2016 Williamsburg Experience
December, 2015
Dear Seventh Grade Students and Parents:
We are pleased to inform you that this year we have made plans to continue the Williamsburg Experience…the 43rd year of the trip!! Since American Colonization is included as part of the seventh grade American Studies program, our trip to the Williamsburg area (scheduled for Wednesday, June 8 through Friday, June 10) has been designed as a culminating activity of this course.
Transportation, lodging and touring arrangements have been made directly with the various establishments. The cost of $370.00 includes:
Travel, hotel accommodations, breakfasts, dinners, t-shirt, booklet, emergency vehicle (rental cost, tolls, gas), admission tickets for the following: Jamestown Settlement, Colonial Williamsburg evening activities, Colonial Williamsburg morning tours, Colonial Williamsburg Governor Palace, Kings Dominion, and rental fees for the following: lifeguards, security guards. The only additional expenses are for 2 lunches and souvenirs, which are the sole responsibility of the individual.
While more detailed information will be forthcoming (including an evening explanatory session), the following may be helpful:
- We will travel on tourist coaches provided by Krapf’s Bus Company. Buses are air-conditioned with rest rooms and video monitors.
- Mr. Hampton will be in charge throughout the trip assisted by Dr. Hickey. Teachers and parents of seventh grade students will act as chaperones.
- The itinerary includes: Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, and Paramount’s Kings Dominion. (Inclement weather alternative is Tysons Corner, Virginia)
- We have made arrangements to stay at the Fort Magruder Hotel and ConferenceCenter. Chaperones, lifeguards, and security personnel will be on duty.
- If, for any reason, your son/daughter cannot go, a refund will be made, less any monies previously expended.
- Students not attending the Williamsburg trip for personal, academic, or disciplinary reasons will have to attend school and will be given alternative assignments.
- A district permission form for overnight trips will be distributed in MAY.
- A letter regarding the academic and discipline practices for the Williamsburg trip is also included with this information. It would be in the best interest of all involved to be familiar with these practices.
Please make plans to have your child join the Williamsburg 2016 experience by having your son / daughter submit payment to his / her corresponding math teacher:
Mrs. Cannon, Mr. Gratton
Students that have a math teacher that is not listed above should submit payment directly to Mrs. Cannon in room #620
Payment Schedule…The following payment options are available:
Option “A”…FULL PAYMENT of $370.00 due no later than January 22, 2016
Option “B”…FIRST PAYMENT of $200.00 due no later than January 22, 2016
SECOND PAYMENT of $170.00 due no later than March 4, 2016
The first collection will begin on Tuesday, January 19 with a FINAL DEADLINE of Friday, January 22, 2016. The second collection (if option B is chosen) will begin Monday, February 29 with a FINAL DEADLINE of Friday, March 4, 2016.
Your money will be returned and your child will not participate if for any reason payments are not made by the due date(s). If you have issues with any of the payment deadlines, please contact us PRIOR to January 22, 2016. Monies, which have already been committed, will not be refunded.
CASH or CHECKS are ACCEPTED!! Please make checks payable to Valley ForgeMiddle School. If you have any questions regarding financial concerns, please contact Mr. Mullen (seventh grade guidance counselor), at school.
Overall, the Williamsburg Experience is an excellent way to focus on history and a fun way for students to see and experience history outside of the classroom!
Sincerely,
Jeremy Hampton and Margaret Cannon
Williamsburg Trip Leaders
Dear Seventh Grade Parents,December 2015
We are currently developing plans for the 7th grade trip to Colonial Williamsburg. The Williamsburg Experience has been the culmination of the social studies curriculum and the highlight of the year for several decades. It has provided the students with opportunities for learning, social development and fun. We would like to see this continue for the 2015-2016 school year.
Information regarding the itinerary, accommodations, cost and payment options, things to bring, as well as any other pertinent information are either included here, or will be sent home with your child as needed at a later date.
Participation in this trip is a privilege that students earn through academic performance and behavior throughout the entire school year. Therefore, we would like to make you aware of the academic and discipline practices that are strictly enforced at VFMS regarding overnight field trips.
Academic
At the end of the third marking period, every student’s grades will be reviewed. Any student with an average grade for the first three marking periods that is below a 60% in two or more classes will have a letter sent home. This letter is to inform the students and parents of the failing grades, as well as to serve as notice that if the student does not improve to a non-failing status by the mid-quarter date of the fourth marking period, they will be ineligible for the Williamsburg trip. Students who do not receive a letter at the end of the third marking period could still be ineligible for the trip if his/her grades drop during the second semester to a failing status in two or more subjects. Any academic drop that occurs during the fourth marking period determined to be serious enough, may be considered sufficient reason for restriction from participation on the field trip by the school administration.
Discipline
During the length of the trip all school rules apply. School policy P6153.1 of the Student Handbook addresses field trips. It states that a student will not be permitted to attend field trips for a period of 18 weeks when he/she accumulates 12 discipline points. The breakdown of disciplinary actions and points can be found in the student handbook.
During the course of the school year, student behavior will be reviewed on a regular basis by teachers, administrators and counselors. Any behavior determined to be disruptive, inappropriate or causing a serious problem may be considered sufficient reason for restriction from participation on the field trip by the school administration. This can apply to a student who has yet to receive 12 discipline points, or a student whose 18-week disciplinary probation period has expired.
If for any reason, academic, disciplinary or personal, your child cannot attend theWilliamsburgtrip, your money will be refunded less any deposits already paid by the school.
We are looking forward to having your child attend another successful Williamsburg Experience.
Valley ForgeMiddle School Seventh Grade Teachers
By signing below I agree to the terms stated in the above document:
Parent Signature:______Date:______
Student Signature:______Date:______
THIS SIGNED DOCUMENT IS DUE BACK TO MR. HAMPTON OR MRS. PETTIA ON OR BEFORE:______
Dear Parents of Seventh Graders:
We are in the process of making plans for the Williamsburg Experience. Teachers and parents act as chaperones for groups of approximately eight students on the trip. Chaperones are expected to tour with students, be responsible for them at dinners, supervise students at the hotel, ensure the student’s safety, and enforce appropriate student behavior at all times. The cost for the chaperones will be $370.00
If you would like to volunteer your time, please complete the lower portion of this page and return it to MRS. CANNON in room #620. You may submit chaperone forms anytime between NOW and January 22, 2016.
Please DO NOT send in your payment as a chaperone at this time.
Thank you,
Jeremy Hampton and Margaret Cannon
Dates: June 8, June 9, June 10, 2016
I would like to be considered for a chaperone position for the Williamsburg trip.
Name:______
Child’s Name:______
Telephone Numbers:
Home Phone______
Cell Phone______
E-Mail Address______
(please print neatly)
T-Shirt SizeXSSMLXL
DO NOT send in chaperone payment until you are notified!!!!
Return this form to MRS. CANNON in room #620 before January 22, 2016.
A Williamsburg Chaperone Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at 6:30 pm at Valley Forge Middle School in the auditorium.