8TH GRADE CLASS TRIP TO WASHINGTON, DC New Albany Middle School DEPARTURE INFORMATION Date: Tuesday, November 6th Time: Please arrive promptly by 5:30 a.m. Parents, please remember to check your child's luggage for prohibited items. All luggage will be checked by staff prior to departure. The buses will depart at 6:30 a.m. Location: Parents, please drop off your child at the bus loop located in front of New Albany Intermediate School and accessible by traveling down Kardules Fields Way off 605. Have your child report directly to the MS Cafe with their luggage by 5:30 a.m. ARRIVAL BACK IN NEW ALBANY Date: Friday, November 9th Time: Busses are scheduled to arrive back in New Albany at approximately 7:45 p.m. Location: Busses will drop off students at the bus loop located in front of New Albany Intermediate School and accessible by traveling down Kardules Fields Way off 605. P arents, please be there to pick up your child by 7:45 p.m. If the buses are delayed enroute, or slightly early, a message will be sent via Remind and students will also be encouraged text to their parents. 1. WHERE WILL WE BE STAYING? Comfort Inn, 6560 Loisdale Court, Springfield, VA 22150, (703) 922‐9000 Wingate by Wyndham, 6550 Loisdale Court, Springfield, VA 22150, (703) 664‐1576 2. HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I TAKE WITH ME? All meals are provided, so the only money you will need is for souvenirs and postcards. Bring your own stamps. We suggest limiting money for souvenirs to $50. 3. HOW CAN PARENTS REACH ME IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OR VICE VERSA? We will be in touch with the school each day, so you may contact the NAMS front office (614) 413‐8500. All chaperones will have cell phones with them in case of an emergency. As far as students being able to contact you directly, please review the expectations in the CELL PHONE PERMISSION AND REGULATIONS page included in this packet. We will also be using the Remind messaging app to provide updates to families. S ign up now to receive class trip updates by texting @6deb37 to 81010. 4. WHAT SHOULD I TAKE WITH ME? ★ To provide space for everyone's luggage, you are limited to bringing O NE suitcase and O NE backpack. ★ A luggage tag must be attached to the outside of your suitcase and backpack. The Dress Code established in the NAMS Student Handbook c ontinues to be in effect during the trip. The following, though, are additional items that are requested. The most significant part of the dress code for the trip to DC is that no athletic wear, sweats, or leggings will be allowed except on the long bus trip to and from DC. Please plan accordingly. Suggested checklist for clothes to pack : ● Three (3) touring outfits. Respectable clothing and layers are suggested. No tube tops, bare midriffs, halter tops, tank tops, spaghetti straps, strapless tops, or mesh shirts are allowed. Also, no cutoffs, athletic shorts/pants, running shorts, athletic leggings, or sweats are allowed. Parents are encouraged to monitor the student's selection of outfits. If a chaperone feels that an outfit is inappropriate, the student will be asked to change. ● One (1) dress‐up outfit for Wednesday (we will be visiting Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns). Out of respect it is required to wear: a collared or buttoned down shirt or blouse; and, slacks or khaki pants, skirt, or dress. Jeans are not permitted on Wednesday. Dress shoes that will be comfortable for longer walking excursions should also be worn (tennis shoes may be put in your backpack for changing into later). ● Pajamas/sleepwear ● Very comfortable walking shoes for touring. No flip‐flops, shower shoes, or sandals permitted outside of the hotel. ● Coat and/or jacket (average high is 59℉ and low is 38℉ in DC in November, so pack accordingly) ● Personal items (shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, hair dryer) Suggested checklist for other items to pack (perhaps in your backpack): ● Camera or phone for taking pictures ● Chargers/battery pack for phones/camera ● Small string bag or purse to carry your money, itinerary, map, etc. while touring ● Your itinerary and trip identification card (provided by your chaperone). Keep this information with you at all times in case of emergency. ● Books or magazines to help pass the time on the bus ● Headphones (permitted on the bus ride to and from DC, but not while we are touring) ● Cards or other games for the trip to and from DC ● Snacks for the bus ride to and from DC (but no refrigerated products, food with peanuts or tree nuts, or gum) ● Medications (only those listed on your medical form and must be given to the nurse the morning we depart to DC) 5. PROHIBITED ITEMS: tobacco or vaping products; alcohol; lighters; matches; laser pointers; video game consoles; and, any video/game playing devices that contain inappropriate (R rated) videos/games. 6. EXPENSIVE ITEMS ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. THE CHAPERONES WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST EQUIPMENT, JEWELRY OR MONEY. DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES UNATTENDED ON THE BUS OR IN THE HOTEL. 7. WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES ON THIS TRIP? Everyone wants this trip to be fun! All it takes is cooperation and consideration. Remember at all times this is a school function, so all school rules apply and the New Albany Middle School Student Handbook remains in effect. Students must do what they are told at all times. All of the rules have been established to ensure the safety and well‐being of every student. That is our main concern. Our other concern is for the people around us. You represent New Albany Middle School and our community, and we want to be proud of our students who are taking part in this activity. We want to ensure that our students do not interfere with any other person's enjoyment of our nation's capital. 8. ON THE BUS : You must always ride the bus to which you have been assigned and in your assigned seat. Stay in your seat at all times. We stop every two and a half hours or so for restroom and lunch/dinner breaks. On the trip to and from DC, you may listen to your music with earphones or talk‐‐as long as you are not disturbing anyone. While touring in Washington, you will not be allowed to listen to music because you will need to listen to the chaperones and the tour guides. They give important information from place to place. Remain seated each time the bus stops until you receive directions from your chaperone. Each time you get back on the bus, be sure your chaperone knows that you are there. You may bring snacks for the trip to and from Washington, but no food will be allowed on the bus during our time in DC. S ee separate page in this packet detailing other bus rules. 9. IN THE HOTEL: You may only be in the room that was assigned to you. All other parts of the hotel are off limits. Chaperones will make frequent room checks and security guards will be posted in each hallway in the event that an emergency arises. You must stay in your room; it is a good idea to keep the dead‐bolt lock on at all times. Remember that there are other guests in the hotel, so act accordingly. Music, TV, and talking must not be too loud. If New Albany Middle School is charged for the room of a guest that requested to be moved due to excessive noise from a NAMS student, the room of the NAMS student causing the move will be billed by NAMS. Your chaperone will make a wake‐up call to your room each morning; however, it is probably a good idea to set your own alarm. Buy souvenirs with your own money; towels and other items in the room belong to the hotel and you will be charged if these things are missing. S ee separate page in this packet detailing other hotel rules. 10. WHILE TOURING: Be polite and considerate of others. Listen to the tour guides or any other people giving you information or instructions. Always know WHERE you are supposed to be and WHEN you are supposed to be there. You have it in your power to keep people waiting. There will be hundreds of unhappy people if they are kept waiting by one person. Use the "buddy system." Do not wander off alone. Always stay with the group. Stopping to buy food or souvenirs on your own may separate you from the others. Be patient. Sometimes you will just have to "hurry up and wait." Students should follow their chaperone’s instructions regarding the appropriate times and places to purchase souvenirs. Under no circumstances are students allowed to make purchases from anyone other than licensed street vendors, stores, or gift shops. Items may not be resold to others. There will be no shoplifting. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. CELL PHONE PERMISSION AND REGULATIONS 8th Grade Class Trip to Washington, DC New Albany Middle School New Albany‐Plain Local Schools’ Computer and Technology Appropriate Use Policy allows students to bring their own technology to school to support the educational process. As part of this policy, we strive to teach students to use technology to enhance their lives and the lives of others, and to use technology in a responsible and respectful manner. It is in this spirit that we allow students, with parent permission, to bring cell phones on our class trip to Washington, DC.