Shepherd Hill Show Choir

Shepherd Hill Show Choirs Fantasy and Illusion Mid-Atlantic Show Choir Spectacular Clover Hill High School, Midlothian, VA Washington, D.C Philadelphia, PA February 17, 2016 – February 20, 2017

Table of Contents

Introduction General Information Hotel Info Chaperone List Emergency Numbers Itinerary The Last Word NEW PERMISSION SLIP February 8, 2017

Dear Students and Parents,

Attached you will find information regarding the trip to the Mid-Atlantic Show Choir Spectacular on February 17-20, 2017. Please look this information over carefully. I can be reached at [email protected] or 508-943-6700 x182 if you have any questions.

General Information Money:

All transportation, hotel, festival and admissions, and activities are paid for, as is breakfast and dinner most days. Plan to bring money for travel stops, and whatever other snacks, souvenirs, etc. you might want to purchase. All lunch stops that are not included in your itinerary will be fast food / cheap eats. You are welcome to bring snacks with you. A package of granola bars goes a long way. Taking an extra piece of fruit from the breakfast bar is acceptable too. Please do NOT pack beverages in your suitcases – especially carbonated beverages.

Clothing:

Neat, comfortable, casual clothes are appropriate for most of trip. Generally, we dress up a bit when going to the theater, so no jeans or t-shirts for Medieval Times. We are going to dress up for the festival – men will need a tie; ladies use good judgment. No bare shoulders or spaghetti straps. Short, short skirts are NOT acceptable. If you have to tug your skirt down every 30 seconds it is too short. Make sure to bring your show choir t-shirt. The hotel in Virginia has an indoor/outdoor pool pool and fitness center so bring your bathing suit and workout clothes if you wish.

Uniforms:

Mrs. Niro has the final say on how the uniforms will be packed. Please follow her directions carefully. Make sure to pack everything you need for performance and performance prep (bring a razor gentlemen) as well as extra socks, tights, make-up, etc. Uniforms will be brought up to your rooms when we arrive Friday night and packed up after the festival. Just a reminder for the performances: No jewelry (except music department issued costume pieces). No nail polish. French tips are OK as long as they are natural and not colored tips. Ladies – hair needs to be curled with ROLLERS overnight before a performance. Trying to use a curling iron before the performance is not an acceptable alternative. We will be on the bus for over 8 hours – take advantage of that down time so you can relax and enjoy the evening at the hotel. Remember, Mrs. Frappier and Mrs. Ginsberg will NOT be traveling with us – you are on your own. Your hairstyle is part of your costume. You will not be stepping out on stage with hair that looks different from everyone else’s any more than you would go out on stage in a different costume. Men must be clean shaven.

Luggage:

Each person is allowed to bring one small suitcase or duffle bag for under the bus and one carry-on bag that will need to fit into the cubbies at the top of the seats or under your feet. The underside of one bus is needed for costumes – we will be putting all 110 suitcases under ONE bus. Plan your packing with your roommates to avoid duplicate items such as shampoo, conditioner, curling irons, etc. Make sure you have identification on the inside and outside of your suitcase. Bring your luggage in to school on Friday morning. Staff and chaperones will check bags prior to you getting on the bus. We will be double checking at the hotel as needed. As this is a school event, all school rules and regulations (and the disciplinary actions associated with infractions) are in place.

Hotel:

We will have some down time each day at the hotel. One hotel has a pool and fitness center which you will be allowed to use. Curfew will be different each night depending on the days’ schedule. There will be limited visiting in each other’s rooms at night and absolutely NO visiting in the mornings. We will allow for both time to hang out with your friends and adequate time for SLEEP. We are going to Clover Hill to COMPETE. You need to be well rested. Period. Fatigue will interfere with good vocal production. Do not mess with curfew. We ALL need our sleep. Exhausted, cranky chaperones dealing with tired, whiny teenagers is NOT my idea of a good time. There will be at least one Shepherd Hill adult supervising hallways throughout the night as well as hotel security. NO charges (phone, food, movies…) are to be made to individual rooms. Rooms will be left respectable before check-out.

Cell Phones:

All students must bring a cell phone with them. Student cell numbers are listed on the health forms that were filled out last spring. If there are any changes to these numbers, please make sure I get the corrected number. When you have free time make sure you leave your cell phone ON. And ANSWER IT if one of the staff calls you! We will follow up all verbal directions with a quick text. We use Celly – you will be given instructions and sign-in information at Wednesday’s rehearsal. That does not mean you don’t have to listen to the directions…

Medical:

Please forward any updates or changes to your health form ASAP. It is important that all information is up to date. We must be aware of any prescription drugs that you are currently taking – make sure all information is clearly specified on your health form. Students who use their inhaler regularly or who carry an epi-pen should bring an extra, which will be carried in the medical bag. Students may bring over the counter medications they may need (Tylenol, Dramamine, etc.) These must be listed on the health form. Let me say that again. Over the counter medications that you are taking MUST BE LISTED ON THE HEALTH FORM. This gives you permission to carry them – it does not mean that the staff will provide them. All chaperones have been reminded that they can NOT give any over the counter medications to students no matter what the health form says. This includes the nurses.

Bus Rules:

You need to stay on the same bus for the entire trip – do not switch buses. Bus sign-ups will start with Seniors, then juniors, etc. Sorry freshmen. Follow the direction of the drivers, staff and chaperones. Keep the noise reasonable. Watch your language. Keep your bus clean. Trash goes in the trash bags at the front and back of the bus. If you drop something, clean it up. Beverages need to be in a container with a screw on cap.

Hotel Information On Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18 we will be staying at: Four Points By Sheraton, Richmond, 9901Midlothian Tpke, Richmond, VA Phone: (804) 323- 1144 On Sunday night, February 19 we will be staying at: Hampton Inn Philadelphia Airport, 8600 Bartram Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153 Phone: (215) 966- 1300 Chaperone List

If these people were not traveling with us, you would not be going to on this trip. They are to be afforded every courtesy. Period.

Shepherd Hill Staff: Chaperones/Truck Drivers: Connie Galli Jim French (truck) Driving: Brian Scanlon

Becky Bussiere Mark Cierpich (truck) Sharon Szeredy

Ashley Racicot Kristelle Scanlon (nurse) Brian Szeredy Jana Deren Hilary Grabe Jen Mogstad

Kristin Marengo Diane Wilson Rolf Mogstad Lester Boggio Kristy Morin Zach Moore Mark Cierpich Vicki Niro Laura Leland Heather Larsen

Chaperone Groups

The only real “on your own” time on this trip will be in Washington at the Smithsonian Museums where you will be free to explore whichever museums you choose. So we will not have chaperone groups for this trip. Whenever we have free time the students are expected to stay with friends – no one wanders around alone – and they must stay within the designated areas at all times. If any parents are not comfortable with their child being on their own with other students, please let me know right away. All of the adults on the trip are happy to tag along with a group of kids and we will make sure your child remains with an adult.

Itinerary

Friday, February 17, 2017 7:15 AM Report to Shepherd Hill, load the buses, hit the road! Lunch stop en route (fast food) 6:00 PM Dinner Stop – Golden Corral Buffet (included in trip cost) 8:00 PM Arrive at hotel. Girls finish rolling hair. GET SOME SLEEP

Saturday, February 18, 2017 7:00 Breakfast at hotel (provided) 7:45 AM Board buses – Illusion girls must have HAIR DONE BEFORE WE LEAVE THE HOTEL 8:00 AM Arrive Clover Hill High School 9:30 AM Illusion Warm-up 10:00 AM Illusion Performance 2:15 PM Fantasy Warm-up 2:45 PM Fantasy Performance 5:00 PM Awards and Dinner Break (on site – bring cash for this) 7:15 PM Top 6 Finals 10:45 PM Final Awards 11:00 PM Return to hotel

Sunday, February 19, 2017 7:15 AM Breakfast 8:00 AM Depart for Smithsonian Museums, Washington, DC 10:00 AM Free time at Smithsonian’s – lunch on own

Sunday, continued… 3:30 PM Board Buses - Depart DC 5:00 PM Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament 7:00 PM Depart for Philadelphia

Monday, February 20, 2017 8:30 AM Breakfast 9:15 AM Board Buses – proceed to National Constitution Center 10:00 AM Enjoy first showing of “Freedom Rising” Free time at the Constitution Center 11:30 AM Lunch (provided – Philly Cheese Steaks!!!) 12:30 PM Depart for Philadelphia Museum of Art Run up the steps like Rocky. Take a picture at the statue of Rocky. Actually go IN and enjoy the Museum! There will be a scavenger hunt with cash prizes. 3:00 PM Load buses and head for home Dinner stop en route will be fast food 9:15 PM Return to Shepherd Hill

Emergency Phone Numbers

*Connie Galli Cell Phone 508-873-9066 Try this number first if you cannot reach your child directly. Becky Bussiere Cell Phone 774-254-6919 Jana Deren Cell Phone 508-335-6862 Lester Boggio Cell Phone 508-873-6772

The Last Word

The students in the Shepherd Hill Music Department have worked hard over the years to establish a reputation for excellence that extends far beyond the musical performance. We have permission to travel because you, and students before you, have earned that privilege. Unfortunately, it takes the thoughtless actions of just one individual to cast a shadow on the good work being done by the rest of the group. An incident on this trip will jeopardize ALL future travel. When in doubt – ask permission. Think before you act. Think before you speak. Be courteous. Be PROMPT. Always use good judgment. I have no doubt that you know what our expectations for behavior are – otherwise we would not be going. Just stay on your best behavior and we will all have a good time. Remember, this is a school event. All school rules and regulations apply. I am very proud of you. This has been an amazing start to the season and I am looking forward to a great trip! Ms. G