Agenda

1. Senator Patrick BurnsInternational Culture and Travel Opportunities 2019-2020Parent Interest Meeting

2. Agenda • Introductions • Purpose of tonight • Madrid/Salamanca 2020 • Visited sites (2019) • Suggested itinerary for 2020 • Considerations for the trip • Selection criteria • Commitments • Cost breakdown and payment schedule • CBE Insurance • Contingency Fee • Fundraising • Next steps and deadlines • Contact information and questions

3. Purpose of meeting • Gauge initial parent interest in travel opportunity to Madrid/Salamanca for 2020 • Extent of interest and numbers will be communicated to area director before making a decision to go ahead with the trip • 30-32 students required • Projected dates: March 10th -18th(backing onto Spring Break) • 4 teacher supervisors • Jose Alija as teacher-in-charge • MrsMcTigheas supervisor and admin • 2 additional SPB teachers who fit the following profile: • Fluent Spanish speakers • Excellent relationship with students • Interest in becoming future teacher-in-charge

4. Madrid/SalamancaMarch 10th- 18th , 2020

5. Spain at a Glimpse

6. Spanish Provinces

7. EF Tours – Travel Partner • World leader in Educational Travel • Over 50 years of experience • First and foremost they are an education company • Traveler Support Team will help with any questions at any point in the process • They book flights, coordinate visits with local guides, etc • Teachers responsible for being the liaison btw parents and EF

8. Visited Sites 2019 - Madrid • Plaza Mayor • Puerta del Sol • Palacio Real • Parque del Retiro • Prado Museum • Real Madrid Stadium • Mercado San Miguel (tapas) • Spanish cooking class • Flamenco show and lesson

9. Visited sites 2019 • Salamanca: University & Instituto Fernando de Rojas • Day trips: • Toledo: Cathedral, Synagogue, El Greco, Armory, Damasquinado art • Segovia: Aqueduct and Alcazar • Avila: City walls

10. Considerations for the Trip • You will be expected to: • Use your Spanish at all times, as all tours/visits will be led by Spanish speakers • Attend all preparation meetings (students and parents) • Listen to instructions and remain with your group at all times, especially in high traffic areas (airport, mall, parks, etc.) • Open to learning about a new culture, lifestyle, and food • Organize yourself and needed materials for each day • Follow the rules regarding the use of electronics • After the trip you will also be expected to help with the collection of photos, attend and participate in a Celebration of Learning, and support the trip for the following year by helping prepare future travelers

11. Selection Criteria • Must be a grade 8 student (30-32) (both Spanish and English programs/ immersive environment) • Behavior (citizenship/character) • Respectful to peers, teachers, property • Complies with expectations outlined in School Handbook • Readiness (independence, responsibility, emotional stability) • Effort and personal motivation to use the Spanish language • Assume the financial obligation and risk associated with the trip • A lottery will be done to finalize student list if interest exceeds available spaces

12. Student/Guardian Commitments • Students will meet once each month in the mornings (7:00 am) • Students will be expected to complete presentations and participate in conversations in preparation for the trip, as well submit to D2L responses to follow up questions in regards to these presentations • Parents and students will have to attend 3-4 evening meetings in order to submit paperwork and receive relevant information • In March, there will also be some lunch meetings • Check D2L Madrid shell regularly • IMPORTANT: All meetings are a priority and should supersede other extracurricular commitments. The meeting schedule will be circulated early in September, so please communicate with coaches and instructors as soon as possible

13. Cost Breakdown • Mandatory amount paid to the school: $ 4,282 (based on 30-32 students)

14. Payment Schedule • Fees are to be paid in five installments: • $200 chequedeposit attached to application (refundable pending acceptance and confirmation of trip) • $500 due on June 20th (online) • $1,691 September 5th(online) • Remaining balance of $1,691 due November 28th(online) • $200 contingency fee money cheque December 12th

15. CBE Insurance • The policy includes coverage for: • Trip cancellation due to: • Terrorist activity • Civil unrest • Additional security concerns • 75% reimbursement if CBE cancels, no reimbursement if families cancel • Trip interruption • Out of country medical benefits and transportation to bedside for a student’s or teacher’s caregiver • The program also includes a travel app ("Travel Navigator") on which the teacher in charge can receive security and health alerts, as well as access help

16. Contingency Fee • The CBE now requires a “Contingency Fee” to be applied to all international destination trips. • This fee is to cover additional costs which may arise from unforeseen circumstances • This could include (but is not restricted to) destination changes,itinerary changes, flight changes. • This does not include such things as adding on a activity or destination or upgrading a meal or activity. • Contingency fee money will ONLY be accessed in the circumstances outlined in the Parent Letter to Acknowledge Financial Commitment. • If these funds are not needed, they will be refunded to parents within 20 business days after the final day of the trip.

17. Fundraising • Parent committee can be formed to fundraise for the trip • Parent-run effort with no teacher participation • Money raised would help off set individual student costs • Possible ideas may include: Co-op gift cards, silent auctions, hanging baskets, cookie dough and, Coco Brooks Pizza • Once students have been selected, an email may be circulated to create a parent committee to fundraise

18. Next Steps and Deadlines • May 22nd– Pick up application package • June 3rd– Complete application package due to SrAlija(room 21/ PE office), including $200 deposit • June 5th-June 11th– Interviews conducted as needed • June 18th– All applicants informed of acceptance/regret. If not selected, deposit will be returned • IMPORTANT: Late or incomplete applications will notbe accepted

19. Contact information • Jose Alija: joalijagarcia@cbe.ab.ca • Joel Leavitt:jsleavitt@cbe.ab.ca • Questions?