The Adventure Continues…

 

We started off with rain as expected and the ponchos were out of the suitcases early. After breakfast we had our sights set on the White House tour. When we arrived at the gate we were told we were not able to take the tour because of the weather.  A student’s cousin, who is in the Secret Service, happened to be working and he let us know that the First Lady had planned an event for the outside lawn and that because of rain it needed to be moved inside. After a few confused gasps and some disappointed faces, students proved to be flexible. We helped some students to realize that the First Lady’s plans take a little more precedence than Springer School’s.  We headed to the south lawn to see the outside of the White House and other sites nearby.  Later, we continued on the World War II Memorial where students found OHIO and KENTUCKY, amongst other states to represent our country’s heroes.  We also go to get as close as we could to the Washington Monument, which towered above us.

Luckily, the rain subsided early and we had a dry afternoon at Arlington National Cemetery. After seeing the eternal flame for JFK at his grave, we walked quietly to the Tomb of the Unknown Solder.  For the first time, Springer School was given the honor to present a wreath. We were represented very well by Mr. Williamson and three students as they participated in the touching ceremony.  Lots of photos and videos were taken before, during, and after and everyone seemed to be excited that we had the opportunity.

After a great lunch we spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening at the Smithsonian Museums. Students were given the option to tour any of their choice depending on the consensus of their small group. Most focused on the incredible Air and Space, Natural History, and American History museums. However, we did have one group step out of the box and decide to include the National Museum of the American Indian. En route to dinner we made an important stop at the 911 Memorial and Pentagon. Students took this visit very seriously and it was a powerful finish to an action packed day.

 

Our First Full Day!

Students were up and ready to go bright and early this morning with their sights set on a buffet breakfast and the DC itinerary on their minds. Luckily, we were able to leave before anticipated due to everyone working together. The weather was with us today and students were graced with a beautiful day to be touring. We started the morning off with a trip to the Vietnam Memorial, The MLK Memorial, and the FDR Memorial. Following those three sunny filled sights, we headed off to lunch and landed at Mt. Vernon.  After four quick hours of everything George Washington, students left with a better understanding of both the politics and toughness of our first president. This was an incredible addition to the trip and it allowed students some time to wander and explore the expansive grounds. What a view! After Mt. Vernon we headed back to DC and had our pasta style dinner where we also celebrated a student’s birthday. As the sun went down, we then visited the splendid Lincoln Memorial and Korean War Memorial. Once again, we were in awe with the nighttime sights.

                       

We Have Arrived

After a morning full of excitement and anticipation the buses pulled out of the Springer School parking lot and we were on our way. Students waived goodbye to their parents and our final destination was Washington DC. Fast forward 10 hours of snacks, movies, and conversation and we arrived at our destination. Our tour guides made a slight change in the plan for the evening and we were lucky enough to visit Jefferson Memorial and US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima) at night under the stars. Both stops were a great kick off for our trip and the students got their first taste of what Washington DC has to offer. More sights tomorrow with an early 6:30 wake up call.

 

 

 

 

Important Information

OLIVER GALE WASHINGTON ACADEMY
April 24 – April 27, 2010

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

4/24/12 – 8:30 A.M. ARRIVE at Springer School and Center and report to the Cafeteria for final instructions and baggage check. Each student will be permitted one bag and one backpack that they will be responsible for carrying. We will begin boarding the tour Buses at 9:00 A.M.

4/24/12 – 9:30 A.M. DEPART from Springer – we cannot wait for late arrivals.

4/27/12 – 11:30 P.M. RETURN to Springer – please meet the bus at this time.  If we are going to be any later, we will call with an estimated time

The Tour Package from Scholastic Travel Inc. (www.scholasticatravel.com) includes:

• Round trip transportation
• 3 nights stay at The Holiday Inn Express 1917 Bladensburg Rd. N.E., Washington D.C. (202) 266-9000
• 3 Continental Breakfasts on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• 2 Dinners on Wednesday and Thursday night
• 3 Lunches on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• Professional Tour Leaders on each bus
• Overnight Supervision personnel stationed in the hallways
• Insurance coverage
• Admission to Museums and National Archives

Students are responsible for meals on Tuesday (lunch & dinner) and Friday Dinner. The students will need money or packed meals for Tuesday and money for dinner on Friday’s trip home.

Additional Money:
• Please provide money needed for meals during the trip that are not included in the trip package. (Tuesday lunch & dinner, Friday dinner)
• No shopping excursions are planned however there may be opportunities for students to purchase souvenirs during the trip. Money for souvenirs is at the family’s discretion.
• We suggest that the additional money range between $50.00 to $75.00. We would not recommend exceeding the $75.00 amount.
• We will not be able to guarantee the safe keeping of student’s money, so please discuss with your child how you would like them to keep and monitor their money.

Medications:
The student’s Teacher Leader will dispense medications. Any student that needs to take medication while on the trip will need to have a signed MEDICATION HISTORY AND CONSENT FORM on file (See included form for details). All medications need to be in a prescription bottle with the student’s name, the name of the medication and the dosage clearly marked.

In Addition, each student is required by Scholastica Travel to have a MEDICAL PROXY/ PERMISSION form on file. This form must be filled out, signed and returned prior to the trip.

Supervision:
Students will be divided into groups of approximately 8 students with an adult supervisor during the day. During the night, personnel hired by the Scholastica Travel Inc will monitor the hallways of the hotel.

Code of Conduct:
We have the same behavioral expectations for students during the trip that we have at school- Respect for self, others, and property. School rules are in effect for the entire trip. Please be advised that if any significant behavioral issues occur on the trip, your child will need to return home immediately. It would be a safety issue to the students and adults on the trip if a student is not following rules and presents a risk to him/herself and others. We will not have the staff resources to devote one supervisor to a disruptive student. Therefore, the student would need to be put on a flight home at the parent’s expense. Please be sure to discuss this with your child.

Significant behavioral issues would include, but are not limited to:
• Leaving a supervised area (tour bus, hotel room or tour group) without permission.
• The use of alcohol or drugs other than those prescribed to the student.
• Damage to hotel or public property.
• Physical aggression towards another student or adult.

Electronic Devices:
Students will be permitted to bring cell phones, cameras, PSP and MP3 players, DVD players and individual CD players with earphones (no “boom box” type players will be permitted). These items may be used during the trips to and from Washington and in the hotel rooms after we retire for the evening. Only cell phones will be permitted during the tours for safety and management reasons. We will ask that the student’s cell phones be turned off during the tour due to the disruption they would cause. There will be a number you can call to get a message to your student during touring hours but please, use this number only in an emergency situation.
Please mark your child’s items with a permanent marker so there is no confusion over ownership. We cannot be responsible for the safety of these articles so please discuss your expectations with your child around the safe keeping of these items.

Clothing/Packing:
The school’s dress policy will be applied to the trip. Please carefully review the policy and monitor your student’s clothing choices. Comfortable walking shoes and an umbrella or poncho will be essential item when packing for the trip. Each student will be permitted one bag, sleeping bag (optional, not required) and one backpack that they will be responsible for carrying.

Travel Company:
Scholastica Travel Inc.
601 S. Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
(800) 245-3511 (724) 837-4664

Important Contact Information

Oliver Gale Washington Academy

Important Contact Information

Emergency Contact:

In the event of an emergency and you need to speak to your child during the trip, we will have a staff cell phone that will be carried by Scott Poponyak.  This number should only be used in the event of an emergency or if you are unable to reach your child on their personal cell phone.  It is important to note that there will be times on the tour when we will be unable to answer any phone.  Students will only be permitted to talk or text at the hotel, during meal times, and at designed times on the bus.

Springer Staff Emergency Contact Phone Number:
513-273-1075

Trip Blog: 

We will be updating our blog with pictures and each evening between 10 and 11pm.

http://springerdc.wordpress.com/

Lodging Information:

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
1917 Bladensburg Road NE
Washington, DC 20002

202-266-9000

Motorcoach Transportation Information:

Lakefront Lines, Inc.
PO Box 81172
Cleveland, OH 44181

800-638-6338

Washington Tour Leaders: 

Kathy Honsaker & Diane Roell

Drop-Off & Pick-Up

Student will need to arrive at school no later than 8:30am Tuesday morning.  Bags will need to be dropped off in the Gym to be checked by staff members prior to being loaded on the bus.  We will begin boarding the tour buses at 9:00am.  We cannot wait for late arrivals.

We are scheduled to return to Springer School & Center on Friday night at 11:30pm.  Buses will unload in the main parking lot.  If we are going to be any later or earlier, we will contact families.

Money for Food While Traveling To and From Washington:

We will be stopping for lunch and dinner on the way to Washington.  Student will need to have approximately $30 for food while traveling.  We are estimating roughly $7 for lunch at rest stop fast food restaurant and $10 for dinner, which will be at the Golden Corral just outside of Washington, and $10 for dinner during the return trip.  Students are allowed to bring snacks for the bus.