7th Grade field trip-Hickory ridge middle SCHOOL

Destination: CHARLESTON, SC

The 7th grade teachers are excited to announce that we are planning a trip this coming spring to Charleston, South Carolina! This trip will visit many of Charleston’s most notable attractions, a city rich in history and natural beauty. Extensive connections in both social studies and science will provide an educational foundation for an experience that will also be incredibly FUN and exciting! Our will highlights include:

Patriots PointBarrier Island Boat ExcursionDowntown Ghost Tour Fort Sumter Charleston Aquarium Old Market

Our travel dates: March 9th-10th, 2016

(We will load busses Wednesday, March 9th at 6:30am and will return to HiRMS on Thursday, March 10th with an ETA of 10:00pm)

The price for this trip will be $230 (all-inclusive with the exception of a fast-food dinner on the return trip).

  • This cost includes: 1 night lodging with overnight security, round-trip charter bus transportation, almost all meals during the trip (lunch & dinner on Thurs, breakfast & lunch on Friday), and admission/tickets for all the above attractions/activities
  • Students will only need additional money for Thurs. fast-food dinner and if they wanted to purchase souvenirs or extra snacks/drinks.

We expect our students to represent our school, county, and state while on this trip. To be eligible for the trip, a student must comply with the following:

  • Students should be meeting local standards for promotion (passing 3 of 4 core classes and 1 of 2 encore classes).
  • Multiple suspensions (ISS & OSS) will automatically go before an administrative panel, which will have the final decision for trip eligibility.
  • Other repetitive student behavioral infractions will be discussed between the teachers and administration. Those students can go before an administrative panel, which will have the final decision for trip eligibility.
  • Chronic absences (10 or more), excused OR unexcused, will result in loss of trip eligibility. Excessive tardies or early checkouts will go before an administrative panel, which will have the final decision for trip eligibility.
  • Students may have NO outstanding school balances prior to trip departure. This includes, but is not limited to: cafeteria fees, media center fees, supply fees, and school pictures.
  • All trip payments must be made on time according to the amounts and dates provided in this letter.

If a student is disqualified from going on the trip due to behavior, ALL monies paid may be forfeited.

NO REFUNDS of any kind can be issued after February 3rd, as final payment will have been made to the tour company.

Students who do not go on the field trip will still be expected to attend school.

This letter is to determine who plans to participate in this incredible experience. Although the total cost is $230, only a deposit of $60needs to be placed BY SEPTEMBER 23rd to hold your child’s space. While we recognize this trip is a sizable expense, please know that the 7th grade will not be taking any other field trips this year to avoid other expenses. Any other quarterly incentive events will take place on campus.

Payment windows are listed below (we must and WILL hold strictly to these dates…a missed payment window will result in forfeiting the trip):

Deposit Window:Thu, Sep 3rd -- Wed, Sep23rd$60.00(non-refundable)

2nd Payment Window:Wed, Nov18th -- Wed, Dec 2nd$85.00

3rd Payment Window:Wed, Jan20th -- Wed, Feb 3rd$85.00(final payment to agency made after 2/3)

If you do not pay the full deposit by 9/23, it means your child will not be attending the trip. They cannot join after this date.

***Please see the back of this sheet for further payment options and details***

I understand that once the deposit is made, a spot will be reserved for my child to attend the Charleston, SC field trip. If he/she loses eligibility for any reason, or they decide not to go for any reason prior to February 3rd, the $60 deposit will NOT be refunded. After February 4, NO refunds can be made of any monies paid thus far, for any reason.

I have read the qualifications and requirements for the trip, and my child is planning to participate. By September 23rd, 2015, I have…

( ) Already paid the deposit of $60 via the K12 Online Payment Center( ) Have sent $60 cash or check deposit along with this form

Student Name:______Homeroom Teacher:______

Parent Signature:______Date:______

Payments

There are two methods for trip payments. For either, please pay only the appropriate amount during the payment windows previously listed:

  • Online via the K12 Payment Center (same system for cafeteria accounts)
  • Sending cash/check (to HiRMS) with your child to their homeroom teacher

We HIGHLY encourage everyone who is able to use the Online Payment Center. The benefits to doing so include:

  • Convenience
  • Electronic confirmation of your payment amount and date
  • A receipt for your records
  • The option to pay via credit card

If you cannot use the Online Payment Center, please note that if you send in cash or check to school with your child, that money will be bulk receipted by the teacher, meaning individual paper receipts will not be sent home. We will have a record of the payment at school, but if you require a personal receipt, please use the Online Payment Center.

No fundraisers are being planned for this trip. If you think you will need financial assistance, please email your child’s homeroom teacher. If you are willing to help sponsor a child either fully or partially, please email your child’s homeroom teacher.

Remember: The deposit cannot be refunded for any reason, at any time, nor can ANY money be refunded after February 3rddue to our payment requirements to the tour company!

Information detailing our specific itinerary, complete with times and hotel information, will be sent home in mid-February, but a SAMPLE itinerary is included below…

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 09, 2016

6:30 AM Load buses at Hickory Ridge Middle School

Depart

12:00 PM Patriots Point

1:00 PM Sticky Fingers Bag Lunch (sandwich, chips, cookie, drink) aboard USS Yorktown Included

4:00 PM Barrier Island Cruise

6:00 PM Return to busses

6:30 PM Dinner at Ryan's buffetIncluded

8:30 PM Ghost Tour

10:30 PM Return to hotel (security guard on duty overnight)

THURSDAY, MARCH 10

6:45 AM Bring luggage down

7:00 AM Breakfast at hotel Included

7:45 AM Load buses

8:15 AM Ferry to Fort Sumter

10:15 AM Return to dock

11:00 AM Lunch at T-Bonz or Noisy Oyster(chicken tenders, fries, drink) Included

12:30 PMShop the Old Market and explore Battery Park

3:00 PM SC Aquarium

4:30 PM Load buses and depart for home

5:30 PMFast food dinner stop at Citadel Mall Food Court PAY ON OWN

10:00 PM Arrive home