Today we got a package from our friend Mr. Tracy! Mr. Tracy an engineer on the T.S. Kennedy, which is currently on a voyage through the Gulf of Mexico and into the Caribbean. The T.S. Kennedy is part of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Each year, the freshman students, as well as some others, take part in “sea term,” where they take classes right on the ship while they travel to different ports! You can follow the ship’s voyage on the MMA Sea Term Blog!
After stops in Charleston, South Carolina and Tampa, Florida, the ship’s first international stop was in Veracruz, Mexico. While there, Mr. Tracy was kind enough to write each student a postcard, send us place mats from a Mexican Burger King (where everything was in Spanish), and even gave a Mexican coin to each student! We learned that “ÂżY tu que haces por el planeta?” means “what do you do for the earth?” You can see some of the other sayings in the pictures below. What do you think they might say?
For each postcard, Mr. Tracy had a different picture of the T.S. Kennedy, part of the T.S. Kennedy, or something else he’s seen along his journey. Each had a different note sharing what the picture was showing. You can see each postcard to each student in our Prezi below! Click the play button to navigate through the presentation. You can make it full screen by clicking on “more options.”
We can’t wait to hear from Mr. Tracy, as their next stops are in Barbados and Puerto Rico!
*What did you learn about the T.S. Kennedy?*
*How is Veracruz, Mexico similar and different from where you live?*
Another example of the incredibly generous Mr Tracy’s kindness. WHAT A GUY! And he’s one of the best shipmates I ever sailed with!
Jon D.
Dear Mr. Avery,
I thought the postcards were cool since they had different pictures on them and not the same one. I also like the coin he gave us. I thought it was cool how he actually sent us postcards and money. We got two coins. I hope Mr. Tracy sends us another one some day.
From,
Jenna
Dear Mr. Avery,
I showed Brad this section and Brad said that he toured one of the T.S. Kennedy ships. I was very surprised. Isn’t that cool? I never knew that before.
Sincerely,
Natalie S.
Hi Mr. Avery,
Just wanted to let you know that I think that this was a great idea & Mike really enjoyed getting a postcard and items from Mexico from Mr. Tracy. You are doing amazing things for these children & I’m sure they will remember 4th grade as being the best school year ever!
Sincerely,
Pam K.
Dear Mr. Avery,
The postcards from the T.S. Kennedy were great, and I loved the presentation. Many years ago Alexandra (Amanda’s cousin) and I were allowed to join the ship on its return to Massachusetts. The ship still looks the same and the postcards brought back good memories.
Uncle Frank
Dear Kaylee,
I went on a cruise and they stoped at Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Mexico. Mexico was very fun. Did you know that in Mexico they have green and black bees? I saw one flying around once. My dad knows how to speak Spanish very well because he lived in Mexico for six months! We missed him very much. I hope you go to Mexico one day.
Sincerely.
Natalie S.
Dear Mr. Avery,
It was really cool that he sent us a coin from Mexico. I want to go to Mexico someday. It seems like so much fun. I kind of know Spanish and I want to take lessons.
From,
Kaylee;)
Dear Mr. Avery,
In Mexico they speak Spanish. Here we speak English. The T.S Kennedy is a very cool ship. I learned is that the coins he gave us are worth about 83 cents in American money.
Sincerely,
Mike đ
Dear Mr. Avery,
We learned a lot from Mr. Tracy. One of the things that I learned is that the coins he gave us are worth about 83 cents in American money. We hope you had a good day off from school. See you tomorrow!
Sincerely,
Trey and Marshall
Dear Mr. Avery,
I learned that on the T.S. Kennedy they had classes and sometimes the crew would have Sunday Seas which is when you have a cook out for the whole day. I also learned that Mr. Tracy knows how to play the fiddle. đ
Sincerely,
Natalie
Dear Mr. Avery,
My mom and I were wondering if we could write back to Mr. Tracy. I showed my mom all the cool stuff Mr. Tracy gave us she thought it was really cool. That was nice of him to give us a Burger King menu, Mexican money, and a post card with a picture. Thanks again Mr. Tracy! đ
Sincerely,
Natalie S.
Dear Natalie,
You’re more than welcome to write back to him! We are all going to do that in class and then send it along to him while he’s still on his trip but if you want to write another one that we can send along, you definitely can! I hope you’re enjoying your day off from school!
Your teacher,
Mr. Avery
Dear Mr. Avery,
My mom said that she can’t wait until the crew goes to a different place. What place are they going to next?
Sincerely,
Natalie S.
Dear Mr. Avery,
I learned that Mexico has something in common like Mexicans eat Mexican food. Also, some Americans eat Mexican food. But Mexico has hotter climates than us. One day when I grow up I want to travel to different places and see what’s different in other countries.
Sincerely,
Natalie S.
Dear Mr. Avery,
Here isn’t very similar to Mexico. They speak a totally different language! They do have Burger King though. The T.S Kennedy is a very cool ship. I learned a lot about it like it has been remodeled many times.
From,
Ariel