Embedded Files
The 2026 8th Grade Washington D.C.
Trip is Sat. May 2nd – Tues. 5th.
Dear Parents and Students,
I am excited to announce that I and a group of SEG's best teachers, will once again be escorting a group of 8th Graders on the annual trip to Washington, D.C. While on this amazing adventure, students will explore some of our nation's most important historic and educational sites, memorials & monuments and experience incomparable learning moments, while bonding with their closest freinds and favorite teachers. Every year I look forward to leading a group of eager 8th Graders on another adventure to our Nation's capital, and 2026 will be no exception. This will be a trip that the 8th graders who are fortunate enough to attend will be talking about for years to come!
8th Graders will return home excited to talk about:
• discovering the true meaning of sacrifice & respect at Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and many other war memorials.
• walking in the footsteps of our greatest leaders on Capitol Hill and around the White House.
• learning about culture and our humanity at museums like the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History & Culture, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Holocaust Memorial Museum.
• standing where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial.
• all the fun, bonding moments they will experience and share with their friends and teachers while traveling through Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia.
"The Washington D.C. Trip is an essential part
of the 8th Grade experience at SEG!"
- SEG Alumn
We travel with WorldStrides, which has been around for over 50 years, and who I've been working with for almost 15 years. I have been a part of the SEG community for over 25 years and a sponsor of 8th Grade Washington D.C. trip since 2002. I've been the Program Leader of the trip since 2014. Many of the dedicated teacher-chaperones who will be joining us on our journey have been doing this with me for many years. Throughout the trip our group will be guided by a WorldStrides-certified D.C. course leader, or on-board docent. I would love to share this incredible and unforgettable experience with as many of the 8th Grade class as possible.
This tour is operated by WorldStrides Student Tours. School District 95 is NOT sponsoring this tour and does not assume any liability concerning this tour.
2026 Washington D.C. Trip & Registration Information
2026 Washington D.C. Trip & Registration Information
There was an important trip information & registration meeting on
There was an important trip information & registration meeting on
Thursday, Sept. 25th for parents interested in having their kids attend the Washington D.C. Trip.
Thursday, Sept. 25th for parents interested in having their kids attend the Washington D.C. Trip.
Contact WorldStrides Customer Service online or at 1-800-468-5899, or 8th Gr. Soc. St teacher
Shane Soto at (708)588-8843 at ssoto@district95.org for any questions.
The minimum deposit for the trip is $115.
Scroll down for payment plans, financial assistance and fundraising.
This tour is operated by WorldStrides Student Tours. School District 95 is NOT sponsoring this tour and
does not assume any liability concerning this tour.
You can register for the trip by calling (800)468-5899 or by going to
The World Strides - S.E.Gross Middle School trip website:
https://worldstrides.com/custom/2026-s-e-gross-ms-dc-216452/
Sign up for the trip online using Trip ID: 222689
Sign up for the trip online using Trip ID: 222689
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.
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. https://vimeo.com/669248312/c52fd8b642
WorldStrides’ Parent Presentation or go to the direct link options for the PARENT PRESENTATION below. https://vimeo.com/669248312/c52fd8b642
Contact World Strides Customer Service online or at 1-800-468-5899, or contact me at (708) 588-8843 or ssoto@district95.org for any questions.
Contact World Strides Customer Service online or at 1-800-468-5899, or contact me at (708) 588-8843 or ssoto@district95.org for any questions.
2026 Trip Financial Resources for Families:
WorldStrides FLAG Financial Assistance
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! Financial Assistance or For Parents: or contact the customer service team at 1-800-468-5899 for more information.
You can also Click On! Financial Assistance or For Parents: or contact the customer service team at 1-800-468-5899 for more information.
For detailed information about fundraising ideas and scholarship options SEE BELOW or click on:
For detailed information about fundraising ideas and scholarship options SEE BELOW or click on:
https://fundraising.worldstrides.com/scholarships-and-grants/
One of World Strides most successful fundraising tool! Within seconds, you can customize our Gift of Education e-card and send them to friends and family members. https://fundraising.worldstrides.com/gis-gift-education/
One of World Strides most successful fundraising tool! Within seconds, you can customize our Gift of Education e-card and send them to friends and family members. https://fundraising.worldstrides.com/gis-gift-education/
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!
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!
Washington D.C. 2025 Trip Slide Show
Washington D.C. 2025 Trip Slide Show
Made up of student & teacher photo submissions. Created by Mrs. Mattucci (mostly) and Mr. Soto.
DC 2025.mp4To see the future you must look into the past!
Below you'll find travel guidelines, itinerary & hotel information, and last minute tips & reminders from DC25.
Students should assemble in the SEG parking lot no later than 3:00 am on Saturday morning. Please make sure buses can exit the parking lot.
We will depart promptly at 3:25 am for Midway airport.
Luggage
Make sure the white WorldStrides luggage tags are secured on your suitcase (checked bag) and on your backpack (carry-on bag).
Group Name on Luggage Tags: S.E. Gross Middle School
The backpack (carry-on bag) should be packed and ready to go for the day - as if that's your only bag for the entire day.
The suitcase (checked-bag), is for when you get to the hotel. We prefer that you don't go into your suitcase UNTIL you get to the hotel, at the end of the day.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/travel-checklist
Pack accordingly! Expect rain. D.C. experiences it's most rainfall in the spring.
There will be A LOT of walking! Be prepared with good shoes!
- NO slides or crocs while touring the city!
- Pack for the weather. Check the weather!
- No video game systems.
- See packing list suggestions below.
CHECK THE WEATHER in DC! Click on link!
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.
Eating on Saturday Morning:
Stay hydrated.
Pack a refillable water bottle!
Try to eat something before you get to school.
Bring money for an airport breakfast and/or pack a heavy snack for when we board the bus. Lunch won't be until 12:30pm on Saturday.
d
We will NOT be eating at BWI airport.
Bring your 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.
Spending Money: Though the trip IS all inclusive, it is generally recommended to have the students bring between $100 - $150 spending money, BUT please keep in mind that cashless vendors are becoming more and more common, so I would advise you to be prepared with a VISA gift card or something similar.
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.
Please try to be in school on Wednesday.
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 Mr. Soto ASAP. If you purchased the trip insurance through WS, you can cancel up until the day of departure.
D.C. travel guidelines, itinerary
D.C. travel guidelines, itinerary
& hotel information:
& hotel information:
DEPARTURE TIMES:
Students should assemble in the SEG parking lot no later than 3:00 am
on Saturday morning, May 3rd.
We will depart promptly at 3:25 am for Midway airport.
ARRIVAL TIMES:
Assuming there are no delays, our returning flight is scheduled to arrive at Midway at 9:50 pm. Parents should plan to meet returning students
at approximately 10:35 pm on Tuesday evening May 7th.
Students let you know when we've left the airport. Please be prompt in picking up your child.
Students let you know when we've left the airport. Please be prompt in picking up your child.
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The buses will pull up and drop students off & unload luggage along Broadway Ave. Please make sure they have room to park & unload.
The buses will pull up and drop students off & unload luggage along Broadway Ave. Please make sure they have room to park & unload.
FLIGHT ITINERARY: .
FLIGHT ITINERARY: .
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.
DEPARTURE on Saturday, May 3rd:
Southwest Air flight # 3459 Midway Airport - MDW at 5:45 am
ARRIVE - Balt/Wash Intl. Airport - BWI at 8:30 am
RETURN on Tuesday, May 6th:
Southwest Air flight # 3574 Balt/Wash Intl. Airport - BWI at 8:45 pm ARRIVE - CHI Midway Airport - MDW at 9:50 pm
Any questions relating to carry-ons, luggage, travel restrictions, and what to expect when flying with Southwest see the website & TSA links below:
https://www.southwest.com/baggage help/baggage
https://www.southwest.com/the A,B,Cs, of flying-with-southwest/#bags_fly_free
https://www.tsa.gov/travel-tips and-checklist
Flying Tips & Best Practices.pdf
Students DO NOT need identification at the airport, but it's always recommended to travel with some form of I.D. - like a SEG Student ID.
Enclosed below are the details of your travel program, which includes flight/bus, hotel and other helpful trip details.
Please review the following information carefully.
Program Flight & Hotel Info - SEG2025 .pdfClick above or below for a direct link to the... Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks
11787 Lee Jackson Highway
Fairfax, VA 22033
(703) 352-2525
MAP:
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.
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.
Suggested packing list.
(This is a very general packing list distributed for all east coast World Strides trips.)
(This is a very general packing list distributed for all east coast World Strides trips.)
Pack a refillable water bottle and good shoes!
Pack a refillable water bottle and good shoes!
Medical Release Form.pdfCode of Conduct.pdfThe Medical Release form & Student Code of Conduct form must be completed and turned in to Mr. Thompson or Ms. Mattucci as soon as possible.
The Medical Release form & Student Code of Conduct form must be completed and turned in to Mr. Thompson or Ms. Mattucci as soon as possible.
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These forms have already been distributed and are available in their rooms or Mr. Soto's room.
These forms have already been distributed and are available in their rooms or Mr. Soto's room.
Please bring your completed Medical Release & Student Code of Conduct forms to the final meeting… IF you have not already turned them in.
itinerary DRAFT (3) 4-16.pdfThis is the most recent draft and was posted on 4/22.
This is the most recent draft and was posted on 4/22.
This is a touring itinerary draft for the 2025 Washington D.C. Trip.
This is a touring itinerary draft for the 2025 Washington D.C. Trip.
Please be aware that this itinerary can & will most likely change at the discretion of the chaperones and WorldStrides Course Leaders based on expediency esp. in instances such as crowds/traffic/government events, closures, or the weather.
Please be aware that this itinerary can & will most likely change at the discretion of the chaperones and WorldStrides Course Leaders based on expediency esp. in instances such as crowds/traffic/government events, closures, or the weather.
Any event that requires a timed appointment, like dinner times, Ford's Theater or Mt. Vernon, will likely NOT to change.
Any event that requires a timed appointment, like dinner times, Ford's Theater or Mt. Vernon, will likely NOT to change.
See all that you'll see and do with the D.C. digital Discovery Journal.
See all that you'll see and do with the D.C. digital Discovery Journal.
Save this link to your phone and bring it with you on your trip!
Save this link to your phone and bring it with you on your trip!
https://my.visme.co/view/epy6jwgr-dc-digital-discovery-journal
Check the weather in DC! Click on link or The Weather Channel icon or image for updated DC weather reports.
Check the weather in DC! Click on link or The Weather Channel icon or image for updated DC weather reports.
One of the best parts of the DC trip is the lifelong memories captured in photos! We are so excited to share these moments with you and want you to be able to relive them through a fantastic slideshow.
This year, any pictures you would like to be considered for the DC 2025 slideshow will be uploaded to a shared Google Photos album.
You should download the Google Photos app ahead of time. We will share the link to the album via Remind.
You can select photos directly from your Camera Roll to upload to the Google Photos album.
If you cannot download the app, you are welcome to AirDrop or email your pictures to a chaperone throughout the trip, and they will upload them for you.
Your name is attached to any and all photos you upload. If any inappropriate photos are shared, or if you share a "silly" picture of someone without their consent, there will be consequences. Please avoid uploading Snapchat screenshots!
The slideshow is only as good as the pictures we have - these are memories that will last a lifetime!
Take a lot of group shot photos of you and your friends in front of the memorials & sites. Don't forget about pictures on the plane and on the bus rides!
See the 2024 Slideshow below for examples of what 2025 will look like.
D.C.
D.C.
D.C.
D.C.
Washington D.C. 2025 Trip Slide Show
Washington D.C. 2025 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.
You can also AirDrop pictures during the trip, if your chaperone is okay with that.
We ask that you limit submissions to 10-15 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 2024.
Attention 8th Graders attending the WASHINGTON D.C. Trip:
IT’S TIME TO SELECT YOUR ROOMMATES!
WHEN: On Thursday, February 27th AFTER SCHOOL!
WHERE: In the LUNCHROOM: Girls on one side and Boys on the other.
BEFORE YOU SHOW UP, make sure you:
are in attendance for this meeting!
have discussed this with your friends & parents.
do the best you can to have established roommate groups of 2 or 4. Some rooms may end up with 3 people, based on overall numbers. Groups of 5 will not work.
are prepared to be after school for about 20 - 30 minutes. The more prepared you are when you show up, the quicker we can sign you up and the quicker you can leave.
If you know ahead of time that you can’t be there on that Thursday, make sure you or a parent/guardian email me (ssoto@district95.org) to let me know who you’d like to share a room with. And make sure those people who you requested to room with are aware of your intentions.
If you are not in attendance and do not contact me with your intentions, you will be placed in a room at our discretion.
I will do the best I can to make everyone happy, but some students may have to make necessary concessions or compromises, to help accommodate the entire group and ensure that everyone is included.
No one should feel left out or allowed to feel that they are alone for this amazing experience. Therefore, nobody will be dismissed until everyone has a room assignment that they feel comfortable with. *Girls and boys may be dismissed separately.
I know this means a lot to you now, but you will only be in the rooms for a short period of time each night before you go to sleep. Other than that, the entire D.C. group will tour together, travel together, & eat together.
Students and parents should contact me with any concerns or questions before Thursday, Feb. 27th.
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