8th Grade Washington DC Info Meeting - Commitment Forms Are Being Sent Home!

Which grade level is the Washington DC Study Trip for?

• The Washington DC Study Trip is for 8th Graders only

 

When is the Washington DC Study Trip?

• The trip is scheduled for the weeks of April 15 OR April 22. Exact dates will be shared through your individual school site and based on availability of flights after we collect commitment forms.

 

When is the commitment form due?

• Commitment form is due Thursday, December 14. No late forms will be accepted.

 

Why can't you accept late commitment forms?

• Because we need to secure plane tickets and bussing to the exact number of students attending, we cannot accept late commitment forms. If you are interested in sending your student, please submit your form by Thursday, December 14.

 

What happens to the students who do not go to the Study Trip?

• They will attend school as usual. There will be no disruption to their learning.

 

I lost for my form or my student did not bring one home. What do I do?

• Please go to the school office and pick up a form. You must do this before December 14.

 

How long is the trip?

• It is a 5-day study trip. Students will depart on busses from their schools to the airport. They will return from their study trip at the end of the week.

 

Do parents take students to the airport?

• No. Students must be dropped off at school and picked up at school.

 

Can parents volunteer as chaperones/volunteers (even if they pay for their own travel expenses)?

• Due to our contract with WorldStrides and security purposes, only EMCSD staff can be chaperones for this trip.

 

What is the student to staff ratio?

• We will have 1 EMCSD staff member for every 10 students attending this study trip.

 

What time is the departure to Washington DC and arrival back to school?

• Travel to Washington DC will and arrival back will depend on the flights that are booked. Exact dates and times will be shared once we receive commitment forms and secure travel tickets.

 

How are students getting to airport?

• EMCSD is providing transportation to the airport via bus.

 

Do students need IDs or Passports to ride on the plane?

• No. Since the students attending are minors (under 18), they do not need identification or a passport. However, they can and should bring their school ID.

 

Can they bring cell phones?

• Yes.

 

What is allowed on the plane?

• We will provide recommended packing lists as we get closer to the trip. These meetings will be held 3-4 weeks before their trip date.

 

What are the sleeping arrangements?

• There will be 4-students to a hotel room and separated by gender.

 

Can students choose their roommates?

• Yes, as long as space allows. WorldStrides will do their best to put students with their preferred roommates to ensure everyone is comfortable.

 

Who will monitor the students at night when they are asleep?

• WorldStrides is providing hall monitors who will be the hallways during quiet hours every night. These are specific employees hired to ensure students are safe and secure in their rooms.

 

Will they be fed?

• Yes. We will provide food for students on the trip.

 

Is this really a "free" trip?

• Yes. EMCSD is covering the travel costs for students to attend this 5-day study trip to Washington DC.

 

Do they need spending money?

• We will provide more details in our pre-trip meeting that will happen at each school site 3-4 weeks before the trip. You are allowed to send your students with money (typically $50 - $100) for a souvenir or two.

 

Cash, credit card, or Apple/Google Pay?

• Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many shops have moved away from accepting cash. We recommend a pre-paid credit card that you can get at your local grocery store or target. You can also use Apple Pay or Google Pay on their phone.

 

Can my student contact me?

• Yes. Students are able to call their parents to check-in during designated times when they are not an official tour.

 

What if my student does not have a phone?

• Typically students borrow their friends phones to check in with parents when needed.

 

What are the behavior rules?

• There is a behavior contract that all students and parents must sign before attending the trip. More information will be provided when we get closer to the trip in those pre-trip meetings.

 

Will students sit next to each other on the plane?

• WorldStrides will do their best to ensure students are seated next to each other on the plane.

 

If parents go to DC on their own, can they tag along to monitor their children?

• Although we cannot stop you on purchasing your own ticket and hotel for DC, you will not be able to join the school groups on tours due to logistics, security, and safety purposes.