The Fall application period for the Washington DC trip will be open from September 1st to September 16th. Please see ms. Reck in D-8 for an application packet on or after September 1st.
Monticello/Gettysburg/Washington DC
March 30th-April 4th, 2012
September Application
Dear Parents and 8th grade students,
I am happy to announce the second round of applications for the 2012 spring trip to Gettysburg, Monticello, and Washington DC. This is an educational experience focusing on U.S. History, U.S. government and the founding of our country.
The trip provides students with the opportunity to witness our nation's capitol first hand. It extends their knowledge of American history by actively participating in and touring selected attractions throughout our nation's capitol.
The eighth grade Washington DC trip emphasizes 'hands on' activities and tours, using our nation's capitol as the classroom. My goals are:
To expose students to our nation's history and it's founding.
To stimulate awareness for students to understand their future as American citizens and active participants in our society.
To illustrate to students, first hand, the basic concepts of U.S. History and government.
To provide experiential learning opportunities for the students with visits to historical sites, museums, monuments and government buildings.
The 2012 8th grade Washington DC trip is a five night, six day (5 nights in DC with day trips out to Monticello and Gettysburg) program operated by World Strides, a student tour company operated out of Charlottesville, Virginia. We will be staying in a DC area hotel with all meals, transportation, admissions, and lodging in both Washington DC and Charlottesville included. The only additional cost to you will be baggage fees (if applicable) and spending money. There will be one Ramona teacher chaperone for every ten students, although the actual tours will be directed by World Strides tour guides and staff. The dates of the trip are Friday, March 30th through Wednesday, April 4th, 2012. The total cost of the trip is $2284 This includes a $99 non-refundable deposit. Travel insurance is also available for purchase.
This year I will be able to accommodate roughly 70 students on this trip. Seventh and eighth grade teachers will be involved in the selection process for determining participants. Selection criteria will include, but will not be limited to;
Acceptable citizenship-no "unsatisfactory citizenship" marks- U on student report cards. No more than one "needs improvement"- N on student report card. (Applies to trimester 1 and 2 of your 8th grade year.)
Grade point average- no lower than 2.0 (Must be maintained for trimester 1 and 2 of 8th grade.)
Application/Essay responses
Sustained acceptable behavior through your 8th grade year
Teacher recommendation
For this application period - it would include third trimester grades from seventh grade and teacher recommendation from seventh and eighth grade teachers. There are 5 spaces available for the 2012 trip. If there are more applicants than there are spaces, special consideration will be given to those students with outstanding citizenship. This may also require an interview process so we can determine the student's level of commitment to learning on this educational experience.
After registration, students who are suspended from school or disciplined for severe behavioral / attitude issues will need to meet with the program leader (Ms. Reck) and their counselor to determine their continued participation in the program. Any student removed from the program for suspension/disciplinary issues may lose their deposit and possibly payments already made to World Strides.
IF SELECTED, to attend the Washington DC trip, you will be given a registration packet and the $99 deposit and registration should be paid directly to World Strides. The final payment is due January 15, 2012. You may register anytime up until that date. Once you register, you will be sent a statement from World Strides within 30 days and every 30 days until payment is due.
If you are selected you must also sign a behavioral contract prior to your registration.
If you wish your eighth grade student to be considered for the trip, please have him/her fill out the enclosed application. Once it is completed please sign it and date it and have your student turn it in to Ms. Reck in D-8 no later than Friday September 16th, 2011. No applications will be accepted after this date.
