8th Grade Class Trip: Washington DC Dear Parents, This year the 8 th grade students at will be taking a class trip to Washington DC! We will be departing on a three-day trip on Wednesday May 8 th and returning late Friday, May 10 th. The total cost for the trip will be $415 and the expense will cover: luxury coach transportation, all meals and all attractions, as well as a T-shirt and photo as mementos. Attached is information regarding trip details, behavior guidelines, payment due dates and discipline procedures. Please turn in the behavior form (checking the bottom box) even if your child will not attend the Washington DC trip. We ask that you stick as close as possible to the payment dates and options offered for logistical reasons. There is a $50 deposit for the trip. Please complete the permission slip and return it to your child s Social Studies teacher with a personal check or money order made out to (no cash). Enclose your deposit and permission slip in an envelope marked with your child's name, DC trip, and team name by Friday, October 12, 2012. See the attached sheet for payment due dates. If you have been actively participating in the Gift Card Program, please indicate that on the permission slip so we can credit your account. Be sure to keep up with your account balances. Any questions about the gift card program should be directed to Andrea Rupp. The final turn-in date for all gift card purchases will be March 21 st. Any remaining amount due will have to be paid by check by Thursday March 28 th (Right before Spring Break). See attached sheet for payment due dates. In order to attend the 8 th grade class trip and the 8 th grade end of year celebration, all school fees/fines must be paid. Please be advised that there is a No Refund Policy. If your child is unable to attend the field trip for any reason, money will not be refunded. Sincerely, David Wessel, Nordonia Hills Middle School
Please complete and return by Oct. 12 th to your child s Social Studies teacher. Child name: Child s Team: Parent Name: Daytime contact number: I give permission for my child to join the class trip to Washington DC. I have read and understand the information set forth in the packet of field-trip information, including the dress code and discipline point-plan guidelines. Parent Signature: Date: Student Signature: I am enclosing a check/money order for the $50 deposit made out to Nordonia Middle School for payment. The final balance is due March 15 th, 2013. I am enclosing a check/money order for $415 for the entire amount of my child s trip. I am using the Easy Pay option to pay online. All due dates are the same as listed for cash. (Account must be set up by school to use) My child s trip is being paid for using a gift card account. I have enclosed the balance of the $50 deposit (if not covered by the balance of the trip account). Any remaining balance I owe will be paid by check/money order by March 28, 2013. My child is not going to Washington DC, but I have read and understand the discipline point-plan guidelines, which also applies to the 8 th grade end of the year celebration. T-Shirt Size (adult sizes): S M L XL XXL (circle one)
Dress Code We feel that it is very important that we represent our school, our community, and our families in a very positive manner at all times especially while traveling. Dress code is very important and will be strictly enforced. As you look over the dress code for our Washington DC trip, keep in mind that our handbook allows the dress code for field trips to be different from the dress code for everyday school. For the most part it will be the same, but you will see some higher-level expectations in some areas. Each student who is attending the Washington DC trip will be required to wear their T-shirt the Thursday of the trip. Please choose appropriate attire to be worn with the T-shirts. Here is a list of what the students are NOT permitted to wear at any time: Denim including blue or black jeans, shorts, jackets, or skirts made of denim Baggy pants that show undergarments at all. Athletic shorts Hip hugger/ low-rise pants (appropriate Capri pants are OK). If hands are raised and you can see an inch or two of the stomach, either the pants or shorts are too low cut. Shorts or Skirts shorter than 2 inches above the knee Clunky jewelry (i.e. spike bracelet or collar, etc.) and wallet chains Flip-flops or athletic sandals (i.e. soccer sandals) Recommendations: It will most likely be HOT Clothes should conform to school dress code unless not permitted by above rules Clothes should fit comfortably. Tight and heavy clothing can be very uncomfortable in warm weather. Sandals and backless shoes are OK, but remember we will be doing a lot of walking, so your choice of footwear must be comfortable. Bring band-aids if you choose not to wear tennis shoes.
Odds and Ends Other things Cell phones are permitted for calls to parents in transit only. Parents are asked not to call the students. Phones must not be used during the day for phone calls or texting while at the sites. If students are using their phones at the sites, inappropriately, the student will be issued a referral and may be asked to sit out and miss some time at the sites. Know the weather forecast for Washington DC. Depending on the weather, everyone should wear a jacket, rain gear, etc It is usually much warmer there than Ohio in May. ipods and MP3 players, etc, are OK for on the bus only. Students are responsible for their own belongings. The school and/or chaperones are not responsible for lost or damaged equipment including cell phones. Movies for the bus ride will be selected and provided by the chaperones. Students will bunk in quad rooms (four students to a room) Males and Females will be separated on different floors. Security guards will be present at night and doors will be taped.
Behavior Contract Dear 8 th Grade Parents/Guardians: Your child will have the opportunity to attend an educational and exciting field trip this year to Washington DC. This trip will extend beyond the hours of a normal school day. Because appropriate behavior is essential on all field trips, and specifically on those of an extended nature, students displaying poor behavior here at school will become ineligible for field trip attendance. Money paid toward the trip is not refundable. The following discipline plan, based on a thirty point system, will be used to track student misbehavior here at school. In accordance with the chart below, students will accumulate points each time they receive a consequence for inappropriate behavior. Once a student earns a total of thirty (30) points, he/she will not be permitted to attend the Washington field trip or the end of the year 8 th grade celebration sponsored by PTSA. * Consequence Points Accumulated Office Detention (Wednesday) 5 points Tardy Detention 5 points Saturday Detention 8 points Opportunity Room 5 points per day Out of School Suspension 30 points Thirty (30) points means NO TRIP* *Students whose behavior in school is of a disruptive nature or have demonstrated the inability to be on time to school, class, or events, may be excluded from this field trip and from the end of the year 8 th grade celebration, (regardless of the number of points currently accrued) upon teacher recommendation and administrative approval. This policy has been developed to ensure that our students uphold the high standards for behavior that expects from its students. Thank you for your support and cooperation in this matter. Questions can be forwarded to Mrs. Smith, Assistant. Sincerely, The Eighth Grade Teams Payment Options
Regular Payment Schedule October 12 th -Deposit ($50) January 18 th -Installment 1($182.50) March 15 th -Installment 2 (182.50) Giftcard program participants October 12 th - Deposit ($50) if there is not at least that much in your account March 26 th -Final Giftcard orders must be in by March 28 th -giftcard participants balance due Easy Pay (Credit Card) Payments Email Andrea Rupp andrea.rupp@nordoniaschools.org to set up your account October 12 th - Pay the entire amount ($415) -or- October 12 th - Pay ($50) deposit January 18 th - Installment 1 ($182.50) March 15 th Installment 2 (182.50)