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A dream delayed

—Submitted photo
Fort Dodge Middle School students pose in front of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington D.C. in 2018.

When Dave Newman had to postpone the Fort Dodge Middle School trip to Washington, D.C., it was a tough decision.

Ultimately — and especially now — he knew it was the right one.

Newman, who taught in Fort Dodge for 30 years, retired seven years ago. He was preparing to take his eighth group of students to the nation’s capital when the novel coronavirus pandemic first hit the mainstream both in Iowa and beyond earlier this month.

Newman initially planned on making the trip as scheduled, but as the virus scare increased, it quickly became clear the right choice was to call it off.

“The decision to postpone the trip was ultimately mine,” Newman said. “I kept in contact regularly with my account manager for Worldstrides (the travel company). The sites were still open at that point, but I rather quickly became more and more uncomfortable going.

—Submitted photo
Fort Dodge Middle School students stand in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, in 2018.

“The morning of March12, I emailed my account manager with growing concerns. She called back immediately and, for the first time, I was given the opportunity to postpone. I took it without a second thought. It was a very sad thing to do, but a big relief at the same time, knowing it was also the right thing to do.”

The COVID-19 scare didn’t cancel the trip altogether — it just pushed plans back a year. This year’s group will go to Washington, D.C. March 15-21 in 2021 instead.

Newman normally takes two grades of middle school students every other year, including kids from both Fort Dodge and St. Edmond.

“After collaborating with my chaperones, we thought rescheduling a whole year out would be the best option in order to get the most participation,” Newman said. “The uncertainty of the length of the virus, summer vacations, and summer athletics all played factors in that decision.”

The 2022 trip will be for current fifth and sixth graders. Newman will start planning that next February, with the trip in spring of 2022.

—Submitted photo
Fort Dodge Police Chief Roger Porter kneels at a memorial in Washington D.C. in 2018.

Newman understands the frustration felt by this year’s group, but he is happy they will still get a chance to go next spring.

“I’m not sure exactly how the kids are feeling. I’m guessing they’re disappointed, but we didn’t really have any choice,” Newman said. “We still see things changing day-to-day on activities we are allowed to do in public.

“We all just need to do the responsible thing right now and battle this virus.”

The trip to D.C. has been a Fort Dodge staple for more than 30 years.

“I keep hearing from parents that have had a previous child participate in the trip. They say, ‘you have to go again, because I have another child,'” Newman said. “I’ve been asked how long I will continue to do this, so I guess I will keep going — as long as I can continue to survive the 20-hour bus trips.

—Submitted photo
Fort Dodge Middle School students take a picture in front of the White House in 2018.

“When the time comes for me to retire from the trip, I’m hoping to find a young teacher in the school district to keep this great opportunity available to the kids.”

Newman still sees the D.C. journey both educational and enjoyable, even after all these years.

“I get so much out of seeing the fun the kids have and the knowledge they gain,” Newman said. “We still get to go on this fantastic trip — it’s just a little later. It will be a trip of a lifetime with their friends. There is no better way to combine fun and learning.

“This will bring history to life for them.”

For more information on the 2021 or 2022 trips, email Newman at dsnewman@gmail.com.

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