What: 8th Grade Trip to Washington D.C.
Who: Any 8th grade student at Fletcher Middle. In accordance with school policy, any student who accumulates 4 points of discipline in a semester (beginning with first semester, when payments are made) or eight points on the year, will be removed from the trip. (Students who are removed from the trip will be refunded the full amount paid until 30 day before the trip. Within thirty days, all payments paid minus a tour company penalty will be refunded.)
When: Wednesday, February 16 (after school) through Sunday, February 20.
Cost: $649 per student
Payment #1 (Deposit): $200 by September 24
Payment #2: $100 by October 22
Payment #3: $149 by November 19
Payment #4: $200 by December 3
You may pay any or all payments early, but you must not pay with a check larger than $200 at any time, due to district financial policy. You may pay with a check or money order payable to Fletcher Middle – please do NOT bring cash. Should a check be returned for insufficient funds, the student will be removed from the trip until the debt is cleared. Should the debt not be cleared prior to trip departure, the student will not be allowed to travel and cancellation penalties will apply.
Availability of Seats: The trip is filled on a first come, first served basis. We must have a minimum of 45 students for each bus. If we do not fill the last bus, we will cancel that bus and return your deposit. Sign up early to ensure your spot.
Waiting List: If all seats on our buses are full, we will make a wait list. Students who want to be on the wait list should bring a note from a parent. Money will ONLY be collected from students who move from the wait list when a space opens up.
Parent Meeting, Permission Slips and Medical Releases: There will be a parent meeting on November 15 at 6 p.m. in the Media Center. Permission slips will be distributed at that time and students will be permitted to sign up for rooms. Students who do not attend this meeting may pick up a permission slip at sign up for a room at 9:30 on November 16 in Ms. McDonald’s room. Students who do not sign up for a room by December 11 at 4:05 will be assigned a room.
Chaperones: The trip is primarily chaperoned by teachers. Parent chaperones will be added if space is available. Interested parents should send their names and contact information either in written form or via email, and Ms. McDonald will be in touch if there are spaces available for parents. It is imperative that all potential chaperones complete the DCPS volunteer screening process.
If you are interested in traveling as a paying adult, the adult rate is $729 per person double occupancy. Please contact Ms. McDonald if you are interested.
A note about behavior and this trip: This trip is a very exciting event for our eighth graders. It is also educational in focus. We will see many important sites (copies of the itinerary are attached). Students who attend this trip must exhibit excellent behavior as they represent Fletcher Middle School.
Sign-ups Begin: Tuesday, August 31 at Open House. Bring your deposit and the SIGNED policy acknowledgment to Ms. Marinelli’s room (Room 16) between 9:00 a.m. and 9:40 a.m. any morning. We can NOT accept registrations throughout the school day.
TRIP POLICIES
You must be present in school at least half the day on Wednesday, February 16.
All students must be in the bus loop 15 minutes prior to departure.. You MUST ride the bus you are assigned. (All students are assigned to the same bus as their roommates.)
Each student may bring ONE suitcase, for under the bus, and one carry-on.
Snacks may be brought for the bus, but if students make a mess, the privilege may be suspended. Gum is NOT permitted on the bus.
All students need to have money for a fast-food dinner on Wednesday night. All other meals are paid.
All students must wear full-length pants (jeans, etc), and have socks, gloves, and a jacket ON THE BUS, not in the suitcase, at boarding. We will NOT unload the bus on Thursday morning before we begin the tour, and it will be cold.
Students are responsible for their own electronics, should they choose to bring them. Use of electronics is not permitted while we tour, but is allowed while we are riding on the highway or in the hotel.
Students may sit where they choose on the bus, but after dark they may not sit with the opposite gender. Chaperones reserve the right to re-arrange seats if necessary due to behavior.
There will be a curfew in the hotel. Students should CALL a chaperone if they have an emergency after curfew. No one is permitted out of their rooms without an adult’s permission after curfew. A security guard will be in the hall who will call teachers if a student comes into the hall. Students who violate curfew will be required to call home.
At no time may female students be in the hotel room of male students or vice versa.
Please remember we are not the only guests in the hotel. Students will be directed to appropriate places to visit with their friends at the hotel. Do not ride elevators or run stairs just for fun!
All school and district policies are effect. Students who violate school or district rules will be subject to disciplinary action during the trip and/or following our return to school.
We will return around 8 a.m. on Sunday to the 18th St. side of Fletcher. Students must check in with a chaperone from their bus prior to leaving with a parent. Please be on time Sunday! Students will have the opportunity to call home as we cross the Florida line.
Hotel information is on the back of the itinerary.
