THAYER ACADEMY/WEIYU SISTER SCHOOL TRIP TO CHINA
May 21 - June 2, 2015
We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for some of our seniors to visit China during Senior Project in May, 2015. During the first half of the trip, students will spend the better part of a week visiting historical sites in Beijing and Hangzhou. The trip concludes with a five-day visit to our sister school in Shanghai, WeiYu High School. WeiYu is a highly respected Chinese public school. Most of the WeiYu students board at the school during the week and return to their homes on the weekend. Our stay in Shanghai includes a two-night home stay with a WeiYu student’s family and two nights at the school dorm. WeiYu has had many positive experiences with international exchanges, and its staff is fully supportive of its relationship with Thayer Academy.
See attached for a summary of the itinerary (more detailed information will be provided later). While the core of the experience is the actual visit to China, students will be required to participate in some classes and/or community service projects during the first part of the Senior Project term. In addition, we will have a general information session for parents and students about one month prior to departure at which time we will discuss, in more detail, matters related to contact information, clothing, food, customs, etc.
Jenn Welch will be the lead chaperone for the trip. Mrs. Lee will also chaperone the trip.
The cost of the trip, $2995 covers all accommodations, meals, travel and transfers, and tours. Students may want to bring money to buy gifts for family members; apart from that, $150 of spending money should suffice. A deposit of $500 is due by December 12 to Ms. Welch. Please also include the completed Health & Release /Conduct Expectations form that is included. The Business Office will bill you for the balance (due April 1). The cancellation penalty is as follows: $250 until April 1st. After April 1st, we would do our best to recover as much as we can, but there can be no guarantees.
REMINDERS:
Deposit and Health & Release Forms/Conduct Expectations: Due to Ms. WelchDecember 12.
Passports & Visas: Please give your actual passport to Ms. Welch by March 31st. The school will order the Chinese Visa.
Shots: Please consult with your primary care physicians regarding any recommended shots for the trip to China.
If you have any questions, please call or e-mail Jenn Welch ... 781-664-2219or
THAYER ACADEMY/WEIYU SISTER SCHOOL TRIP TO SHANGHAI
May 21 - June 2, 2015
May 21 (Th); Depart Boston
7:00AM: Meet at Logan Airport
United #1171: Boston Newark, 9:30AM 10:44AM
United #89: Newark Beijing, 11:55 AM 1:45 PM (next day)
May 22 (Fr): Arrive at hotel in Beijing, China (late afternoon)
The Inner Mongolia Plaza Hotel Beijing (or similar)
2 Chong Wen Men Nei Da Jie, Dong Cheng District, Beijing
Tel: +86-10-65186666
May 23 (Sa): Tour Tian an Men Square, The Forbidden City, and the Temple of
Heaven
May 24 (Su): Tour Great Wall, Olympic Stadium, Dinner with local family
May 25 (Mo): Tour Summer Palace and take the Hutong Tour
TRAIN from Beijing Hangzhou (G35: d. 3:05 PM a. 8:52 PM)
Culture Plaza Hotel Zhejiang
38 Wen’er Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou
Tel: 86-0571-88825888
May 26 (Tu): Tour the West Lake, Lei Feng Tower, Hefang Street, Dinner with the Gu
Family
May 27 (We): Tour the former residence of Xueyan Hu, boat cruise to Jinghang
Grand Canal Hangzhou
May 28 (Th) Tour the National Silk Museum, Tea Museum, Dinner, West lake show
May 29 (Fr) Take high speed train to Shanghai
Hanzhou City Station Shanghai Hongqiao Station
(G7303: 10:00AM 11:12AM)
Bring students to Wei Yu School to meet their Chinese student host
May 30 (Sa): Time with Chinese family – overnight at home of Chinese student
May 31 (Su): Time with Chinese family - overnight in school dorm
June 1 (M): Visit Shanghai Center
Tour and shop in the city. Visit the Bund
Dinner together as a group
Bus back to the school; Overnight in school dorm
June 2 (Tu): Bus to airport
United #858: ShanghaiSan Francisco, 12:10PM 8:10 AM
United #1435: San Francisco Boston, 11:00 AM 7:31 PM
Health & Release Form/Conduct Expectations
China, 2015
(Return ASAP)
Essential Information:
Please also provide a copy of Passport
Medical Carrier & Policy #Notes:
As the departure date grows near, we will need your child’s passport in order to submit it to the Chinese authorities for a visa stamp
Consult your primary care physician regarding any recommended shots; none are required.
Permission and Expectations Form (to be read and signed by parents/guardians and student traveler.
My child, ______, has my permission to travel on this Thayer Academy China Learning Through Travel Program. I have discussed behavioral expectations with my child,and he/she will obey all local laws, Thayer Academy rules, and theon-the-spot decisions of the chaperones regarding curfews, deportment, expectations and any other matters related to respectful and safe behavior. In particular, I have reviewed the school drug & alcohol policies and consequences. I understand that my child represents Thayer Academy and that my child may be sent home without question and at my expense if the chaperone has reason to doubt that said student is behaving according to school expectations.I understand in such an instance my child may be referred to the appropriate Academy officials for further disciplinary or other action. In such an event, no refund will be made for any unused portion of the Program. Furthermore, I release Thayer Academy and all agents and instructors thereof from any damages resulting from any injury or damage which may befall my child in connection with participation in the program, including all risks connected therewith, whether foreseen or unforeseen. In the event of an emergency, I hereby give permission to the physician or hospital selected by the chaperones to hospitalize, secure treatment for, and to order injection, anesthesia or surgery for my child. I understand the physical requirements of traveling abroad and state that my child is in good physical health toparticipate in all aspects of the program and has had a medical examination within the last twelve months and is fully covered by the medical insurance carrier cited above. I further understand that any expenses directly or indirectly related to any accident, injury, or illness incurred by my child during or as a result of our trip will be our sole responsibility. I understand that the Academy reserves the right to make changes to the Program itinerary at any time and for any reason, with or without notice, and that the Academy shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to participants by reason of any such cancellation or change. The Academy reserves the right to substitute hotels or accommodations or housing of a similar category at any time. Specific room and housing assignments are within the sole discretion of the Academy.
I understand and acknowledge that the Academy assumes no responsibility or liability, in whole or in part, for any delays, delayed or changed departure or arrival times, fare changes, dishonors of hotel, airline or vehicle rental reservations, missed carrier connections, sickness, disease, injuries (including death), losses, damages, weather, strikes, acts of God, circumstances beyond the control of the Academy, force majeure, war quarantine, civil unrest, public health risks, criminal activity, terrorism, expense, accident, injuries or damage to property, bankruptcies of airlines or other service providers, inconveniences, cessation of operations, mechanical defects, failure or negligence of any nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommodations, restaurant, transportation, or other service or for any substitution of hotels or of common carrier beyond the Academy’s control, with or without notice, or for any additional expenses occasioned by any of the foregoing. If, due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors, my son/daughter is required to spend additional nights, the Academy will not be responsible for the hotel, transfers, meal costs or other expenses. The security of baggage and personal property is at my son/daughter’s risk entirely.
I have reviewed the statements above with my son or daughter who will be participating
in the Program, and we understand them and agree to comply with and be bound by them.
______
Signature of Parent/Guardian Date Dated
______
Signature of Student Date