Information for 8th Grade Great America Trip

May 26, 2011

Chaperones (SHJH staff) will accompany our students as they move through the park. Mr. McGuckin and Mr. Pufahl will also be attending.

ALL STUDENTS ATTENDING THE TRIP WILL REPORT TO THE CAFETOIURM UPON ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL. Once there they will be asked to get in their groups.

§  Regular/normal school dress will be required. Students are requested to wear their SHJH 2011 class shirts or another SHJH shirt. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. We recommend comfortable shoes – NO FLIP FLOPS will be allowed. Please be reminded that student dress code remains at all times. No bathing suits/bikini tops allowed per Park Management. Park Management may judge revealing clothing inappropriate. Baseball-type caps must be worn with the bill straight ahead. Consider bringing sunscreen.

§  HURRICANE WATER PARK IS NOT AN OPTION.

§  In case of injury/illness, student(s) are to report to an emergency medical center located near the entrance on Great America grounds.

§  All students are expected to behave and conduct themselves according to school standards per Student Handbook, including all bus behavior rules.

§  Students are expected to bring enough money to purchase lunch ($25) No food or drinks are allowed to be brought into Great America, and no food or drinks are allowed to be taken on the bus. If there is a medical condition that requires a student to carry a few snacks, please have your child notify their assigned chaperone.

§  All students are to return with their classmates on their assigned bus. NO EXCEPTIONS!

§  Students, remember: What you bring, you carry! The school/park is not responsible for lost or stolen items. You may bring camera, iPod, etc – however these items may not be left on the bus.

The following items are not allowed into Great America:

Food or Beverages

o  Coolers

o  Water Jugs

Tape Players, Radios, CD Players

o  Walkie-Talkies

Clothing with obscene or offensive words or sayings

o  Alcohol

o  Illegal drugs

Any kind of weapon

§  Students will remain in their assigned groups. Do not wander off alone. Use the BUDDY SYSTEM at all times.

§  Students and their chaperones will meet at 6:30 in front of the wading pool at the park entrance. Busses will be leaving promptly at 6:45 p.m.!

§  We are expected to return to school by 8:30 PM. in the east lot (front of school). MAKE SURE YOUR PARENTS KNOW WHEN AND WHERE TO PICK YOU UP!! Students are NOT allowed to walk home that night.

§  Parents are asked not to park along the curbs or the main drive so that buses can easily unload the students. Best bet is to park in the west lot and walk to the east (Harlem) lot to gather your students.

§  Be prepared for the weather. SUNSCREEEN! The weather in the northern suburbs is generally cooler than our weather. Rain may also be a possibility, so take these factors into consideration when getting ready.

LOOSE ARTICLES (from the Great America web site)


Also from Great America's web site:"Loose articles of any kind (including but not limited to purses, backpacks, and beverage containers) may not be taken past the queue entrance and cannot be left on the load/unload platform of the following rides: American Eagle, Batman: The Ride, The Dark Knight Coaster, Demon, Iron Wolf, Raging Bull, Superman: Ultimate Flight, V2, and Viper. Cell phones, pagers, or other small items must be secured in cargo pockets, zippered jacket pockets, or waist packs. All loose articles which cannot be secured must be left in a locker or with a non-rider prior to entering the queue line."

Chaperones will not watch these items because they must be able to respond in an emergency. Pack wisely!

This event would be impossible without our chaperones. It goes without saying that all students are expected to respect them and treat them with courtesy. You will be expected to follow the rules of the park, be courteous & use only kind words. This trip has always been a positive experience, however should a problem with behavior arise the administrative team reserves the right to call your parents to come and pick you up at Great America or you will be with administration for the remainder of the day. If a student becomes ill, a parent may need to come to Great America to pick up their child. Please be available by cell phone. Students who choose not to follow the expectations will automatically exclude themselves from graduation.