojociechowski and Trevor Headrick served as anchors, while Bryanna Wojociechowski gave the day's forecast. Everyone seemed to enjoy the presence of little kids for a very special day. 

In the final two days of their journey, 36 young adults from ALJ and Magnet schools along with six chaperones finished their trip of a lifetime in the Eternal City of Rome, Italy. While the schedule was hectic, they were able to visit the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square, and the Vatican Museum on their first day. Highlights included Michelangelo's ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the Rafael masterpiece "School of Athens."

On the second day travellers ventured to the nearby port of Rome, where they enjoyed a very different experience by attending a school for gladiators. They were taught how to use a sword, a lance and a bow and arrow. This was followed by an encounter with a gladiator champion played by Danny Zatko. In the afternoon, the group returned to the heart of Rome, touring the Forum, the Coliseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. These whirlwind days capped a week of tours that took the group from Central Switzerland, to northern Italy, and finally to central Italy in Florence and Rome.

The History Club has announced that two trips are planned for next year. In the Spring of 2018, a high adventure trip is scheduled for Costa Rica which will feature 10 all inclusive days of kayaking, white water rafting, zip lining through the rainforest and a host of other activities. For those looking for a European adventure, a trip to Madrid and Sevilla Spain has just been announced. For more information about either trip you may attend an information session on April 26th at 7 pm at Brewer room #30.  

The last two days  the group continued their tour from the amazing hotel in Rezzato to Florence, stopping for about two hours in Verona. So far they have visited the following cities: Zurich, Engleberg, Lugano, Lake Garda, Rezzato, Venice, Verona and Florence. It's been an amazing journey. In Verona, they enjoyed a leisurely walk through town, visiting the arena which dates to the Roman Empire. After this, they made their way to "Juliet's House." While Romeo and Juliet were fictional characters, it it set in Verona, and feuding families are very much a part of Italian history.

They then continued down the spine of Italy to Florence. After dinner, they took a walk into the heart of this great city with anyone who wanted to come along.

Thursday they had  a very big day starting with a tour of the Academia, complete with the "David." They continued the many piazzas in town, onto the Ponte Vecchio, the Church of Santa Maria de Fiore, the Baptistry, and of course, more shopping. Kids enjoyed trying on some beautiful leather at the world famous Misuri Leather. They absolutely love their free time, so they were able to peruse the many leather items that Florence is known for. In the evening they cooked their own dinner. That evening many of them went dancing at a teen club near the hotel.

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Thirty-six ALJ students and six chaperones are traveling through Switzerland and Italy. This blog is following along. Today's entry: Venice
Today's travels took the group to the unique and glorious city of Venice. After a whirlwind tour of the famed city,  the travellers were given the afternoon to take in the city. Options included the Basilica which is breathtaking, the Doge's Palace which is filled with medieval weaponry, gondola rides, or shopping and strolling through the alleys and narrow streets of the city. Most opted for shopping and gondolas.  Mrs. Jacobi, who is a chaperone on the trip, said "When we gathered together at 4:30, bright smiles were on everyone's faces." The group then headed back to the villa where they are staying another night, where they enjoyed a custom pizza dinner at a local restaurant. They celebrated Jacqui Porcelli's 17th birthday, as everyone sang Happy Birthday in Italian to her. A good time was had by all. Tomorrow, they head to Verona, where among other things, they will visit the home of the legendary "Juliet" of Shakespearean fame. Then onto Florence where they will spend the next two days. 

As much as travellers enjoyed stunning Switzerland, the kids were very excited about getting to Italy. That having been said, today was a travel day. The group checked out of the wonderful hotel in Engelberg, and hit the road in their brand new coach with driver Jean Luca. He expertly led them through the south of Switzerland and on to Italy.
Mr. Reyes said, "It was the best travel day I've experienced in many years."  The first pit stop was at the vacation mecca of Lugano where the rich and famous congregate. Travellers enjoyed three hours of free time amidst the blooming tulips, gardens and enchanting lakes. Later they continued on to Lake Garda, one of the famous Italian Lakes. They enjoyed a delicious dinner of risotto and turkey, and then checked into the 5 star Villa Fenorali Palace Hotel which can best be described as Versailles. Travellers were treated to first class rooms, some including several levels of luxury. Tomorrow we are headed to Venice where Murano glass, gondolas, and St. Mark's Square await us. It is a day they will remember always. By the way, you've all done a great job raising these kids, they are exemplary.Remove

On April 7, 36 intrepid ALJ travellers and six chaperones embarked on a trip of a lifetime to Switzerland and Italy. The trip will take them from the 10,000 feet above sea level in the Alps, to the majestic city of Rome. This blog will follow their adventures daily through pictures and articles. 
As they settled into their first night in Engleberg,  Switzerland, a number of travellers say that Switzerland is one of the most beautiful places they've seen in their life.

Upon arriving in Switzerland the first stop was the city of Zurich where they spent the afternoon. This was an unscheduled location, and although they were tired at first, students thoroughly enjoyed this city. From the incredible architecture to the clear blue waters of the lakes, Zurich is perfect. They then drove to the ski resort town of Engleberg where their hotel is located. It is literally at the foothills of the Alps. Everyone enjoyed a very nice veal dinner and settled in for some much needed rest. 
Come back each day to see what the group is doing. Tomorrow about half of the travellers will be ascending into the Alps while the rest of the group visits local cheese and chocolate factories.