The three second grade classes at Shepherdstown Elementary School had a few surprises on Tuesday, April 28, when a broken water main in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor forced a change in their plans to visit the National Aquarium.

The three buses had already reached Howard County when, through the miracle of cell phones, their parents and teachers learned of the broken water main, which had forced the Aquarium to close.

The buses then turned around and were heading home, with many kids and parents silent as they heard the news. However, a small miracle arrived: Authorization was granted for the 2nd graders to visit the National Zoo in Washington instead, according to Principal Suzanne Offutt, who had contacted the Zoo and district officials.

After all, a nonrefundable fee had been paid for the buses. The buses, which had just reached Route 240, then turned around again. The kids got to have their field trip after all – and they saw some familiar faces at the Zoo, which, coincidentally, Paige Jackson 2nd graders were visiting for their field trip. Some parents were heard to express frustration at the day’s events, while others said that the best had been made of a difficult situation.

One of the movies shown to the 2nd graders on the bus was “Incredible Journey.”

Chris Morehouse

Shepherdstown