Tuesday, June 7, 2016
6:55am Arrive at Pennell Elementary – park in the lower far lot.
7:00am Check In with Mrs. Kravatz and Board Bus
9:45am Arrive at Washington, DC – Smithsonian Castle
10:00-1:25 Self - tour with Chaperone
1:25pm Gather in front of Smithsonian Castle
1:30-5:30 Guided tour with DC Guide Service
5:30-6:10 Dinner at Union Station
6:15 pm Leave Union Station for return trip to Aston
9:00 pm Arrive back at Pennell Elementary
DC Guide: My suggested stops include: the Capitol building (outside), the White House (outside rear), Lafayette Square, Korean Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Einstein Statue at National Academy of Sciences, WWII Memorial, Iwo Jima Statue, Netherland Carillon in Arlington Cemetery, and Union Station. (Time permitting we will add or substitute: the Jefferson Memorial)
Notes and Guidelines:
· Hand your information card to Mrs. Kravatz prior to boarding the bus Tuesday morning.
· Record the name and number of the bus in case there is a problem.
· If you are having an emergency call 911 and ask for assistance from security or police. Call me on my cell phone to let me know where you are. 267-546-7578
· Sit in your seat while role counts are taken. Every time we board role must be checked. You may change seats during long travel periods as long as everyone involved is in agreement. Unless you are using the bathroom or getting something from the over-head bin you should be sitting in your seat. If students are not sitting with their chaperone, chaperones must be no more than two seats away.
· Make sure to follow the time guidelines. Be aware of the time. Buses are not allowed to idle in DC. Our bus contract is based on 14 hours. Our guide contract is based on four hours.
· Backpacks and large bags are frowned upon in the museums for security purposes. Limit what you carry to a minimum. You will be screened by security. You will be asked to open your bags/purses.
· Keep your area on the bus neat. No glass is allowed. I will provide you with a travel trip bag and a trash bag – use it! You may eat and drink while on the bus. Be mindful of what you pack. Screw tops are better than pop/puncture tops. Avoid messy, crumbly, or sticky foods. I have not budgeted for an extra cleaning fee – clean up after yourselves.
· Be responsible for your own belongings. You may bring snacks, cameras, electronics, and other personal belongings. Be responsible about what you bring and keep your hands off what others bring.
· Wear layers of clothing and comfortable shoes. If the weather calls for a sunny day you may wish to pack a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. If the weather calls for rain, pack an umbrella or poncho. Multiple layers give you the option of taking off clothes and putting on clothes. It will be a long day. Our trip is rain or shine. We will be in and out of the bus during the DC guided tour time.
· If you do not pack a lunch, there numerous places to eat around the mall. There are outside vendors, cafes and eateries in many of the museums, and lunch spots within a few blocks of the mall. We will stop for dinner at Union Station. There are many places to eat in the food court. You may request your meal, “to go”.
· While self-touring you may visit anywhere around the Mall area. There are numerous free museums on the mall or a block or two off the mall. Some museum exhibits are fee but require timed tickets. You may want to pre-order your tickets now on-line. There may be a service fee per ticket. The Washington Monument has re opened. The Earth and Space Museum and the Natural History Museum both offer extra programs and IMAX shows for a fee. You may pre-book or take a chance if this is something you choose to do.
· Do not feed the animals or the homeless.
· Do not participate in any demonstrations.
· Do not give money to panhandlers.
· Do not lean over or wade in the reflecting ponds.
· Be respectful with regard to your classmates, chaperones, and bus drivers. Be respectful of other tourists, museum staff, police & security, memorial staff, and anyone you interact with during our trip. You are representing our school district and our state. Show pride for our nation’s capital.
· No foul language or gestures, No spitting, No littering, No fighting or shoving.
· There are bathroom facilities on the bus. There are bathroom facilities at all the museums. There are bathrooms at the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials and Union Station. Chaperones must monitor all student comings and goings.
· Be safe. Be responsible. Be respectful.
· While we are with the DC guides (both on the bus and while walking), you need to be attentive. This means no electronics on the bus. This means no football or games while walking around. If the guide gives us their words of wisdom and then says, “Meet me back here in ten minutes.” That’s when you grab a drink, stop in the gift shop, or use the bathroom.
· You will want to take pictures. I would like to get a class picture at some point. (Einstein Statue or Lincoln Reflecting Pond are both typically good spots.)