Field Trip Day: Manhunt and Sky Zone

Written by Evelyn Crowley, Naomi Gee-Burko, and Zihan Zhou

Middle school at Sky Zone

On April 28, 2026, Newman held their annual Field Trip Day. In the case of the middle school, this meant playing Faculty Manhunt in the morning and then traveling to Sky Zone for the remainder of the afternoon.

To begin the day, 7th and 8th graders arrived at school and began the complicated game of Manhunt. Prior to Field Trip Day, 8th graders had been asking to play this game in school and were overjoyed when the decision was finally made. Thanks to Ms. Molly Gurner and Ms. Hannah Schafer, a detailed rule sheet and scoresheet for the competition were organized.

The game began once nine middle school teachers hid in various locations around the school, and the middle school divided into 13 teams, each consisting of 2-4 students in the same house. The rules stated that each teacher had a letter, and when a team found them, they had to collect the letter as well as a signature for verification. When a team collected all the characters, they had to unscramble the word to reveal the location of the finish line.

After a quick strategic planning meeting for each team, the competition began! Because one of the game's rules was no running, 7th and 8th graders speedwalked throughout the building, checking everywhere for hidden faculty. Some teachers were easy to spot, like Mr. Mazen Abdallah in the art room supply closet, while some were difficult, and found at the last minute. Mr. Eric Tran was smushed behind a bookcase on the third floor, and Mrs. Bailey Vitali hid in the shower of the SSC bathroom. After receiving a letter from each teacher, the clue still had to be unscrambled. Ultimately, it was discovered to be “ON COMM AVE,” signifying the final spot, but also where lunch would be held. 

Congratulations to Leila Balla ‘31, Addie Driggs ‘31, Evelyn Crowley ‘30, and Naomi Gee-Burko ‘30 of Clarendon House for securing the win of 100 house points! Representatives from Fairfield also received 125 points for their win of second and third places. Winners and runners-up received unique Newman swag for their hard work. 

Middle school during lunch

Following the intense game of Manhunt, exhausted middle schoolers received a pizza lunch and viewing of SpongeBob SquarePants in the Lynch Room. It was a bonding time for all, especially between the two grades.

After lunch, it was time to board the bus and head to Everett for two hours of bouncing time. Middle school students and teachers alike enjoyed the activities, including everything from the free jump to obstacle course. Throughout the allotted time, students took breaks to purchase treats at the Sky Zone snack bar. Lucy Serazio ‘31 commented that “At Sky Zone, my friends and I mostly jumped on the trampolines but we also used the obstacle course and went to the small, but fun, arcade. My favorite part was playing dodgeball because the whole grade got involved.” There were obstacle courses, dodgeball courts, a tumble track, basketball hoop, and various trampolines that allowed all to have a fun day.

From a survey conducted, 100% of middle school students preferred the time at Sky Zone over Manhunt and lunch. However, one 8th grader shared that “I loved Manhunt and Sky Zone equally as much but they were fun for different reasons. I loved Manhunt because I am very competitive and it was a lot of fun. I do wish in the future we could maybe run around the school. Sky Zone was just so fun overall and I kinda loved how the teachers were having fun too.”

Additionally, 7th and 8th graders rated the day an average of 4.5 stars. It was enjoyable but there were a few things they would have liked to change. Some would have preferred a larger trampoline park to play in or less time at Sky Zone. All in all, the middle school field trip was a smashing success. Students had a great time searching for teachers around 247 Marlborough and beyond. They then got a chance to recharge at lunch with pizza before heading off to Skyzone, which everyone loved. Again, big thanks to the middle school teachers and Sky Zone for an enjoyable Field Trip Day 2026!

Middle school having fun at Sky Zone