Chicago Tour 2017
WHO CAN GO . . .
Any high school student who is currently enrolled in band, choir or orchestra can participate!
WHAT WILL WE DO . . .
The tour will include two city tours, stops at Navy Pier, Willis Tower, & ESPN Zone, shopping on the “Magnificent Mile,” and two musical performances. Look at the Proposed Itinerary page for details.
WHEN DO WE TRAVEL . . .
Our Music Department trips have always taken place after the school year ends. Students who participate do not miss any class time. Student-athletes should check with their spring sport coaches to see how participating in this trip may impact sports participation in spring tournaments. The exact dates are June 10-12, 2017.
WHY DO WE DO THIS . . .
We travel for a number of reasons. First and foremost – it’s fun! Getting to spend a week with friends seeing new places, trying new foods and hearing new music is exciting. It is also a nice reward for students involved with music. We think these music trips are a great way to learn about our country’s history along with its many cultural events.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST . . .
This will vary depending on how many people go. The more people going, the cheaper the trip cost will be. Our best estimate right now is $600 per student. This cost includes transportation, two nights in hotels, plus everything printed in bold on the Proposed Itinerary page. In addition, students will have four meals to pay for, plus money for miscellaneous things and souvenirs.
WHAT ABOUT SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS . . .
Students sign up in groups of four, which we use to set hotel rooming lists. Obviously, groups are all girls or all boys!! Every group of students is assigned an adult chaperone who is with them whenever we go anywhere. The chaperone checks their room each night, wakes them in the morning, goes on every tour with them and accompanies them during free time. We have never had a problem with student behavior during more than twenty-seven years of travelling and we believe it’s because we’ve used this particular supervision arrangement each time. This does require a substantial number of adult chaperones to accompany the trip, so look further in this packet to get information on how adults can join us!
HOW DO WE PAY FOR THIS . . .
Each trip participant will have an account with the Music Department. The Financial Timeline page lists various deadlines that must be met in terms of how much is in the account. Money can be deposited into your account at any time.
We will again hold our three annual fundraisers to help students earn money for the trip. The first, starting tonight, will include frozen foods and various gift items. We work with Paul Heinecke, of Mount Horeb, on this sale. The second will be cheesecake, and the final sale will be fresh fruit.
Some students will raise all their money through the fundraisers, some will raise a portion of the amount due, and some will not participate in the fundraising activities at all. Whatever suits your situation is up to you. These are completely optional, and provided as a way to earn money that students might not be able to otherwise. All MHHS music students, whether they are going on the London trip or the Chicago trip, are welcome to participate in any of these fundraisers.
WHAT ARE THE BASIC RULES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS . . .
The expectations we have for participants are quite high but reasonable. The complete set of rules and expectations for student behavior will be covered at the May trip meeting but here are some of the basics:
v No possession or consumption of alcohol or other controlled substances. (Violate this and you will be sent home on the first plane, train or bus we can find! – at your expense!!)
v Every student goes to every activity – you can’t just “hang out” at the hotel.
v Student behavior and language will be courteous and respectful at all times.
v Hotel rooms will be checked by adult chaperones and/or music directors.
v Students are not allowed to enter hotel rooms occupied by students of the opposite sex for any reason. (if you do, we send you home immediately as per aboveJ)
v Whenever we’re not at the hotel or on the bus, students are with their chaperone.
WHAT ARE THE BUSES LIKE . . .
We will be travelling with Tri-State Tours again. Their motorcoaches are very nice. Each bus has air-conditioning, DVD players/monitors, and a restroom.
HOW ABOUT THE HOTELS . . .
The hotels we use are national chain properties. This year we are staying at Wyndam Garden in Schaumburg, Illinois.
WHAT IF I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS . . .
Please call or email whenever you need more information.
Mr. Mesoloras, 437-2400, extension 3299 or
Miss Dangerfield, 437-2400, extension 2108 or
Proposed Itinerary
Itinerary subject to change depending on availability and costs of various aspects of the trip package.
Bolded items are included in the cost.
Saturday, June 10 5:45 a.m. Arrive at MHHS for check-in and luggage inspection
6:00 a.m. Board buses
6:30 a.m. Depart for Chicago
10:00 a.m. Narrated Boat Tour on the Chicago River
11:30 a.m. Arrive at Navy Pier – Lunch and shopping on own
1:45 p.m. Board buses
2:15 p.m. Willis Tower, including “The Ledge”
4:45 p.m. Board buses
5:30 p.m. Dinner at ESPN Zone
7:30 p.m. Broadway Show
10:30 p.m. Check into Wyndam Garden Hotel, Schaumburg, IL
Sunday, June 11 7:30 a.m. Breakfast at hotel
8:30 a.m. Depart hotel
9:00 a.m. Experience Chicago’s notorious gangster history on the
Untouchable Gangster tour
12:15 p.m. Lunch and shopping on “The Magnificent Mile” (Michigan Avenue)
4:45 p.m. Board buses
5:15 p.m. Dinner at Hard Rock Café
7:00 p.m. Blue Man Group performance at Briar Street Theater
9:30 p.m. Return to hotel
Monday, June 12 8:30 a.m. Breakfast at hotel
9:30 a.m. Board buses
10:30 a.m. Great America
6:00 p.m. Depart for home (fast food dinner stop en route)
9:30 p.m. Arrive home
Financial Timeline
September 12, 2016 Trip Information Meeting
Food Items fundraiser starts
September 27, 2016 Food items orders due (money is due at the same time)
September 30, 2016 Registration and Deposits due
Account balance at $100.00 or greater
October 20, 2016 Food items delivered to band room – must pick up this day!
November 18, 2016 Account balance at $225.00 or greater
November Cheesecake fundraiser
January 13, 2017 Accounts are at $350.00 or greater
February Fruit fundraiser
March 10, 2017 Account balance at $475.00 or greater
May 5, 2017 Account balance paid in full
Note - Account payment deadlines correspond to payments we need to make to the Tour Company we have contracted. Please see that your payments are made in a timely manner.
May 22, 2017 MANDATORY trip meeting
in auditorium at 8:30 p.m.
June 10–12, 2017 Music Trip
Chicago Tour
Student Registration Form for
Music Department Trip to
Chicago
June 10–12, 2017
Please complete and return this form if you plan to be a participant in the 2017 Music Trip. This form, along with a $100.00 deposit, must be turned in to Miss Dangerfield or Mr. Mesoloras by September 30, 2016. Checks should be made payable to: Mount Horeb High School.
Each student will have an individual account that the $100.00 will go into. Once the exact number of participants is known and the Broadway show chosen, exact fees can be calculated and that amount will be announced as soon as possible. As of September 12, 2016, the estimated trip cost is $600.
If an unforeseen emergency causes a student to cancel out before the trip occurs, only a partial refund may be possible. Students who sign up for the trip and later decide to back out, may be liable for the full cost of the trip.
------
(detach and return lower portion along with payment)
Student Name (please print): ______
Student Address: ______
______
Student Phone Number: ______
Student email: ______
The student’s signature below indicates their intent to participate in all aspects of the 2017 Music Trip. They agree to abide by all rules set forth by the Music Teachers and to deposit the funds necessary to participate.
Student Signature: ______
The parent/guardian’s signature below indicates their approval for the child’s participation in the 2017 Music Trip to Chicago.
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______
Print Name: ______
Chicago Tour
Adult Chaperone Registration
If you would like to serve as an adult chaperone for the 2017 Chicago Tour, please return the bottom portion of this page, along with a check for $100.00 for your deposit (you can send one check for you and your child if you want). Plan to use the same timelines as the students for trip payments.
Your role as a chaperone will be to supervise students when the group is not on the bus, to do room checks at the hotel, and to be an encourager when you’re with the students. Your child will get to choose whether or not you will chaperone his/her group so you might want to have a discussion about this prior to sending your registration. In cases where multiple adults want to chaperone the same group, you may be asked to switch to another set of students. Please be aware that this will not be quite the same as a regular vacation, in that you will need to follow the group’s schedule and the chaperone expectations.
Since adult chaperones are providing a service to the tour while enjoying the trip, we house adults at ‘two in a room’ as a small way to thank you for your assistance.
We will not take this trip without adequate adult supervision, so please strongly consider joining this year’s tour. If you have any questions, please contact one of the music staff at your convenience.
If an unforeseen emergency causes a chaperone to cancel out before the trip occurs, only a partial refund may be possible. Chaperones who sign up for the trip and later decide to back out, may be liable for the full cost of the trip.
Name ______
Address ______
______
Home Telephone: ______
Work Telephone: ______
Preferred email address: ______
Your signature below indicates your intent to be an adult chaperone for the 2017 Chicago Tour.
______
Adult Chaperone signature