UPDATE: The federal government has averted the shutdown with a stopgap measure, agreeing to a six day bridge before voting on the new budget. This means the Jordan Middle School students now in Washington D.C. over the weekend may continue their excursion as planned.

Tens of eighth grade students from two Palo Alto middle schools—Jordan and JLS—are on field trips in Washington D.C. on the eve of tomorrow’s federal government shutdown.

The JLS group, which arrived in the capitol on April 4, will return to Palo Alto tomorrow and is unlikely to be affected by the shutdown. The Jordan students, however, who will be in Washington D.C. over the weekend, are likely to have their plans disrupted. Based on their itinerary, here is what the Jordan students can expect:

• The shutdown will close the doors to major D.C. tourist attractions including all of the Smithsonian Institution’s museum’s and galleries and the National Zoo.
  • The Congress and the Supreme Court will remain in operation for the duration of the shutdown, but all tours will be canceled.
  • The National Archives—which houses historic documents like the original U.S. constitution—will be closed.

If you are a Jordan student on a field trip in Washington D.C. or if you are familiar with the situation, let us know about your experience by posting comments below.