By Abigail Chai, Entertainment Editor
In the summer of 2024, freshman biology and AP environmental science (APEs) teacher DeBois will be embarking on a two-week long trip to New York with his AP students!
The trip serves as the annual APEs field trip, which DeBois has been planning since the start of the school year. After a lot of difficulties throughout the months, he and the administration were finally able to work out what DeBois states as, “an immersive trip to one of the greatest cities in the world.” The announcement took many students by surprise, leaving many perplexed by the trip’s destination.
Phoebe Piserchio (11), who is in DeBois’s sixth period class, recalls the day he revealed the trip and the state of shock many were left in. “I just remember the class going sort of quiet when he announced the destination,” she states. “I just don’t know how he managed to convince the admin to go to New York. “
However, some were unsurprised by the news, as the teacher’s love for the city is no secret. “He always talks about New York and how great it is. Nothing was gonna stop him and this trip.” another student shared. Despite students’ mixed reactions to the news, many are nonetheless excited for the trip.
In a paper provided to students by DeBois, the itinerary of the trip covers some of New York’s most iconic monuments and activities. Throughout the two weeks in the big city, students will have the opportunity to explore a variety of New York’s neighborhoods and various attractions, one of them being a walk around the campus of New York University: the school where DeBois of course received his master in psychology. They will also be exclusively taking the subway while in the city, as part of the students’ curriculum includes a heavy study on the “rats that rule the city”. DeBois is especially excited for this topic sharing, “You can’t go to New York without seeing the rats.”
Along with the itinerary, DeBois provided a list of “guidelines” students must follow while on the trip. As the list provides the traditional/expected rules to ensure students’ safety, there was also an additional list of recommendations that Debois states, “would allow students to smoothly adapt to the New York environment.” However, the provided advice confused many. “It told us to never make eye contact with anyone, never ask for permission, to always keep on moving, and just generally mind our own business.” Piserchio detailed. “It was kind of an aggressive list.”
DeBois has also mentioned his plans to bring his beloved dog Selene while on the trip, placing heavy emphasis on the importance of her going back to New York.
While Debois has not specifically clarified the importance behind her accompaniment, many students suspect it’s because the teacher is secretly concerned that she supposedly “misses her home”. So in addition to historic New York landmarks, the class will also be expecting to pay some visits to Hunter Point’s South Park; supposedly Selene’s favorite park of the city.
DeBois is ecstatic for the summer and can’t wait to pay a long awaited visit to the city. And with the deadline closely coming, make sure to contact him with any questions!
