Wednesday, September 3, 2025 |
Photo – Hanna Elementary School – by Matt Copeland Bigfoot99
Students at Hanna Elementary School are being offered a unique opportunity.
Last week, Hanna Elementary School Principal Jackie Jones called a mandatory meeting for all fifth and sixth grade students and their parents. The purpose of the meeting was kept a secret.
Principal Jones told Bigfoot 99 that successful fundraising efforts and a generous grant from the Carbon County School District Two Recreation Board have given all fifth and sixth grade Hanna Elementary School students the chance to visit Yellowstone National Park later this month.
The four-day excursion begins on Sunday, September 28th with a field trip to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody. On the second day, students will visit Sylvan Lake, Mud Volcano, and the upper and lower falls of the Yellowstone River. Principal Jones said she is especially excited to bring the group to the Canyon Visitor Center during that portion of the trip.
On the third day, students will visit Mammoth Hot Springs and, if time allows, explore Lamar Valley and Slough Creek, two of Yellowstone’s most well-known wildlife viewing areas. Principal Jones said on the final day, students will witness an eruption of Old Faithful.
Old Faithful erupts roughly every 60 to 110 minutes.
The group will leave Yellowstone National Park by the south entrance, providing students with a view of the Teton Mountain Range.
Although the trip offers plenty of sightseeing, Principal Jones emphasized that it’s not just for fun. The excursion will serve as a hands-on learning experience.
None of the 21 fifth and sixth graders are automatically eligible to go on the Yellowstone trip. Principal Jones said students must meet certain behavioral and academic expectations to be invited.
Additionally, students with more than two unexcused absences will be excluded from the trip.
The school is asking parents and guardians to pay $35 per student. Principal Jones said students whose families can’t afford the admission fee will have an opportunity to earn their way, adding that she wants the trip to instill valuable life lessons.
Principal Jones said a visit to Yellowstone National Park can be a life-changing experience, and she hopes to share that opportunity with the Hanna Elementary School students.
