Williams Elementary kids treated to Magical Forest field trip

Dozens of kindergarten and first-grade children from Williams Elementary School, 1030 J St ., walked through Opportunity Village's Magical Forest, eyes wide with fascination at the various trees adorned with elaborate decorations and light displays on the morning of Nov. 23.

These children took part in a field trip sponsored by the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Opportunity Village, taking advantage of everything the Magical Forest had to offer.

School principal Brenda McKinney said the trip was a unique opportunity for these students.

"With 92 percent of my students at risk, especially financially, for them to have the privilege of seeing the Magical Forest was so heartwarming for me," McKinney said.

Kindergarten teacher LaJuana Jackson-Gates said the trip was educational and fun for the children.

"I think this (field trip) is showing the kids more culture," Jackson-Gates said. "Walking through (the forest) and seeing the trees and the Christmas decorations, I think, helps them understand more about the holiday spirit."

The children broke off into several groups, each of them getting the opportunity to walk through the forest with trees creatively decorated by several businesses in Las Vegas, ride the carousel and train and take photographs with Santa Claus.

First-grade teacher Mary Ann Malkusz said walking through the forest was the highlight for her class.

"The children were more than excited to come to the Magical Forest, especially because most of them have never been here before," Malkusz said. "We went on all of the rides, but we enjoyed going through the forest the best."

The children were given a bag of prizes that they were encouraged to share, including two passes for a return visit to the Magical Forest.

Kindergarten student Harmony Brown said she would like to go back and ride the carousel.

"I like to go up and down on the horses," Brown said. "It's been lots of fun."

Malkusz said one of the main reasons the children enjoyed the trip is because they were given a chance to explore something outside the classroom.

"This is a wonderful experience for these kids," Malkusz said. "They don't get out (of school) much, so this really is a treat for them."

McKinney said she received nothing but positive feedback from the students and teachers after the field trip.

"I don't know whether my teachers or my kids were more excited because of the way they were talking about (the trip)," McKinney said. "The most-asked question from the students was, 'Can we go back?' "

McKinney said because of the positive feedback, the school administration is working on another field trip to the Magical Forest for students in the second through fifth grades.

She said the visit for the younger students was an ideal way to begin the holiday s.

"I think we needed to kick off the holiday season with this gift the (Review-Journal) gave us," McKinney said. "I'm so pleased this opportunity came for them."

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Lisa Carter at lcarter@viewnews.com or 383-0492.