Washington, DC June 4 – 7, 2013

1. Washington, DCJune 4 – 7, 2013

2. Wilmington Middle School will be traveling to Washington D.C. this spring with all eligible and interested eighth grade students. We are very excited to offer this educational and historical opportunity. Students who take this trip will be able to explore the famous landmarks of our nation’s capital. In addition to this, students will see science come alive as they visit the block of Smithsonian Museums. They will experience five centuries of news history blended with up-to-the-second technology and hands-on exhibits at Washington’s newest attraction, the Newseum. Lastly, students will make the connection to their eighth grade curriculum when they explore the Holocaust Museum. We are proud to present the 2013 itinerary.

3. Day One - Tuesday, June 4th • 6:00am Depart from Wilmington Plaza. Breakfast stop enroute. • 11:45am Lunch enroute ($8 stipend) • 5:00-6:00pm Dinner at Union Station (voucher) • 6:15-8:00pm Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial and Vietnam War Memorial • 8:30pm Check in at Marriott Suites, Herndon, VA

4. Day Two - Wednesday, June 5th • 6:30-7:30amBreakfast buffet at hotel. A full course buffet breakfast will be served at the hotel every day of our stay. • 9:00-11:00amArlington National Cemetery – A tour guide will meet each bus to provide an overview of Arlington’s history and then accompany each group on a tour of Arlington. At 10:15am, WMS will be laying a wreath at the Changing of the Guard ceremony. After the tour, each bus will drive by the Iwo Jima Memorial and the Air Force Memorial • 11:30-12:30pmLunch at the Pentagon Mall ($8 stipend)

5. Day Two - continued • 1:00-5:00pm Visit the Holocaust Museum. There will be time afterwards to visit the Smithsonian Museums: Air & Space, Natural History, Native American, etc. • 6:00-10:30pm Washington Nationals vs New York Mets • 11:00pm Return to Marriott Suites.

6. Day Three - Thursday, June 6th • 6:30-7:30am Breakfast buffet at hotel. • 9:00-11:00am Tour of the Newseum, a museum focusing on journalism throughout the world. Opened in April 2011, this is Washington’s most interactive museum. • 12:00-1:00pm Lunch @ Ronald Reagan Building (voucher)

7. Day Three - continued • 1:00-3:30pm Tour of the National Zoo. • 4:00-6:00pm Tour of the WW II Memorial and the Martin Luther King Memorial. • 7:00-10:00pm “Spirit of Washington” Dinner Dance Cruise along the Potomac River. • 10:45pm Return to Marriott Suites.

8. Day Four - Friday, June 7th • 7:00-8:00am Breakfast buffet at hotel. • 10:00-11:30am United States Naval Academy – This educational tour with a USNA guide allows students to learn about the USNA as it relates to US/World history. • 11:30am Depart for Wilmington. Lunch (box lunch provided by the USNA Drydock Restaurant) Dinner ($8 stipend) – Danbury Mall, CT • 9:30pm Approximate arrival time home!

9. Payment Schedule • December 1st $110 (non-refundable) • January 2nd $110 • February 4th $110 • March 1st $110 • April 1st$110 • Total Price $550* * Figure of $550 based on 4 students per room. Please include your child’s name on ALL CHECKS!

10. Eligibility Requirements as of November 9th Students with three office detentions and/or teacher sessions for discipline from this date forward, or any type of suspension from school will not be eligible. This determination will be made by the Middle School Administration**. Students who have had chronic behavior problems and/or multiple suspensions this school year will not be eligible (please see page 59 of our Student/Parent Handbook). Students must be passing the eighth grade. Students who are failing one or more subjects (determination to be made following 3rd quarter report card April 11, 2013) must show a willingness to improve grades by remaining after school regularly for extra help. Homework should be up to date in all subjects for all students.

11. Eligibility Requirements as of November 9th(continued) From THIS DATE ABOVE, students who are absent more than seven (7) times, or tardy more than five (5) times, without a doctor’s note will not be eligible. ** In the event that a student is not eligible to attend the trip, an appeal may be made if the student’s behavior shows a marked improvement before May 3, 2013. Any parent/guardian who would like to implement the appeal process should contact Ms. McMenimen directly. Each appeal will be reviewed on an individual basis.

12. Frequently Asked Questions Does my child need any extra money?

13. Trip cost covers all ticketed events and food money. • Food stipends passed out before each meal to insure each student’s money lasts the week. • Only money needed would be for souvenirs.

14. Frequently Asked Questions Does my child need any extra money? What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel?

15. Qualified chaperones. • Hotel information with each student. • Nighttime security patrolling the hallways. • No use of pool at hotel.

16. Frequently Asked Questions Does my child need any extra money? What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel? Are there nurses on the trip?

17. 2 experienced school nurses are available both on the bus and at the hotel for morning and nighttime check-ins for the students.

18. Frequently Asked Questions Does my child need any extra money? What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel? Are there nurses on the trip? What is the procedure for financial aid requests?

19. All requests are due in writing to Ms. McMenimen no later than Friday, November 30th The following criteria will be considered when determining if partial assistance or an individual payment plan is available: • Written letter • Free or reduced lunch • Sudden or recent family hardship

20. Frequently Asked Questions Does my child need any extra money? What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel? Are there nurses on the trip? What is the procedure for financial aid requests? How are hotel rooms chosen?

21. From April 12th – 19th, students will pass in their roommate request slips. • Students “pairs” will be grouped with another pair together to form quads. Please remember:Trip cost is based on 4 students per room. Any group signing up as a TRIO will be charged an additional fee of $44per person, which must be paid in full with room request.

22. Frequently Asked Questions Does my child need any extra money? What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel? Are there nurses on the trip? What is the procedure for financial aid requests? How are hotel rooms chosen? What is the policy concerning cell phones during the trip?

23. Students are encouraged to have their cell phones on them at all times. • During guided tours and solemn events, cell phones are not to be turned on or displayed.

24. Frequently Asked Questions Does my child need any extra money? What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel? Are there nurses on the trip? What is the procedure for financial aid requests? How are hotel rooms chosen? What is the policy concerning cell phones during the trip? Can my child brings snacks along on the trip?

25. Guidelines concerning snacks: • Use common sense! • Students may only have water on the bus. • No homemade snacks. • No “energy” drinks may be in hotel rooms or purchased at lunch/dinner stops.

26. Frequently Asked Questions Does my child need any extra money? What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel? Are there nurses on the trip? What is the procedure for financial aid requests? How are hotel rooms chosen? What is the policy concerning cell phones during the trip? Can my child bring snacks along on the trip? My child has food allergies, where will you be eating?

27. List of food places Breakfasts: • Donna’s Donuts & Crowne Plaza Hotel Lunches: • TBD – enroute to Washington, DC • Pentagon Mall, Washington, DC • Ronald Reagan Building, Washington, DC • Box lunch from Drydock Restaurant, USNA Dinners: • Union Station Food Court, Washington, DC • Washington National’s Stadium • “Spirit of Washington” dinner cruise • Danbury Mall, Danbury, CT

28. Frequently Asked Questions Does my child need any extra money? What kind of security measures are taken during the trip and at the hotel? Are there nurses on the trip? What is the procedure for financial aid requests? How are the hotel rooms chosen? What is the policy concerning cell phones during the trip? Can my child bring snacks along on the trip? My child has food allergies, where will you be eating? What important dates do I need to be aware of?

29. Your “to do” list... • On-line information MUST be entered by FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30th The link for this form can be found on the WMS website. • Signed permission slip is due to homeroom teacher by FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30th • Medical forms* may be printed off from the WMS web site. DUE BY MONDAY, APRIL 22nd * Please note: Doctor’s signature required for any medicines that are NOT CURRENTLY administered in school, ie. Motion sickness medication, etc.

30. Recap of Important Dates • Deadline to on line register for trip – Fri. 11/30th • Deadline for Financial Aid request – Fri, 11/30th • Room sign ups – Fri. 4/12th through Fri. 4/19th • Medical Forms due – Mon. 4/22nd • Medications due in Nurse’s Office – Fri. 5/31st PLEASE NOTE: Any student that misses the 11/30 deadlines, will be waitlisted. The only exception would be new students enrolled after 11/30/12. Payment due dates: Dec. 1st (non-refundable deposit); Jan. 2nd;Feb. 4th;Mar. 1st; April 1st(5 payments of $110)

31. KEEP IN MIND... If you are unsure at this time about attending the trip, you should still sign up before 11/30. If you decide later this year that want to go and you did not sign up, you DO NOT have a spot!