8^TH GRADE CLASS TRIP

PHILADELPHIA, PA/WASHINGTON, DC

2010

DATES:  Wednesday, June 9 – Friday, June 11

COST:  It is approximately $625.00/student.  The price will be finalized once we know exactly how many students are going and what the cost of airfare will be.

TRAVEL AGENT:  The trip is being organized through Jim Mulvihill Tours of Scranton, PA.  They have organized six of our trips and we have been very happy with the quality of the tours.

PAYMENT:  Payment will be broken up into four installments, making it easier for the parents and students to afford.  Mrs. Cestodio, our librarian, will be collecting all of the payments.  There is a payment schedule included in this packet.

PARENT MEETING:  An evening meeting will be scheduled after we receive School Committee approval to present the trip to parents.  Another meeting will be scheduled approximately one month prior to the trip to go over the last minute details.  Medical forms for all participants will be filled out at this time.

NUMBER OF STUDENTS:  Based on past years, we estimate that approximately 75% of the 8^th grade class will elect to participate in this trip.  A regular school day will be provided for those students who choose not to participate.

CHAPERONES:  The students will be chaperoned at a ratio of 8:1 by teachers and other adults.  A member of the School Administration will be going as well as a police officer.  There will also be a nurse on each bus to attend to the students’ medical needs.

SECURITY:  The price of the student’s trip includes the hiring of a security guard each evening to patrol the hallway outside the rooms.

8^TH GRADE CLASS TRIP – 2010

PHILADELPHIA, PA & WASHINGTON, DC

ITINERARY

Wednesday, June 9

·        Depart Providence via Amtrak train #95 - 6:35 a.m.

·        Arrive Philadelphia 30^th Street Station - 12:00 noon – lunch at the food court

·        Board three 57 passenger Montano charter buses for the trip into historic Philadelphia

·        Visit the Liberty Bell

·        Tour Franklin Court

·        Walk to Independence Hall for guided tour

·        Walk to Constitution Center for show “Freedom Rising”

·        Board buses to travel to show “Historic Madcap” – 6:15 show

·        Board buses to travel to Old Spaghetti Warehouse – 7:15 dinner  reservation

·        Depart for hotel at 8:30

·        Check in - Hampton Inn, 3 Concord Lane, Newark, DE (approximately 9:30 p.m.)

·        Security at hotel from 11:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.

Thursday, June 10

·        Breakfast at hotel - 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

·        Depart 9:00 a.m. for Washington, DC

·        Visit World War II Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial

·        Visit Lincoln Memorial

·        Lunch - Union Station food court

·        Travel to Arlington, VA - visit the Kennedy graves and the Iwo Jima Memorial

·        Travel to Capitol Hill - visit the U.S. Capitol – visit the Capitol Visitor’s Center, view film then take guided tour of the Capitol

·        View Supreme Court

·        Dinner and evening activity

·        Night tour - Jefferson and FDR Memorials

·        Check in - Holiday Inn Express, 6401 Brandon Ave., Springfield, VA 

·        Security at hotel from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Friday, June 11

·        Breakfast at hotel at 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

·        Check out of hotel at 8:30

·        Stop at the White House – tour requested through Congressman McGovern’s office

·        Visit Ford’s Theater

·        Lunch at Regan International Trade Center

·        Travel to Smithsonian Museum of American History – visit exhibits

·        Visit the National Gallery of Art to view Leonardo DaVinci’s Ginevra de' Benci

·        Tour the National Archives

• Depart for BWI for return flights home – Southwest Airlines will open their June schedule sometime in December or January

PHILADELPHIA/WASHINGTON, DC TRIP  -  GRADE 8

1.  Reasons for planning the trip include:

a.     It will provide a culminating activity to the junior high experience.

b.     Most grade 8 students have achieved the maturity needed for this type of trip.

c.     The visit will result in an increased appreciation of historical and current events.

d.     The trip will give the students the opportunity to be self-sufficient for three days.

2.  Expectations of students before the trip include:

a.     becoming familiar with how their government works

b.     learning how to organize and prioritize their belongings needed for the trip

c.     having the responsibility for earning money to go on the trip (baby-sitting, yard work, chores, fundraising, etc.)

3. Expectations during the trip include:

a.     No use of alcoholic beverages, drugs, or tobacco products will be tolerated.  A nurse will handle all medication.

b.     No questionable attire will be allowed.

c.     The time schedule must be followed at all times.  Tardiness will not be tolerated.

d.     Students must travel in assigned buses and remain with their designated chaperones.

e.     No one will change rooms without permission.  A room check will be made every evening.  No one will leave their room after “lights out”.

f.       No one will be allowed in any other person’s room except when permission is granted.

g.     As guests of the hotel, respect for property and other guests is expected.

h.     No one will use room telephones.

i.        All bus regulations must be followed.

j.        Students will be representing Swansea and will be expected to act respectfully and responsibly at all times.

k.      Students will be responsible for money for lunch and all spending money.

4. Students will disqualify themselves in the following way:

a.     Not meeting deadlines for paperwork and payments.

b.     Not meeting selection criteria. (See item #6.)

5.  An appeal procedure can take place with the school Principal no   

     later than 30 days prior to the trip departure date for those 

     students who have been eliminated because they have not met

     the selection criteria.

6.  Selection criteria includes:

a.     Students must receive parental permission to be considered.

b.     Those students who have a disciplinary record for inappropriate behavior will only be considered after a review of the infractions by the Administration.  This criteria will take effect upon receipt of trip information by parents and students.  (approximately October 1, 2010)

c.     Students meeting the criteria but facing financial constraints may be eligible for partial funding, if available.

d.     Students who are failing two or more subjects for the year will not be considered for participation.

e.     Students who have seven or more unexcused absences for the year may not be eligible to participate in the trip.