1. Washington, DC June 7 – 10, 2016

2. Wilmington Middle School will be traveling to Washington D.C. this spring with all eligible and interested eighth grade students. We are very excited to offer this educational and historical opportunity. Students who take this trip will be able to explore the famous landmarks of our nation’s capital. In addition to this, students will see science come alive as they visit the block of Smithsonian Museums. They will experience five centuries of news history blended with up-to-the-second technology and hands-on exhibits at the Newseum. Lastly, students will make the connection to their eighth grade curriculum when they explore the Holocaust Museum. We are proud to present the 2016 itinerary. Wilmington Middle School will be traveling to Washington D.C. this spring with all eligible and interested eighth grade students. We are very excited to offer this educational and historical opportunity. Students who take this trip will be able to explore the famous landmarks of our nation’s capital. In addition to this, students will see science come alive as they visit the block of Smithsonian Museums. They will experience five centuries of news history blended with up-to-the-second technology and hands-on exhibits at the Newseum. Lastly, students will make the connection to their eighth grade curriculum when they explore the Holocaust Museum. We are proud to present the 2016 itinerary.

3. Day One - Tuesday, June 7 th  6:00amDepart from Wilmington Plaza. Breakfast stop enroute.  11:45amLunch enroute ($10 stipend)  5:00-6:00pmDinner at Union Station (voucher)  6:15-8:45pmA walking tour of the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, MLK Memorial, FDR Memorial, Tidal Basin, and the Jefferson Memorial.  9:00pmCheck in at Hyatt Place, National Mall

4. Day Two – Wednesday, June 8 th  6:30-7:30amBreakfast buffet at hotel.  8:30-9:00amPicture on the Capitol steps.  9:00-11:30amTour of the Newseum, a museum focusing on journalism throughout the world. This is Washington’s most interactive museum.  12:00-1:00pmLunch @ Ronald Reagan Building (voucher)

5. Day Two - continued  1:00-3:30pmTour of the National Zoo.  4:00-6:00pmWalking tour by the White House, the Washington Memorial, and the WW II Memorial. Possible visit to the US Navy Memorial.  6:00-7:00pmDinner at the Ronald Reagan Center  7:00-9:30pmTravel to Alexandria, VA where students will be met and led by a lantern carrying guide who will relate the history, legends and folklore of this historic city on the Potomac River.  10:00pmArrival back to Hyatt Place.  10:30pmReturn to Hyatt Place.

6. Day Three - Thursday, June 9 th  6:30-7:30amBreakfast buffet at hotel. A full course buffet breakfast will be served at the hotel every day of our stay.  8:30-11:30amArlington National Cemetery – A tour guide will meet each bus to provide an overview of Arlington’s history and then accompany each group on a tour of Arlington. After the tour, each bus will visit the Iwo Jima Memorial and drive by the Air Force Memorial.  12:00-1:00pmLunch at the Pentagon Mall (voucher)

7. Day Three - continued  1:00-6:00pmVisit the Holocaust Museum. There will be time afterwards to visit the Smithsonian Museums: Air & Space, Natural History, Native American, etc.  7:00-10:00pmDinner/Dance on the “Spirit of Washington”  10:15pmReturn to Hyatt Place

8. Day Four - Friday, June 10 th  6:15-7:30amBreakfast buffet at hotel.  10:00-11:30amUnited States Naval Academy – This educational tour with a USNA guide allows students to learn about the USNA as it relates to US/World history.  11:30amDepart for Wilmington. Lunch (box lunch provided by the USNA Drydock Restaurant) Dinner ($10 stipend) – Danbury Mall, CT  10:30pmApproximate arrival time home!

9. Eligibility Requirements As of November 9 th, any student receiving an Outside Suspension (OSS) or Inside Suspension (ISS) will be removed from the list of students eligible to attend the trip. As of November 9 th, any student receiving a total of THREE office detentions and/or teacher sessions for disciplinary reasons will be removed from the list of students eligible to attend the trip. If either of the above incidents occur during the course of the school year, further payments will not be accepted and the student’s name will be removed from the field trip list.

10. Eligibility Requirements (con’t)   As of November 9 th, students who are absent more than seven (7) times, or tardy more than five (5) times, without a doctor’s note will not be eligible.

11. Eligibility Requirements (con’t)   Students must be passing the eighth grade as of April 1st (end of 3 rd quarter).   Students who are failing one or more subjects after the 3 rd quarter report card must show a willingness to improve grades by remaining after school regularly for extra help. Homework should be up to date in all subjects for all students.   Any student that fails gym as a result of not changing for class will be removed from the trip.

12. Appeal Process   In the event that a student is not eligible to attend the trip, an appeal may be made if the student’s behavior shows a marked improvement before April 15, 2016. Any parent/guardian who would like to implement the appeal process should contact Mrs. Gerade directly. Each appeal will be reviewed on an individual basis. All appeals must be received in writing by Administration and addressed to Mrs. Gerade by April 15 th.

13. Please remember... Attending this trip is a privilege, not a right. How you conduct yourself over the course of this school year dictates whether or not you earn the privilege of attending.

14. Behavioral Expectations…  Student Responsibility  Respect

15. Price of Trip = $625.00 This includes:   All meals   Admission tickets   Lodging   Transportation   WMS t-shirt

16. Important Payment Dates Price of Trip is $625.00 Payment #1 – Wednesday, November 18 th ($125) NON-REFUNDABLE! Payment #2 – Wednesday, January 6 th ($125) Payment #3 – Wednesday, February 3 rd ($125) Payment #4 – Wednesday, March 2 nd ($125) Payment #5 – Wednesday, April 6 th ($125) Refund Policy:   Deposit of $125 is NON-REFUNDABLE   After Monday, March 2 nd, only 50% of monies paid will be refunded.   After Monday, May 16 th, 0% of monies paid will be refunded. The only exception to this policy would be if there is a doctor’s note confirming the reason for withdrawal. The deposit is still NON-REFUNDABLE. All payments made AFTER April 14 th must be made in cash.

17.   Checks should be made out to: Town of Wilmington - WMS   Please include your student’s name on the memo line of every check you submit so that it is credited to the right account.   If you have twins, it is fine to send in one check covering both children.   You are welcome to pay in full at any point during the year!

18. Frequently Asked Questions   Does my child need any extra money?

19.   Only money needed would be for souvenirs and $5 to tip the hotel maid at end of the week.   Trip cost covers all ticketed events and food money.   Food stipends passed out before each meal to insure each student’s money lasts the week.

20. Frequently Asked Questions   Does my child need any extra money?   What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel?

21.   Qualified chaperones.   Hotel information with each student.   Nighttime security patrolling the hallways.   No use of pool at hotel.

22. Frequently Asked Questions   Does my child need any extra money?   What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel?   Are there nurses on the trip?

23.   2 experienced school nurses are available both on the bus and at the hotel for morning and nighttime check-ins for the students.

24. Frequently Asked Questions   Does my child need any extra money?   What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel?   Are there nurses on the trip?   What is the procedure for financial aid requests?

25. All requests are due in writing to Mrs. Simmons no later than Wednesday, November 18 th The following criteria will be considered by the Financial Aid committee when determining if partial assistance or an individual payment plan is available:  Written letter  Free or reduced lunch  Sudden or recent family hardship

26. If you are applying for Financial Aid, you MUST still complete TWO steps necessary to be considered registered for the trip. These are: 1. Complete the online registration. 2. Pass in your completed permission slip to your homeroom teacher. If these 2 steps are not done by Wednesday, November 18 th, you are NOT registered for the trip and will be put on the waiting list.

27. The maximum Financial Aid award will be 50% ($313) of the cost of the trip.

28. Frequently Asked Questions   Does my child need any extra money?   What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel?   Are there nurses on the trip?   What is the procedure for financial aid requests?   How are hotel rooms chosen?

29.   From March 4 th – March 18 th, students will pass in their roommate request slips.   Students “pairs” will be grouped with another pair together to form quads. Please note: payments must be current to be eligible to sign up for a room. Please remember: The cost of the trip is based on 4 students per room. Any group signing up as a TRIO will be charged an additional fee of $75 per person, which must be paid in full with room request.

30. Frequently Asked Questions   Does my child need any extra money?   What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel?   Are there nurses on the trip?   What is the procedure for financial aid requests?   How are hotel rooms chosen?   What is the policy concerning cell phones during the trip?

31.   Students are encouraged to have their cell phones on them at all times.   During guided tours and solemn events, cell phones are not to be turned on or displayed.

32. Frequently Asked Questions   Does my child need any extra money?   What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel?   Are there nurses on the trip?   What is the procedure for financial aid requests?   How are hotel rooms chosen?   What is the policy concerning cell phones during the trip?   Can my child brings snacks along on the trip?

33.   Use common sense!   Students may only have water on the bus.   No homemade snacks.   No “energy” drinks may be in hotel rooms or purchased at lunch/dinner stops. Guidelines concerning snacks:

34. Frequently Asked Questions   Does my child need any extra money?   What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel?   Are there nurses on the trip?   What is the procedure for financial aid requests?   How are the hotel rooms chosen?   What is the policy concerning cell phones during the trip?   Can my child bring snacks along on the trip?   My child has food allergies, where will you be eating?   What important dates do I need to be aware of?

35. Important Registration Dates WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 th – Deadline for Financial Aid requests to be submitted in writing to Mrs. Simmons. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 th – Deadline for Registration. To be considered REGISTERED, you MUST have completed the following 3 items:   Online registration. (Link can be found at www.wpsk12.com) www.wpsk12.com   Permission slip turned into HR teacher.   Deposit of $125 turned into HR teacher (NON-REFUNDABLE) or Financial Aid request submitted in writing to Mrs. Simmons. PLEASE NOTE: Any student that misses the 11/18 deadline will be waitlisted. The only exception would be new students enrolled after 11/18/15

36. Important Medical Dates MONDAY, MAY 4 th – Deadline for turning in all medication forms into Nurses Office. MONDAY, MAY 23 rd – All medications are due in Nurses office.   Medications MUST be labeled.   Placed in a clear plastic bag   Be in their original packing* *Being aware of this now will give you time to save a labeled medication container to send in for the trip. PLEASE NOTE: Medication forms must be signed by a doctor if there is no current signature on file in school. This INCLUDES any medications for motion-sickness.

37. Spring Parent Meeting MONDAY, MAY 16 th If you attended the November meeting, the Spring meeting, while recommended, is optional.

38. Frequently Asked Questions   Does my child need any extra money?   What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel?   Are there nurses on the trip?   What is the procedure for financial aid requests?   How are hotel rooms chosen?   What is the policy concerning cell phones during the trip?   Can my child bring snacks along on the trip?   My child has food allergies, where will you be eating?

39. Breakfasts:   Donna’s Donuts & Crowne Plaza Hotel Lunches:   Paramus Park Mall, NJ   Pentagon Mall, Washington, DC   Ronald Reagan Building, Washington, DC   Box lunch from Drydock Restaurant, USNA Dinners:   Union Station Food Court, Washington, DC   “Spirit of Washington” dinner cruise   Danbury Mall, Danbury, CT List of food places

40. Frequently Asked Questions   Does my child need any extra money?   What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel?   Are there nurses on the trip?   What is the procedure for financial aid requests?   How are hotel rooms chosen?   What is the policy concerning cell phones during the trip?   Can my child bring snacks along on the trip?   My child has food allergies, where will you be eating?   My child has expressed reluctance to go on this trip, should I push him/her to go?

41.   You need to have an honest dialog with your child. While the trip is open to every student, it is not always the right choice for every student.   If your child encounters behavioral or well- being issues, it is the responsibility of the parent to make arrangements to come collect their child.   From start to finish, each day lasts approximately 15 hours. Once we leave the hotel in the morning, we don’t return until later that evening.

42. All of tonight’s information can be accessed on the WMS website. www.wpsk12.com Please check the website before emailing or calling with any questions. Replies will not be sent for 2-3 days.