Close Up Academy

1. WELCOME! Close UpAcademy April 28, 2013 – May 3, 2013

2. WELCOME! • Becky Cryder Sponsor, Social Studies Teacher • Jeannine Kuropatkin Sponsor, Social Studies Teacher • Todd Troidl Sponsor, Social Studies Teacher • Mike Huddleston Sponsor, Social Studies Teacher • Florence Masciangelo Sponsor, Close-Up • Deb Rodarte Sponsor, Close-Up (additional teachers are added depending on the number of participants)

3. PACKET • Welcome (blue) • Close-Up sample Itinerary (light blue) • *INTENT FORM (beige) • **Contract/Essay (lavender) • ECA Explanation (white) • ECA FORM (white) • TIME LINE (yellow) *The Intent form is a guide for us to get an idea of how many families are interested. ** If you choose to participate this form must be completed and handed in on or before the deadline indicated on the bottom.

4. Why RHODES is SPECIAL Parents Our Parents are willing to support their child and our staff. We have the parents who are always willing to answer the call for assistance in any way they can. Staff Rhodes leads the way in many innovative ways to teach our students. We support and reinforce the 7th and 8th grade curricular programs that are required by District and Arizona State Standards. Our staff works hard to give your child the very best innovative experiences AND this is one of them. Students Our students are the BEST! Their performance in curriculum, sports, the arts, and competition continues to show high scores.

5. What is the Close-Up Academy? Close Up Capital Academy is a study visit to Washington, D.C. that gives students a short, active course in U.S. history specifically designed for the interest and curricular needs of middle school students. Close-Up is a nonprofit foundation whose goal is to bring students to Washington, D.C. to get a firsthand look at government and to promote citizenship. Close-Up is the only program endorsed by Congress and the National Middle School Association of America

6. WHAT TYPE OF STUDENT BENEFITS FROM THIS PROGRAM? Our answer is always All STUDENTS can and should benefit from this program. Students who follow adult supervision and direction and are responsible and mature will benefit the most. Let Us Explain………

7. WHO SHOULD ATTEND? At Rhodes we feel all students should attend, BUT you as a parent need to decide if this study visit is appropriate for your child. Students who are responsible, respectful, and are mature enough to follow rules and meet timelines, make the best participants. We want to give each and every student the best experience of their lives.

8. Itinerary with Gettysburg Sunday: Arrive in Washington, D.C., Hotel Check-In: Meet your Close Up Concierge, Welcome Dinner, Meet Peers from Schools Nationwide, Orientation Monday: VisitMemorials, Arlington National Cemetery, White House Photo Op Tuesday: Capitol Hill, Supreme Court, Library of Congress Wednesday: Gettysburg Thursday: Mt. Vernon (George Washington’s Estate) Friday: Home

9. Itinerary Once back at the hotel, each night students engage in study group activities based on topics studied and locations visited that day. Students are grouped with other junior high school students from around the US. THESE ARE FUN TIMES!

10. How Much Will It Cost? What Does It Cover? Cost is anticipated to be $1955.00 This includes: airfare, hotel, meals, admission to all museums and tours, transportation in DC and Gettysburg, sweatshirt and lanyard. This does not include: luggage fee (if required) or spending money for snacks, gifts, and souvenirs.

11. HOW ARE WE EVER GOING TO PAY FOR THIS???? • A Large bank account • Visa • ECA Tax Credit (Mrs. Masciangelo will explain) • Letter writing to businesses, family, civic organizations • ETC ( after the students have signed up we will be giving out these materials to those students who make this request) • Employer match programs • Monthly payments (4 payments) • Other?

12. Extracurricular Activities (ECA) Donation ECA – Extra Curricular Activity Payments Married filing jointly . . . allowed $400 per year. Single filing jointly . . . allowed $200 per year. Close Up Trip Parent 2012 ECA----------$400 Family/friend 2012 ECA $400 Parent 2013 ECA----------$400 Family/friend 2013 ECA $400 Important Points * ECA payments can be made all-at-once or monthly . . . just meet the deadlines. * ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR ACCOUNTANT FOR VERIFICATION IF YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TAX CREDIT. * ECA funds are non refundable due to the tax credit.

13. Matching Funds Some companies also do matching funds If you, or someone you know, works for any of these companies, please utilize this means of obtaining funds, but PLEASE DO IT EARLY so the money is available by the time the payments are due. Matching funds are non-refundable. Tempe Credit Union will give you an interest free loan if used for ECA payments.

14. How can I raise funds for Close Up other than ECA? _____________________________________________________ EXAMPLE 1 LETTERS TO COMPANIES WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH YOU OR YOUR FAMILY. REQUEST A DONATION. _____________________________________________________ EXAMPLE 2 COMPANIES WHO MATCH EMPLOYEE DONATIONS. PARENTS CAN REQUEST FORMS FROM THEIR EMPLOYEER. These funds are non refundable due to tax credit purposes. ______________________________________________________

15. WHERE DO WE STAY? We have stayed at many different hotels in Virginia, and Maryland. (Last year we stayed in Silver Springs, MD.) We will not be receive the hotel or flight information until two weeks before the trip. When we know, you will know. Sorry, you can’t use your Frequent Flyer Miles. ALL NIGHT SECURITY ON EVERY FLOOR! Chaperones and Close Up Security Monitors make a nightly check on each and every room

16. Supervision on Program Students are supervised the entire time./They are with adults 24/7: • Teachers while traveling, mornings, nighttime • Program Instructors (P.I.’s) while on program 6:00 a.m. – 10:30p.m. • Security guards are on the floors throughout the night. Chaperones are not in the same room with students. No girls in boys’ rooms and no boys in girls’ rooms! Definition of Room is designated. Students may NOT “cross the threshold.” If this rule is broken . . . STUDENT GOES HOME C.O.D.

17. Hotel Issues Students will be 4 to a room with other Rhodes students of the same sex. If we have an odd number of students attending, rest assured that your child will room with at least one other Rhodes student. Students will be able to request roommates at the January Close Up Student meeting. Because of the wonderful behavior of our past student trips, we have had the opportunity to stay at some of the best hotels in Washington. We do expect our students to behave in the proper manner in the hotel (rooms, dinning, elevator etc.) If the hotel room has a door to an adjoining room, these doors are NOT TO BE OPENED.

18. What are the meal arrangements? Breakfast served at the hotel is typically eggs, bacon, pancakes or French toast or waffle, bagels, cereal, milk, juice and fruit. Lunch is usually at a mall, Hard Rock, Union Station, ESPN Zone, cafeterias, depending upon where the students are that day. (Students are given vouchers; they do not receive cash. This is to ensure they purchase a lunch). Dinner served at the Hotel (sometimes at a restaurant) entrée, vegetables, dessert, and beverage.

19. What if someone needs medical attention? There will be a person at the hotel that can assist. In addition, the student health records that you will supply to us are linked with George Washington University Medical Center. Students on medication will be responsible for taking it on their own. The P.I.’s traveling with the students are very responsible, and if needed, can obtain help very quickly. Rhodes Chaperones carry the permission/emergency forms you will complete. This is in the event of an emergency.

20. Travel Insurance You have the option to purchase Travel Insurance when you register OR you can do this at a later time. Cost is $95.00 If your child cannot attend Close Up because of a sudden illness, or any reason covered by the travel insurance policy, you should be able to obtain a refund. You will be responsible to obtain you own insurance.

21. Monitoring the Participants Chronic Absentees/ALC /RRR/ or Failing a class will be monitored: You will be notified of any problems. Our Responsible Students going to Close Up, will be required to attend mandatory meetings (noted on the calendar). Please check the web site as another form of information Students who are going on the trip: a) will be monitored very closely second semester. b) will be responsible for lessons missed during Close Up (students will be given a form to give to their teachers, 2 weeks before leaving. This is to ensure that they get the work they are responsible for to their teachers ontime .)

22. I’m ready to “Ship ‘em off” . . . What should I do? Please turn in the following to the Bookstore, No later than October 5, 2012: * completed Contract/Essay (purple form) * with $300 non-refundable deposit, * complete the student essay, WRITE LEGIBLY and * have teacher recommendations completed. Payments must be completed by January 25, 2013. DEADLINES ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO CLOSE UP

23. CLOSE UP TIMELINEPARTICIPANTS WILL BE GIVEN THIS INFORMATION WHEN THEY RECEIVE THEIR PARTICIPANT PACKET • SEPT 21---INTENT FORM DUE • OCT 5---DEADLINE FOR DEPOSIT/ PURPLE SHEET (CONTRACT & ESSAY) • TBD---STUDENT ONLY MEETING/8:20 AM/ RJH AUDITORIUM • JAN 15---STUDENT MEETING (to discuss roomates)/8:20 AM/ RJH AUDITORIUM • JAN 25 – ALL PAYMENTS FOR TRIP ARE TO BE COMPLETED • APRIL 12----100% CANCELLATION FEE AFTER THIS DATE • APRIL 24----PARENT/PARTICIPANT MEETING AT 6:30 PM/ RJH AUDITORIUM • APRIL 25---STUDENT ONLY MEETING 8:10/ RJH AUDITORIUM • APRIL 28-----SEE YOU AT THE AIRPORT AT THE DESIGNATED TIME

24. What if my child can’t go after paying? • No ECA money is refunded EVER. You have received a tax credit for it and it is a state law. 2. $300 deposit is non-refundable (ECA may be the better choice) 3. Payments complete by January 25th 4. After April 12th no money will be refunded You might want to take out the travel insurance (available from a separate company)

25. Removal from the Program • Students who do not display good behavior throughout the year will be eliminated from participation. (suspension or displaying questionable behavior, ALC placement, Chronic RRR NOT TO EXCEED 2/QUARTER). • Students who are failing classes or have excessive absences. • If removed from the program, money will be refunded according to Close Up/ state and district guidelines. Refer to contract.

26. What do I need to do as a parent? Once the deposits are in, and we know who are the participating students , we will notify you via: 1.YOUR PROVIDED E-MAIL (please give us a current email) 2. YOUR CHILD 3. DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS AT SCHOOL 4. POSTING IN SOCIAL STUDIES CLASSROOMS AND CLOSE UP BULLETIN BOARD IN THE SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT To Register online We will give you the necessary instructions. If you do not have a computer, we will set a time for you to come to school and register online.

27. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ALL MONEY IS BROUGHT TO THE BOOKSTORE AND A RECEIPT IS GIVEN OR A COPY OF YOUR ECA PAYMENT. IF USING ECA, WRITE YOUR CHILD’S NAME ON THE ECA CARD. DO NOT SEND THE CARD TO THE DISTRICT– WE HAVE NO WAY OF TRACKING. IF YOU HAVE OUT OF TOWN WHO WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE, PLEASE HAVE THEM SEND IT TO YOU OR TO THE SCHOOL WITH THE STUDENT’S NAME ON ANY CORRESPONDENCE. DO NOT PAY CLOSE UP DIRECTLY!

28. ADDITIONAL If you choose you can make weekly/monthly deposits. The monthly deposits will be the total amount divided by 4. We will work with a family that needs to work on a different schedule, but this will be determined after a parent/sponsor contact has been made. Initial deposit date cannot be changed due to Close Up Requirements.

29. WE ARE HAPPY YOU CAME TO JOIN US