1. Wednesday, May 31 - Saturday, June 3, 2017
Grafton Middle School
Grade 8 Washington DC
Field Trip
Our Nation’s Capital
Wednesday, May 31 - Saturday, June 3, 2017

2. General Trip Details Colpitts World Travel Company
Round trip luxury bus with Plymouth Brockton Bus Lines
3 nights at the Holiday Inn Express in Springfield, VA
3 full breakfasts
2 days step-on guide (9am-1pm/1pm-9pm)
3 dinners (Spirit Cruise, Pinstripes, Buca di Beppo)
3 nights hotel security (10pm - 3am)

3. Cost Payment Schedule: 1st - December 16, 2016: $200 deposit due
2nd - February 10, 2016:
3rd - March 28, 2016:
Final payment due
Comprehensive trip insurance available at an additional cost of $40 per student.
$639 per person (four students per room = quad)
$709 per person (three students person room)
$775 per person (two students per room)
Price based on minimum of 40 students per bus
All taxes and service fees included in the above costs.

4. Fundraising Students and families may consider possible
personal opportunities for raising money for the trip,
e.g. family chores, helping others (lawn work, shoveling),
directing that special occasion gifts to be funds toward the trip.
GMS will also host a fundraising opportunity
for students to raise funds toward the cost of the trip.

5. Day 1: Itinerary for Wednesday, May 31
6:00am Depart Grafton Middle School; Stop for lunch on own
3:00pm Check in to the Holiday Inn, Springfield, VA
4:30pm Visit National Portrait Gallery and Kennedy Center Roof Terrace
6:00pm Millennium Stage Show
7:30pm Dinner at Pinstripes
8:30pm Return to Hotel

6. Day 2: Itinerary for Thursday, June 1
7:30am Breakfast at the hotel
8:15am Depart for Washington, DC
8:45am Teachers in line for Holocaust Tickets
10:00am Holocaust Museum Visit
11:30am Lunch on own at Reagan Building
1:00pm Meet guide at Reagan Building for tour of Arlington Cemetery
5:00pm Dinner at Buca di Beppo
6:00pm 3 hour illuminated tour with guide to include Capital Building, Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR, Vietnam and Korean Memorials. Drive by White House and Washington Memorial
9:00pm Return to Hotel

7. Day 3: Itinerary for Friday, June 2
7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
8:00am Depart for Washington, DC
9:00am Meet guides at Garfield Circle for DC tour
1:00pm Lunch on own at Union Station - end of guide service
2:30pm Visit Museums at the Mall
6:30pm Depart for Spirit Cruises - 7:00pm boarding for 7:30pm
10:00pm Return to dock and return to hotel

8. Day 4: Itinerary for Saturday, June 3
7:30am Breakfast at the hotel
8:30am Check out of hotel & depart for Dulles Air & Space Museum or Smithsonian Zoo
11:30am Depart for home
Stop for lunch on own
Anticipated return around 9:30 – 10:00pm.*
*We’ll post on Facebook, Twitter, and students will test more accurate arrival time back at Grafton Middle School when we are a couple of hours away!

9. Roommates
Students will provide names of recommended roommates on Roommate Request Form.
It is recommended that if a group of four students know that they want to room together, return forms together as a set.
Roommate forms are due to the main office by Friday, March 17th.
Roommate decisions will be determined by the GMS trip coordinator teachers and administration and announced no earlier than April 2017.

10. Behavior Expectations - Before and During Trip
The Washington, DC experience is a worthwhile trip that is both educational and fun. We cannot jeopardize the wellbeing of the students or of offering the trip in the future by taking students who have not shown the ability to demonstrate good behavior in school. The code of conduct and guide to mutual respect in the Grafton Middle School Student Handbook will be adhered to before and during this trip. If a student faces disciplinary action leading to suspension prior to the departure date, he or she will not be able to attend the trip and all funds will be forfeited. Your deposit is acknowledgement of this behavior clause.

11. Washington DC Chaperones
Comprised of GMS School Principal, Teachers
and Parents/Guardians
Trip price based on 2 chaperones per hotel room.
If chaperones request a single room, additional fees apply.
(See cost slide.)
Parent chaperones will be selected on a lottery basis.
The number of chaperones will be
based on the number of students
Student to chaperone ratio = 10:1

12. Registration Forms, etc.
Grade 8 Washington DC Trip Registration Form Due Dec 16
Trip Flyer and Reservation Coupon Deposit due Dec 16
Student Behavioral Expectations Contract Due Dec 16
Parent/Guardian Chaperone Application Due Jan 6
CORI Request Form 2016/ Due Jan 6
Roommate Selection Form Due Mar 17
Medical Forms and Optional travel insurance will be made available very soon.

13. Additional Information Will Be Provided Later
Medical Form
Packing List
Student Meetings
Parent Meetings
Chaperone Meetings
GMS Facebook and Twitter pages will provide updated messages and photos throughout the trip.
Let us know if there is anything else you’d like!

14. Before you leave tonight...
Please complete your
Exit Ticket!