November 20, 2014
To: FASNY High School Parents
From: FASNY Student Government
Re: Annual Ski/Snowboarding Trip (Grades 9-12)
The annual ski/snowboarding trip has been scheduled for February 6-8, 2015 at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock, MA. These dates are similar to last year’s and place us in the middle of prime ski/snowboarding season. As a result, we are anticipating quality skiing and snowboarding conditions. However, placing the trip on an “in season” weekend exposes us to “in season” rates. The student government will again make a generous contribution to help keep the cost of the trip more affordable.
Jiminy Peak offers us a package deal that includes:
1. 2 nights lodging **
2. 2 all day lift tickets (this lift ticket also covers night skiing on Friday)
3. 2 dinners
**Please note that students will be staying in suites. The suites are equipped with suitable sleeping arrangements. However, students may have to share a queen size bed. While students do not need to bring sleeping bags, they are welcome to do so if they would feel more comfortable.
The package does not include breakfasts, lunches or rentals. Students will be required to bring cash for 2 breakfasts & 2 lunches and will be required to rent any needed equipment BEFORE our departure. Local Westchester County ski shops (ex. Pedigree) offer reasonable rental packages for those students needing equipment.
The cost of the ski/snowboarding trip is $300.00. This price includes the Jiminy Peak package plus round-trip coach bus transportation. The price does not include rental or lunches. At this time, we are asking for the entire $300.00. Checks should be made payable to FASNY and MUST BE RETURNED TO THE MAMARONECK CAMPUS MAIN OFFICE NO LATER THAN Wednesday, December 3 AT 4PM. (If you are mailing in the forms and payment they must be postmarked no later than Saturday, November 29. No exceptions!) Again, you must return all forms and payment in an envelope marked “HIGH SCHOOL SKI TRIP.” Please DO NOT send forms/payment to the Fenimore offices…everything must come to the Mamaroneck Campus Main Office.
This year we are able to accommodate up to 120 students. In order to reserve a spot on the trip students must turn in their checks and their permission slips. NO SPOTS WILL BE RESERVED FOR FAILURE TO RETURN THE SIGNED PERMISSION SLIP AND PAYMENT FOR ANY REASON. If more than 120 students return their permission slips and checks by the due date, then the 120 students will be chosen at random. **However, priority will be given to 12th graders first, followed by 11th grade, etc. In the past, we have been able to accommodate the majority seeking to attend, however spots do fill up quickly. Once the due date has passed, any remaining spots will be reserved on a first come, first served basis, regardless of grade level. Once a spot has been given to a student the payment becomes NONREFUNDABLE (Unfortunately, this includes last-minute cancellations due to illness, injury, or family emergency.). We are required to guarantee our number of rooms and number of skiers to Jiminy Peak very soon and we will be charged, in full, for any cancellations. Students who are removed from the trip for disciplinary reasons will also forfeit the entire $300.00.
In addition to skiing & snowboarding, Jiminy Peak offers the following:
1. Games room
2. Indoor Jacuzzi
3. Outdoor pool (weather permitting)
4. Outdoor Jacuzzi (weather permitting)
Our students are permitted to use these facilities during times designated by the chaperones. Many students have taken advantage of these facilities in the past. In addition, Jiminy Peak offers night skiing/snowboarding. We do allow experienced skiers/snowboarders, with parental permission, to night ski/snowboard on the first night only. (Weather permitting.)
***LESSONS***
Novice skiers and novice snowboarders ARE NOT permitted to attend the trip. If your child is a low-level intermediate skier or snowboarder we strongly encourage them to take group lessons on Saturday. Parents are asked to be honest in identifying low-level intermediate skiers and snowboarders. (We rely on your good will.) Lessons cost $50.00. They must be paid for now, in addition to the payment of $300.00. (The total for low-level intermediate skiers/snowboarders taking lessons will be $350.00)
***Special note to ALL families regarding HELMETS***
All FASNY students attending the trip are required to wear helmets at all times while on the mountain. This is true whether they are skiing or snowboarding. NO EXCEPTIONS!
As with any overnight trip, the students will have a great deal of responsibility for their own behavior. As a result, the School’s Code of Conduct, which governs all overnight trips, will be in effect. Students who violate the Code of Conduct will be subject to disciplinary action at Jiminy Peak and upon our return to school.
The Student Government would like to thank all participating families in advance for their support. It is a great weekend, and we ask that you continue to support our activities.
**Please direct ALL questions to Mr. David Ellinghaus at **
We are staying at:
Jiminy Peak
The Mountain Resort
Hancock, MA. 01237
(413) 738-5500
Additional Information Sheet
ATTENTION PARENTS AND STUDENTS: Please read the following information!
Departure: We will depart school on Friday, February 6th at 3pm. The bus trip is approximately 2 ½-3 hours. We will arrive at Jiminy Peak around 6:00pm. Upon arrival we will check into our rooms and go straight to dinner.
Friday Night: After dinner and a brief meeting those students with permission to night ski/snowboard will be allowed to do so (weather permitting). Everyone else will have the option of hanging out in his or her room, playing in the game room or going in the pool/jacuzzi. Curfew is 11:30pm and will be strictly enforced.
Saturday: We will be waking up at 8:00am. Students will get ready for the ski day and will meet to go to the lodge for breakfast. They will bring all clothes, equipment, and money needed for the day (breakfast & lunch plus any additional snacks).
We will spend the entire day skiing. No student is allowed to be in the hotel during the day. When not on the slopes, students must be in the lodge at the base of the mountain under adult supervision. While skiing or snowboarding, students must be in a group of a minimum of 3 students at all times. Students found to be in violation of this rule will lose skiing/snowboarding privileges. There will be multiple check in times during the day. Students failing to check in will lose skiing/snowboarding privileges.
At the end of the ski day we will return to the hotel. Students will get ready for dinner and will be in their rooms or one of the common areas until dinnertime.
After Saturday night’s dinner and meeting the students may engage in the same activities as on Friday, with the exception of no night skiing/snowboarding. Curfew remains the same.
Sunday: Sunday will follow the same basic procedure as Saturday. The main difference is that everyone will pack for the trip home and will store their belongings in assigned locations prior to our departure for breakfast and skiing. The ski day will end at approximately 4:30pm in order to change and prepare for our departure. We will depart Jiminy Peak on Sunday, February 8th at 6:00pm and will return to school at 8:30pm. Please be on time to pick up your children. Children WILL NOT call their parents upon our arrival to school! (While we anticipate an on time arrival, please be patient if we are running a little late. Parents are expected to be on time for pick-up!)
Other reminders:
1. Students must bring all equipment to school on Friday morning. Equipment will be stored in the gymnasium.
2. Please label each item clearly! i.e. Each ski, each pole, each boot, bags, etc. The school and Jiminy Peak are not responsible for lost/stolen items.
3. Students must bring money for breakfast & lunch each day as well as any snacks, etc. Ski lodges are expensive. A minimum of $30.00 is needed each day to cover both breakfast & lunch. We recommend more since students tend to get drinks and snacks throughout the day.
4. Phones in student’s rooms will be shut off. If you need to speak to your child in case of an emergency please call Mr. Ellinghaus’ room or leave a message for him with the hotel. During the day we are not in the hotel, so please be patient waiting for a return call. **Your child’s cell phone may or may not work at the resort.
5. In case we need to contact a parent please be at the numbers you provided to Mr. Ellinghaus. If there is a change in your itinerary please leave a message with the hotel.
6. We will not be calling parents upon our arrival at or our departure from Jiminy Peak. If you would like your child to call you they may do so from the available pay phones. **Again, your child’s cell phone may or may not work at the resort.
7. Students taking lessons will be escorted to the Ski/Snowboarding School by a chaperone to ensure they take their lessons.
8. Students are responsible for their own equipment. Parents are encouraged to speak with their children about this. (And that is why we ask you to label everything!)
9. All rentals must be done prior to our departure. Students will not be allowed to rent equipment at Jiminy Peak. Again, please label each piece of equipment.
10. If your child has any medical conditions we should know about, please contact the school nurse ahead of time so that all necessary documentation is on file at the school before our departure.
***Parents, please remind your children that the ski/snowboarding trip is a school-sponsored trip and that they are subject to all school rules and regulations. Students who violate school rules or the school Code of Conduct will lose ski privileges and will be subject to disciplinary action upon our return to school. Traditionally, the ski trip has been one of the highlights of the school year. The chaperones are all looking forward to a great weekend. We do not anticipate any real disciplinary problems to arise.
Again, we are staying at:
Jiminy Peak
The Mountain Resort
Hancock, MA. 01237
(413) 738-5500
Ski/Snowboarding Trip Permission Slip
I hereby give my child ______permission to attend the annual ski/snowboarding trip to Jiminy Peak to take place from February 6 to February 8, 2015. Enclosed is a payment, payable to FASNY, of $300.00. (Low-level intermediate skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to include payment for a group lesson. The total for those skiers and snowboarders taking a lesson is $350.00) I understand that once a spot is made available to my child, that the payment is nonrefundable (no exceptions).
My child’s level is: _____ ADVANCED/EXPERT
_____ HIGH INTERMEDIATE
_____ LOW-LEVEL INTERMEDIATE
Night Skiing/Snowboarding: _____ MY CHILD MAY NIGHT SKI/SNOWBOARD
_____ MY CHILD MAY NOT NIGHT SKI/SNOWBOARD
**Night skiing/snowboarding is available to experienced skiers/snowboarders only. (This includes advanced/expert and high intermediate skiers/snowboarders only.) Night skiing will only be permitted under proper weather conditions.
I understand that in order to attend the ski/snowboarding trip my child must be covered by a family insurance plan. I also understand that in case of injury during the trip our family insurance plan will act as the primary insurer. Below is the necessary insurance information.
Medical Insurance Carrier: ______
Insurance Number: ______
In case I am unable to be reached during an emergency, I authorize the attending personnel of the French-American School to take my child for emergency medical care.
Parent Signature: ______
Date: ______
In case I need to be contacted during the ski/snowboarding trip I can be reached at the following numbers:
Home Phone: ______
Cell Phone: ______
Work Phone: ______
In case I cannot be reached please contact the following person:
Name: ______
Phone: ______