Informational Meeting Wednesday November 20 2013 DC Trip

Informational Meeting Wednesday November 20, 2013 DC Trip Coordinator: Bill Meehan

200 Merrimack Street, Suite 401 Haverhill, MA 01830 (978) 373 -9140 Tour Coordinators: Ø Ron Cormier Ø Judy Lalumiere

q Leave Hopkinton on Tuesday, June 10 6 am bus departure from Middle School q Spend 4 days and 3 nights in Washington, D. C. q Arrive home at HMS on Friday, June 13 Estimated 8 pm – 9 pm arrival

The students will board five deluxe motor coaches with air conditioning, DVD viewing, and lavatory facilities.

We will be staying at the Key Bridge Marriott in Fairfax, VA. q The hotel is in a centralized, safe location, best suited for our comfort and touring demands. q A section of the hotel will be designated for Hopkinton Middle School only. q Boys and Girls will be on separate floors or wings. q Security will be on duty during the night hours, patrolling the hallways during our three nights stay. q We will be taping doors at night. Key Bridge Marriott 1402 Lee Highway Fairfax, VA 22209

All meals are organized by Capital Tours. • Kids must have money for lunch on the first and last days as we travel to and from D. C. • The kids will be eating breakfast, buffet style, at the Key Bridge Marriott. • Lunch and dinner tickets will be given out to the kids to be used in designated areas that we will all stop at together, mostly food-court type areas. • It is highly recommended that the kids bring extra money with them for snacks and water.

Washington, DC Itinerary Day 1 6: 00 3: 00 5: 00 6: 30 7: 30 8: 30 AM PM PM PM Departure from School (Lunch enroute - personal expense) Meet with guides at Arlington National Cemetery Dinner at Pentagon City Mall Air Force Memorial Pentagon 911 Memorial Check in at the Key Bridge Marriott Day 2 7: 00 AM 8: 15 AM 11: 00 PM 11: 45 PM 12: 45 PM 3: 00 PM 4: 15 PM 6: 30 PM 8: 30 PM Breakfast at Key Bridge Marriott FDR Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial White House for photo taking Lunch at the Ronald Reagan Building Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial World War II Memorial Dinner at National Place Twilight Tattoo Iwo Jima Memorial Day 3 7: 00 AM 9: 15 AM 10: 00 AM 12: 30 PM 5: 00 PM 7: 00 PM Breakfast at Key Bridge Marriott Group photo at Capitol Building (exterior tour) National Air & Space Museum (lunch) Museum of Natural History, Museum of American History Return to Hotel Dinner and DJ Dance at Phillips Flagship Restaurant Day 4 7: 30 AM 9: 00 AM 11: 00 AM 1: 00 PM 8: 00 PM Hotel Checkout, load buses, breakfast at Bridge Marriott Newseum Depart Washington, DC Lunch enroute (personal expense) Estimated time of arrival

Chaperones and Safety There will be a 1 to 10 chaperone to student ratio Eighteen of our chaperones last year were members of the Middle School Faculty. Each bus will have an escort/guide provided by Capital Tours while in D. C. The chaperone rooms will be evenly dispersed throughout our section of the hotel for full coverage of student rooms. Nurses will be with the Hopkinton students at ALL times for the entirety of the trip to monitor the health of the students. Two nurses and five chaperones with emergency-response training attended last year’s trip.

WASHINGTON, DC PACKING TIPS/GUIDELINES Suitcase – You are limited to one suitcase and one backpack. Please have identification on the outside and inside of all bags. Snacks - Place any snacks in your carry-on bag. No peanuts please. We’ll be stopping for food so don’t feel the need to overindulge. Water only on the bus, no energy drinks, soda, etc. Students are encouraged to donate cases of water for their buses. Music players – Music players will be allowed on the buses to and from Washington, DC. Once in the city, they must be kept in hotel rooms or backpacks. No portable DVD players. No laptops. Hats – It is customary and respectful to remove hats at Arlington National Cemetery, memorials and other sites. Dinner Dance – Dress is casual. This is not a formal event. Sun dresses, skirts, capris, and dress pants are perfect for girls. Collared shirts and khakis are just right for boys. Dress code rules apply. Clothing – Because you are representing HMS, the dress code still applies in DC. Please keep the following in mind: * No rips, tears, or swears. * Words should be limited to appropriate logos. * Appropriate shorts and tops only – dress code applies. Sunscreen – You will want to bring some since we are out in the sun a lot.

WASHINGTON, DC TIPS (Cont. ) Rainwear – We are outside, rain or shine, so bring a raincoat – please, no umbrellas!!! HMS Anti-blister Protection – * Bring extra socks and a second pair of shoes/sneakers. * Sneakers are best footwear. Wear new footwear several times before the trip. Bring DVDs for the bus (It’s a long ride. ). All videos must not exceed a PG-13 rating. Bus Seating - Boys will sit on one side of the bus, girls on the other. Spending Money - $50 to $60 suggested. Tip Collection – $10 per student will be collected upon departure which will be divided to tip our tour guides, the hotel room service, and bus drivers. Cell Phones – Cell phones are allowed, but restrictions will apply during tours. No cell phone use (includes texting) when tour guides are speaking. PLEASE NOTE: It is highly recommended that for security all bags and other personal items (such as cameras, music players, phones, etc. ) be labeled.

Here are of some of the exciting things we’ll see and do along our journey…

*Lincoln Memorial * FDR Memorial * Capital Building * Air and Space Museum * Arlington National Cemetery *

• Museum of Natural History * Museum of American History * Vietnam Wall

* White House * WWII Memorial * Twilight Tattoo * Korean War Memorial * Washington Monument

…And students will create lasting bonds and friendships through this eye-opening, educational tour of our Nation’s Capital.

The Washington DC trip is not a right; it is a privilege for the students to attend. Any student who is suspended from school, receives a 4 in conduct, or is subject to multiple disciplinary incidents during the school year will be subject to a review process in order to determine that student’s eligibility. We must be able to trust that each student will follow directions and cooperate in all situations.

$621. 00 This price includes EVERYTHING except spending money for souvenirs, bottled water, snacks, tips for bus drivers/tour guides ($10. 00), and the lunches on the first and last days.

Important Dates: Checks payable to Capital Tours, Inc. • December 13, 2013: registration and $250. 00 deposit due. • April 28, 2013: Final payment of $371. 00 due • May, 2013: There will be a mandatory meeting scheduled the end of May to finalize details. Do not forward payments to the school but to Capital Tours, 200 Merrimack St. , Suite 401, Haverhill, MA 01830

Roommates Each person fills out an index card like this: Your Name (skip a space) Name of person you want to room with • You are only guaranteed ONE person from your list of three.

Thank you for your time and support! If you are interested in chaperoning, please email me and include if you are in the medical profession. All chaperones must complete a CORI. wmeehan@hopkinton. k 12. ma. us

200 Merrimack Street, Suite 401 Haverhill, MA 01830 (978) 373 -9140 Tour Coordinators: Ø Ron Cormier Ø Judy Lalumiere