Close Up Academy May 1 – May 6, 2015 Washington DC & Gettysburg WELCOME!

Close Up Sponsors Jeannine Kuropatkin Florence Masciangelo Additional teacher chaperones will be added with a 15-1 ratio, per district guidelines.

Why RHODES is SPECIAL? Parents Our Parents are willing to support their child and our staff. We have parents who are always willing to answer the call for assistance in any way they can. Staff Rhodes leads the way in many innovative ways to teach our students. We support and reinforce the 7 th & 8 th grade curriculum required by District and Arizona State Social Studies Standards. Our staff works hard to give your child the very best educational experiences and THIS is one of them. Students Our students are the BEST! Their performance in academics, sports, the arts, and competitions consistently show superior merit.

What is the Close Up Academy? Close Up Academy is a study visit to Washington, D.C., that gives students an interactive course in U.S. history. It is specifically designed for the interest level and curricular needs of middle school students. Close-Up is a nonprofit foundation whose goal is to bring students to our nation’s capital to get a firsthand look at government and to promote citizenship. Close-Up is the only program endorsed by Congress and the National Middle School Association of America.

W hat TYPE of student benefits from the Close Up Program ? Answer: All STUDENTS can benefit from this program. Let Us Explain………

Who Should Attend? At Rhodes, we feel all students should attend. As a parent, you will need to decide, if this study visit is appropriate for your child. Students who make the best participants are: * Responsible, respectful, and mature. * Able follow rules and meet deadlines. * Eager to learn about the history of our country. We want to offer students the best experience of their life.

What does a typical day look like? 1) We start our day with a wake up call. Everyone is required to go down and have breakfast (This is not an option – students MUST eat breakfast). 2) Students board the buses and begin their day exploring the historical and cultural sites of DC. 3) Every evening, back at the hotel, students participate in study group activities based upon information they studied that day. Students are grouped with other jr high school students from across the USA. THESE ARE FUN TIMES!

Supervision on Program Students are supervised the entire time! They are with adults 24/7: * Teachers - During travel; Morning & night-time check-ins * Personal Instructors (P.I’s) - While on program 6 AM - 10 PM * Security guards – On the hotel floors overnight 10 PM - 6AM Chaperones are NOT in the same room with students. No girls in boys rooms... No boys in girls rooms! Room is designated: No crossing the threshold! If this rule is broken... STUDENT GOES HOME C.O.D. !

Where Do We Stay? We have stayed at many different hotels in Virginia & Maryland. (Ex: Holiday Inn) ALL NIGHT SECURITY ON EVERY FLOOR! Chaperones & Security Monitors make a nightly check on each and every room. NOTE: We will not receive the hotel or flight info until two weeks before the trip. Once we know this, you will be notified. Sorry... You cannot use your Frequent Flyer Miles.

Hotel Issues Students will be 4 to a room with other students of the same sex/grade... Be assured that they will room with at least one other Rhodes student. **Students can request roommates at the January Student Meeting. We expect our students to behave in the proper manner in the hotel (rooms, dining, elevator, noise level, etc.) If there is a door to an adjoining room in the hotel, these doors are NOT TO BE OPENED. Because of the wonderful behavior of past student groups from Rhodes, we have had the opportunity to stay at some of the best hotels in the Washington DC area.

What are the meal arrangements? Breakfast is at the hotel. Typical menu items include eggs, bacon, pancakes, French toast, waffles, bagels, muffins, cereal, milk, juice and fruit. Lunch is usually at a mall food court or Hard Rock Cafe, Union Station, ESPN Zone, depending upon where the students are at that day. Students are given vouchers, not cash, to ensure they get lunch. Dinner is usually at the hotel, sometimes at a restaurant or mall if the field study goes into the evening. Food allergies or restrictions If your child has any, PLEASE let us know. We will pass this information onto Close Up so accommodations can be made for your child’s needs.

What if my child needs medical attention?  A Close Up Staffer will reside at the hotel during the program and is available in case of an emergency. There is a dedicated staffer on each program to assist students who are ill,  All Close Up Staff are trained in First Aid, AED, and CPR.  Close Up partners with several leading health care providers, including Georgetown University Children’s Medical Center (GUCMC), to ensure that students have access to quality health care should they need medical attention while on program.  GUCMC maintains a pediatric doctor on-call who will assist & make needed referrals.  Students on medication will be responsible for taking it on their own.  The Close Up Program Instructors are very responsible, and if needed, can obtain help very quickly. IMPORTANT! Student health records, that you will supply to us on the Close Up registration site and on the Georgetown University Hospital Form are hooked up with George Washington University Medical Center. PLEASE RETURN THESE COMPLETED HEALTH FORMS ASAP!! Parents complete the Emergency Contact/Permission form in the Close Up Packet. Rhodes Teacher Chaperones carry these forms in event of an emergency!

How much will the trip cost? What does the cost cover? Total cost is $ This pays for:  Round-trip airfare, hotel & three meals/day  Admission to all museums & historic sites  All bus & metro transportation in DC & Gettysburg  Close Up student manual, backpack, and refillable water bottle. NOTE: We also provide a special Rhodes Close Up Tshirt, sweatshirt hoodie, and luggage tag Close Up

How are we ever going to pay for this?  A LARGE bank account or Visa/Mastercard  ECA Tax Credit (Mr. David Chaffee will explain)  Letter Writing to relatives, friends, civic organizations, businesses, etc. (A letter writing workshop will be announced to interested students after Intent Forms have been returned.)  Employer Matching Programs Ask your employer!  5 Monthly payments of $ (Sept-Oct-Nov-Dec-Jan)  Scholarships for Returning Close Up Students ($75.00 from Close Up + $25.00 from Rhodes Close Up)  Wilkinson Scholarship ($200 to be awarded to ONE 7 th grader who applies & best fulfills the scholarship criteria.)  Individual Fundraising (TBA: possibly Jamba Juice Cards?)

Welcome Mr. David Chaffee Professional Tax Advisor Accountant

Arizona ECA Tax Credit Married filing jointly - Allowed $400 per year / Single - allowed $200 per year. Parents/Guardian 2015 ECA $400 Family/friend 2015 ECA $400 Additional Payment $193 (ECA OR fundraising OR donation) $993 Parents/Guardian 2016 ECA $400 Family/friend 2016 ECA $400 Additional Payment $193 (ECA OR fundraising OR donation) $993 $993 + $993 = $1986 Woo Hoo! Going to Close Up!!  ECA payments can be made all at once OR monthly... just meet the deadlines!  ALWAYS check with your Tax Advisor or Accountant to verify that you qualify for the Arizona ECA Tax Credit

Matching Funds - Loans Matching Funds  Some companies do matching funds. How will you know? ASK!!!!  If you or someone you know works for any of these companies, PLEASE utilize this means of obtaining funds.  HOWEVER, please do so EARLY! The money must be paid by the Final Payment Deadline: Jan 29, 2016 Interest Free Loans  Some Credit Unions will give you an interest-free loan if used for ECA payments. How will you know? ASK!!!!

How can I raise funds for Close Up other than ECA? Example 1 – Request a Donation Write letters to relatives, friends, companies, businesses your family frequent, organizations (civic, religious, sports, scouts, etc) to which you belong... Anybody who is familiar with you or your family & Request a donation! A letter writing workshop will be conducted! Example 2 – Seek Companies who Match Employee Donations Parents can inquire with their Employer regarding Matching Funds. Request & submit necessary forms EARLY as the process can take several months! The final payment must be in by Jan. 29, 2016! Example 3 – Financial Aid from Arizona Tribal Communities If you are Native American and registered with any of the Arizona Tribal Communities, you can request financial help for your child’s educational study visit. Example 4 – Individual Fundraising Students & families can elect to do their OWN individual fundraising. We will organize 1- 2 fundraising opportunities but students can raise funds on their own by babysitting, yard work & housework. In the past, families have conducted yard sales.

1) PLEASE make sure that ALL Payments are paid DIRECTLY to the Rhodes Bookstore AND that a receipt AND a copy of the ECA Payment is given. 2) Bring your receipts and Photocopy of ECA Payments to your Social Studies Teacher, who will place it in Ms. Kuropatkin’s mailbox. 3) When paying through ECA, make sure to write your child’s name and the Rhodes ECA Account # 8161 on the BLUE ECA card. 4) Do NOT send the ECA Card to the MPS District as we have not way to track it to your child’s account. 5) If you have out-of-town family/friends who would like to contribute to your child’s Close Up account, PLEASE have them send the $$ to you OR directly to Rhodes Jr High. Instruct them to write your child’s name on any deposit or correspondence. Payment Precautions

Travel Insurance Close Up offers the option to buy Travel Insurance for $ You can purchase this when you register online OR at a later time.  If your child cannot attend Close Up because of a sudden illness, OR any other reason covered by the travel insurance policy, you should be able to obtain a refund. (Read the policy guidelines!)  You will be responsible to obtain you own insurance. We do NOT collect the cost of the insurance. When you register online, you will have this option to pay Close Up directly.

Close Up PACKET 1. Cover Sheet (red) 2. National Middle School Endorsement (blue) 3. Close-Up sample Itinerary (white) 4. ** INTENT FORM (beige) 5. ** Contract/Essay (lavender) 6. ECA FORM (blue) 7. ECA Explanation (green) 8. Close Up TIMELINE ** If you choose to participate these forms must be completed and handed in ON or BEFORE the deadlines indicated on the bottom of each form.

CLOSE UP TIMELINE PARTICIPANTS WILL FIND THIS INFORMATION IN THEIR PARTICIPANT PACKET IMPORTANT DATES TO KNOW  September 22, Intent Form DUE  October 23, Deadline For 1 st Deposit / Contact/Essay Form DUE  January 29, ALL PAYMENTS FOR TRIP ARE TO BE COMPLETED Roommate forms given out when forms are turned in  March 13, % CANCELLATION FEE after this date  April 27, Parent/Participant Meeting 6:30 RJH Auditorium  April 29, Student ONLY Meeting 8:15 Ms. Kuropatkin’s Room 71  May 1, See you at the Airport at the Designated Time

Additional Information  You can choose to make weekly or monthly deposits. Monthly deposits will be the total $ divided by 5 = $ (Sept-Oct-Nov-Dec-Jan)  If a family needs to work out a slightly modified payment schedule, we will try to work this out. However, this can only be determined after a parent- sponsor contact has been made.  The Initial Deposit Date cannot be changed due to Close Up Requirements and Procedures we must follow from the District.

I’m ready to “Ship‘em off,” What should I do? Please return the Intent Form and Contract/Essay Form (with receipt of payment from the bookstore) to Ms. Kuropatkin (Room 71). 1) Turn in the Intent Form by Sept 22 nd 2) Turn in the Contract/Essay & $ non- refundable deposit, by Oct 23 rd Student needs to complete the two essay questions - Write Legibly. Student needs to get current teachers’ recommendation signatures. All deposits must be made at the Rhodes Bookstore. 3) Payments must be completed by January 29, DEADLINES are very Important to us AND to Close Up.

Monitoring the Participants: Grades & Behavior To remain eligible for the Close Up Trip, students must NOT:  Have chronic absences  Have Office referrals, time in ALC, & any Suspensions  Failure of a class Any problems?? Parents will be notified. Removal from the Program  Students who do not display good behavior, passing grades, or are chronically absent throughout the year will be removed from the Program.  If removed from the program, money will be refunded according to Close Up/ state and district guidelines. Refer to contract

Responsible Students going on the Close Up trip: 1) Will be required to attend mandatory meetings. 2) Will be monitored very closely second semester (Jan–April 2016) 3) Will be responsible for lessons missed during the Close Up Trip.  2 weeks before leaving, students will be given an Assignment Request Form to notify their teachers of their upcoming absence.  This is to ensure that students get the work for which they are responsible turned into their teachers on time.

What if my child can’t go after paying? 1. No ECA money is refunded EVER! It is a tax credit and this is mandated by state law. 2. $400 deposit is non-refundable (ECA may be the better choice.) 3. Final Payments DUE by January 29 th. 4. After March 13 th NO money can be refunded. 5. You might want to take out travel insurance, available from a separate company.

What do I need to do as a parent? Once your Close Up deposits are paid, we will notify you via: 1) (Please PRINT this legibly on the INTENT FORM.) 2) Printed Notices (Given to your child at school.) 3) Daily Morning Announcements (Aired daily during 1 st Period.) Note: Parents can view Daily Announcements on the Rhodes Jr High website homepage: 4) Postings in Social Studies Classrooms You will need to Register ONLINE with the Close Up Program We will give you the necessary instructions. **If you do not have a computer, we will set a time for you to come to school and register.

Introducing... Last year’s students Let’s hear from some Rhodes Close Up Students who went on last year’s trip... Kaylee Liyan Kennedy Sandra Erin