Las Virgenes Schools - Travel Ed 2 DC

LAS VIRGENES MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Washington 2022

Dear Parents and Students,

We are cautiously optimistic, as we monitor the CDC bulletins and other news, that we will be able to offer a safe and exciting live learning experience to interested eighth grade students through our annual Spring vacation tour of Washington, D.C., Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, Monticello, and Gettysburg. Students must show proof of Covid 19 vaccination to participate.

While the safety of all participants is essential, we are also focused on the quality of the tour. Some of the indoor sites we normally visit remain closed or severely limited. However, as we proved with our trip last June, there is still much to see. Because there is so much history and culture in the area, we are confident that the tour will still afford the same in-person, live learning experience that has been the hallmark of our tours for over forty years.

In Washington D.C. all the outdoor monuments and memorials are open (including Lincoln, Vietnam, Korea, Jefferson, FDR, MLK, and WWII), and we can provide more in-depth background and historic significance than we normally have time for. Some museums, including the Holocaust and portions of the Smithsonian have also reopened.

In Williamsburg, all the outdoor exhibits are open, providing a “walk back into history” to our nation’s 18th century beginnings. The Jamestown Festival Park is mostly open-air displays and demonstrations. The presidential estates at Mt. Vernon and Monticello are also open. Our escorted tour of the Gettysburg battlefield tour is operating at their normal schedule.

As our nation continues to recover, we anticipate that more sites may open as well.

Your student will depart the evening of April 16 from Los Angeles aboard a regularly scheduled airline and return the evening of April 22. THIS GROUP WILL DEPART THE SECOND NIGHT OF PASSOVER AND LAND IN D.C. ON EASTER SUNDAY.

Once in Washington, we will enjoy deluxe, restroom-equipped, recliner coaches with experienced driver/guides. Students will be chaperoned throughout the trip with a 1:14 adult to student ratio. While in D.C., students will stay in deluxe accommodations such as Sheraton, Hyatt, or Hilton. In Williamsburg, students will stay in leading chain hotels such as Holiday Inn or Clarion, all with interior hallways. Rooms are well appointed with two large beds, cable TV, etc. Students will have an opportunity to select their own roommates, with four students assigned to each room.

All meals are provided during the trip, and will follow CDC guidelines for food safety. Vegetarian options are available at each meal, however, gluten-free options may be limited.

Appropriate student behavior is crucial to the trip. Students will be screened and asked to provide a copy of their 10 week report card as evidence of their behavior and maturity.

The complete cost of the tour is $1,975.00 per person*. This includes: airfare, airport transfers, lodging, sightseeing, all meals, all admissions, supervision, guide fees, and tips. APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION ARE INITIATED ONLINE AT TravelEd2DC.com, BEGINNING FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS BELOW.

From past experience we know that the trip will provide students with a learning experience and friendships that will last a lifetime. Our website (www.TravelEd2DC.com) should provide answers to most questions. If you have any additional questions, contact us at home in the evenings: Darci Miller 805-402-6842 or Tom Johnsen at (805) 499-1569 or Don Zimring at (818) 920-9059. Since this is not a school-sponsored program, PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL OR THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
Sincerely,

Darci Miller, Don Zimring & Tom Johnsen

*Does not include checked luggage fees or future taxes or fuel surcharges that may be added by the government or airlines. Groups that do not meet a minimum number of 48 participants by December 1, 2021 will be cancelled with full refunds provided.

Student Behavior Expectations

The Washington Trip provides a once in a lifetime learning experience for students. The trip is planned to provide an exciting and fun-filled week that will bring alive many of the classroom and textbook experiences students have had. The chaperons take pride in the program they offer and enjoy the trip as much as the students. The success, however, is based not only on a carefully planned itinerary, but on a positive attitude toward learning and a high level of commitment from the students as well. To this end, students must adhere to a higher standard of discipline and self-control than is needed in a normal school routine. Students who cannot meet these standards may be sent home early at their parents’ expense with no refund of any monies paid. We don’t want that to happen. The following is a general guide to the behavior expectations we have for the students.

Students are expected to demonstrate respect and courtesy to everyone they meet during the trip. The maintenance of harmonious working relationships, particularly with guides and others in authority positions, is essential for our continued success. This is fundamental for ALL participants.

Violation of any laws, particularly possession of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vaping or other harmful items, will result in immediate return home at the parents’ expense with no refund and/or arrest by local authorities.

IDENTIFICATION

Students must carry a picture I. D. at all times, as it will be required at the airport, at several sites and for most meals.

ATTIRE

The normal school dress code will be in effect on the trip. “Gang” style clothing or accessories are not permitted. Students will be expected to dress appropriately for their evening at the theatre. A clothing list is available on our website.

ON THE AIRCRAFT

Flying is exciting regardless of age. However, having a 100+ students on a single aircraft requires discipline and cooperation. Students may not roam the plane or “hang out” in the aisles. Using the restroom should be the only reason for leaving one’s seat. We encourage students to rest or even sleep. Others on the flight will be trying to do so, so students’ behavior needs to be respectful of that. Do not use the flight attendant call button unless there is an emergency. When the aircraft lands, students must remain in their seats until the chaperons have given directions for debarkation.

ON THE ROAD

Students will spend a good deal of time on the buses, which are luxury recliner coaches with restrooms. No eating, drinking or gum chewing is permitted on the bus. Music devices are allowed, provided they do not disturb others and that they are put away whenever a chaperon or driver is speaking on the public address system. Our drivers/guides have a wealth of information to provide, but will not do so, if you appear bored or disinterested.

VISITING SITES

Students will be surrounded by their nation’s history and culture. While it will be exciting, we must act with the respect these sites deserve. These historic and national treasures hold memories and values that are important to many people. It is unacceptable to detract from that atmosphere by running, climbing, yelling or chewing gum. When a guide is talking at a site, students must be attentive and not talk or “play around.”

HOTELS

Students will be expected to strictly adhere to hotel behavior standards and curfew rules. Many other patrons use the facility; their right to not be disturbed must be respected. Students are not permitted to “hang out” in the lobby, hallways or in the rooms of other students.

Note !

FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THE ABOVE RULES MAY RESULT IN THE STUDENT BEING SENT HOME EARLY AT THE PARENTS’ EXPENSE WITH NO REFUND PROVIDED.

APPLICATIONS ARE INITIATED ON LINE. A CONFIRMATION EMAIL WILL BE SENT TO YOU. PLEASE PRINT AND SIGN THE CONFIRMATION PAGE & MAIL IT WITH YOUR DEPOSIT CHECK & THE BEHAVIOIR CONTRACT TO THE ADDRESS ON THE FORM.

RETURN TO THE HOME PAGE TO REGISTER

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