This is not only a part of fall but a school rite of passage. For at least a decade Oakdale first graders go on this field trip, to Honey Pot Orchard, on similar yellow buses and fill their clear bag of apples. Plus pick an extra apple to eat while walking along the trees.
This was my first time being an "official" chaperone - meaning I had the honor of riding the big yellow bus with the kids and the teachers. But it was my second time going to the orchard with a class of first graders from Oakdale (another tradition is Oakdale parents will follow the buses in a caravan of cars/vans to join the fun). The first time I went one of my twin sons lost his first tooth in the orchard. While biting an apple. We found the tooth sticking out of the apple. It is still being talked about to this day....
There were farm animals, simple machines (a perfect recap of this week's science lessons - I got a full explanation of how levers work from one of my daughter's classmates), and the incredibly popular cider donuts.
Mrs. Ward said, as we bounced on the bus, how important this trip is. How it brings the students together, students who will become middle schoolers and high schoolers and creates shared memories. And as I looked at the turning leaves through the clean bus window there were shrieking voices. Little children singing, yelling as they bounced in seats, and seeing horses, stone walls and fall leaves from their own windows.
They were making memories.
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Allison Staton (aka Soccer Mom in Denial) is back visiting Dedham Rocks writing about the things she loves about Oakdale Elementary School and Dedham in general. She is the mom of twin 10-year-old boys and a 6-year-old girl who all attend Oakdale. She has been blogging off and on (lately more off) since 2006 at Soccer Mom in Denial.
I got to be a first grade chaperone for Honey Pot Hill apple picking this year, too. Fun and the apples were awesome. Their tractor was a big hit. And of course, those donuts.
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