Washington, D.C. Trip Final Parent Meeting

1. Washington, D.C. TripFinal Parent Meeting April 14, 2014 Evan Flury

2. Behavior • Students need to be aware that their behavior can result in dismissal from the trip so being on their best behavior is necessary. We will notify parents immediately if we need to speak to your child more than once regarding behavior. • It is essential they listen to their chaperones and avoid disruptive behavior. • We want this to be a fun, exciting trip for ALL students and we need collaboration from each student to make it so.

3. Departure • Students are expected to be at Brawley on Sunday, May 4 at 4:30am. Bus will depart at 5:00am!!! • We will stop to eat lunch around 12:00 as we arrive in DC but will not be stopping to eat breakfast. Please eat breakfast prior to getting on the bus. Bring snacks for when we stop at rest areas! • We also want to encourage students to sleep or rest once we begin our travels. We will arrive in DC at noon and will begin our tour immediately. We will not check into our hotel until 9pm so this is a very long day. Students will need the time on the bus to make up for getting up early and to be well rested for sightseeing.

4. Electronics • While we are encouraging electronics on the bus as we travel to and from DC we are asking students to leave IPOD’s, Game Systems, and other devices secured at the hotel as we travel into the city because we will not be on the bus often. Most of our day will be spent touring the city on foot. We want to prevent any stolen or broken devices. • As well, students have mentioned bringing Play Stations and XBOX’s for use at the hotel. We have told students NOT to bring these type of game systems because we will be arriving late most evenings and students will not have time to play on the game systems. We will be leaving early each morning and we want to make sure all students are well rested and not up late playing games.

5. Cameras • Please bring your cameras. This is a memorable field trip and we want you to be able to share with your parents when you return home. • Students are responsible for any of the technology they bring along with them.

6. Food and Food Money • Students will eat breakfast at the hotel each morning prior to sightseeing. Students need to be down for breakfast around 7:00am to allow enough time for them to eat and be on the bus by 7:45am. • Where we eat lunch is indicated on the itinerary. Your child’s teacher chaperone will have “meal money” ($10)for student to purchase their lunch. Your child’s teacher chaperone will distribute the “meal money” to students as we enter the lunch area. • Dinners, also indicated on the itinerary, will be buffet style. BrightSpark has already confirmed these locations so students will simply show up and eat!! • Energy Drinks: One problem that became apparent last year was the over purchase of Energy drinks on the trip. Students spent much of their “spending money” on these and of course were “full throttle” the rest of day. We ask that you speak to your children about NOT purchasing these while on the trip.

7. Snacks • I would encourage students to bring a few snacks with them as we travel. We are not suppose to eat on the charter buses however as they get off the bus for sightseeing they may want something small to snack on.

8. Wake up times • Students will need to be on the bus by 7:30-7:45 am each morning. • Students will also want to eat breakfast at the hotel prior to departing. Be sure to give yourself enough time to wake up, get yourself ready, and eat before 7:30am

9. Hotel Information and Security • Hyatt Place Sterling, VA 703-443-3909 • We will have 2 security officers on each student hotel floor to ensure the safety our students. They will remain outside the rooms the entire night.

10. Spending Money • Students will have an opportunity to shop for souvenirs throughout the trip. Many of the places we visit have gift shops to browse and purchase gifts/souvenirs. • As well, we will visit a section of souvenir shops across from the Ford’s Theatre. This is an area where students can buy souvenirs for a reasonable price. • Also, when attending the Air and Space Museum there is a 3D space walk and fighter pilot interactive simulator students can go on at an extra charge but are a lot of fun. The cost of the simulator ranges from $7-$8. • Please speak to your child about saving money throughout the trip and not to spend all their money the first day!! • Bright Spark suggests $60-$80 for spending money

11. Walking Shoes • Students will need to bring comfortable walking shoes. We will spend the majority of each day walking throughout the city. High heels, flip flops, and sandals may not be the best choice of shoes.

12. Name tags • Each student will be given an emergency contact card attached to a lanyard. The laynard must be worn at all times when touring. • This card will have a card from BrightSpark which has the telephone number and web address to the company in case needed if any unforeseen circumstances arise.

13. Tour Guide • Tour guides will accompany each bus. The tour guides are certified tour guides and will provide students with accurate and interesting information regarding the sites we visit. From personal experience, the tour guide detailed information adds much to the sight seeing experience.

14. BrightSpark Director • An BrightSpark director will accompany Brawley on our trip. The director will provide assistance to the teachers and help in making the trip run as smooth and organized.

15. Teacher Chaperones • Teacher chaperones will be responsible for 8-12 students throughout the trip. • Teacher chaperones will be sure these students are within reasonable distance from them as we tour the city and ensure they are getting up for breakfast and receiving “meal money” for lunches. • The teacher chaperone and tour moderator (Evan Flury) will deal with any of your child’s issues if any were to arise.

16. ALSO, to ensure students are at meeting location at correct time when touring museums, zoo, ect. We know all students have cell phones with alarm clock. SET your alarm clock for meeting time so you do not loose track of time!!

17. Photo Op • While on our trip we will have a professional group picture taken near the Capital building. • We have t-shirts this year designed by BrodieSchaefers. The shirts will be worn on the day we visit the Capital building for our group picture. According to the itinerary we will doing the photo op on Wednesday, May 7. • T-shirt should display no graffiti nor tears, cuts, rips! After the trip you can do what you want with it but please keep them in the proper form until after the photo op! • The cost of the photo is $15. You must pre-order this by departure date. You can write a check (made payable to Brightspark) or send cash in to your child’s Social Studies teacher by Wednesday, April 30. • Pictures will be distributed at school soon after we arrive home.

18. Check Weather/Umbrella • Check the 5-10 day forecast on weather.com before packing. I would bring at least a light jacket as we are touring the city in the evenings. • If rain is expected pack an umbrella, inexpensive fold up poncho or light jacket with hood!!

19. Laying of the Wreath Ceremony • Congratulations to Ashley Arenella, R.J. Phillips, Leigh Thompson, and CandisDancy for winning the Patriotism essay and the opportunity to participate in the Wreath Laying Ceremony at Arlington! • The Ceremony will be on Tuesday, May 6.

20. Itineray ..\Pictures\itinerary.pdf

21. FUN FUN FUNMEMORIES!!!!! • Itinerary will be sent via email from your teacher chaperone. Expect these this week. • We are all very excited about 4th annual trip to Washington, D.C.! • Overall, we want students to remember they are representing Brawley Middle School! • We want you to have a great time and make many memories but you must be on your best behavior!