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The school visit: what to look for, what to ask

by: The GreatSchools Editorial Team | Updated: December 5, 2023

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Be sure to visit all the schools on your list, if you can. A visit is the best way to determine whether a school is right for your child. Even a short visit will help you identify a school’s strengths and challenges. It’s also the only way to get a feel for a school’s climate — intangible but important factors like the dynamism of the teaching, engagement of the students, quality of communication, level of respect between students, teachers, administrators, and parents, and the overall sense that the school offers a safe and inspiring learning environment .

School visit checklists

Use this printable guide to help you plan your elementary, middle, or high school visit.

Before your visit

• Do your homework. Read about the schools you’ll be visiting. Examine their school profiles on GreatSchools.org. Talk to other parents and check your local newspaper for articles about the schools.
• Contact the school.  Most schools conduct regular school tours and open houses during the enrollment season — typically in the fall. Call the school or go online to schedule a visit.
• Ask and observe. Jot down your questions before your visit (the sample questions below will help you create your list).

Key questions to ask

• Does this school have a particular educational philosophy or mission?
• What curriculum does the school use for math, reading, science, etc? Ask if the school follows the Common Core State Standards , Next Generation Science Standards , and which program(s) are they using to teach children to read ?
• What is the average class size ?
• What is this school’s approach to student discipline and safety? Do they practice restorative justice ? Are the discipline practices fair for families of color ? Do they practice corporal punishment , and if so, can you opt out of that for your child?
• How much homework do students have? What is the school’s philosophy/approach to homework ?
• What kind of library resources are available to students?
• How is technology used to support teaching and learning at this school?
• How do the arts fit into the curriculum? Is there a school choir, band or orchestra? A drama program? Art classes?
• What extracurricular opportunities (sports, clubs, community service, competitions) are available for students?
• How do students get to school? Is free school busing available?
• Is bullying a problem at the school? Does the school have an anti-bullying policy ?
• Does the school have a program for gifted students ?
• How does this school support students who have academic, social or emotional difficulties?
• What strategies are used to teach students who are not fluent in English?
• What professional development opportunities do teachers have ? In what ways do teachers collaborate?
• Does the school offer Physical Education (PE) classes?
• What are some of the school’s greatest accomplishments? What are some of the biggest challenges this school faces?

Features to look for

• Do classrooms look cheerful? Is student work displayed, and does it seem appropriate for the grade level?
• Do teachers seem enthusiastic and knowledgeable, asking questions that stimulate students and keep them engaged?
• Does the principal seem confident and interested in interacting with students, teachers and parents?
• How do students behave as they move from class to class or play outside?
• Is there an active Parent Teacher Association (PTA) ? What other types of parent involvement take place at this school?
• How well are the facilities maintained? Are bathrooms clean and well supplied, and do the grounds look safe and inviting?

Especially for elementary schools

• What are some highlights of this school’s curriculum in reading , math, science and social studies?
• What criteria are used to determine student placement in classes?
• How does this school keep parents informed of school information and activities? Are they easy to communicate with ?
• Does the school let parents know what their rights are (and aren’t ) in regards to your child’s education?
• Is quality child care available before and after school?
• How much outdoor time do kids get each day?

 Especially for middle schools

• How does the school guide and prepare students for major academic decisions that will define their options in high school and beyond? Do they provide advice to parents on how to help this age group ?
• Does the school offer tutoring or other support if students need extra help?
• Are world language classes (French, Spanish, etc.) offered to students?
• If the school is large, does it make an effort to provide activities that create a sense of community ?

Especially for high schools

• Does this school have a particular curriculum focus, such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) or the arts?
• What kind of emphasis does the school place on college preparation ?
• Does the school have a good selection of Advanced Placement (AP) and honors classes?
• What percentage of students take the SAT or/and ACT ?
• Where do students go after they graduate? How many attend four-year college? Are graduates prepared for college ?
• Are counselors available to help students make important decisions about classes?
• Is college counseling and support available?
• Does the school offer a variety of career planning options for students who are not college bound?
• Does the school staff set high expectations for all students?
• Does the school have a tutoring program so students can get extra help if they need it?
• How do students get to school? Is there a parking lot, and are buses (public or district-provided) available?
• Does this school have any school-to-work programs or specialized academies ?
• What is the school drop-out rate ?

Especially for charter schools

• When and why was this school created ?
• Does the school have a specific focus?
• Who is the charter holder, or the group that created the school?
• How does the school select teachers? Are the teachers certificated?
• Is this the permanent location or facility for the school? If not, will the school be moving to another location in the near future?

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Everything You Need to Know About School Tours

Before enrolling your child in a new school, it’s important to do your research. Looking up information about schools near you is a good place to start, but when it comes to getting a full picture of what a school is like, nothing beats an in-person visit. 

At BASIS Charter Schools, we proudly offer tours to prospective families. During these tours, we deliver all the information that families need to make an informed decision for their child.

Signing up for a tour is easy! Simply visit our Events page, select the tour you’re interested in, and RSVP via Eventbrite.

Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for a tour at a BASIS Charter School campus.

Benefits of going on a school tour

Going on a school tour is a great way to learn about potential schools for your child. Some of the main reasons to tour a school include:

• Seeing classrooms in action: School tours often give you a chance to observe a classroom, allowing you to see what your child’s day-to-day learning environment will look like.
• Having the opportunity to ask questions: Asking questions can be incredibly valuable as you consider different schools for your child. A school tour is the perfect time to ask your questions and get immediate answers!
• Meeting teachers and staff: Before you send your child off to a new school, you want to make sure that they’ll be in good hands. Going on a school tour is a great way to meet school leadership, faculty, and staff.
• Getting familiar with the campus : During a school tour, a staff member will show you around different parts of the campus. This gives you a chance to assess the cleanliness and safety of the school. Plus, touring a school helps you and your child become familiar with the layout of the campus, which can ease some first-day-of-school stress .
• Learning about the school’s values: During a school tour, a staff member will speak to you about the history and mission of BASIS Charter Schools. Plus, you’ll learn about the individual school’s culture and community.

What to expect from your BASIS Charter School tour

On a school tour, you’ll learn about who we are, what makes our curriculum unique, and why we excel at teaching K–12 students.

Our tours are led by experienced school administrators who know our schools inside and out. After some introductions and an overview of what BASIS Charter Schools are, you’ll set off on your walk-through tour of the campus.

During the tour, you can expect a brief look inside some of the classrooms. You’ll also be shown areas such as the multi-purpose room, playground, and art room. Along the way, your tour guide will provide detailed information about the BASIS Charter School Curriculum, school culture, extracurricular activities, and more. There is plenty of time to ask questions—both during the tour and at the end!

Our tours are approximately 45–60 minutes long. We ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your tour is scheduled to start so that you have plenty of time to check in at the front desk and get a visitor’s badge. For security purposes, we require all adult attendees to present photo identification when checking in.

How to prepare for your school tour

Excited about your upcoming school tour? We get it; we’re excited to see you, too! Here are a few things you can do to make sure you get the most out of the experience.

Research the school

First and foremost, we recommend doing a bit of research on the school you’ll be visiting. Here are a few pages on our website that will help you learn more about our high-performing schools:

• BASIS Charter School Curriculum

Of course, you’ll learn more about these topics during your school tour—but getting a head start doesn’t hurt!

Make a list of questions

Take some time to jot down any questions you may have about the school you’re touring. Whether it’s general questions about BASIS Charter Schools’ teaching philosophy or specific questions geared towards your child’s needs, a school tour is a great time to get answers!

Some example questions include:

• What is your average class size and student-to-teacher ratio?
• Do you offer any before- or after-school programs?
• What types of extracurricular activities are available?
• How are fine arts incorporated into your curriculum?
• What kind of student support do you provide?
• What is the enrollment process like?

Don’t forget to bring your list of questions with you on your tour. This will ensure you don’t forget anything you were meaning to ask!

Get ready to take notes

There’s a lot to take in during a school tour! Whether you prefer to use your phone or a notepad and pen, be sure to bring something with you that you can use for notetaking. During the tour, write down any key details, as well as your general impression of the school.

Involve your child in the tour process

If possible, we recommend bringing your child along for your school tour. This is a great way for your child to become familiar with the campus and meet teachers and staff. Your child’s impression of the school may also play a large role in your decision-making process.

Mark your calendar

Set a reminder for your tour date and make sure you have a plan for getting to the school on time. Aim to arrive 15 minutes before the tour’s scheduled start time, so you have time to check in.

Take the next step—sign up for a school tour!

What are you waiting for? If you haven’t already, sign up for a school tour today by visiting our Events page and registering for a tour at your local BASIS Charter School campus. 

We hope to see you on a tour soon!

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First Class School Tours Taking Students to Orlando

Elevate the Educational Experience with First Class School Tours to Orlando

Exploring Orlando Through the Lens of Learning with First Class School Tours

Orlando, Florida, is a destination that sparkles with the magic of imagination and the promise of educational enrichment. First Class School Tours is excited to extend an invitation to educators and students alike to join us on an unparalleled educational journey to this vibrant city. With a special focus on the cultural and historical aspects that resonate with African American heritage, our tours are curated to offer more than just sightseeing — they are a deep dive into a living, learning experience.

Why Orlando is a Top Educational Destination

Orlando, known worldwide for its theme parks and entertainment, also offers a treasure trove of learning opportunities. From the hallowed halls of the Kennedy Space Center to the creative corners of Disney Springs, students can explore a broad spectrum of disciplines. Environmental science comes alive at SeaWorld, while engineering and technology take center stage at Universal Orlando Resort. Each of these experiences aligns with First Class School Tours’ commitment to delivering safe, culturally relevant, and high-quality educational travel.

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Understanding the importance of representation and relevance, First Class School Tours crafts itineraries that speak to the hearts and minds of African American students. We seek out experiences that highlight achievements and contributions of African Americans in science, the arts, and innovation, ensuring that every stop on the tour is both an adventure and a moment of reflection.

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Safety and comfort are the foundations of our travel philosophy. Students and educators can expect first-class accommodations that provide a restful haven after a day full of discovery. Meals aren’t just a pit stop; they’re part of the experience — including a dinner at the world-renowned Planet Hollywood, where the glamour of the movies sets the stage for culinary delights.

A Learning Experience Beyond the Classroom

Each element of our Orlando tour is designed to support the curriculum and foster personal growth. We bring textbooks to life, turning theories into tangible experiences. These real-world applications solidify classroom learning in a way that a traditional educational environment often can’t match.

Join Us on This Unforgettable Journey

First Class School Tours invites you to be a part of this extraordinary Orlando adventure. Connect with us to learn how we can tailor this experience for your school and help craft memories and lessons that will last a lifetime. This isn’t just a trip; it’s a step into a world of imagination, learning, and personal development.

Embark on a journey where education, culture, and fun intersect. Contact First Class School Tours today and reserve your place for an Orlando experience that promises to be as enriching as it is exhilarating. Let’s inspire our students to learn and grow, one incredible destination at a time.

Keywords : First Class School Tours, educational journey, Orlando educational trips, African American heritage, educational travel, student tours to Orlando, experiential learning, cultural relevance, educational enrichment. Meta Description: Join First Class School Tours on an enriching educational journey to Orlando, designed with African American students in mind. Explore theme parks, cultural landmarks, and more while fostering personal growth and curriculum enhancement. Book your transformative educational experience today!

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Best Back to School Ideas 🍏

2nd Grade Classroom Tour!

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School has officially started! Last week was our first official week with students. I’m so excited to be back in second grade! I love the beginning of a new school year. Don’t you? 😉 Although my room is not “officially” done, I thought I’d give you a quick classroom tour of my new second grade digs!

Then, I added a bird with the student’s name on the cork strip below. This is where we’ll display all the projects we’re ready to show off to the school!

You can check out the letters I used here and the birds here .

Ok… That’s the outside, let’s see the inside!

Here’s the front of my classroom…

Yeah, I don’t know why half my board is a whiteboard and the other half is chalk. Strange… But, I knew I wanted my classroom to bright and welcoming.

Those neon number cards are from Amy Lemons! You can check those out here .

I made a new alphabet for above my chalkboard to match the teal and lime green theme. I wanted everything to be clean and modern looking.

You can check out this alphabet here .

Below that, I put up a 1-60 number line.

A number line in second grade is a must! Skip counting, adding, subtracting, all strategies that work better with a visual. This number line matches the simple/modern teal and green theme of the letter cards and helps with odd and even numbers as well. You can grab this number line here !

Flanking the left side of my board, I have our “objectives board”. I kept it super easy to update daily by using white paper tucked into plastic page protectors and stapling them right onto the bulletin board.

These fun accents are super easy to do! Check out this tutorial I found on Pinterest . 🙂

The other side of my chalkboard houses my calendar. Although the calendar days of  past are long gone from our second grade curriculum, I make point to reference our calendar everyday.

Of course, I had to accent the top with some more pom poms.

Behind my currently very messy desk, I have my word wall board.

As the year goes on, we’ll fill this board up with LOTS of new sight words, vocabulary words, and NEED to know words.

Further down the same wall, we have our “Tweet Success” Reading Counts Board.

Some schools do AR, we use the Reading Counts program. I wanted my kiddos to be super excited to track their points, so I printed out these large numbers and hung them using twine and clothes pins.

As students earn their points, they can sign their name on the corresponding points. Simple and easy way to keep kiddos excited about their reading! You can grab the numbers here for FREE!

One of my favorite bulletin boards this year is my #SecondGrade board.

Kids LOVE seeing pictures of themselves and I thought creating our own classroom Insta-board would help create a sense of ownership in our classroom.

Right below that, I have a nice little storage system to house all my math manipulative. You can grab the simple and editable labels I used for FREE here !

I’ve found copy box tops make excellent shelf organizers for small supplies like pencils and markers. I even put them into my large cabinet to help house markers, crayons, and glue. They easily slide out so I can get to the back of the shelf without having to reach too far.

They may not be pretty but they are so helpful!

The left side of my classroom is still a work in progress, but I had to put up our classroom noise reference posters (best part? These are a total FREEBIE from the ever talented Reagan Tunstall !)

Check…

Plastic 3 drawer system to house our daily lesson supplies, complete with teacher junk already littering the top?

Check and check!

Tucked away in the back of our classroom is our Clip Chart and Classroom Expectations.

(You can check out these signs here )

At mid year last year, I HAD to give up my clip chart. My thirds were just having a hard time with this system. You can read more about that journey here . Don’t get me wrong, my thirds LOVED Class Dojo, I just struggled with consistency using that program. I felt like I was always having to change and adjust rules and rewards.

This year I made the choice to bring back the clip chart. I had used it for 6 years in 2nd grade with a high success rate. I like consistency when it comes to classroom management and this positive clip system was very cut and dry, no gray area. You can read more about this classroom management system here .

And that’s a peek at my new second-grade classroom!

Now excuse me while I go to B.E.D. the second week of school is just as exhausting as the first!

Are you new to second grade?  Or maybe a life-long veteran? Join our community of second-grade teachers by clicking the pic below!

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• Categories: 2nd Grade , Classroom , classroom decor , FREEBIES , organization

Hi, I'm Leigh.

The Applicious Teacher is all about creating hands-on and engaging lessons that align with the standards while still having time for your life. This is your place for ideas, tips, and resources for the REAL teacher!

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Dublin 7 Educate Together National School

Scoil náisiúnta oideachas le chéile baile átha cliath 7, 2nd class school tour 2023.

Both 2nd Classes visited Newgrange Farm in Slane Co. Meath. Weather was perfect and setting was scenic. Pics tell the story.

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School Tours

Greenan Maze We have been hosting school tours for over 20 years and have very experienced and friendly tour guides. A school tour at Greenan Maze includes an educational, active and full day outing which includes elements of heritage and local history, nature and environmental activities, and age specific tours. We believe in giving a high quality tour and therefore only host two groups per day. Tours can last from 2 ½ to 4 hours depending on your requirements.  

Attractions

• Celtic Maze: large hedge maze, very exciting, kids love it!
• Museums: guided tours of 3 fascinating museums; Old farm life, Traditional farmhouse and unusual Bottle museum.
• Wild Nature Walk and Dragonfly Ponds: tranquil nature reserve with raised walkway, ponds, woodlands and wildlife.
• Bio-diversity and Pond Life analysis for Green Schools (subject to availability)
• Farm Animals: pigs, horses, donkeys, lambs, chicks and more.
• Field Games: welly boot throwing, wheelbarrow relays, sack racing and sheep bowling!

We also provide undercover lunch tables and free tea/coffee for teachers. We are delighted to cater to your schools specific needs and you can mix and match the activities to your special requirements.

For more information or to make a group booking contact 086-8845624 or email: [email protected]

Led by a team of top trampolining athletes, Jump Zone specialises in school tours for kids 5+ years of age looking for a fun and new way of keeping active. Groups can enjoy individual open jumping on the 10,000sq.ft. main trampoline court, practicing new skills in the newly opened foam pits in Sandyford and Santry or high energy trampoline Dodgeball games. The courts are carefully designed to create a healthy and enjoyable experience for all jumpers.   When you book, party hosts will be allocated who will run mini Dodgeball competitions, interactive games, foam pit access, trampoline basketball and for the gymnasts a Tumble Track has just been installed in the Sandyford facility.  On arrival, the dedicated staff will lead the group down to the induction area where a safety video is shown and the rules are given. Extreme fun is so important but so is the safety of the guests. At Jump Zone, they do all they can to ensure that your group will have maximum fun with maximum safety! With court supervisors on the courts at all times, heavy duty spring loaded frames covered by 2+ inch think safety pads, Jump Zone combines fun and safety in all areas to create a fun experience like no other. For more information see www.jumpzone.ie or phone Sandyford 01 2939356  - Santry 01 8623366

A typical visit takes 2 hours and is packed with engaging, fun activities. New additions for 2016 include exclusive footage of top players revealing how they Get in the Zone before a big game and September Sundays - a celebration of All-Ireland Final Day, filmed in September 2015. Choose from a behind-the-scenes guided tour of Croke Park Stadium or enjoy amazing views of Dublin city and beyond from 44 metres above the famous pitch on the Etihad Skyline. •  Admission to GAA Museum included with all tours, Free onsite coach parkingIndoor and outdoor picnic areas available Fully wheelchair accessible Book today! Telephone Gemma (01) 819 2374 or email [email protected] Find out more at crokepark.ie/schools

There are a wide range of learning facilities at Dublinia for all primary and secondary schools. The authentically costumed guided tours are age and ability specific to ensure classes get an individually tailored educational experience based on teachers’ learning goals whilst also paying particular attention to areas relevant to the curriculum. With many resources for teachers including Learning Packs, students can learn in a multisensory and unique way.  This encourages all students to engage with the exhibitions in Dublinia and also gain both analytical and social skills. NEW FOR 2016! In conjunction with Dublin City Council, Dublinia are introducing an exciting new element to their Education Programme.  Dublin’s Viking and Medieval history will be brought to life in schools and classrooms through online learning on an audio-visual interactive website.  This will include animated videos, an interactive animated map of Dublin and multiple choice quizzes.  This ground-breaking learning experience will be an invaluable resource for the teaching of history in Ireland.  This new online learning platform will be accessible from Dublinia’s website. St Michael’s Hill, Christ Church, Dublin 8, Ireland. Email  at: [email protected] For more see www.dublinia.ie or call (01) 679 4611

The Time Vaults of Irish History and Science & Discovery Zones are elements of the attraction that would certainly meet with various course curriculums. Also, as it is the centenary of the 1916 rising the Time Vaults are a must see for any school group. This exhibit features the scene at the GPO during the rebellion with the signatories of the proclamation immortalized in wax. The museum’s tribute to Irish Heroes of Science & Invention in the Discovery Zone is very popular among school groups. Primary school groups are €7.50 per pupil. Teachers going pre-tour pass for teachers in advance of making a booking as a planning and resource tool. You can book your tour today by e-mailing [email protected] or  Call 01-6718373. See www.waxmuseumplus.ie for more information.

WATERFORD TREASURES – EPIC TOUR OF THE VIKING TRIANGLE The award-winning all weather guided tour of the oldest part of Ireland’s oldest city, the Epic Tour of the Viking Triangle is an interactive fun guided tour of the Viking Triangle, taking in six national monuments within one hour. The larger-than-life guide speeds you through the streets and through 1100 years of Waterford's history from the Vikings to Victorians. Discover archaeological treasures and historical architecture including Reginald’s Tower, Greyfriars Medieval Franciscan friary, Chorister’s Hall, the Mayor’s Wine Vault, Bishops Palace, and (if a church service is not in progress) Christ Church Cathedral is also included. It’s a fun, engaging tour with many props to engage and entertain children and numerous photo opportunities along the way. Avoid the rain - most of the time you are indoors being regaled by the professionally trained tour guide! Where else would you experience an overview of Irish history in an hour? Booking enquiries 0761 10 2501 or email: [email protected] 

A School Tour with a Difference Malahide Castle and Gardens Tour and Cycle The Irish Centre for Cycling and Malahide Castle and Gardens have a fabulous, fun and educational one day excursion to this beautiful Co. Dublin venue. Their packaged tour, aimed at ages 8 plus takes in the historic castle together with a supervised cycle of the wonderful gardens, making this a school tour that is easily organised and will certainly be remembered. Included in the package is an extended supervised cycle of the grounds, entry to the beautiful walled gardens, the interactive interpretive/exhibition area and a tour of the eight hundred year old castle. Fun and educational worksheets will be handed out to take back to the classroom and relive the experience. Call Irish Centre for Cycling on 01-8168580 or email [email protected]. The price is great value at only €15 per child. There are only a certain amount of spaces available, so book early to get the date you require.

The Great Outdoors Zipit Forest Adventures Climb high into the treetops, swing into cargo nets and whizz down 650 metres of ziplines.  With over 90 challenges Zipit Forest Adventures in Tibradden Wood, Dublin 16 offers 4 or more hours of fun for school tours. It’s a great opportunity for children to enjoy an exhilarating and challenging outdoor activity in a natural setting, building confidence, teamwork and self-esteem.  Cost is €15 per child and supervising teachers go free. For 3rd class upwards, there are three circuits for different heights, ages and abilities.   For the all important sixth class tour, there is the additional blue circuit for age 12+ which is 10-13 metres above the ground with a 135 metre zipline. Children are fitted with a harness by a trained Instructor and given a safety briefing before moving on up in the trees at their own pace, repeating a circuit if they are not comfortable progressing to higher circuits.  Zipit operates to the highest EU safety standards. Instructors hold the European Ropes Course Association qualification and are first aid trained.   Contact 051 858008 [email protected] or follow on Facebook/zipitfa or Twitter @zipitfa

Kids create their own adventures as they discover huge towers, 40 foot slides, sky-high walkways, zip lines, a maze, army style assault course, ground level trampolines & go-kart tracks. Not forgetting the Grazy Golf and the 3 famous WATERSLIDES! A great day out for all the family during the Easter Holidays - Bring a picnic or  Fort Lucan has a cafe, selling hot food, sandwiches, tea, coffee etc. and ice cream and sweet shop. Child Price €9.50 Teachers go Free. Each child that visits Fort Lucan on a school tour in 2016 gets a FREE Golden Ticket for  Free return to Fort Lucan For full details and pricing visit www.fortlucan.com or call 01 6280166

The Interactive SESE Discovery trail with discover primary science activities is a 4 in 1 School Outing for classes 3rd to 6th and includes visits to the Horse Museum, National Stud, Japanese Gardens & St. Fiachra’s Garden. There is also a Discover Primary Science & Maths Trail or a regular school tour which includes a tour of the stud, the new born foals (seasonal) & falabellas and St Fiachra’s Garden. Bookings at [email protected] or 045 521617. Facilities include Children’s playground, Picnic area, Free Car/Coach Park & restaurant. Tel: 045 521617 www.irishnationalstud.ie  

DO YOU WANT A SCHOOL TOUR WITH A DIFFERENCE ChildVision ChildVision is the only educational facility in Ireland for blind and partially sighted children. Their campus extends over 21 acres and hosts a wonderful oasis in the middle of the city. They organise school tours to educate sighted children about the challenges facing their blind peers on a daily basis and how these children learn to access education. The tour consists of a braille and tactile book workshop, fun blindfold and sighted guide games, a visit to their petting zoo and their 14 horses. The children can eat lunch indoors  or outdoors. Teachers receive complimentary pizzas from their outdoor stone pizza oven. Bring your class on an educational and fun trip this year. €10 per Child. All proceeds go to ChildVision. w: www.childvision.ie e: [email protected] Grace Park Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 ( 01 8373635 )

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Coolick N.S. & Preschool

Killarney, Co. Kerry

First & Second Class School Tour.

First & Second class kicked off the school tour season with a super trip to Crag Caves and Glanageenty Woods! Great fun was had by all!

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School Tour Recommendations from Teachers

I recently asked teachers who follow me on Instagram for ideas for school tours around Ireland. I’m putting their answers below, hopefully you’ll find a suitable tour for your class. I will just include links to the relevant websites rather than prices etc. as these can change each year.

Junior and Senior Infants

Airfield Estate (Dublin)

Explorium (Dublin) 

Imaginosity (Dublin) – not currently open due to Covid

Newbridge Farm (Dublin)

Ardmore Open Farm (Waterford)

Leahy’s Open Farm (Cork)

Rumleys Farm (Cork)

Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm and Playground (Mullingar)

Festina Lente (Wicklow)

Glenroe Farm (Wicklow)

Woodfield House (Wexford)

Blackwater Open Farm (Wexford)

Wells House (Wexford)

Mellowes Adventure (Meath)

Newgrange Farm (Meath)

Parsons Green (Tipperary)

Lullymore (Kildare)

Clonfert Farm (Kildare)

1st and 2nd class

Crystal Maze (Meath)

Causey Farm (Meath)

Avon Rí (Wicklow)

Belmont Demesne (Wicklow)

Clara Lara (Wicklow)

Fort Lucan (Dublin)

Jump Zone (Dublin)

Dublin Zoo (Dublin) 

Pine Forest (Dublin)

Crag Cave (Kerry)

Let’s Go (nationwide)

3rd and 4th class

Dublin Zoo (Dublin)

National Sports Campus/Aquatic Centre (Dublin)

Dublin Castle

Dublinia (Dublin)

Dunmore East Adventure Centre (Waterford)

Fota Wildlife (Cork)

West Cork Secret (Cork)

Redhills Adventure (Kildare)

Castlecomber Discover Park (Kilkenny)

Croke Park (Dublin)

National Heritage Park (Wexford)

Leisure Max (Wexford)

Lough Key Forest Park (Roscommon)

Funtasia (Meath)

Celtic Adventures (Louth)

5th and 6th class

Alive Outside (Wicklow)

Tayto Park (Meath)

Shielbaggan (Wexford)

Star Outdoors (Kerry)

Zip It (Dublin/Cork/Roscommon)

Bay Sports (Athlone)

Delphi (Galway)

Lough Key (Roscommon)

Red Hills Adventure (Kildare)

Ballyhass Lakes (Cork)

Carlingford Adventure Centre (Louth)

Lilliput Adventure Centre (Westmeath)

Special classes

Soft play centres

Bounce and beyond

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On Thursday 19th May, Second Class went on a school trip to Squirrel Scramble in Wicklow. It took us 25 minutes to get there on the bus, and it was our first ever school trip on a bus so we were very excited! We each got to choose a partner for the bus and sang lots of songs on the way. When we arrived there, we got a helmet and a harness. We went ziplining in the trees and completed four different levels, with each level getting harder. After that, we were divided into three groups and we all did different activities. We did archery and team games. We had a fantastic day! 

Tadhg and Annabelle, 2nd Class

Email: [email protected] | Tel: 074 912 4498

E: [email protected] T: 074 912 4498

2nd Class School Tour 2023

Jun 21, 2023

The children in 2nd Class had a great day recently on their school tour.

They started out their tour by getting on the bus and making their way to Rathmullan. There was great excitement when they landed as there were horses on the beach- however some disappointment when they realised they couldn’t pet or ride them. They had a ball on the beach- chilling on their picnic blankets, playing with their friends, playing football, digging holes, making sand sculptures, visiting the playground and the most popular activity going up and down to the water to collect water in their buckets. The weather made the day too.

On the way home they stopped off in Whoriskeys in Ramelton for a lovely ice- cream.

There is not a doubt that the boys and girls in 2nd Class slept soundly that night!!

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Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

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Home » Prices and Trans-Siberian Tickets » Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

Ticket prices for the Trans-Siberian Railway also depend on the current ruble exchange rate.

Is the Trans-Siberian Railway expensive?

Before starting on your Trans-Siberian Railway adventure you naturally want to know what the entire trip will cost. Although this sounds like a simple question, it is pretty difficult to answer. The Trans-Siberian Railway price of travel depends on the following factors:

• Which travel class do I want to use? The price for a first class ticket is about three times the price of a 3rd class ticket
• Am I willing to buy the tickets myself and assume responsibility for the organisation of the trip?
• How many stopovers do I want to make? The more breaks, the higher the total price.
• What sort of accommodation do I want? Will it be a luxury hotel or will a hostel dormitory be sufficient?
• What tours and excursions would I like to go on?
• What is the current exchange rate for rubles?

Basically, everything from a luxury to a budget holiday is available. If you buy yourself a 3rd Class nonstop ticket at the counter, a few hundred Euros will cover the price. All you will experience is a week on the Trans-Siberian train and will see nothing of the cities on the way. There is, however, any amount of room for upward expansion. Everyone makes different choices about which aspects they are willing to spend money on. I personally prefer to save money on accommodation and railcar class, visit as many cities and do as many trips as possible. To enable better classification of your travel expenses I have contrasted two typical traveler types. In the third column you can calculate the total cost of your own journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimations and not exact prices.

The all-in costs seem fairly high at first. However, they cover everything and it is quite a long journey taking four weeks. Many people forget to consider that when looking at the list. We should also deduct the running costs for food and leisure at home. I think most visitors to this page will classify themselves somewhere between the two categories, that is around the € 2,000 – € 2,500 range. When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.

If you spend less time on the Trans-Siberian Railway you will, of course, pay less. I chose this particular travel length because I prefer not to do things by halves. If you fulfill your dream of travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, enjoy it and don’t rush things. But it’s up to you, of course. Try playing around with the form a bit to find the appropriate price for your trip.

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Travel to Russia from Russian tour-operator

Train Tickets Moscow – St. Petersburg

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

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If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

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Why this piece of conventional Masters wisdom could bite the dust

First-timers almost never win at augusta, but this is an absurdly strong rookie class.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. – It was just after 2 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon when Wyndham Clark got to the par-4 18th hole, playing alongside only his caddie, John Ellis. Clark teed his ball and produced his usual heavy hit, the tee shot leaking right and glancing off a tree but winding up in the fairway.

“One more,” he said, and Ellis flipped him a ball.

Clark walked to the right side of the tee. “And if there’s no wind, we’re (teeing it up) over here?”

Ellis said yes.

“I’ll practice a no-wind one,” Clark said. “Hit it right down Broadway.”

He split the fairway.

No Masters first-timer has won since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. Before that, a newbie hadn’t won since Gene Sarazen in 1935, the second Masters. But if there were ever a year to buck that trend, this is the year. Masters fields always have PGA TOUR and DP World Tour winners, Ryder Cup stars, the reigning U.S. Open champion, and multiple top-10 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, but this year’s 20-man rookie class boasts those accomplishments all by itself.

Clark, world No. 4 and the first reigning U.S. Open champion to make his Masters debut since Orville Moody in 1970, wasn’t the only one getting in late reps while the hit-and-giggle Par 3 Contest played out nearby. Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele were just ahead of him, and Rory McIlroy was playing the front nine.

But the late grind by Clark, arguably the hottest player over the last 11 months, non-Scheffler division, spoke volumes. Clark is here to win, and it’s not crazy to think he could do it.

“Stats like that are meant to be broken,” he said of the rookies’ drought. “So, I know it's a tall task. It's a challenging golf course. … And I like my chances. I really like myself on this golf course. I feel good on a lot of tee shots and approaches, and there's so much creativity.”

Masters veterans will tell you about the importance of course knowledge and understanding where to miss. No doubt those things are important, but it’s something of a fluke that it’s been so long since a first-time player slipped on the green jacket. Consider the rookies’ close calls:

• Dan Pohl lost a playoff to Craig Stadler in 1982.
• Jason Day tied for second in 2011.
• Jordan Spieth and Jonas Blixt each tied for second in 2014.
• Sungjae Im tied for second in 2020; his 15-under total would have won most Masters.
• Will Zalatoris finished solo second, a shot behind Hideki Matsuyama, in 2021.

The best showing by a first-timer last year was by Sahith Theegala, who finished ninth. Then-amateur Sam Bennett (T16) contended for the first two rounds. Abraham Ancer was the last rookie to take or share the first-round lead in 2020, and Spieth was the last one to share the 54-hole lead in 2014. (He would win a year later.)

This year’s gathering of rookies, though, might be the strongest ever.

Ludvig Åberg was in college a year ago, but since then he’s won on the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR and starred for Europe in the Ryder Cup in Rome. He’s ranked ninth in the world.

“I guess all I'm trying to do is just embrace all the nerves and all the excitement that I feel,” Åberg said, “and at the same time know my capabilities and know my qualities and know that that's probably going to be good enough to compete.”

Nicolai Højgaard, 23, won the DP World Tour Championship at the end of last year. It was his third victory on that circuit. He’s 38th in the world and also played in the Ryder Cup last fall.

Akshay Bhatia (Valero Texas Open) and Stephan Jaeger (Texas Children’s Houston Open) each won in his most recent start. Grayson Murray (Sony Open in Hawaii), Nick Dunlap (The American Express), Jake Knapp (Mexico Open at Vidanta) and Matthieu Pavon (Farmers Insurance Open) also notched surprising wins this year.

There’s something to be said for an absence of scar tissue. Collin Morikawa won the 2020 PGA Championship and 2021 Open Championship in his first look at both tournaments. That just hasn’t happened at the Masters, at least not for a while. Over the last 20 Masters, the winner was playing in the tournament for, on average, the ninth time. This has given rise to the flawed perception that the ball knows how many times you’ve played the tournament.

The best argument for a first-timer remains Clark, who had done nothing of note in THE PLAYERS Championship but came agonizingly close to forcing a playoff with Scottie Scheffler, his birdie putt at the last lipping out violently. It was a hiccup of physics. A glitch in the matrix. It was also Clark’s second runner-up finish in as many starts after also finishing second to Scheffler at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard.

Clark’s 2024 season has also included a victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he shot a course-record 60. He made two advance scouting trips to Augusta National, playing a total of 72 holes. He wanted to get the awe factor out of the way so that he could focus on his golf.

“I know I'm going to have the first tee jitters when I step up on one and put the ball on the peg and have to hit it,” he said. “But I'm really hoping that, when we get to Hole 2 or 3 or 4, I'm pretty relaxed and I just get about my business and do my job. … I mean, it’s golf. It’s putting a golf ball in the hole as fast as possible.”

And if that means slipping into a green jacket as fast as possible, so much the better.

Cameron Morfit is a Staff Writer for the PGA TOUR. He has covered rodeo, arm-wrestling, and snowmobile hill climb in addition to a lot of golf. Follow Cameron Morfit on Twitter .

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First downingtown area school district students to earn associate’s degrees with high school diploma.

DOWNINGTOWN — Downingtown Area School District (DASD) is proud to announce that two members of the class of 2024, David Densmore from Downingtown High School West and Rodger Grant from Downingtown High School East, will be the first-ever to graduate with an associate’s degree in liberal arts alongside their high school diplomas.

DASD’s Associate’s Degree in the High School dual-enrollment program offers students the opportunity to complete their high school graduation requirements while simultaneously pursuing an associate’s degree in either liberal arts or engineering. Through morning classes at Delaware County Community College’s Downingtown Campus and full participation in high school life, students benefit from a comprehensive educational experience. While the program is structured to be completed in three years, David and Rodger accelerated their studies and successfully earned their Liberal Arts degrees in just two years.

“The Associate’s Degree in the High School partnership between DASD and DCCC stands out as an exciting dual-enrollment option for our students,” remarked Curriculum Supervisor Dr. Troy Podell. “In an era of escalating college costs and diminishing returns, initiatives like this one aim to tilt the scales in students’ favor, offering valuable academic opportunities. It’s awesome that a student can walk away from DASD at the end of their 12th-grade year with a college degree in hand.”

In addition to the Associate’s Degree in the High School program, DASD offers students dual-enrollment opportunities with Immaculata University, the University of Pittsburgh, and West Chester University, as well as an exclusive collaboration with Temple University for a Sports Business Academy. These partnerships offer students the chance to earn college credits for advanced courses, further enhancing their academic journey and future prospects.

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Westlake girls soccer team's 'revenge tour' has it back at UIL state tournament

A change in tactics, an easy source of motivation and being doubted by online prognosticators is a combination that has landed the Westlake girls soccer team back in the UIL state tournament.

Oh, and having good players doesn’t hurt, either.

Westlake (16-4-2) will face Rockwall (21-3-2) Friday morning in a Class 6A state semifinal at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown. The Chaparrals are making their second trip to state in three years.

While it’s a bit strange to say the Chaps were an afterthought coming into this season with as much success as the program has had and the amount of talent it perennially produces, that was the case after they missed the playoffs out of a loaded District 26-6A a year ago.

More: Six Austin-area high school soccer teams hope this week ends with a state championship

With head coach Darci Carruthers dubbing this season the “revenge tour,” the Chaps spent the first month jelling, then clicked in early February. They lost just once in their final 10 regular-season games before going through a gantlet of playoff opponents to get to state.

“After last year, we kind of had the mentality of having to prove our school and prove success,” senior winger Margaret Barton said. “It’s something that motivated us. We don’t like to lose, and we don’t want to seem weak, so we want to keep showing that we’re Westlake and that football is not our only sport.”

Making a big change paid big dividends

Though motivation might have been easy for the Chaps, a change in strategy also provided a spark on the field. With Westlake deep in attacking personnel, Carruthers decided the team should play with five midfielders instead of four to give the Chaps a focus on possession and more options on offense.

More: Hendrickson girls fall to Colleyville Heritage in Class 5A state semifinals

It’s something that’s paid off with Westlake generally being able to dictate play, but it’s also an individual emphasis of playing a pressing defense everywhere on the field that has created offense from defense.

“We like to have the ball, so everyone is really aggressive and tries to win the ball back when we don’t have it,” junior forward Carter Utkov said. “No one passes off responsibility to other people behind them, and each person takes it upon themselves to try and get the ball back.”

More: 30 Austin-area soccer players having breakout seasons

Part of that tenacity defensively comes from the fact that the Chaps all appreciate one another as players and people, which feeds into having strong chemistry on the field.

“It means a lot that the whole team just clicks, and we all want to work hard and work for each other,” junior midfielder AJ Carlson said. “Everybody has each other’s backs.”

Westlake has been here before

Carlson and Kate Grannis were key figures on the state tournament team two years ago, with several other players being varsity reserves or on the playoff roster for the team’s run. It has also driven the upperclassmen to return to Georgetown.

“It’s been helpful in feeding that energy of wanting to go back after experiencing that amazing environment,” Grannis said.

Carruthers has also played off the fact that soccer websites and social media accounts have consistently picked against the Chaps for the past two months. She said Westlake is once again an underdog going into the state tournament, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Keep picking against us,” she said. “We weren’t supposed to win four of our five playoff games, according to most people, and now we’re at state. So keep doubting us.”

UIL state soccer tournament

Through Saturday, Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex. Tickets: $35 all-tournament, $15 single game

Wednesday: Class 4A girls semifinals — Celina 3, Lumberton 1; Boerne 2, Salado 1 (OT); Class 4A boys semifinals — Boerne 1, Kilgore 0; San Elizario 1, Navasota 0

Thursday: Class 5A girls semifinals — Colleyville Heritage 4, Hendrickson 1; Frisco Wakeland 0, Rouse 0 (4-2); Class 4A girls final — Celina vs. Boerne, late; Class 5A boys semifinals — Glenn vs. Frisco Wakeland, late; Midlothian vs. Baytown Goose Creek Memorial, late

Friday: Class 6A girls semifinals — Rockwall vs. Westlake, 9:30 a.m.; Prosper vs. Katy Seven Lakes, noon; Class 4A boys final — Boerne vs. San Elizario, 2:30 p.m.; Class 6A boys semifinals — Katy Seven Lakes vs. Duncanville, 5 p.m.; Vandegrift vs. Lewisville Flower Mound, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday's finals — Class 5A girls: Colleyville Heritage vs. Frisco Wakeland, 11 a.m.; Class 5A boys, 1:30 p.m.; Class 6A girls, 4 p.m.; Class 6A boys, 6:30 p.m.

Who is Tyrese Haliburton, Oshkosh native and star of the Pacers team that faces Bucks in first round?

Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been about denim overalls , the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual AirVenture , lakes and specialty truck manufacturing . And now, Tyrese Haliburton.

The Indiana Pacers star grew up just shy of 90 miles to the north of Milwaukee, where his team will meet the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the NBA playoffs April 21. He's only 24 years old and has a chance to be the best NBA player the state has ever produced, though this will be his first chance to play in the postseason.

Here's what to know about Haliburton and his ties to Wisconsin:

Where did Tyrese Haliburton go to high school?

Haliburton attended Oshkosh North, where he led the Spartans to the 2018 state championship. He scored 30 points in the final against Brookfield East, making all 18 of his free throws, as North finished the year 26-1 with a 61-44 triumph.

In one conference game against powerful Kaukauna that season, Haliburton scored 42 points. Kaukauna went on to win the Division 2 state title.

His running mate at North , Quincy Anderson, just finished his second year at Murray State after starting his college career at Minnesota State-Mankato. Anderson worked his way into a starting role this year and finished the season as the Racers' leading scorer at 12.6 points per game.

Tyrese Haliburton was in the same class as Miami Heat standout Tyler Herro

Haliburton was a senior the same year as Miami Heat star Tyler Herro, who played at Whitnall High School in Greenfield, spent one year at the University of Kentucky and then went pro.

Oddly enough,  neither was named Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball.  That honor went to Jordan McCabe of Kaukauna, who played college basketball at West Virginia and UNLV.

Where did Tyrese Haliburton go to college?

Haliburton was acknowledged as a Division I talent but was given only three stars by popular recruiting services and went largely under-recruited. He committed to Iowa State.

As a freshman in the 2018-19 season, he set the school's single-game assists record (17) and started nearly every game, but he really took off as a sophomore, where he became second-team All-Big 12 and rose to a level where he was able to forgo his final two years of eligibility and declare for the NBA Draft. In between his two seasons with the Cyclones, he played for the Team USA U19 World Cup team that won a gold medal. He led his team in assists in every game he played.

Haliburton, who left Iowa State in 2020, was not on the Cyclones team that defeated Wisconsin in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Milwaukee in 2022; that team featured another Wisconsinite that the Badgers didn't offer,  Tyrese Hunter of Racine St. Catherine's (now at Texas).

Why didn't Tyrese Haliburton attend the University of Wisconsin?

Iowa State proved to be a perfect fit for Haliburton, but Badgers fans feel like things could have gone differently had Herro not decommitted from Wisconsin late in the process and flipped to Kentucky. With a limited volume of available scholarships, Wisconsin had stopped pursuing Haliburton,  believing it had Herro and trying to woo another top state prospect  — Stevens Point's Joey Hauser, who wound up going to Marquette instead.

Haliburton chose Iowa State  over offers from Nebraska, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Northern Iowa and others.

Does Tyrese Haliburton have a chance to be the best Wisconsin high-school player in the NBA ever?

When Haliburton made the all-star game last year,  he became the first Wisconsinite to earn that distinction  since Wauwatosa East's Devin Harris in 2009. Caron Butler of Racine Park made the all-star game in 2007 and 2008, the last time a Wisconsinite has made multiple all-star games before Haliburton was again named to the team in 2024, and selected as a starter.

Only one Wisconsin player, Latrell Sprewell, has made more than two — he's made four. Sprewell was also the last player before Haliburton to start an all-star game from Wisconsin when he did so in 1995.

There's obviously a long way to go. Harris, for example, played 15 seasons, and it remains to be seen if Haliburton can match that level of longevity.

Where was Tyrese Haliburton drafted and why didn't he stay with the Sacramento Kings?

Haliburton was selected with the 12th overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, taken by the Sacramento Kings, where he spent his rookie season and most of his second season. He was named first-team All-Rookie in 2020-21.

But he was traded along with Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson to the Pacers in exchange for Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, Domantas Sabonis and some draft considerations in February 2022. Sabonis was an all-star for the Kings last year and made the all-NBA third team, so both teams seem to have gotten something out of the exchange.

This past summer, Haliburton  signed a five-year max contract worth up to $260 million  with the Pacers, kicking in during the 2024-25 season.

Tyrese Haliburton brought out a 'Dame Time' celebration earlier this year in a win over the Bucks

Haliburton was an all-star last year, but he may have had his true NBA breakout moment during the In-Season Tournament, when he led Indiana to the final of the inaugural event. That included a win over the Bucks in Las Vegas in the semifinals, when he playfully stole Damian Lillard's "Dame Time" celebration after a huge late shot.

Everyone seemed good-natured about the moment, but perhaps it fueled a little of what came next, when a dispute over handshakes (and, eventually, a disappearing game ball) became the chief story line of a game between the two teams a week later.

How tall is Tyrese Haliburton and what is his wingspan?

Haliburton stands 6-foot-5 and  had a wingspan of 6-foot-8  during the NBA Draft process.

What is Tyrese Haliburton's career high in scoring?

Haliburton scored 44 points on Nov. 30 of this year against Miami, though the Pacers lost the game. That eclipsed the 43 points he scored in a loss to Charlotte on Nov. 4 and also on Dec. 23, 2022. He finished the 2023-24 season with 44 double-doubles.

Who are Tyrese Haliburton's parents and girlfriend?

Haliburton's parents,  Brenda and John , are often spotted on the sidelines at Pacers games.

"First I want to thank God, but these two right here, they’re my rocks," Haliburton told ESPN while hugging his parents during the virtual NBA Draft of 2020. “I love these guys to death. I’m just glad I got to experience this with them.”

Haliburton met his girlfriend, Jade Jones,  when they were students at Iowa State.

An earlier version of this story published Dec. 8, 2023.

Watch CBS News

Former Virginia assistant principal charged with child neglect in case of student who shot teacher

By Lucia Suarez Sang

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 6:29 PM EDT / CBS News

The former assistant principal of a Virginia elementary school where a 6-year-old boy shot and wounded his first-grade teacher last year has been indicted on eight felony counts of child neglect.

A special grand jury found that Ebony Parker showed a "reckless disregard for the human life" of the other students at Richneck Elementary School on Jan. 6, 2023, in Newport News, Virginia, unsealed court documents show.

Each of the charges is punishable by up to five years in prison.

According to authorities, Parker, of Newport News, was working the day the 6-year-old fired a single shot at his teacher, Abigail Zwerner , during a reading class.

Zwerner has filed a $40 million lawsuit alleging that Parker, 39, ignored several warnings that the boy had a gun in school that day. Zwerner was shot in the chest and hand in the shooting but has recovered.

The boy told authorities he got his mother's 9mm handgun by climbing onto a drawer to reach the top of a dresser, where the firearm was in his mom's purse. He concealed the weapon in his backpack and then his pocket before shooting his teacher.

In the lawsuit, Zwerner's lawyers describe a series of warnings that school employees gave administrators in the hours before the shooting, beginning with Zwerner, who went to Parker's office and told her the boy "was in a violent mood," had threatened to beat up a kindergartener and stared down a security officer in the lunchroom, the Associated Press reported. The  lawsuit alleges  that Parker "had no response, refusing even to look up at (Zwerner) when she expressed her concerns."

The lawsuit also alleges that a reading specialist told Parker that the boy had told students he had a gun. Parker responded that his "pockets were too small to hold a handgun and did nothing," the lawsuit states, according to AP.

The indictments allege that Parker "did commit a willful act or omission in the care of such students, in a manner so gross, wanton and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life."

The special grand jury issued the indictments on March 11, and they were unsealed by court order Tuesday. A warrant was issued for Parker's arrest on Tuesday morning, but she's not yet in custody.

Parker, who resigned from her role after the shooting, is the first school official and second person charged in this case.

In December 2023, Deja Taylor, the child's mother, was sentenced to two years in prison for felony child neglect . The state sentence she received from Circuit Court Judge Christopher Papile was stiffer than what is called for in state sentencing guidelines and harsher than a joint sentencing recommendation of six months that prosecutors and Taylor's lawyers had agreed to in a plea deal.

Taylor was also sentenced in November 2023 to 21 months in federal prison for using marijuana while owning a gun, which is illegal under U.S. law. The combination of her state and federal sentences amounts to a total punishment of nearly four years behind bars.

According to Zwerner's lawsuit, the boy's parents did not agree to put him in special education classes where he would be with other students with behavioral issues.

"There were failures in accountability at multiple levels that led to Abby being shot and almost killed. Today's announcement addresses but one of those failures," Zwerner's lawyer said after Taylor was indicted. "It has been three months of investigation and still so many unanswered questions remain. Our lawsuit makes clear that we believe the school division violated state law, and we are pursuing this in civil court. We will not allow school leaders to escape accountability for their role in this tragedy."

The Newport News School Board, former Superintendent George Parker III, former Richneck principal Briana Foster Newton and Parker are named as defendants. The superintendent was  fired by the school board. 

Zwerner no longer works for the school system and is no longer teaching.

—The Associated Press contributed reporting.

• Newport News

Lucia Suarez Sang is an associate managing editor at cbsnews.com. Previously, Lucia was the director of digital content at FOX61 News in Connecticut and has previously written for outlets including FoxNews.com, Fox News Latino and the Rutland Herald.

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