Grade 7 students and teachers boarded a bus on Monday morning and hit the highway to tour the capital city as a way to celebrate their last days at Crestwood School. We arrived in Ottawa midday after an early lunch in Kingston and the jam-packed tour never stopped until we left on Wednesday. It all started with a tour of the Supreme Court of Canada where Tim Kufner was able to successfully defend his buddy Josh Moozar in Federal Court followed by a tour of the ‘Red Room’ and finally the Supreme Court. We then shuttled over to the Canadian War Museum. Our two-hour visit was terrific, but with so much to see, anyone could have filled many days exploring our nation’s unique history. Our next stop was a trip to the Sugar Shack for supper complete with chick-pea soup, bread, butter, beets, pickles, deep fried pork rind, ham, sausage, potatoes, baked beans, pasta, pancakes and maple syrup. A short walk took us to the actual “sugar shack” where we were served with a delicious hot taffy desert. Back to the hotel to check in and then a quick jaunt to the park before bedtime. Tuesday started with a beautiful breakfast before taking on Parliament Hill and the Peace Tower. We grabbed lunch at the mall before traveling to the Diefenbunker, which might have been the most fascinating stop on the tour. We then headed back into Ottawa to the Canadian Mint, which would be our last stop before a dinner and dance to finish the day. Our last day started with another nice breakfast. The first stop on Wednesday was a bus driven tour down Sussex Drive en route to Rideau Hall. Canada’s Governor General, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston greeted us with a wave as we entered this historic site. The tour proved to be educational and entertaining. We were off again, this time to the Ottawa River boat cruise and although it was a cool day the students had a great time playing cards and taking in the riverside sites. Our last scheduled event to the Byward Market unfortunately had to be cancelled due to large sinkhole downtown. Our tour guide was right on it and guided us to a nearby mall for our last lunch before our journey back to the big smoke. Many thanks to our tour guide Jess and our bus driver Bob who both did an amazing job. Thanks also to parent Mr. Franco Rotondi whose enthusiasm and calm demeanor was a welcome addition. Lastly to the fifteen attending students. You represented our school with class. We will miss you guys.
Mrs. Jennifer Krashinsky, Mrs. Amy Woodruff and Mr. Luke Connors