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TORRINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL 8 TH GRADE TRIP TO WASHINGTON D.C. MAY 20, 2014 – MAY 23, 2014

TORRINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL 8 TH GRADE TRIP TO WASHINGTON D.C. MAY 20, 2014 – MAY 23, 2014. Meeting Agenda Part One: Company Information Part Two: Trip Information Part Three: Behavior Guidelines Part Four: Questions & Answers. www.worldstrides.org Trip ID# 88434.

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TORRINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL 8 TH GRADE TRIP TO WASHINGTON D.C. MAY 20, 2014 – MAY 23, 2014

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  1. TORRINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL 8TH GRADE TRIP TO WASHINGTON D.C. MAY 20, 2014 – MAY 23, 2014

  2. Meeting Agenda Part One: Company Information Part Two: Trip Information Part Three: Behavior Guidelines Part Four: Questions &Answers www.worldstrides.org Trip ID# 88434

  3. Washington DC is a Privilege not a Right and it is Optional! Tuesday May 20, 2014 – Friday May 23, 2014

  4. Why Worldstrides • Leading Tour company for Educationally based school trips. • Certified Teachers as resources • Flexible payment plans • Flag Scholarships • Night Security at Hotel • Course leaders – opportunity to earn high school credit • Tour Central Tuesday May 20, 2014 – Friday May 23, 2014

  5. Tuesday May 20th– Friday May 23rd • Students who don’t go on the trip have to be in school. • Activities that align with the Washington DC trip will be the focus that week here at TMS for those who don’t go. • Students going on the trip will not be expected to make-up work unless they are in the High School Algebra class, and that will be kept to a minimum.

  6. Travel via chartered buses (ex. Peter Pan) • Parents will have a way to get in touch with Mr. Lafreniere any time during the trip via cell-phone. • There will be one teacher chaperone per bus that is not responsible for a group. They will be the bus leader and be able to respond to any issue. • This trip is open to ALL students. If someone feels there is a circumstance that would make it difficult for your child to go please speak to us before you decide they can’t go. www.worldstrides.org Trip ID# 88434

  7. Proposed Itinerary • (Subject to Change) • Monuments & Memorials – including the new MLK Memorial • Smithsonian Museums • Mount Vernon • Arlington National Cemetery • Capital Hill (possible meet and greet with one of our Congressman) • National Archives, Library of Congress, Supreme Court • National Zoo, Embassy Row • Kennedy Center • Holocaust Museum • Major League Baseball Game Tuesday May 20, 2014 – Friday May 23, 2014

  8. COST OF THE TOUR $755 for Quad Occupancy this includes a $99 initial registration fee due when you register. THERE IS AN OPTIONAL TRIP INSURANCE FOR AN ADDITIONAL $99. (full refund program or FRP).

  9. COST OF THE TOUR • Standard features of this all-inclusive tour are: • Round trip Transportation Aboard Premium Climate Controlled, Restroom- and Video-Equipped Buses • Excellent Hotel (3 nights) – with overnight Supervision • Complete Lectured Sightseeing with Course Leaders and Field Journals • Online educational resources with the high school credit option (pending BOE approval) • Meals from Lunch on Day 1 through Dinner on Day 4 • Staff/24 Hour Service/Emergency Support • All Taxes, Tips/Insurance Coverage • Adult Chaperone for Every 10 Students • All Admissions • Group photo in front of the Capital Building • Four T-Shirts that all students and chaperones will wear www.worldstrides.org Trip ID# 88434

  10. Trip Insurance Full Refund Program (FRP) The FRP option provides the opportunity to cancel the tour at any time, for any reason, and receive a full refund less the cost of the protection and the initial deposit. The cost of the FRP option is $99.00. If you do not purchase the FRP you are then bound by the cancellation policy of the company. You must check the box on the registration form to opt OUT if you register by mail. If you register online you have to opt IN. You can contact the company to be sure you have done it correctly. Please read the information at the back and bottom of the registration form carefully. Tuesday May 20, 2014 – Friday May 23, 2014

  11. Cancellation policy • ALL CANCELLATIONS MUST BE IN WRITING TO • WorldStrides • Participants have 7 calendar days after receipt of their first invoice/written confirmation to withdraw consent, cancel and receive a full refund, in which WorldStrides will issue a refund within 7 days. • If the trip is cancelled for any reason and the cancellation letter is postmarked more than 75 days prior to departure, all monies less 25% of the base trip cost will be refunded. 45-74 days prior to departure all monies less 50% of the base trip cost and 44 days or less no money will be refunded. • 10% reinstatement fee is assessed to accounts that are reinstated after the final payment due date.

  12. Registration 1ST PAYMENT OF $99 IS DUE AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION 2 ways to register… 1. Online registration is preferred @ www.worldstrides.org. Use Trip I.D. 88434 to pay by credit card. 2. Register through the mail by sending a $99 deposit by check (payable to WorldStrides) or Visa/MasterCard/Discover along with the completed registration form to WorldStrides. www.worldstrides.org Trip ID# 88434

  13. Registration • $99 due at the time of registration. • Trip can be paid off at any time. • 3 options for payments: • EZPay– automatically have payments deducted from your checking account. • Paper Free Billing – receive your invoice electronically and submit payment via mail or online using a credit card or checking account. • Echeck- draft payments directly from any checking account. Tuesday May 20, 2014 – Friday May 23, 2014

  14. Registration • Statements are sent 21 days prior to their due dates. • NO LATE OR HANDLING FEES • $35 fee for returned checks. • Final payment due 75 days prior to departure. • If you are not paid in full by this date: • A $60 late payment fee is assessed • No personal or business checks are accepted – only cashier’s checks, money order or credit cards • You can be placed on a waitlist and your space is no longer guaranteed. Tuesday May 20, 2014 – Friday May 23, 2014

  15. fundraising • Students have Grinder Sale money from the last 2 years.Grinder money can be used for any student activity including the Washington DC Trip. Requests of how you want the Grinder Money to be used should be directed to Mr. Lafreniere. Notices will be going home on how much Grinder Money each student has by the first week in October. • PTO Pie money from the last 2 years and money raised if students participate in this year’s PTO fundraisercan be used for several student activities including the DC trip. Requests of how you want your PTO money to be used are sent directly to the PTO.

  16. fundraising • No fundraising money will be sent to the company until after the registration deadline, which means that initial deposits are the responsibility of the family. (November). • Several fundraisers will take place for Washington DC students ONLY prior to the final invoice – these could be individual fundraisers or group fundraisers – students will know ahead of time how the fundraiser will benefit them. • Fundraisers that will benefit the whole group (not individual fundraisers) will only be distributed to students that participate in or attend the event. There will be attendance taken for each fundraiser.

  17. Fundraising and payments • Fundraising money sent in to the company will be credited directly to your account. • Fundraising money will not automatically lower your scheduled payment amounts. Overpayment will be credited back to you after at least 30 days of your last payment. • You can always see what your balance is through the website. www.worldstrides.org Trip ID# 88434

  18. registrations and payments • ALL MONEY and REGISTRATIONS NEED TO BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE COMPANY. THE SCHOOL WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY MONEY (CASH OR OTHERWISE) or REGISTRATION FORMS. www.worldstrides.org Trip ID# 88434

  19. Scholarship THERE IS SOME SCHOLARSHIP MONEY AVAILABLE. No full scholarships will be awarded! However, there are many opportunities to help families pay for the trip. Please talk to Mr. Lafreniere before you decide you can’t go because you can’t afford it. SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS WILL NOT BE AWARDED UNLESS FAMILIES APPLY FOR THE FLAG SCHOLARSHIP THROUGH WORLDSTRIDES. Tuesday May 20, 2014 – Friday May 23, 2014

  20. Scholarship SCHOOL BASED SCHOLARSHIPS ARE GIVEN BASED ON AN INDIVIDUAL’S NEED AND AMOUNT OF FUNDRAISING MONEY EARNED. FAMILIES SHOULD CONTACT MR. LAFRENIEREIN WRITING THEIR NEED AND WHAT THEY EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO OFFER TOWARD THE TRIP. Tuesday May 20, 2014 – Friday May 23, 2014

  21. Scholarship FAMILIES WHO ARE AWARDED SCHOLARSHIP MONEY MUST HAVE APPLIED TO THE FLAG SCHOLARSHIP, PAY THE $99 FOR THE FRP AND PARTICIPATE FULLY IN ALL FUNDRAISERS. Tuesday May 20, 2014 – Friday May 23, 2014

  22. FLAG Scholarship THROUGH WORLDSTRIDES The FLAG (Future Leaders of American Government) Scholarship Program offers $1 million in travel assistance to thousands of families across the country each year. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Application to this Scholarship needs to be completed within 45 days of registering for the trip by calling 1-800-468-5899. You will need to follow the phone call up with sending in your latest tax forms. FLAG Scholarships are available to families with an Annual Gross Income up to $85,000. Tuesday May 20, 2014 – Friday May 23, 2014

  23. FORMS • If you don’t register online you must fill out the Registration form attached to the WorldStridesletter and mail it with your initial deposit to WorldStridesdirectly. TMS WILL NOT PROCESS ANY REGISTRATION FORMS FOR ANY STUDENT • All students participating in the trip must complete a School Permission form and turn it in to Mr. Fritch.

  24. MEDICATIONS ON THE TRIP Any student who must or may have to take ANY medication during the trip (over the counter or prescription) MUST have a separate form for each medication, signed by a doctor – no exceptions. Medication forms are included in the packet you got tonight and extras can be obtained through the school nurse or online. Forms can be changed up till the day of the trip. The sooner these forms are in the better. www.worldstrides.org Trip ID# 88434

  25. BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES The 3 criteria students had to meet this year in order to participate in the trip were as follows: Students must have kept at least 213 Viking Points total as of May 3rd. Students could not be failing more than 2 classes as of May 3rd. Students must be in compliance with the district attendance policy as of May 3rd. Students will be held to a similar guideline for this trip. Specifics on numbers will be communicated upon return to school in the Fall. Tuesday May 20, 2014 – Friday May 23, 2014

  26. While on the Trip • Students are expected to dress and behave according to the Code of Conduct. • Our hotel floors are watched overnight by Security dedicated to our group. They are awake, & provide nightly reports. • 4 students to a room - each of the same gender. • Rooms are checked each night and tape put on the outside of the doors to ensure students’ safety and that nobody “escapes.” • Groups are 10 students with 1 chaperone. Groups can be mixed gender & don’t have to be the people you room with. • Students/Chaperones wear very brightly colored t-shirts each day of the tour so we stand out. Names will be on the back of the shirt. These t-shirts are included in the price of the trip. www.worldstrides.org Trip ID# 88434

  27. CHAPERONES Pick me… Pick me… • For every 10 paid students 1 chaperone goes for free. • 8th grade teachers are given the 1st chance to be a chaperone. • Remaining complimentary chaperones are picked via lottery from parents who sent in a request form. Request forms are included in the packet you got this evening. • Chaperone choices will be made before the Thanksgiving break. Tuesday May 20, 2014 – Friday May 23, 2014

  28. CHAPERONES • Opportunities for parents to pay to go on the trip and be a chaperone if not chosen through the lottery may come up. • All chosen parent chaperones must apply to be a school volunteer by getting fingerprinted and passing a background check before being allowed to register. • Chaperones are in a double occupancy hotel room.

  29. COMMUNICATIONS • EMAIL (Jlafreniere@torrington.org) • FACEBOOK (contact Mr. L. to be added to the page). • TORRINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL WEBSITE • (TMS DC TRIP TAB) • WORLDSTRIDES WEBSITE • PHONE (MYSELF OR WORLDSTRIDES)

  30. ANY QUESTIONS……

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