Darien Elementary Honors Chorus 2018

ON THE DAY OF THE TRIP:

WHEN WE LEAVE:

On June 2, please arrive at ROYLE SCHOOL at between 8:50-9:05 AM to check in with Ms. Theisen and Mrs. Lettera. Coach buses will leave ROYLE by 9:20 AM. We will have MOVIES on the bus.

WHERE WE PERFORM:

We will be performing at Central Connecticut State University, Founders Hall (which is inside DAVIDSON HALL) New Britain, CT.

Here is an interactive campus map: http://www2.ccsu.edu/campusMap/ There is a parking garage 2 buildings to the left (on this map).

(NOTE: THIS VENUE HAS CHANGED FROM LAST YEAR.)

Our warmup time is 11:20 AM and our performance time is 11:40 AM.

(Note that the Honors Orchestra and Honors Band perform in Welty Hall, across campus.)

**NOTE: Children who are being picked up by parents after the CCSU performance need to 'check out' with Mrs. Lettera or Ms. Theisen before leaving.

THEN WHAT DO WE DO?

We will board the buses after our performance and will arrive at Lake Compounce around 12:30 PM. Students will be in groups of 4-6 students with each chaperone or in groups of 6-10 (or more) with 2 (or 3) chaperones together. Students will be with chaperones at all times. There will be a few 'check-in' times for groups to check in with Mrs. Lettera/Ms. Theisen. Chaperones will have that info in their packets.

WHAT IF IT RAINS?

Please note that we are 'watching' the weather for Saturday. This trip is 'rain or shine,' though, since we perform indoors at the university. Lake Compounce rarely closes for weather, so please plan accordingly with rain coats, etc, in case it's raining.

Due to possible inclement weather on Saturday, all of the Darien Elementary Honors Ensembles have put the following plan into effect. The health and safety of children and adults traveling with us is our highest priority. We ask that you check your email often on Saturday for updates.

After our performance at Central Connecticut State University, the directors will meet to make a decision about the weather and our plans for Lake Compounce. We will send an email at that time to alert you to our decision. According to Music in the Parks Festivals, Lake Compounce is open, rain or shine, and no refunds are given due to inclement weather.

If it is raining lightly or sporadically, we will continue to Lake Compounce. Most of the rides remain open in the rain. All participants should bring rain coats, ponchos, hats and umbrellas. At our 2:15 check-in, we will make another decision about remaining at the park.

If there are thunderstorms, we will not go to Lake Compounce. The park has very few indoor or covered rides, and we want to ensure the safety of everyone.

We are hoping that the weather forecast will continue to improve for tomorrow. Again, please be sure to check your email often for updates regarding our plans.

LEAVING EARLY?

NO CHILDREN MAY BE PICKED UP EARLY FROM THE PARK. If you need to pick up your child early, you may do so after the performance at CCSU, but not from the amusement park.

WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?

All students and chaperones should dress for the day at the park. On May 30th, each singer will be given a WHITE Honors Chorus T-Shirt, which he/she must wear on Saturday. Students should dress comfortably in shorts and sneakers. As per Board of Education rules, students are not allowed in the Water Park at the amusement park, so you do not need to pack a bathing suit.

WHAT ABOUT FOOD?

We suggest that students bring a bag lunch that can be eaten on the bus. We also recommend packing a snack for the ride home. Be sure to label it so that it’s not eaten in the morning. No food or drink may be carried into the amusement park. Park food is quite expensive and the wait may be considerable by the time we get there. Coolers may be left on the bus. Your child may wish to bring extra money for incidentals or other game-type activities. PLEASE DO NOT SEND PEANUTS OR PEANUT PRODUCTS ON THE BUSES.

MONEY?

All drinks in the amusement park are free. All rides are also covered by the ticket to get into the park. Students may want to bring some cash, though, for snacks, food, and other incidental items. Please note that chaperones are not responsible for how your child spends his/her money. They are primarily responsible for the safety of your child.

CHAPERONE?

For those parents who have agreed to chaperone, we will need help with stage setup and a lot of help with supervision while we warmup and as we move into the performance room. Chaperones will have groups of 4-6 children (or more, if you're grouped with more than one chaperone in a group) and must accompany the groups at all times at the amusement park. There will be two scheduled check-in times to which you must strictly adhere. You will receive a packet of information and check-in times before we get on the bus. Chaperones will also get a T-Shirt on Saturday morning. Ms. Theisen has washed these for you (in free & clear detergent!) so they're 'ready to wear.'

NOT CHAPERONING, BUT YOU'D LIKE TO GO TO LAKE COMPOUNCE?

If you and/or your extended family members are planning to go to Lake Compounce on your own (not part of our trip) on the same afternoon, you may purchase discounted tickets for $31.00 each at CCSU at the Music in the Parks registration table. Cash or checks only. No credit cards. The cost is a lot higher at the amusement park.

EMERGENCIES?

For Emergencies on Saturday ONLY:

Ms. Theisen’s CELL: 203-561-6623 Mrs. Lettera’s CELL: 203-561-9886

We also check EMAIL: ElemHonorsChorus@darienps.org

We look forward to a great day of music and fun!

MEDICAL INFO:

We will have first aid kits from the school nurses, but if students need medicine, benadryl, EpiPens, etc., you will need to send those along with your child. They are not supplied by the school, since this is a Saturday trip. Mrs.Lettera will be in the amusement park pavilion at all times with the first aid kit, and Ms. Theisen will be roaming the park with a group of kids.

WHAT TIME WILL WE RETURN?

We will leave Lake Compounce at approximately 430PM and will be back at Royle School between 530PM and 6:00PM. We will send out an email from ElemHonorsChorus@darienps.org (the same one we've been emailing you from all spring) with an "ETA" when we leave the park.

Just a reminder that DARIEN ELEMENTARY HONORS CHORUS begins on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28th! We meet for NINE WEDNESDAYS from March 28-May 30.

Where? ROYLE SCHOOL

Time? 3:45-4:45 PM

What should students bring? Water bottle, pencil, paper folder or small 3-ring binder (1/2") for music

Drop off? You may drop off kids anytime between 3:00 and 3:45pm, but if you want to avoid traffic from school dismissal, wait until after 3:05pm. Students will be SUPERVISED in the common room between 3:00 and 3:45pm. Drop off is in the last parking lot (past the school) in the 'kids' zone'. Students should then follow the signs around the left side of the school and into the door just past the gymnasium wall. Please do not drop off kids at the front door of the school. There is no one there to let them in the building. No students are allowed unsupervised on the playground, but parents may stay on the playground with kids.

Pick up? Pick-up time is at 4:45pm in the second parking lot at the kids' zone. You can stay in your car. Pull up in a line to the kids' zone area and children will meet you at your car. Please pull all the way up to the dumpsters if you are at the front of the line. If you are running more than a few minutes late, please email us at ElemHonorsChorus@darienps.org

Allergies/Medical concerns: Call Ms. Theisen at 203-655-0044, ext 4892.

Our BLOG may be found HERE:

https://sites.google.com/a/darienps.org/roylemusic/darien-elementary-honors-chorus-2018

WE SET UP A GOOGLE CLASSROOM for the HONORS CHORUS, so that students can quickly access practice tracks and other information. Students can login to classroom.google.com with their school login and they have to accept the invitation to join the 'classroom.'

Any questions? EMAIL us at this email address: ElemHonorsChorus@darienps.org

Emergencies? If you need to reach Ms. Theisen and Mrs. Lettera during the rehearsal, you may text or call 203-561-6623 (Ms. Theisen's cell phone.)

Permission slip/payment? If you haven't already done so, please return the permission slip and check for $105, payable to "DARIEN INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM." You will receive a separate email to let you know if your payment and permission slip were received or if these items still need to be turned in at the first rehearsal.

When is our performance? Saturday, June 2 at MUSIC IN THE PARKS. The performance is at Central CT State University and then we go to Lake Compounce for the afternoon.

We are looking forward to our rehearsals together!!!!

Regards,

Ms. Kathleen Theisen (Royle) and Mrs. Ruth Lettera (Royle, Hindley, Tokeneke)

OUR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

June 2, 2018

We will leave Darien at approx. 9:00AM

Warmup 11:20am, Perform at 11:40am. Founders Hall, Central CT State University

Then we go to Lake Compounce (approx. 20 minute drive) for the rest of the day.

We will be back in Darien around supper time - 6 or 630PM.