Washington DC 2023
The 2023 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip is May 6th – 9th.
Dear Parents and Students,
I am excited to announce that I will lead a group of Gross Middle School students on a WorldStrides program to Washington, D.C.. On this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, students will explore our nation's most important historical sites and experience incomparable learning moments. This will be a trip that your child will be talking about for years to come!
Your child will return home excited to tell you about:
• Standing where Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial • Discovering the true meaning of sacrifice at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• Walking in the footsteps of our great leaders on Capitol Hill
• Exploring numerous Smithsonian Museums, like the National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum
I have chosen to travel with WorldStrides because of their exceptional service, their 50 years of experience, their safety record, and their preventive measures that ensure learning occurs in a safe and fun environment. I have led this trip for many years now and look forward to leading it again. I will chaperone the program with other teachers as needed, and throughout the program our group will be guided by a WorldStrides-certified Course Leader.
There will be a Parent Meeting on May 17th!
I would love for your child to join us on this unforgettable trip!
For more trip information and registration please visit worldstrides.com/signup and sign up for the trip online using Trip ID: 202523.
Contact WorldStrides Customer Service online or at 1-800-468-5899, or 8th Grade Social Studies teacher Shane Soto at (708)588-8843 at ssoto@district95.org for any questions.
Washington D.C. Trip Updates:
TRAVEL :
All tour participants should assemble in the SEG parking lot on Broadway by 2:30 AM on Saturday morning, May 6th.
We will depart promptly at 3:00 AM for Midway airport.
Assuming there are no delays, our returning flight from DCA is scheduled to arrive at 10:00 PM , parents should plan to meet returning students at Gross Middle School at approximately 11:00 PM on Tues. May 9th.
The students will notify their parents once we’ve boarded the bus at Midway to head back to school. Please be prompt in picking up your child.
D.C.
Travel Itinerary for Parents -WS.pdfFlight itinerary, meeting times, TSA links, baggage guidelines, and hotel information.
Any questions relating to carry-ons & flight luggage or travel restrictions see baggage policies at the Southwest Airlines websites or TSA links below.
https://www.southwest.com/help/baggage
https://www.southwest.com/flying-with-southwest/#bags_fly_free
https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus
D.C.
This will be the roommate assignment list for the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks Motel in Fairfax, Virginia.
Click above or below for a direct link to the... Faifax Marriott at Fair Oaks
11787 Lee Jackson Highway
Fairfax, VA 22033
703-352-2525
D.C.
See your new digital Discovery Journal.
Save this link to your phone and bring it with you on your trip!
https://my.visme.co/view/epy6jwgr-dc-digital-discovery-journal
Students DO NOT need identification for traveling, but it's always recommended to travel with some identification, like your student SEG ID card.
Students should pack 1 carry-on bag, or backpack, for day traveling and 1 checked bag, or suitcase, for when they get to the hotel in the evening.
Packing List Suggested-pdf.pdfSuggested packing list.
(This is a very general packing list distributed for all east coast World Strides trips.)
Pack a refillable water bottle!
CHECK THE WEATHER in DC! Click on link or the WC icon!
Itinerary DC FINAL.pdfTouring Itinerary for the Washington D.C. Trip.
Please be aware that this itinerary can change at the discretion of the chaperones or World Strides Course Leaders based on instances such as crowds, D.C./ government events, or the weather.
Any event that requires a timed appointment, like dinner times, Ford's Theater or the Mt. Vernon, is likely not to change.
Medical Release Form.pdfStudent Code of Conduct.pdfThe Medical Release form & Student Code of Conduct form must be completed and turned in to Mr. Soto or Mrs. Mattucci as soon as possible.
These forms can also be picked up in Mr. Soto's and Mrs. Mattucci's class.
Washington D.C. 2023 Trip Slide Show
One of the best parts of the DC trip is the lifelong memories captured in photos. We are asking for your help in putting together a keepsake slideshow. When we return from the trip, please email your chaperone any pictures you'd like to be included. See your chaperone's emails included above.
You can also AirDrop pictures during the trip, if your chaperone is okay with that.
We ask that you limit submissions to 15-20 total of your best pictures, in order to make sure everyone is represented.
Group shots or pics with multiple students and/or chaperones engaged in trip activities are perfect.
Below are some good examples from previous trips and the video slideshow from 2022.
Washington D.C. 2022 Trip Slide Show
Made up of student & teacher photo submissions. Created by Mrs. Mattucci.
DC 2022 FINAL EDIT.mp4There will be a final
Washington D.C. PARENT/STUDENT MEETING
on Thursday, April 27th
in the SEG Cafeteria at 6:30pm.
Please bring your completed Medical Release & Student Behavior forms … IF you have not already turned them in.
During the meeting we will be discussing:
Distributing and filling out luggage tags, lanyards & drawstring backpack bags.
Collecting Medical Release & Student Behavior forms.
Health and allergy concerns.
Student ID?
Travel Itinerary - including departure and arrival times, dates &
locations.
Trip Itinerary.
Hotel/bus/airplane rules, dos and don’ts!
What to pack, how to pack, and what NOT to pack.
Spending money & snacks.
Roommate/Bus/Airplane lists.
Chaperone lists & groups - keeping track of our students.
Using and signing up for the REMIND App.
SILENCE & RESPECT.
Any final questions?
You can register for the trip by going to https://worldstrides.com/custom/gross-middle-school-dc-202523/
or by calling 800-468-5899. Sign up for the trip online using Trip ID # 202523.
For more important information about the trip please click on the parent presentation link below. It includes information on everything from signing up, educational goals & travel logistics to medical, safety & security measures.
WorldStrides’ Parent Presentation or go to the direct link options for the PARENT PRESENTATION below.
D.C.
D.C.
D.C.
The World Strides - S.E.Gross Middle School trip website:
https://worldstrides.com/custom/gross-middle-school-dc-202523/
WorldStrides FLAG Financial Assistance
Parent calls Customer Service at 1-800-468-5899 and returns verification paperwork within 30 days.
Eligibility: families earning up to $85,000 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) are eligible.
Selection process: none; completely based on income.
Award amount: depends on cost of program, but anywhere from $50-$400.
Requirements: Parent must return a brief application to verify eligibility (Customer Service will send it to them after their phone call)
Funds are first-come, first-served and usually run out sometime in mid-fall!
You can also Click On! WorldStrides Customer Service or contact the customer service team at 1-800-468-5899
For detailed information about fundraising ideas and scholarship options SEE BELOW or click on :
Rhodes-Scholarship-Application.pdfOne of World Strides most successful fundraising tool! Within seconds, you can customize our Gift of Education e-cards and send them to friends and family members.
Designs are available for all trip types and for all special occasions, including birthdays and the holidays. E-card recipients can quickly and easily make an online contribution directly to your account – and remember, 100% of the money you raise goes directly towards offsetting your trip price!
Scholarship Options from World Strides:
Gross Final 4-26.pdfTouring Itinerary for the 2022 Washington D.C. Trip.
Last Minute Trip Tips & Reminders:
Luggage
1. Make sure the white WorldStrides luggage tags are secured on your suitcase (checked bag) and on their carry-on bag.
Group Name: S.E. Gross Middle School
2. The carry-on bag or backpack should be packed and ready to go for the day - as if that's your only bag for the entire day.
3. The checked-bag, or suitcase is for when you get to the hotel. We very much prefer they don't go into their suitcase UNTIL they get to the hotel in the evening.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/travel-checklist
4. There will be A LOT of walking! Be prepared with good shoes.
- Pack for the weather. Check the weather!
- No video game systems.
The Black Lanyards & Name Tags:
The black lanyard and name tag needs to be worn while traveling at all times! It has the emergency WorldAssist # - 1-800-999-4542 on the back.
Be sure to label the name tag, in a secure, safe manner: NO FULL NAMES!
a. Student's First Name
b. S.E.Gross
c. Bus Number 1
(R. Begley, M. Calkins, J.Thompson, D. Johnson, C. Nichols, J. Steele, K. Richards, Mama G.)
Make sure you have the yellow drawstring bags with them inside their carry-on. THIS IS NOT A CARRY-ON! You will use this for day touring. The yellow drawstring bags need to be worn while out touring at all times - unless instructed differently by a chaperone.
For anyone who is sick or has recently had Covid: Please make sure the families of your child's roommates have been notified of any recent health issues or illness.
If you have to cancel due to sickness, make sure you contact WorldStrides and then me ASAP. If you purchased the trip insurance through WS, you can cancel up until the day of departure.
Spending money: It is generally recommended to have the students bring between $100 - $150, (though the trip IS all inclusive.) BUT please keep in mind that cashless vendors are becoming more and more common, so I would advise parents to be prepared with a VISA gift card or something similar.
SNACKS:
Students may pack snacks. We will also be providing snacks and water for students while touring.
For students with gluten or dietary issues be sure to pack some food/snacks accordingly especially for Saturday.
Student's do not need a passport or any ID for flying, though I always advise students to bring their student IDs with them because I think it's probably a good idea to travel with identification.
CHECK THE WEATHER in DC! Click on link! Pack accordingly!
The weather is generally warmer in the D.C. vicinity than it is here in Chicago.
Humidity that we have yet to experience can be an issue. Students should stay hydrated and pack a refillable water bottle.
Expect rain. D.C. experiences it's most rainfall in the spring.