8^TH GRADE CLASS TRIP

WASHINGTON, DC/BALTIMORE, MD

2011

DATES:  Wednesday, June 1 – Friday, June 3

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.

2011 Washington/Baltimore Trip

JUNE 1^st/WEDNESDAY

DEPART FROM PROVIDENCE VIA AMTRAK NORTHEAST REGIONAL DEPARTING AT 6:50AM.

ARRIVE AT UNION STATION AND TRANSFER TO 3-57 PASSENGER MONTANO CHARTER BUSES.

MAKE STOPS AT WWII, KOREAN & VIETNAM MEMORIALS

STOP AT WHITEHOUSE/LAFAYETTE PARK FOR A GROUP PICTURE AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES IF TIME PERMITS

DEPART FOR EARLY DINNER AT NATIONAL PLACE (G/13^th) OR OLD POST OFFICE.

6PM DEPART FOR THE TWILIGHT TATTOO AT FORT McNAIR

(6:45pm-8:15pm)

EVENING MEMORIAL TOUR – LINCOLN, JEFFERSON, FDR

DEPART FOR HOTEL (Springhill Suites, Herndon, VA)

SECURITY PROVIDED AT HOTEL

JUNE 2^nd/THURSDAY

HOT DELUXE CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL AT 6:30 AND 7:00AM

DEPART BY 7:45AM FOR DOWNTOWN DC

ARRIVE AT THE NEW VISITOR CENTER UNDERNEATH THE CAPITOL ALONG WITH A GUIDED TOUR

GROUP TIMES AT 9:20 AND 9:30.

ARCHIVES HERE IF UNABLE TO GET IN ON WEDNESDAY

LUNCH – REGAN CENTER

DEPART FOR THE NATIONAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM AT 1PM.  TIME FROM 1:30-3:30PM

DEPART FOR NATURAL HISTORY SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM UNTIL CLOSE

GROUP WILL DEPART FOR DINNER AT 6:30 PM – MAGILL’S

EVENING PROGRAM – GAME SHOW MANIA WITH D.J. DANCE PARTY

RETURN TO HOTEL AROUND 10:00 PM. 

SECURITY PROVIDED

JUNE 3^rd/FRIDAY

HOT DELUXE CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL AT 7:00 AND 7:30AM

DEPART BY 8:30AM/CHECK-OUT OF HOTEL

DEPART FOR BALTIMORE, MD. 

FIRST STOP IS THE POE GRAVESITE/WESTMINSTER.   SHORT TOUR HERE

LUNCH AT INNER HARBOR.

AFTER LUNCH DEPART FOR FT. MCHENRY.  SHORT PRESENTATION AND TALK HERE.  TOUR GROUNDS OF THE FORT AFTER. 

2:30PM DEPART FOR TOUR OF ORIOLES’ CAMDEN YARDS. 

AFTER TOUR VISIT THE SPORTS LEGENDS & BABE RUTH MUSEUM

 LEAVE FOR BWI AIRPORT.  DINNER ON OWN AT AIRPORT.

GROUP GETS DROPPED OFF AND FLIES OUT VIA SOUTHWEST AIRLINES TO BOSTON AND PROVIDENCE.

SW FLIGHT #212 AND SW FLIGHT # 553

BALTIMORE/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.