Close Up Academy April 29, 2012 – May 3, WELCOME!

Close Up Sponsors Mike Huddleston Deb Rodarte Jeannine Kuropatkin Becky Cryder Florence Masciangelo

PACKET 1. Welcome (red) 2. National Middle School Endorsement (blue) 3. Close-Up sample Itinerary (gold) 4. *INTEND FORM (beige) 5. **Contract/Essay (lavender) 6. ECA FORM (white) 7. ECA Explanation (green) 8. TIME LINE ** If you choose to participate this form must be completed and handed in on or before the deadline indicated on the bottom. No Late turn in will be accepted.

Why RHODES is SPECIAL Parents Our Parents are willing to support their child and our staff. We have the parents who are always willing to answer the call for assistance in any way they can. Staff Rhodes leads the way to many innovative ways to teach our students. We Support and reinforce the 8 th grade curriculum program that is required by District and Arizona State Standards. Our staff works hard to give your child the very best innovative experiences, AND this is one of them. Students Our students are the BEST! There performance in curriculum, sports and the arts, and competition, continues to show high scores.

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

W HAT TYPE OF STUDENT BENEFITS FROM THIS PROGRAM ? Our answer is always All STUDENTS can and should benefit from this program. Students who follow adult supervision, direction and are responsible and mature will benefit the most. Let Us Explain………

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? At Rhodes we feel all students should attend. But, you as a parent need to decide, if this study visit is appropriate for your child. Students who are responsible, respectful, mature, and can follow rules and timelines make the best participants. We want to give each and every student the best experience of their lives.

Philadelphia

Itinerary Once back at the hotel, each night they have study group activities based on information they studied that day. Students are grouped with other junior high schools from around America. THESE ARE FUN TIMES! Depending on the group, and availability, we are contemplating adding one NIGHT activity (for our school only).

How Much Will It Cost? What Does It Cover? All airfare, hotel, meals, entrance to all museums & sites, supervised positions, manuals, transportation in Washington DC, etc. Total cost is $1, A $25.00 fee may be assessed for the shirts, hoodies and lanyards

HOW ARE WE EVER GOING TO PAY FOR THIS????  A Large bank account  Visa  ECA Tax Credit (Mrs. Masciangelo will explain)  Letter writing to businesses, family, Civic Organizations, etc ( after the students have signed up we will be giving out these materials to those students who make this request)  Employer match programs  Monthly payments (5 payments of $346.40)  Other?

ECA/ Matching Helping out?? Married filing jointly / Allowed $400 per year. Single filing jointly / Allowed $200 per year. Washington Parents 2011 ECA $400 Family/friend 2011 ECA $400 Payment of $66. Parents 2012 ECA $400 Family/friend 2012 ECA $400 Payment of $66 ECA payments can be made all at once OR monthly - just meet the deadlines. ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR ACCOUNTANT FOR VERIFICATION IF YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ECA TAX CREDIT **Companies may also do matching funds. If you or someone you know works for any of these companies, please utilize this means of obtaining funds, BUT please do it early so the money is available by the payment deadlines. Tempe Credit Union - will give you an interest free loan if used for ECA payments.

How can I raise the funds for Close Up other than ECA? _____________________________________________________ EXAMPLE 1 LETTERS TO COMPANIES WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH YOU OR YOUR FAMILY. REQUEST A DONATION. _____________________________________________________ EXAMPLE 2 COMPANIES WHO MATCH EMPLOYEE DONATIONS. PARENTS CAN REQUEST FORMS FROM THEIR EMPLOYER. ______________________________________________________

WHERE DO WE STAY?  We have stayed at many different hotels in Virginia & Maryland. (Last year was at the Marriott Key Bridge in Arlington, VA.)  We will not be receiving the hotel or flight information until two weeks before the trip. When we know, you will know.  Sorry, you may not use your Frequent Flyer Miles.  THERE IS ALL NIGHT SECURITY ON EVERY FLOOR.  Chaperones and Security Monitors make a nightly check on each and every room.

Supervision on Program Students are supervised the ENTIRE time. They are with adults 24/7:  Teachers - while traveling, mornings, nighttime  Personal Instructors (P.I’s) while on programs 6:00 a.m. to 10:30p.m.  Security guards - during the night are on the floors Chaperones are not in the same room with students. No girls in boys’ rooms & No boys in girls’ rooms!! Room is designated - crossing the threshold - if this rule is broken… YOU GO HOME C.O.D. !!!

Hotel Issues Students will be 4 to a room with other students of the same sex/grade from Rhodes. If we have a number of students attending that make it odd, they will have roommates from another school. Be assured that they will room with at least one other Rhodes student. Students will be able to request roommates at the January student meeting. Because of the wonderful behavior of our past student trips, we have had the opportunity to stay at some of the best hotels in Washington. We do expect our students to behave in the proper manner in the hotel (rooms, dining, elevator, etc.) If a door to an adjoining room is in the hotel, these doors are NOT TO BE OPEN.

What are the meal arrangements? Breakfast at the hotel - Eggs, bacon, pancakes or French toast or waffle, bagels, cereal, milk juice and fruit is the usual. Lunch is usually at a mall, Hard Rock, Union Station, ESPN Zone, depending where the students are on that day. (Students are given vouchers - they do not pay with cash. This is to ensure they have lunch). Dinner is at the Hotel –sometimes at a restaurant - entrée, vegetables, dessert, drink

What if someone needs medical attention? There will be a person at the hotel that can assist. The student’s health records, that you will supply to us on the Close Up registration site, is on the Georgetown University Hospital Form. This form is linked with George Washington University Medical Center. Students on medication will be responsible for taking it on their own. The P.I.’s traveling with the students are very responsible and if needed can obtain help very quickly. Rhodes Teachers carry the permission forms you will complete. This in the event of an emergency.

Travel Insurance You will have this option, when you register, or you can do this at a later time. Cost is $95.00 If you child cannot attend Close Up because of a sudden illness, or any reason covered by the travel insurance policy, you should be able to obtain a refund. You will be responsible to obtain you own insurance.

Monitoring the Participants Chronic Absences/ALC/RSR/Failing a class…can disqualify your child from participating in Close Up If there are any problems/concerns about your child’s participation, you will be notified. Our Responsible Students who are going to Close Up, will be required to attend mandatory meetings (See the Timeline). Please check the web site as another form of information. Students who are going on the trip: a) will be monitored very closely second semester. b) will be responsible for lessons missed during Close Up (they will be given a form to give to their teachers 2 weeks before leaving. This is to insure that they get the work they are responsible for in to the teachers on time.)

I’m ready to “Ship ‘em off” What should I do?  Turn in the completed Intend form by Mon September 26 th.  Follow up with the Contract/Essay (purple form) with $300 non-refundable deposit, by October 7 th.  Complete the student essay. PLEASE WRITE LEGIBLY!!  Have teacher recommendation forms completed. Please return these in to your Social Studies teacher No later than Fri October 7, All Payments must be completed by Fri January 27, **PARENTS WHO TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE EARLY BIRD SPECIAL, AND PAID THE $300 last spring, NEED ONLY RETURN THE COMPLETED CONTRACT/ESSAY FORM, DEADLINES ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO CLOSE UP !

CLOSE UP TIMELINE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE GIVEN THIS INFORMATION WHEN THEY RECEIVE THEIR PARTICIPANT PACKET CLOSE UP TIMELINE SEPTEMBER 26 - INTEND FORM DUE OCTOBER 7 - DEADLINE FOR $300 DEPOSIT & PURPLE SHEET (CONTRACT AND ESSAY) TBA - STUDENT-ONLY MEETING / 8:20 AM IN THE RHODES AUDITORIUM JANUARY 18 - STUDENT-ONLY MEETING TO DISCUSS ROOMMATES 8:20 AM IN THE RHODES AUDITORIUM JANUARY 27 - ALL PAYMENTS FOR TRIP ARE TO BE COMPLETED APRIL % CANCELLATION FEE AFTER THIS DATE APRIL 26 - PARENT/PARTICIPANT MEETING AT 6:30 PM IN THE RHODES AUDITORIUM APRIL 27 - STUDENT-ONLY MEETING 8:10 AM IN THE RHODES AUDITORIUM APRIL 29 - SEE YOU AT THE AIRPORT AT THE DESIGNATED TIME

What if my child can’t go after paying? 1. No ECA money is refunded EVER. You have received a tax credit for it, and it is a state law. 2.$300 deposit is non-refundable (ECA may be the better choice) 3.Payments complete by January 27th 4.After April 19 th no money will be refunded You might want to take out the travel insurance (available from a separate company).

Removal from the Program  Students who do not display good behavior throughout the year will be eliminated from participation. (suspension, or displaying questionable behavior, ALC placement, Chronic RSR ( NOT TO EXCEED 2 A QUARTER), etc.  Students who are failing or have excessive absences.  If removed from the program, money will be refunded according to Close Up/ state and district guidelines. PLEASE refer to the contract.

What do I need to do as a parent? Once the deposits are in, and we know who the participating students are, we will be notifying you via: 1. YOUR PROVIDED (please give us a current ) AND 2. YOUR CHILD AND 3. DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS AT SCHOOL AND 4. POSTING ANNOUNCEMENTS IN 8 TH GRADE CLASSROOMS AND ON THE CLOSE UP BULLETIN BOARD IN THE SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT. To Register on line– we will give you’re the necessary instructions. If you do not have a computer, we will set a time for you to come to school and register.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ALL MONEY IS BROUGHT TO THE BOOKSTORE AND A RECEIPT IS GIVEN TO YOU OR A PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR ECA PAYMENT. Bring your RECEIPT OR PHOTOCOPY to your Social Studies teacher, who will place it in the area for Mrs. Masciangelo. IF USING ECA, WRITE YOUR CHILD’S NAME ON THE CARD. (new cards) DO NOT SEND THE CARD TO THE DISTRICT – WE HAVE NO WAY OF TRACKING IT. IF YOU HAVE OUT OF TOWN FAMILY WHO WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE, PLEASE HAVE THEM SEND IT TO YOU OR TO THE SCHOOL WITH THE STUDENT’S NAME ON ANY CORRESPONDENCE. OR... THEY CAN PAY CLOSE UP DIRECTLY.

ADDITIONAL If you choose to, you can make weekly/monthly deposits. The monthly deposits will be the total divided by 5. We will work with family that need to pay on a different schedule, but this is determined after a parent/sponsor contact has been made. The initial deposit date cannot be changed due to Close Up Requirements.

Early Bird Students  Please stay after the meeting for your forms.