1. U.S. Immersion 2013 Parents briefing Session Oct 25, 2013 Dominion High School Loudoun County, Virginia, USA

2. U.S. Immersion 2013 Parents briefing Session Oct 25, 2013 Marcus Neo Chin Ming-Fwu Neo Shi-Zhang Sim Wen-Hong Zhu Jia-hua Yao Jia-xu Alex WuAndy Low Samuel Tan Shi-Jie Li Jia-wang Cheng Wei-Loon Mr Joseph TanMrs Bridget Tan-Chew Dominion High School Loudoun County, Virginia, USA

3. Objectives To enable our students to develop an understanding of Western (American) history, culture and current developments To develop in our students the skills to adapt quickly and successfully in the western cultural environment through immersion and reflective journaling To help our students to enhance their communication skills so that they can engage the West.

4. Details of Immersion Date: 9 th to 23 rd Nov (both dates inclusive) Flights: –Departure: 9 th Nov – Emirates EK355 2135h –Return: Saturday, 23 rd Nov – Emirates EK404 2045h

5. Dominion High School Loudoun County, Virginia, USA 21326 Augusta Dr, Sterling, VA, United States

6. Dominion High School Loudoun County, Virginia, USA

7. Dominion High School Loudoun County, Virginia, USA

8. Dominion High School Loudoun County, Virginia, USA

9. Dominion High School Loudoun County, Virginia, USA

10. Dominion High School Loudoun County, Virginia, USA Teacher in-charge Mrs Jennifer Rodgers U.S. Government, Comparative Government, International Relations Mrs. Rodgers joined the Dominion High School staff in 2005 and teaches Academic Government, A.P. U.S. and Comparative Government and Politics, International Relations and Global Social Issues. Prior to teaching at Dominion, Mrs. Rodgers spent two years teaching Government and History at a public high school in Washington D.C. Mrs. Rodgers received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from the University of Virginia and has completed graduate coursework in education at the University of Virginia's Falls Church campus. Mrs. Rodgers is a co-sponsor of the Global Ambassadors Club. She has chaperoned several trips to Singapore, organized visits for visiting Singaporean students, and serves as the faculty coordinator for the Loudoun International Youth Leadership Summit. Loudoun International Youth Leadership Summit Her e-mail address is jennifer.rodgers@lcps.orgjennifer.rodgers@lcps.org

11. Dominion High School Loudoun County, Virginia, USA Dominion High School is a public secondary school in Sterling, an unincorporated area in Loudoun County, Virginia, United States. It is part of Loudoun County Public Schools. Dominion High School first opened in 2003, receiving students from Potomac Falls High School and Park View High School. Dominion's student body draws students who live primarily in the Sugarland Run and Lowes Island communities. Most students come from Seneca Ridge Middle School and other from private schools. In 2005, Dominion was designated the host of the Loudoun Academy of Science, which is a designated part-time magnet school program for Loudoun County students, somewhat similar to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia.

12. The immersion programme aims to offer a slice of the American culture. The activities during the 2-week immersion will include: School-Based Programme Class immersions Joint projects After school activties Beyond School Programme Field trips and excursions The programme…

13. SaturdaySundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday Saturday 9 Meet at T3 7.30pm Departure EK355 SIN/Dub (2135h/0100h) 10 Arrival at Washington DC EK231 Dub/Wash (0225h/0810h) Welcome party at a host familys home. 11 Day spent at Dominion High School. School Tour, orientation, work on collaborative projects and class observations 12 Field Trip to US Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, and Jefferson Memorials with U.S. Government students After school activity: dance clinic with Latin Dance club 13 Field Trip to National Gallery of Art and American Art Museum with art students After school activity: tie-dying t-shirts 14 Day spent at Dominion High School Shadowing classes with hosts and working on collaborative projects 15 Field trip to Harpers Ferry National Park, West Virginia (site of U.S. Civil War battle and Appalachian Trail) with history students 16 Weekend with host families 17 Weekend with host families 18 Field Trip to Holocaust Museum with psychology students 19 Field Trip to the American History Museum, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and FDR Memorial with Government students After school activity TBA 20 Day spent at Dominion High School Observing classes and working on collaborative projects After school activity TBA 21 Day spent at Dominion High School Finalize and present collaborative projects. Farewell Dinner 22 Singaporean students depart host families to drop students off at airport at 7:30 AM. Departure EK232 Wash/Dub 1010h/0800h (23 rd Nov) 23 Arrival at Changi EK404 Dub/Sin (0935h/2045h)

14. The programme… the field trips US Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, and Jefferson Memorials

15. The programme… the field trips National Gallery of Art and American Art Museum

16. The programme… the field trips Harpers Ferry National Park, West Virginia (site of U.S. Civil War battle and Appalachian Trail)

17. The programme… the field trips Holocaust Museum

18. The programme… the field trips American History Museum, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and FDR Memorial

19. The programme… other experiences

20. The weather… Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

21. The weather… While temperatures can seem cold by Singapore standards, November is not quite winter in the Northeastern USA. Sweaters, hooded sweatshirts, and light jackets should be sufficient to stay warm while outdoor s, layering is important because going from indoor to outdoor activities, you may very warm if you can not take off a layer. It tends to be about the same in Washington as at Loudoun County so for trips into the city dress appropriately. Weather should be a bit warmer than Beijing.

22. Accommodation… and transport) Homestay throughout host families – with Buddy Most families in the area live in single family homes. The homes in the area may seem quite large compared to the average Singaporean homes.

23. Contacts… We shall be staying together with a hosting staff member, Mr George Wolfe at –20558 Noland Woods Court, Sterling, VA 20165 –Email Address: joseph@hci.edu.sgjoseph@hci.edu.sg –Cellphone No: (+65) 96820725 However, I will be using a local US phone when I arrive so I will be able to easily contact anyone and be contactable 24/7

24. Pre-Immersion programme / workshops Cultural Intelligence Workshop Learning the history of the United States –This learning may include select literary readings by writers of the country, lectures, internet research and sharing.

25. Flight Details… reporting time & attire Flight: Emirates EK355 –Saturday 9 th Nov –2135h Meet at Terminal 1 at Row 6 at 6.45pm Attire: Appropriately attire (with jacket or sweater)

26. Travel checklist To carry at all times … International passport Photocopy of passport and other important documents Passport-sized color photo E-ticket Emergency contact numbers Email & phone contacts of friends & loved ones

27. Travel checklist … Personal Effects : Sufficient to last for 2 weeks Toothbrush, toothpaste Face Towel / Bath Towel Soap, moisturizer, lip balm (if necessary, can get pretty dry when it gets colder) Shampoo, antiperspirant, deodorant (Indoors it can get warm and you will perspire at times) Plasters Personal Digital Thermometer

28. Underwear including under shirts and good socks (Not Ankle socks) Shirts: T-shirts, Long sleeved shirts, light sweaters (to wear over long sleeved shirts) A heavier sweater for colder days. Jackets: Temperatures between 3-12 degrees. Only on the very coldest days you may feel you need something more than a warm coat, but they are also quite bulky, layering is preferable especially with a jacket that also acts as a windbreaker. Pants: (A pair of Jeans, and a little bit more formal khaki pants.) A pair of shorts or other sport pants. (PE related or CCA use) School Uniform + School Blazer: 1 set at least CLOTHES Travel checklist …

29. Students may not be able to do laundry when they are there so please make sure to bring appropriate number of clean clothes for two weeks. Outerwear like sweaters and pants can be worn a multiple times without washing) Underwear should not! Travel checklist …

30. FOOTWEAR Comfortable walking shoes Sports shoes Sandals Socks BAGS Bag packs for daily use Travel checklist …

31. ELECTRONICS Laptop with appropriate travel adapter/ charger (For Blogging & Reflections) – compulsory to bring laptop (Security) Camera/ Smartphone Mobile phone charger Also be careful not to be on data roaming in the USA, you could incur very large bills when you get home! Thumbdrive Travel checklist …

32. STATIONERY Note Pad Writing Materials Highlighters, if necessary Any other stationery that is needed Travel checklist …

33. IMPORTANT NOTE … No sharp objects in cabin luggage e.g. scissors, nail clipper For liquids and aerosols, please follow SQ guidelines Please limit your baggage to : 1 checked-in luggage of not more than 20kg; Size of suitcase : not larger than 26 inches 1 cabin luggage - dimensions in total must not exceed 115 cm and not more than 7kg (ribbons to tag bags)

34. Gifts … Gift for host student / class. Gift for host family (Something from Singapore) Coffee Table book for family, with pictures of Singapore, also a good ice breaker. Gift for school teachers, etc. HCI brochures and mementoes Tokens that are representative of Singapore … Gifts that are not expensive

35. HEALTH MATTERS

36. Personal Medication – Get regular medication from your family doctor [Note: MOE regulation] Dentist – Strongly advised to get teeth checked and treated before trip, if necessary Vaccinations – Different vaccinations needed for different durations of stay e.g. flu jab, Hep A and B etc. IMPORTANT …

37. Expenditure … how much to bring?

38. Prohibited and Controlled Items Singapore Changi Airport (Immigration and Checkpoint Authority)

39. Under Singapore Law Upon your arrival at the Singapore Changi Airport, baggage will be subjected to checks by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and other security agencies.

40. Under Singapore Law prohibited items such as arms and explosives, bullet-proof clothing, antique guns, toy guns and swords etc require authorization from the Licensing Division of the SPF. If you have prohibited items in your possession, please declare them and produce valid permits or authorization documents.

41. Ammunition Empty Cartridges Live Bullets Ornaments made from empty cartridges Bullet-shaped lighters Grenade-shaped lighters ARMAMENTS Firearms Stun Guns Replica Guns Antique Guns Toy Guns Gun-shaped lighters

42. Miscellaneous Flick Knife Butterfly knife Handcuffs Pepper spray Catapult Crossbows

43. Martial Arts Equipments Knuckle Duster Nanchaku Ninja Shoku Ninja Stars Truncheons

44. Consequences At least 3 – 5 demerit points. Lose –subsidy for the trip. –scholarship / bursaries (if any). –special program (if any). –leadership appointment. Banned from ALL overseas school trip.