2009/2010 Avella Eighth-Grade PHILADELPHIA FIELD TRIP
Eighth-graders, this may have been our best Philly trip yet! Thanks for a great time, and good luck on your Finals!
Contents of Student/Parent Info Packet Pages 2-5…Itemized Information and Answers to Frequently-Asked Questions
Page 6…Payment Schedule
Page 7…Trip Rules
Page 8…Directions to Philadelphia
Page 9…Trip Itinerary
Page 10…Trip Planner
*Page 11…Medical Information
*Page 12…Parent & Student Contact Information
*Page 13…Roomy Wish List
*Page 14…Permission Slip *These forms must be returned by Friday, March 5, 2010!
Itemized Information & Answers to Frequently-Asked Questions 1. Hoagie Sales The total profit you earned from your own sales of hoagies, during our two fundraisers, has been deducted from your own ticket price. 2. Payment Schedule The total price for this trip, per student, is $310.00, minus any profits from your hoagie sales. This amount has been divided by three, and each of the three payments MUST be made by each of the following deadlines.
Payment One- February 18.....Payment Two- March 11.....Payment Three- April 6 Note 1: We must receive these payments on time, so that we can pay our travel agent according to our own payment plan… or we will lose our reservation! Note 2: Payments One and Two can be skipped by those students who earned a profit of at least $50.00 in the first hoagie sale and at least $75.00 in the second sale. 3. Permission Slips We appreciate your help in determining the level of interest in the trip and gathering a tentative head-count, via your signatures on the “Tentative Itinerary,” which was sent home two weeks ago. However, now that our trip plans are officially underway, we need a more definitive head-count. Not only is a signed permission slip a requirement for any overnight field trip, it is also very helpful in making our final arrangements. Please return this slip in a timely manner. 4. Informational Meeting We will conduct an informational meeting on Tuesday, May 11, at 6:00PM, in Ms. Wade’s classroom. This meeting is very close to the date of the trip, and it will be used to address any last-minute questions or concerns. All students attending the trip and, at least, one parent/guardian of each MUST attend! At this meeting, you will also be given detailed contact information: teacher chaperone names and numbers, hotel numbers, bus company numbers, school numbers, suggestions for packing, etc. 5. Luggage You will be allowed to take ONE piece of luggage, which will be stored under the bus. Plan your packing around this, as we simply cannot accommodate more.
Remember: this is only a two-day and one-night trip! 6. Bags on the Bus You will be allowed to take one small book bag on the bus with you. Everything you wish to keep with you during the ride must be able to fit in this one bag! (Girls, this includes your purses.) Your ride will be uncomfortable if the bus room is taken up with too many and too large of bags. 7. Purses and Wallets Be careful when carrying purses and wallets in the city! Theft is always a concern. Therefore, you should always keep your belongings on your body, and, whenever possible, just carry your things in your pockets and not in a purse. 8. Cell Phones Unlike during normal school hours, cell phones are not only permitted but also encouraged on this trip! They are an excellent tool in maintaining students’ safety. We will keep a list of each student’s number via the “Parent and Student Contact Information” form in this packet. Also, we will provide each student with the number of at least one chaperone. This could be very necessary in the unlikely event of a separation or other problem. Also, for your safety, we will be sure that each hotel room contains at least one student with a cell phone. 9. Electronic Devices A. Electronic devices (iPods, cell phones, DVD players, cameras, game systems, etc.) ARE permitted on this trip. However, YOU are responsible for them! You are taking a chance that they will be damaged or stolen if you handle them irresponsibly. The teachers, the bus company, the tour guides, and the hotel will NOT be responsible for your expensive devices… so BE CAREFUL!
B. All electronic devices must be used with EARPHONES. There will be a lot of people on the bus, and lots of different music, movies, and games playing loudly will create a very uncomfortable trip for everyone. 10. Snacks and Beverages A. Snacks and beverages ARE permitted in your packing and on the bus.
B. All beverages MUST be SEALED at the time of departure! This will be confirmed during bag check (prior to leaving on Thursday morning) and will be strictly enforced! Any opened beverages will be thrown away.
C. Do NOT bring or consume “energy” drinks on this trip: Volt, Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar, Nos, Purple Gangster, “energy shots,” etc. 11. Bag Check All students’ bags will be checked thoroughly before departure! This includes purses and bookbags. For your safety, we must be sure, BEFORE departing, that no contraband is being brought onto the bus. Female teacher chaperones will check girls’ bags, and male teacher chaperones will check boys’ bags. Parents and students are welcome to stand with us while we search. 12. Pillows and Blankets Along with your two allowable bags, you may also want to bring a SMALL pillow and a SMALL blanket for the bus ride. 13. Travel Company We will be traveling with Four Winds Tour and Travel. The bus will be a deluxe motor coach, and the hotel will be a Spring Hill Suites or equivalent. 14. Bus Seating You will be allowed to choose your own seat on the bus. However, boys will be relegated to one side of the bus and girls to the other side. This is mandatory and will NOT be changed! Also, of course, you will be moved if there is any disciplinary problem resulting from your seating choice. Enjoy the bus ride and your friends, and feel free to talk across the aisles to the boys and girls. Just do so appropriately. 15. Bathroom on the Bus There will be a bathroom on the bus; however, you are NOT permitted to use it! This bathroom is for extreme emergencies only! We will stop as needed for bathroom breaks. (NOTE: This is for YOUR comfort, as whatever we put into that bathroom will be “riding around” with us for two days…) 16. Hotel Detailed hotel information (type, address, contact numbers, room numbers, etc.) will be provided at the informational meeting on May 11. 17. Room Occupancy To keep the cost of the trip down, we will be placing four students in each hotel room. Think about who you would like to room with and complete the attached “Roomy Wish List.” We will do our best to accommodate your requests. You will make this process much easier if you make the plan with three other roomies and fill out your wish list forms TOGETHER. In the past, three have gotten together while all three have put a different name as their fourth choice, causing a seriously difficult task for us in placing you. We will make sure at least one of your requested roommates is in your room. You must be gracious if we cannot accommodate every friend you wish for, though. We have certain number of rooms and a certain number of students, and it is physically impossible to put a single person in two rooms or more than four in one room. In other words, get your three friends (or people you can tolerate) together and ensure your perfect roomy situation! 18. Swimming Pools/Hot Tubs/Gyms If our hotel has a swimming pool, hot tub, or gym, you will NOT be permitted to use it. Don’t even ask! 19. Clothing A. The school dress code must be followed during the entirety of this trip. The only difference: reasonable hats will be permitted. (ie- ball caps, skullies, etc. NO theatrical hats!)
B. Dress for any weather! This means LAYERS. Suggestion: Wear a short-sleeved shirt, but bring a sweater, hoodie, or jacket with you. Also, wear jeans rather than shorts. Yes, the trip is in May, but mornings can still be very chilly. Also, it is an unpredictable month; we could face anything from very hot, to very wet, to very cold. It is better to have layers and be able to remove them if it warms up, rather than to be miserable and cold.
C. Wear sneakers!!! We will be walking A LOT! Sandals, boots, flip-flops, or shoes with heels will not be comfortable. Don’t ruin your trip with sore feet, cold feet, wet feet, or blisters.
D. Bring an umbrella or rain coat with an attached hood. 20. Money You will need money for the following things:
A. Snacks on the way there (unless you bring your own)
B. Souvenirs
C. Lunch on Friday (All other meals are included in your ticket price.)
D. Snacks on the way home (unless you bring your own)
E. Change for vending machines… especially at the hotel (if you choose to use them) 21. Nighttime Security and “Lights Out” A. “Lights Out” time will be strictly enforced.
B. What does “lights out” mean? We are not being literal… instead, this is simply the time when all students must stop socializing between rooms and get into their own, assigned rooms. You may continue to talk inside your own room with the lights on, as long as it’s not disruptive to other rooms and as long as you do not leave your room.
C. For security purposes, the hotel halls will be monitored ALL night by teacher chaperones. Tape will also be placed across the doors to identify and students who have tried to open the door after “lights out.” You will have your own bathroom and at least one cell phone in your room, so there is absolutely no need to leave it. This is strictly enforced!
D. You will receive disciplinary action when we return to school if you leave your room, for ANY reason after “lights out.” If you “play” with the door and the tape breaks, it looks to us as though you’ve left your room… so don’t get into trouble for no reason. Stay away from your room door after “lights out”!
E. If you have an emergency, you will be able to call your teacher chaperone for assistance, and we will be around to check on you regularly, all night. 22. Phones in Rooms Any land lines in the hotel rooms will be disconnected and removed. This is for your safety and for the sanity of the other hotel guests. (Also, all “inappropriate” TV channels will be blocked.) 23. Hotel Room Check All hotel rooms will be checked prior to departure, on Friday. Disciplinary action will be taken for ANY damage to the rooms. 24. Morning Departures Because we are on a tight schedule, it is imperative that each student arrive on time when we depart from Avella on Thursday and when we depart from the hotel on Friday!
A. All students must attend the breakfast at the hotel, whether they want to eat or not, so that we may take a head count and do the final room check.
B. Attending breakfast will also better ensure a timely departure from the hotel.
C. Make arrangements with your roomies for showering and getting ready in the morning. If two of you shower at night and two in the morning, this will cut down on some of the morning confusion.
D. Lay your clothing out on Thursday night, in the hotel, to further cut down on morning preparation time.
E. We MUST leave on time! Some sites and activities have already been paid for with your trip cost, but could be missed due to late arrivals. This is a waste of YOUR money. Be on time! 25. Medications A. All medications must be listed on the “Medical Information” form in this packet.
B. Students are NOT permitted to carry their own medications.
C. Teacher chaperones will carry and distribute medications according to the information provided on the “Medical Information” form.
D. YES, this includes “minor” things like ibuprofen and Day Quill. You simply CANNOT carry ANY medications with you.
E. All medications are to be clearly marked with the student’s name and placed in a plastic bag.
F. If you THINK you MAY need something, put a small amount of it in a baggie, include it on the necessary forms, and give it to your teacher chaperones. 26. Conduct A. Of course, you will be expected to follow school rules during the entirety of the trip. For your safety, in a city and far from home, you MUST listen to the instructions of your teacher chaperones at ALL times!
B. Two years ago, students smuggled cigarettes on their bodies (to avoid being detected during the bag check) and were caught smoking in their hotel room. If you try to smoke on this trip, especially in the hotel, we WILL find out, you will receive disciplinary action through the school, and you will be sent to the magistrate. Furthermore, if these students had been caught by hotel security before we found them, they would have been detained by the hotel (parents forced to come out and pick them up) and fined hundreds to thousands of dollars by the hotel! Don’t bring cigarettes, and don’t try to smoke. Don’t bring any other illegal or unpermitted substances. We check rooms constantly, we are with you all day, and we will catch you. Don’t ruin your trip! 27. Sickness or Injury If a student becomes ill or is injured during the trip, parents will be notified immediately. We will decide, TOGETHER, if the situation warrants fortitude and “pressing on” or if hospitalization or other attention is required. In the event of an injury or sickness requiring medical attention, the attached “Medical Information” form will give the teacher chaperones the ability to seek the necessary attention. 28. Severe Discipline Issues Students who refuse to cooperate with their fellow travelers, teacher chaperones, tour guides, bus drivers, etc. or who interfere with the education or enjoyment of their peers, or who generally break the rules of the trip and the school district, will be disciplined upon return to school. Discipline will be handled according to the Avella Code of Discipline. However, in the event of SERIOUS issues, parents will be contacted and arrangements may need to be made regarding student pick-up in Philadelphia. Please discuss the attached rules (parents and students) so that this is less likely to be an issue. We look forward to a fun and educational trip, for EVERYONE!
Trip Rules Parents and Students, please read each of these rules TOGETHER and discuss them before signing and returning the permission slip and other forms in this packet. The rules must be followed if we are all to enjoy our trip! Everyone has paid, and deserves the same right to an enjoyable trip.
1. Follow the dress code (except for acceptable hats).
2. Use earphones for electronic devices on the bus.
3. Pack only sealed beverages.
4. Bring no “energy” drinks.
5. Bring nothing that has not been checked and approved by the chaperones.
6. Stay seated on the bus.
7. Do not use the bathroom on the bus.
8. Be quiet and attentive when receiving directions or information from the chaperones, bus drivers, tour guides, or other trip leaders.
9. Be respectful of tour guides and other tour groups, artifacts, and other property during tours.
10. Turn off cell phones (or place them on vibrate) during tours.
11. Do not take calls or text during tours or when receiving directions.
12. Be respectful of classmates and chaperones.
13. Do not interfere with the enjoyment or education of your peers.
14. Do not leave the group, for any reason! This includes getting far enough away to be out of a chaperone’s sight or hearing. Stay with the group!!!
15. Do not speak to or approach ANYONE that is not part of the group: chaperones, bus drivers, tour guides, classmates… NO ONE ELSE!
16. Report it to a chaperone, immediately, if you are approached or bothered by anyone outside of the group.
17. Do not damage your hotel room or any of its property in any way.
18. Stay in your hotel room after “lights out.” You are not permitted to leave the room for any reason, after that time.
19. Be respectful of other hotel guests. This means no running or being loud in hallways or in your room.
20. Report any bad or unsafe behavior to a chaperone, promptly.
21. Be on time to each departure point, especially for bag check on Thursday and leaving the hotel on Friday.
22. Do not steal.
23. Do not smoke.
24. Do not drink alcoholic beverages or use any illegal substance.
25. Do not take medications that are not listed on your “Medical Information” form.
26. In general, conduct yourself according to the rules of your school, your household, your classroom, and your self-respect.
27. Be a good representative of Avella Area School District.
28. Have fun!
Trip Itinerary Thursday, May 13 5:00am
Departure from school
Two stops for fuel, restrooms, second driver, etc.
11:00am
Arrival in Philadelphia
Meeting of tour guides
Lunch at Bourse Food Court (included in ticket price)
1:30pm
Guided Tour of Philadelphia (home of Ben Franklin, The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, etc.)
Scavenger Hunt in Independence Park (for prizes)
4:00pm
National Constitution Center
5:30pm
Dinner at Hard Rock Café, Buca de Beppo, or similar (included in ticket price)
7:00pm
“Bring out Your Dead” Ghost Tour
and/ or… bowling (depending on final number attending)
and/or… Mad Cap Comedy Show (depending on final number attending)
8:30pm
Departure for hotel (Spring Hill Suites, Willow Grove, or equivalent) *Subject to change due to length of evening activities 9:00pm
Hotel check-in *Subject to change due to length of evening activities Friday, May 14 7:30am
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (included in ticket price)
8:30am
Departure from hotel
9:30am
National Liberty Museum
11:00am
Exploration of the life and works of Ben Franklin
Tour of the US Mint
12:00noon
Lunch at the Bourse Food Court (only meal NOT included in ticket price)
1:00pm
Departure from Philadelphia
7:00pm
Arrival at school
Trip Planner February 11 Second hoagie sale deadline February 18 First payment deadline March 5 Deadline to turn in the following forms
1. permission slips
2. medical forms
3. parent/student contact info forms
4. roomy wish lists March 11 Second payment deadline April 6 Final payment deadline!!! March 15-19 Official hotel room assignments
(after “Roomy Wish Lists” are organized) May 11 Informational meeting (7:00pm)
1. Info packet review
2. Suggestions
3. Teacher contact info
4. Hotel contact info
5. Questions and concerns May 12 Packing
1. One piece of luggage (for under the bus) 2. One small backpack (to keep with you ON the bus) 3. One small pillow
4. One small blanket
5. Snacks and drinks (in SEALED containers) 6. Money and change
7. Jacket
8. Long and short-sleeved shirts
9. Sneakers
10. Umbrella
11. Clothes for Friday
12. Medications (labeled and in a zip-lock baggie) 13. Sleepwear
14. Toiletries/cosmetics/personal care items/etc. May 13 Travelling to and touring Philly May 14 More touring of Philly and travelling home
PHILADELPHIA FIELD TRIP
Eighth-graders, this may have been our best Philly trip yet! Thanks for a great time, and good luck on your Finals!
Contents of Student/Parent Info Packet
Pages 2-5…Itemized Information and Answers to Frequently-Asked Questions
Page 6…Payment Schedule
Page 7…Trip Rules
Page 8…Directions to Philadelphia
Page 9…Trip Itinerary
Page 10…Trip Planner
*Page 11…Medical Information
*Page 12…Parent & Student Contact Information
*Page 13…Roomy Wish List
*Page 14…Permission Slip
*These forms must be returned by Friday, March 5, 2010!
Itemized Information & Answers to Frequently-Asked Questions
1. Hoagie Sales
The total profit you earned from your own sales of hoagies, during our two fundraisers, has been deducted from your own ticket price.
2. Payment Schedule
The total price for this trip, per student, is $310.00, minus any profits from your hoagie sales. This amount has been divided by three, and each of the three payments MUST be made by each of the following deadlines.
Payment One- February 18.....Payment Two- March 11.....Payment Three- April 6
Note 1: We must receive these payments on time, so that we can pay our travel agent according to our own payment plan… or we will lose our reservation!
Note 2: Payments One and Two can be skipped by those students who earned a profit of at least $50.00 in the first hoagie sale and at least $75.00 in the second sale.
3. Permission Slips
We appreciate your help in determining the level of interest in the trip and gathering a tentative head-count, via your signatures on the “Tentative Itinerary,” which was sent home two weeks ago. However, now that our trip plans are officially underway, we need a more definitive head-count. Not only is a signed permission slip a requirement for any overnight field trip, it is also very helpful in making our final arrangements. Please return this slip in a timely manner.
4. Informational Meeting
We will conduct an informational meeting on Tuesday, May 11, at 6:00PM, in Ms. Wade’s classroom. This meeting is very close to the date of the trip, and it will be used to address any last-minute questions or concerns. All students attending the trip and, at least, one parent/guardian of each MUST attend! At this meeting, you will also be given detailed contact information: teacher chaperone names and numbers, hotel numbers, bus company numbers, school numbers, suggestions for packing, etc.
5. Luggage
You will be allowed to take ONE piece of luggage, which will be stored under the bus. Plan your packing around this, as we simply cannot accommodate more.
Remember: this is only a two-day and one-night trip!
6. Bags on the Bus
You will be allowed to take one small book bag on the bus with you. Everything you wish to keep with you during the ride must be able to fit in this one bag! (Girls, this includes your purses.) Your ride will be uncomfortable if the bus room is taken up with too many and too large of bags.
7. Purses and Wallets
Be careful when carrying purses and wallets in the city! Theft is always a concern. Therefore, you should always keep your belongings on your body, and, whenever possible, just carry your things in your pockets and not in a purse.
8. Cell Phones
Unlike during normal school hours, cell phones are not only permitted but also encouraged on this trip! They are an excellent tool in maintaining students’ safety. We will keep a list of each student’s number via the “Parent and Student Contact Information” form in this packet. Also, we will provide each student with the number of at least one chaperone. This could be very necessary in the unlikely event of a separation or other problem. Also, for your safety, we will be sure that each hotel room contains at least one student with a cell phone.
9. Electronic Devices
A. Electronic devices (iPods, cell phones, DVD players, cameras, game systems, etc.) ARE permitted on this trip. However, YOU are responsible for them! You are taking a chance that they will be damaged or stolen if you handle them irresponsibly. The teachers, the bus company, the tour guides, and the hotel will NOT be responsible for your expensive devices… so BE CAREFUL!
B. All electronic devices must be used with EARPHONES. There will be a lot of people on the bus, and lots of different music, movies, and games playing loudly will create a very uncomfortable trip for everyone.
10. Snacks and Beverages
A. Snacks and beverages ARE permitted in your packing and on the bus.
B. All beverages MUST be SEALED at the time of departure! This will be confirmed during bag check (prior to leaving on Thursday morning) and will be strictly enforced! Any opened beverages will be thrown away.
C. Do NOT bring or consume “energy” drinks on this trip: Volt, Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar, Nos, Purple Gangster, “energy shots,” etc.
11. Bag Check
All students’ bags will be checked thoroughly before departure! This includes purses and bookbags. For your safety, we must be sure, BEFORE departing, that no contraband is being brought onto the bus. Female teacher chaperones will check girls’ bags, and male teacher chaperones will check boys’ bags. Parents and students are welcome to stand with us while we search.
12. Pillows and Blankets
Along with your two allowable bags, you may also want to bring a SMALL pillow and a SMALL blanket for the bus ride.
13. Travel Company
We will be traveling with Four Winds Tour and Travel. The bus will be a deluxe motor coach, and the hotel will be a Spring Hill Suites or equivalent.
14. Bus Seating
You will be allowed to choose your own seat on the bus. However, boys will be relegated to one side of the bus and girls to the other side. This is mandatory and will NOT be changed! Also, of course, you will be moved if there is any disciplinary problem resulting from your seating choice. Enjoy the bus ride and your friends, and feel free to talk across the aisles to the boys and girls. Just do so appropriately.
15. Bathroom on the Bus
There will be a bathroom on the bus; however, you are NOT permitted to use it! This bathroom is for extreme emergencies only! We will stop as needed for bathroom breaks. (NOTE: This is for YOUR comfort, as whatever we put into that bathroom will be “riding around” with us for two days…)
16. Hotel
Detailed hotel information (type, address, contact numbers, room numbers, etc.) will be provided at the informational meeting on May 11.
17. Room Occupancy
To keep the cost of the trip down, we will be placing four students in each hotel room. Think about who you would like to room with and complete the attached “Roomy Wish List.” We will do our best to accommodate your requests. You will make this process much easier if you make the plan with three other roomies and fill out your wish list forms TOGETHER. In the past, three have gotten together while all three have put a different name as their fourth choice, causing a seriously difficult task for us in placing you. We will make sure at least one of your requested roommates is in your room. You must be gracious if we cannot accommodate every friend you wish for, though. We have certain number of rooms and a certain number of students, and it is physically impossible to put a single person in two rooms or more than four in one room. In other words, get your three friends (or people you can tolerate) together and ensure your perfect roomy situation!
18. Swimming Pools/Hot Tubs/Gyms
If our hotel has a swimming pool, hot tub, or gym, you will NOT be permitted to use it. Don’t even ask!
19. Clothing
A. The school dress code must be followed during the entirety of this trip. The only difference: reasonable hats will be permitted. (ie- ball caps, skullies, etc. NO theatrical hats!)
B. Dress for any weather! This means LAYERS. Suggestion: Wear a short-sleeved shirt, but bring a sweater, hoodie, or jacket with you. Also, wear jeans rather than shorts. Yes, the trip is in May, but mornings can still be very chilly. Also, it is an unpredictable month; we could face anything from very hot, to very wet, to very cold. It is better to have layers and be able to remove them if it warms up, rather than to be miserable and cold.
C. Wear sneakers!!! We will be walking A LOT! Sandals, boots, flip-flops, or shoes with heels will not be comfortable. Don’t ruin your trip with sore feet, cold feet, wet feet, or blisters.
D. Bring an umbrella or rain coat with an attached hood.
20. Money
You will need money for the following things:
A. Snacks on the way there (unless you bring your own)
B. Souvenirs
C. Lunch on Friday (All other meals are included in your ticket price.)
D. Snacks on the way home (unless you bring your own)
E. Change for vending machines… especially at the hotel (if you choose to use them)
21. Nighttime Security and “Lights Out”
A. “Lights Out” time will be strictly enforced.
B. What does “lights out” mean? We are not being literal… instead, this is simply the time when all students must stop socializing between rooms and get into their own, assigned rooms. You may continue to talk inside your own room with the lights on, as long as it’s not disruptive to other rooms and as long as you do not leave your room.
C. For security purposes, the hotel halls will be monitored ALL night by teacher chaperones. Tape will also be placed across the doors to identify and students who have tried to open the door after “lights out.” You will have your own bathroom and at least one cell phone in your room, so there is absolutely no need to leave it. This is strictly enforced!
D. You will receive disciplinary action when we return to school if you leave your room, for ANY reason after “lights out.” If you “play” with the door and the tape breaks, it looks to us as though you’ve left your room… so don’t get into trouble for no reason. Stay away from your room door after “lights out”!
E. If you have an emergency, you will be able to call your teacher chaperone for assistance, and we will be around to check on you regularly, all night.
22. Phones in Rooms
Any land lines in the hotel rooms will be disconnected and removed. This is for your safety and for the sanity of the other hotel guests. (Also, all “inappropriate” TV channels will be blocked.)
23. Hotel Room Check
All hotel rooms will be checked prior to departure, on Friday. Disciplinary action will be taken for ANY damage to the rooms.
24. Morning Departures
Because we are on a tight schedule, it is imperative that each student arrive on time when we depart from Avella on Thursday and when we depart from the hotel on Friday!
A. All students must attend the breakfast at the hotel, whether they want to eat or not, so that we may take a head count and do the final room check.
B. Attending breakfast will also better ensure a timely departure from the hotel.
C. Make arrangements with your roomies for showering and getting ready in the morning. If two of you shower at night and two in the morning, this will cut down on some of the morning confusion.
D. Lay your clothing out on Thursday night, in the hotel, to further cut down on morning preparation time.
E. We MUST leave on time! Some sites and activities have already been paid for with your trip cost, but could be missed due to late arrivals. This is a waste of YOUR money. Be on time!
25. Medications
A. All medications must be listed on the “Medical Information” form in this packet.
B. Students are NOT permitted to carry their own medications.
C. Teacher chaperones will carry and distribute medications according to the information provided on the “Medical Information” form.
D. YES, this includes “minor” things like ibuprofen and Day Quill. You simply CANNOT carry ANY medications with you.
E. All medications are to be clearly marked with the student’s name and placed in a plastic bag.
F. If you THINK you MAY need something, put a small amount of it in a baggie, include it on the necessary forms, and give it to your teacher chaperones.
26. Conduct
A. Of course, you will be expected to follow school rules during the entirety of the trip. For your safety, in a city and far from home, you MUST listen to the instructions of your teacher chaperones at ALL times!
B. Two years ago, students smuggled cigarettes on their bodies (to avoid being detected during the bag check) and were caught smoking in their hotel room. If you try to smoke on this trip, especially in the hotel, we WILL find out, you will receive disciplinary action through the school, and you will be sent to the magistrate. Furthermore, if these students had been caught by hotel security before we found them, they would have been detained by the hotel (parents forced to come out and pick them up) and fined hundreds to thousands of dollars by the hotel! Don’t bring cigarettes, and don’t try to smoke. Don’t bring any other illegal or unpermitted substances. We check rooms constantly, we are with you all day, and we will catch you. Don’t ruin your trip!
27. Sickness or Injury
If a student becomes ill or is injured during the trip, parents will be notified immediately. We will decide, TOGETHER, if the situation warrants fortitude and “pressing on” or if hospitalization or other attention is required. In the event of an injury or sickness requiring medical attention, the attached “Medical Information” form will give the teacher chaperones the ability to seek the necessary attention.
28. Severe Discipline Issues
Students who refuse to cooperate with their fellow travelers, teacher chaperones, tour guides, bus drivers, etc. or who interfere with the education or enjoyment of their peers, or who generally break the rules of the trip and the school district, will be disciplined upon return to school. Discipline will be handled according to the Avella Code of Discipline. However, in the event of SERIOUS issues, parents will be contacted and arrangements may need to be made regarding student pick-up in Philadelphia. Please discuss the attached rules (parents and students) so that this is less likely to be an issue. We look forward to a fun and educational trip, for EVERYONE!
Trip Rules
Parents and Students, please read each of these rules TOGETHER and discuss them before signing and returning the permission slip and other forms in this packet. The rules must be followed if we are all to enjoy our trip! Everyone has paid, and deserves the same right to an enjoyable trip.
1. Follow the dress code (except for acceptable hats).
2. Use earphones for electronic devices on the bus.
3. Pack only sealed beverages.
4. Bring no “energy” drinks.
5. Bring nothing that has not been checked and approved by the chaperones.
6. Stay seated on the bus.
7. Do not use the bathroom on the bus.
8. Be quiet and attentive when receiving directions or information from the chaperones, bus drivers, tour guides, or other trip leaders.
9. Be respectful of tour guides and other tour groups, artifacts, and other property during tours.
10. Turn off cell phones (or place them on vibrate) during tours.
11. Do not take calls or text during tours or when receiving directions.
12. Be respectful of classmates and chaperones.
13. Do not interfere with the enjoyment or education of your peers.
14. Do not leave the group, for any reason! This includes getting far enough away to be out of a chaperone’s sight or hearing. Stay with the group!!!
15. Do not speak to or approach ANYONE that is not part of the group: chaperones, bus drivers, tour guides, classmates… NO ONE ELSE!
16. Report it to a chaperone, immediately, if you are approached or bothered by anyone outside of the group.
17. Do not damage your hotel room or any of its property in any way.
18. Stay in your hotel room after “lights out.” You are not permitted to leave the room for any reason, after that time.
19. Be respectful of other hotel guests. This means no running or being loud in hallways or in your room.
20. Report any bad or unsafe behavior to a chaperone, promptly.
21. Be on time to each departure point, especially for bag check on Thursday and leaving the hotel on Friday.
22. Do not steal.
23. Do not smoke.
24. Do not drink alcoholic beverages or use any illegal substance.
25. Do not take medications that are not listed on your “Medical Information” form.
26. In general, conduct yourself according to the rules of your school, your household, your classroom, and your self-respect.
27. Be a good representative of Avella Area School District.
28. Have fun!
Trip Itinerary
Thursday, May 13
5:00am
Departure from school
Two stops for fuel, restrooms, second driver, etc.
11:00am
Arrival in Philadelphia
Meeting of tour guides
Lunch at Bourse Food Court (included in ticket price)
1:30pm
Guided Tour of Philadelphia (home of Ben Franklin, The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, etc.)
Scavenger Hunt in Independence Park (for prizes)
4:00pm
National Constitution Center
5:30pm
Dinner at Hard Rock Café, Buca de Beppo, or similar (included in ticket price)
7:00pm
“Bring out Your Dead” Ghost Tour
and/ or… bowling (depending on final number attending)
and/or… Mad Cap Comedy Show (depending on final number attending)
8:30pm
Departure for hotel (Spring Hill Suites, Willow Grove, or equivalent)
*Subject to change due to length of evening activities
9:00pm
Hotel check-in
*Subject to change due to length of evening activities
Friday, May 14
7:30am
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (included in ticket price)
8:30am
Departure from hotel
9:30am
National Liberty Museum
11:00am
Exploration of the life and works of Ben Franklin
Tour of the US Mint
12:00noon
Lunch at the Bourse Food Court (only meal NOT included in ticket price)
1:00pm
Departure from Philadelphia
7:00pm
Arrival at school
Trip Planner
February 11
Second hoagie sale deadline
February 18
First payment deadline
March 5
Deadline to turn in the following forms
1. permission slips
2. medical forms
3. parent/student contact info forms
4. roomy wish lists
March 11
Second payment deadline
April 6
Final payment deadline!!!
March 15-19
Official hotel room assignments
(after “Roomy Wish Lists” are organized)
May 11
Informational meeting (7:00pm)
1. Info packet review
2. Suggestions
3. Teacher contact info
4. Hotel contact info
5. Questions and concerns
May 12
Packing
1. One piece of luggage (for under the bus)
2. One small backpack (to keep with you ON the bus)
3. One small pillow
4. One small blanket
5. Snacks and drinks (in SEALED containers)
6. Money and change
7. Jacket
8. Long and short-sleeved shirts
9. Sneakers
10. Umbrella
11. Clothes for Friday
12. Medications (labeled and in a zip-lock baggie)
13. Sleepwear
14. Toiletries/cosmetics/personal care items/etc.
May 13
Travelling to and touring Philly
May 14
More touring of Philly and travelling home