January 16, 2014
Orlando Field Trip Information: 7th Grade HRMS
The trip is approaching fast and we are getting excited. The following information will be helpful in preparing for the trip. If you have any questions not covered in this letter, please ask/email your team’s appropriate teacher (Bielinski, Kidd, Sims, Peitz).
Drop-Off on Wednesday, 1/29
Since students will be departing in the middle of the school day, they will need to arrive to school that morning with their luggage. If they typically ride the school bus, you will need to make plans to bring them this morning (no room for luggage on the school bus!). Upon arriving to school, there will be a classroom on each team set aside for luggage.
Pick-Up on Friday, 1/31
Please plan to pick up your child at HRMS late Friday night, close to 12:00 AM (technically Saturday then), in the front of the school. We may arrive sooner than this….students will call from the road to provide updates and estimates for our arrival time.
Dress Code
Normal HRMS dress code will apply, but please feel free to wear sunglasses or hats.
Please check the Orlando weather forecast prior to packing!
On Wednesday:
Everyone can wear whatever they want to school that morning, pending it meets HRMS dress code.
On Thursday:
ALL students are required to wear the Orlando Field Trip Shirts. They will get these the morning of our departure. There are a FEW water rides and the potential to get wet, so please plan accordingly if you plan to ride these. For females, a bathing suit top is OK to wear under our school shirts, but those shirts are still to be worn at all times.
On Friday:
ALL students are required to wear 1) their Team T-Shirts if they have one, 2) an HRMS shirt with the school name on it, or 3) a ‘homemade’ HRMS shirt with those letters clearly seen. DARKER COLORS ONLY…NO WHITE SHIRTS will be allowed! If a student does not have one of these options, they will be required to wear the previous day’s Orlando shirt again.
Items TO Pack
You may bring 1 small piece of luggage (under bus) and one soft-sided carry-on, similar to a backpack (on the bus)
· Comfortable shoes (closed-toed are strongly recommended) for LOTS of walking!
· Jacket/hoodie (check weather; bus ride)????
· Poncho (we are visiting the parks rain or shine!)
· Sunglasses
· Hat (sunscreen?)
· Change of clothes for Thursday and Friday (in addition to the required T-shirts)
· Pajamas (these MUST still meet dress code as well!)
· Toiletry items (if you need anything for the bus ride, please back it in your carry-on)
· Snacks (no mess) for bus ride or hotel…small snacks can also be brought into the parks
· Water (only water allowed on bus)…a sealed plastic bottle can also be brought into the parks
***Be smart about drinks/snacks. Remember we will not make restroom stops. You will use the one on the bus.***
· Media players/devices with HEADSETS are allowed for the bus (we are not responsible for lost or stolen items)
· Each group of 4 can coordinate 1 small cooler with drinks for the hotel room (optional)
· Extra money will be needed for: Dinner Wednesday, lunch Thursday, lunch & dinner Friday
Any snack/souvenir/shopping money you want
(dinner Thursday and both breakfasts are included in the price of the trip)
* PLEASE NOTE: Anything that you may need with you during the bus ride needs to be packed in your carry-on bag. Your other bag will be below the bus and NOT accessible until hotel check-in!
Items NOT TO Pack
(We have very little hotel time, so you don’t need much)
· DVD Players (the busses have one for the road)
· Game consoles (don’t bring them)
· Hairdryers (the hotel room will have one)
· Energy drinks (don’t bring them…they will be thrown away if seen)
Cell Phones
Students will be allowed to carry and use cell phones. We expect them to be used appropriately. If taking photos/video, you must have the permission of those in it. Our expectation is that you will NOT be on your phone all day. We will talk with any students abusing this privilege. Of course, you and your child will be able to contact one another if you need to do so. Our desire is that students enjoy their trip and not spend it on their phone!
Movies
We will show movies on the bus during the trip. All movies will be rated G or PG. Please pack some DVDs (not BluRay) of these ratings in your carry-on so we have some choices for the bus. Please label them with the student name and team.
Behavior Issues
We expect excellent behavior at all times and expect each student to be obedient and respectful to ALL teachers and chaperones on this trip. If your child behaves in a manner that is inappropriate, you will be called and they will receive consequences while they are on the trip. Please help to avoid this by talking to your child about behavior expectations PRIOR to departure.
Students are expected to recognize that they are a part of a GROUP on this trip. Poor choices by a few will have an impact on the many. Be considerate. Some freedoms will be given…it is expected these freedoms will not be abused. BE ON TIME, EVERY TIME
Parents will be responsible for paying for any damages incurred by your child to the bus, hotel room, etc. Again, please help to avoid this by discussing proper conduct.
Lights will be turned out by 11:30 each night, depending on arrival time to the hotel. Security guards will be on duty while we are at the hotel. The outside of each room door will be taped at lights-out and not removed until wake-up call/knock. If a student opens the door between those times, we will know it. If this occurs, teachers will address this with the appropriate students in the room. Those at fault will be given consequences that may include losing park time and if merited, requesting that the parent pick them up.
Hotel Information
Please email your child’s homeroom teacher for hotel information.
Teachers Traveling
January 16, 2014
Mr. Bielinski, Ms. Hollandsworth, & Ms. Meskill (Golden Knights)
Mr. Kidd, Ms. Pelfrey, & Mr. Johnson (Thunderbirds)
Mr. Peitz & Ms. Saluja (Firebirds)
Ms. Sims (Blue Angels)
Ms. Shapiro & Ms. Egnor
January 16, 2014
Procedures in the Parks
Students will stay with their roommate groups (typically groups of 4) at all times.
Students may ONLY ‘pair off’ briefly for two reasons: 1) the restroom or 2) to pass on a ride.
Students will NEVER go anywhere ALONE.
Students will be given check-in times/locations approximately every 3 hours at which to meet their chaperone.
Failure to follow the above expectations will result in those students remaining with their chaperone the rest of the day, and possibly the next as well.
Teachers will be stationed at the front gate on rotation all day long if students ever need us.
Teachers and chaperones will not hold bags or personal items for students. If you cannot carry it with you (for a ride, for comfort, etc.), students may need to get a locker.
Students are welcome and encouraged to meet up with/hang out with any other roommate groups they would like from HRMS…they just cannot separate from their own roommates throughout the trip. This is for the safety and enjoyment of all.
Itinerary
January 16, 2014
WEDNESDAY
8:45 AM Drop students at school with luggage
12:45 PM Begin loading process for busses
1:00 PM Off to Florida!
Dinner along the way (bring money)
10:30 PM Arrive at hotel
11:30 PM Lights-out & room checks
(Security guard on duty till morning)
THURSDAY
7:00 AM Wake-up & room checks
Breakfast (included)
8:15 AM Off to the Parks!
9:00 AM Gates open…UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Lunch on own (bring money or snacks)
3:00 PM Transition to ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
THURSDAY (continued)
8:00 PM Dinner at Hard Rock Café (included)
9:30 PM CityWalk
10:30 PM Back to hotel
11:30 PM Lights out & room checks
(Security guard on duty till morning)
FRIDAY
7:00 AM Wake-up & room checks
Breakfast (included)
8:15 AM Hotel check-out & off to Park
9:00 AM Gates open…ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
Lunch on own (bring money or snacks)
2:00PM Load busses
Back to North Carolina…
Dinner along the way (bring money)
12:00 AM Arrive at HRMS
January 16, 2014
* Please remember and respect that per school policy, only students and chaperones on our list are permitted with our group in Orlando.
This is for the safety of our students. No tag-alongs!