1. 8th Grade Field Trip Parent Information Session
Washington, D.C. 2011
8th Grade Field Trip
Parent Information Session

2. Washington, D.C. 8th Grade Field Trip
Dates and Itinerary
Cost and Fundraiser
Academic and Behavioral Guidelines
Frequently Asked
Questions

3. Dates and Itinerary Monday, April 18 through Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Three days before Spring Break – No school on Thursday or Friday following the trip.

4. Dates and Itinerary Accommodations: Tour Company:
Best Western at Potomac Mills
Tour Company:
Pilot Tours from Pilot Mountain, NC
Representative: Kellie Motsinger

5. Monday, April 18 4:30am: Arrive and Load Bus (Bring breakfast)
5:00am: Depart CMS
10:30am: Early lunch
12:30pm: Tour of the Capitol (pending approval)
3:00pm: Visit the Holocaust Museum
5:45pm: Dinner at Union Station
7:15pm: Walking tour of memorials
9:30pm: Check into the Best Western at Potomac
Mills
The Capitol Building

6. Tuesday, April 19 9:00am: Tour the Newseum
11:15am: Visit Smithsonians and eat lunch (Natural
History, American History, Air & Space,
and/or Museum of American Indians)
4:30pm: Tour National Archives
6:00pm: Visit WWII, Vietnam, Lincoln, and Korean
Memorials
7:30pm: Dinner at Pentagon City and shopping time
9:45pm: Arrive back at the motel
The WWII Memorial

7. Wednesday, April 20 5:45am: Wake, pack, load bus
8:00am: Photo ops of White House and shopping
9:00am: Walking tour of Arlington National
Cemetery
11:30am: Potomac Riverboat Cruise to Mt. Vernon
12:30pm: Tour Mt. Vernon and eat lunch
3:15pm: Depart for home
5:30pm: Dinner
10:15pm: Arrive at CMS
The White House

8. Cost TOTAL PRICE: $290.00 4 Payments: ALL money is due by March 4th.
$75.00 by December 2, 2010
$75.00 by January 4, 2011
$75.00 by February 4, 2011
$65.00 by March 4, 2011
ALL money is due by March 4th.
Includes: Lodging, admissions, meals
Fundraiser!!!
Mount Vernon

9. Fundraiser Gas Raffle Tickets courtesy of Neighbors
The Korean War Memorial
Gas Raffle Tickets courtesy of Neighbors
End of November through March 4, 2011
Each ticket sold = $1.00 toward your child’s trip
Three ticket books given at a time (30 tickets)
Checks should be made out to Central Middle School
If you need financial assistance, your child must sell a minimum of 50 tickets (5 Books).
Money turned in for tickets is
NON-REFUNDABLE

10. Academic Guidelines Academics come first! Therefore, students
experiencing “Academic Apathy” will NOT be
allowed to participate in the trip:
Excessive zeros
Earning no more than one “F” at the end of the 3rd 9-weeks
* A final decision will be made by the administration and teachers.
The Air and Space Museum

11. Behavioral Guidelines
Students who do not display proper behavior at CMS will NOT be allowed to participate in the trip. This includes:
Unacceptable number of bus offenses
OSS
ISS
8+ conduct points (A team conference will be held at 6 points.)
* The administration and teachers will review each circumstance carefully to determine if the student may or may not attend.
* A refund will be given if the trip is lost by Feb. 20th.
* Refunds will NOT be given for ticket sales.
The Lincoln Memorial

12. Frequently Asked Questions
Who will chaperone the trip?
Eighth Grade Teachers and an Administrator
We will take ONLY CMS staff members on the trip.

13. Frequently Asked Questions
Will my child be safe?
At the hotel . . .
Pilot Tours hire security guards to monitor the hallways of the motel at night.
Students will have a same-sex teacher on the same floor.
Students may call the teacher on their floor if needed in case of an emergency.

14. Frequently Asked Questions
Will my child be safe?
Around Washington . . .
Students will travel with small groups.
Pilot Tours and many museums provide staff to assist us.
Washington, D.C. has VERY tight security and EVERYONE will go through metal detectors frequently.

15. Frequently Asked Questions
Can I contact my child?
Students may use cell phones at night when we are in our hotel rooms.
Students may not use hotel phones.
This is a educational opportunity – we will be extremely busy.
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, you will be contacted by an administrator.

16. Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any additional costs?
Except for breakfast on Monday, all meals are included in the price of the trip. Approximately $5-10 has been allotted per meal.
If your child eats a lot, you may want to send additional money.
Students will have several opportunities to purchase souvenirs.
Please do NOT send an excessive amount of money with students.
Students are responsible for keeping up with their own money.

17. Frequently Asked Questions
Are cell phones, mp3 players, etc. allowed?
Students may use cell phones at night when we are in our hotel rooms.
Students may use cell phones at appropriate times (at the teachers’ discretion) but MUST put them away when asked.
Phones may be taken if they are misused.
Students are responsible for keeping up with their own property.

18. Letter of Intent
On November 1st, your child will receive a Letter of Intent for this trip.
Please complete the letter to let us know how many students will be attending.
Return the letter by
NOVEMBER 8th.

19. Questions and Concerns
If you have questions or concerns, please contact:
Mountaineers Team: Mrs. Martha Hudson
Racers Team: Mrs. Kristy Cox
Surfers Team: Mrs. Lori Wilmoth