November 14, 2008

 

Dear 8^th Grade Parents,

 

Our plans for the Washington, DC trip are in the works.  The estimated cost for the trip will be $465 which includes all transportation, housing and meals ($25/day).  Students will only need to bring extra money for souvenirs.  Air transportation has been booked and unless other costs go up, I don’t anticipate that there will be an increase.

 

The dates for the trip are March 18 – 20, 2009.  We will fly Southwest Airlines into Baltimore and take a train into Washington, DC.   Students and chaperones need to be at Louisville International Airport at 6:00 AM on Wednesday morning, 3/18/09.  We will return on Friday, 3/20/09 at 8:45 PM.  Students may be picked up outside of the security check or at the Southwest baggage claim.

 

Students will need to get an official ID.  These are available at the driver’s license bureau and require a birth certificate and social security card. 

 

We will stay at a youth hostel in downtown Washington.  The arrangements are different from a hotel.  Rooms are dormitory style with bunk beds for up to 12 people in a room and there are no televisions or phones in the rooms.  There is a common room with tables and vending machines.  There are pay phones in the hallways outside the rooms and there is a central office where guests can be contacted and messages left.  A complimentary continental breakfast is served or there are several nice restaurants in the neighborhood as well.

 

While in Washington we will use public transportation or walk wherever we go.  We will have 3-day passes for the subway.  There will be a lot of walking on the trip.  Students and chaperones must be physically able to walk at least 5 miles per day.

 

We will need parents to chaperone.  Our airplane space is limited and we may not be able to accommodate all parents that want to go as I must first be able to cover boys’ and girls’ rooms with appropriate gender parents.  If you agree to go, please do not assume that your child’s other parent may take your place without discussing it with Sharon first.  Chaperones will need to pay $400 and will not receive a daily allowance for food.  Chaperones must have completed a volunteer record check.

 

Our itinerary will tentatively include:  The Smithsonian, monuments, African American Civil War Monument, Mt. Vernon, the Capitol, and Ford’s Theater.  The focus is on American History.

 

Please read the attached travel agreement and return it with the $100 deposit to school by Monday, December 4 (earlier is even better).   The balance will be due by 1/21/09.  Please understand that all due dates are dictated by airlines and are not flexible.  Please let Sharon know immediately if the cost is a problem.

 

We look forward to a fun and educational trip with this outstanding group of kids.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Sharon and Cindy