Washington, D.C. Trip

12/19/2019 

Dear Eighth Grade Parents/Guardians,

Forms to be completed and returned: 

First Tours Permission

OTC/Prescribed Medical form

As we approach our annual 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C., I would like to communicate the details and particulars of our trip. This educational opportunity is a fun, valuable learning experience through historic Philadelphia, Washington’s museums, monuments, cultural attractions, and a visit to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. This year’s trip is scheduled for Friday, May 15th to Monday, May 18th 2020. The cost per student is significantly subsidized by fundraising activities that the class has sponsored during the last two years and your Smith Academy class dues payments. If you are not up-to-date on your class dues, please submit your payments as soon as possible. .

An information evening is scheduled for January 8th, 6 - 7pm in the library for parents and students in Grade 8 interested in going on the trip. In addition to sharing information about the itinerary, permission to travel and basic medical forms will be distributed and must be returned completed by January 15th, in order that we are able to calculate an exact cost per head. At the moment, an approximate cost per head is $580-00.

Parents/Guardians who wish to have their 8th grader participate must make a $150.00 down payment on or before Feb 10th, 2020.  The remaining balance, and any outstanding class dues from 7th and 8th grade, must be paid in full by April 10th, 2020. The annual class dues amount is $60.00 per year.  Mrs. Kristy Dadmun can answer questions you may have regarding class dues and whether you may be eligible for a reduction in the price based upon financial need. If you need a reminder as to whether you paid your dues for this year or last year, please call us.

I have enclosed the 2020 draft Itinerary (meant to give you an idea of what the trip entails) which contains most of the information one needs to know about the trip; however, for those who decide to attend, you will receive an official 2020 packet as our departure date approaches. It is critical that you read through the information with your child to make sure that he/she understands the expectations we have for students while we are away. Spending time on this now will make for a more enjoyable and successful trip for students, chaperones and parents/guardians.

Finally, a trip of this type requires that students have shown an age appropriate level of maturity, positive social skills, and a demonstrated ability to understand and follow directions. If the administration deems that a students conduct may compromise the trip, the student will not be invited to attend. This educational opportunity is a privilege for those who have conducted themselves in an appropriate manner throughout the school year. If I have any concerns, I will contact you directly. Again, please be sure to mark all of the deadlines on your calendar. Thank you in advance for helping to make the trip a big success!

*Please note that we have specific procedural safeguards for dispensing medication while on school trips. All medications, including non-prescription medication, must be held and dispensed by one of the SA staff chaperones. Our Health Office has provided specific guidance surrounding our medication procedures listed below this letter.

Thank you,

Chris Buckland

 

Health Office Guidance

All Medications, including over the counter medications must have a medication order in place before the trip.  

Please consider seasonal medications before contacting your provider.

 

Dear Parent/Guardian,

The field trip to DC is a great experience and I want to ensure everyone is safe, healthy and has access to the medications they need during the trip. If your child takes medications at home that they may need during this trip, it is important that all required (by the MA Department of Public Health) permissions be received in a timely fashion.

Please complete and return this emergency form/permission by January 15th, 2020

All medications, including over the counter (OTC ex: ibuprofen/Zyrtec/tums/Dramamine) require 2 additional things for your child to receive them:

  1. Written MD orders (due on or before Thursday 4/30). 

    • Your providers form or ours: MEDICATION ORDER FORM  

    • Most medical practices need 4-6 weeks to complete this form.

  2. Medicine in the original container

    • (bring a 4 day supply by 5/11, medications will be repackaged by the nurse in single-dose packets)

Please remember this trip is in the spring, many students will need allergy medications or Inhalers at that time of year. 

Please call me if you have any questions.

Thanks

 

Martha Elliott LPN

SA Health Office

413-247-5641