1. Washington, D.C. Close-Up
Mater Gardens Academy
May

2. Agenda Purpose Introduction video What is Close Up? Coordinators
Itinerary
Curriculum
Supervision
Transportation
Hotel
Meals
Medical emergencies
Travel insurance
Cost
Fund-raising
Qualifying students
Questions/answers
Intent to participate form

3. Purpose
Interactive, student-centered cultural experience of United States history

4. What is Close Up? Study visit to Washington, D.C.
47 year old non-profit foundation to bring students to experience government and history firsthand and to promote citizenship.
Endorsed by Congress and Middle School Association of America.

5. Coordinator Ms. Mayorga Tentative chaperones (in addition):
Mr. Castillo
Mr. Capo
Mrs. Bonilla
Mrs. Fernandez

6. Itinerary Day 1 Depart from Miami in AM.
Meet Close Up team and do some sightseeing
Welcome dinner.
Democracy workshop.
Social meet and greet.
Day 2
Breakfast Buffet.
FDR/Jefferson Memorial study.
Explore the U.S. Capitol building.
Lunch in Downtown D.C.
Visit the Supreme Court and Library of Congress.
Korean War, Vietnam War, and Lincoln Memorial study.
Dinner at Pentagon.
Mock Congress workshop.
Culmination activity.
Day 3
WWII Memorial study.
MLK Memorial study.
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and lunch.
White House.
Arlington National Cemetery.
Dinner in Washington D.C. (Buca Di Beppo)
D.C. Signature Night Monument Tour (U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force, and 9/11 Pentagon Memorials)
Examining Citizenship workshop.
Day 4
Citizenship Send-Off workshop.
National Archives study.
Smithsonian American History Museum and lunch.
The National Mall
Departure.
Arrive in Miami in PM.

7. Curriculum Aligns with Common Core standards.
Explores U.S. history and government (U.S. History is the 8th grade course, Civics was the 7th grade course)
Social experience to meet and work with other middle school students from other states.

8. Supervision
School staff allowed to attend. Parents ARE NOT ALLOWED to chaperone or to join (secretly or not).
Students will be given time to call home- contact information will be provided 24/7.
Students with adults entire time:
School staff will travel and shadow the students.
Program instructors are with the students from 7 AM-10:00 PM., when room check occurs.
Close-Up has security guards on the floors throughout the nights.

9. Transportation
Fly from Miami to D.C. and back to Miami (booked by Close-Up and information provided 30 days before- typically American Airlines)
Close-Up luxury motor coach bus throughout D.C.
Metro cards for subway (first day)
Walking

10. Hotel 4 students of the same sex, from same school, per room.
Roommates requested in March.
Chain hotel- all within minutes of downtown D.C.
Security on the floor entire night.
Close-Up and chaperones assigned to do walk-throughs of the hallway as well.
Information available 30 days before.

11. Meals
BREAKFAST: hotel hot breakfast buffet (examples: eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, French toast, bagels, cereal, milk, juice, fruit).
LUNCH and DINNER: typically at a museum, mall, or cafeteria. Provided through use of a voucher.
Allergies and vegetarian meal requests will be honored.

12. Medical emergencies
First aide and CPR trained staff during trip and at hotel.
George Washington University Medical Center.
Medication will be administered with information from physician and proper paperwork.
Medical forms will be taken for each student.

13. Travel Insurance Optional Different levels Approximately $100-$120
Covers providing a refund for eligible issue.

14. Cost
$1565 
Early bird pricing: if you pay a $200 non-refundable deposit by NEXT WEDNESDAY (8/23), you will receive about $200-ish off the entire price.
No exceptions! If you do not pay that “early bird” deposit, your price will revert back to $1565 and a $400 non-refundable deposit will be due September 22nd.
Payments may be made by cash or check (payable to Mater Gardens Academy).

15. Cost (cont’d)
Includes: airfare, hotel, meals, admissions to all museums and events, transportation in D.C., Close Up lanyard, drawstring bag, water bottle, etc.
Need to factor in: luggage fee, spending money for gifts (about $200-$300)
Keep in mind additional 8th grade costs (prom, graduation, trip): $150

16. Fund-raising
Student earning money (chores from home, especially during the summer).
Sponsorships from businesses, scholarships (UMater foundation)
Business match online
Donors online
Financial aid available (free/reduced lunch; deposit paid).
Fundraising will also be done through us (i.e. Yankee Candle, dances, etc.)

17. NO REFUNDS! Qualifying Students
BEHAVIOR: in good standing (2 or more BEHAVIOR referrals will eliminate participation).
ACADEMICS: situational but lack of effort and poor grades may impact participation.
PERSONAL DECISION: mature, able to follow directions, respectful, committed, and responsible.
NO REFUNDS!

18. Q&A
Keep those questions coming!

19. Intent to Participate form
Please submit the Close-up $200 check or cash and the registration form by August 23, 2017 to take advantage of the Early Bird pricing.
Once the $200 is paid, then we will secure participation and the remaining payments must be handled independently by the families (our school will take care of the $400 deposit). *
* The $200 installment for next month: I will find out whether that is through the school or online and will let you know as soon as I have the correct information.