While some schools keep inauguration day low-key, Chesco students head to D.C.

In many area schools, the mood swing from President Obama's historic swearing-in eight years ago - hailed as a "teachable moment," with a few districts even shutting down for the day so students could watch - to Donald Trump's inauguration is palpable.

Following a historically divisive election, which set off a spate of bullying and hate crimes, most districts have decided to keep Friday low-key.

Most, but not all.

About 70 students from the Downingtown Area School District in Chester County are going all in to celebrate the time-honored rituals of American democracy and the transfer of power, regardless of who won.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Lara McDowell, 13, a member of Lionville Middle School's Patriot Club, which honors veterans and law enforcement, and annually travels to Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns. "I'm just looking forward to seeing the new president in person and just to go into Washington, D.C."

On Friday morning, about 30 students from the Patriot Club and 40 or so from Downingtown West High School's contemporary-issues class will head for the Capitol on two buses, to watch the festivities from as close to the steps as they can get.

President Trump's inauguration: Our live blog replay.

Last fall, the class staged a schoolwide mock election. Hillary Clinton was the victor by eight or nine percentage points. But social studies teacher Dan Soler said no one backed out of the Washington trip because Trump won the real thing - although a few parents, worried about protests, aren't letting their children go.

Soler said he established ground rules for a nonpartisan trip: no cheering for demonstrators, no clothing that could attract unwanted attention. Clapping is permitted.

"We told parents and kids, we're not there to protest or support," he said. "We're going as a school . . . to see the peaceful transfer of power, the government at work."

Senior Grace Merva, who at 17 was too young to vote in November, said she probably would have supported Clinton, but is still excited to see Trump sworn in.

"I'm mostly going down to . . . be able to say in the future I was at the inauguration," said Merva. "Either way, it would have been monumental - with Hillary Clinton as the first woman president, or with Donald Trump."

At Central High School in Philadelphia, 25 seniors also will be going to the inauguration, after passing a rigorous application process consisting of an interview, essay, and exam.

Other schools are trying to ward off potential problems at home.

Postelection at St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia, a picture appeared on social media of one student holding up an image of a Confederate flag on his laptop while a student next to him displayed a photo of Trump. On Friday, the inauguration will be shown in the school theater for anyone who wishes to watch, with teachers on hand to facilitate conversations.

In an email this week, principal Jason M. Zazyczny told parents that students will be reminded beforehand to respect others, even those with whom they don't agree.

"While we know that many in our community will be happy on Friday, celebrating the new presidential administration, we are also very aware that a large number will be upset or anxious about the new administration," he wrote. "Both of these groups exist in our community and we need to support them."

At Beck Middle School in Cherry Hill, parents were asked to sign a permission slip to allow their children to view the inaugural speech and swearing-in ceremony - on Monday. A letter from the administration said that as part of their English language-arts class, students would complete an "inauguration BINGO card" to help them evaluate and analyze Trump's speech.

Students unable to watch the address will be assigned an alternative activity, according to the letter.

Leanne Lacovara signed a permission slip for her daughter, Gabby, 11, a sixth grader at the 900-student school, to watch the address.

"It's a shame that they can't watch it live," said Lacovara, 49. "It's an exciting event. I don't care who anybody voted for. They shouldn't be shielded from it."

Eight years ago, many school officials were openly excited about the inauguration of the first African American president. Public schools up and down the Eastern Seaboard closed so students could attend or watch the ceremony on TV. In the Philadelphia School District, then-Superintendent Arlene C, Ackerman debated closing for the day but decided to keep classrooms open, pledging that "schools can make this historic event an experience they'll never forget."

A recent informal survey of local districts found that few had planned anything special in conjunction with Trump's inauguration, although some classroom TVs would be tuned to the noon swearing-in and inaugural address.

Downingtown West began its inaugural trips with Obama's 2009 ceremony. That year, Soler recalled, students obtained official tickets, yet found themselves trapped in a long security line while Obama recited the oath.

This year, a much smaller crowd is projected - 700,000 to 900,000, as opposed to 1,800,000 in 2009. Nonetheless, the Downingtown group faces daunting logistics, including a two-mile walk or a ride on the crowded Metro from Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, where the buses will drop people off.

Even if they get close to the inaugural stand, the students will have only a quick peek at American history. They are to hit the road by 2:30 p.m. to get back for Friday night activities. Still, that's long enough for senior Rebecca Zaayenga, who said she was in the minority of student Trump supporters.

"I like his economic policies and immigration policies. He does have firsthand experience with economics, because he was a businessman," Zaayenga said, adding that it was hard at times being a Trump fan in the Clinton-leaning high school.

Her friend Merva said she thought Trump might win more support from her generation if he showed more interest in young voters.

"We are super-influential now," she said. "The young people's voice is something he should take into consideration."

Merva suggested Trump focus on college affordability and jobs for graduates.

Though she said he's doing fine so far, Zaayenga had some advice for the new president: "He should lay off social media a little bit."

kboccella@phillynews.com

610-313-8232

@Kathy_Boccella

Staff writer Melanie Burney contributed to this article.