Tallahassee

This letter should answer most question you may have regarding the Tallahassee field trip. There are a lot of rules, but we feel they are necessary either for safety, teacher and chaperone sanity, or because they are a requirement of the tour company. This will be our ninth Tallahassee field trip and although a few have felt the rules to be excessive, the kids have always had a wonderful, memorable and learning-filled time. Feel free to e-mail Mr. Roemer for additional information.

ELIGIBILITY:

Fifth grade students who have shown consistantly throughout the year that they have completed their homework, classwork, and projects on time and to the best of their ability, and who have demonstrated good citizenship skills with their classmates and adults at the school. Also, students who want to go on the trip should be willing participants in our fund raisers. Consistantly missing work, excessive classroom behavior difficulties and referrals, and lack of participation in class may disqualify a student from attending the trip. We may elect not to allow a student on the trip for any of the above reasons after a conference with parents.

WHEN:

Tuesday, May 20th and Wednesday, May 21st, 2008

TIME:

Students start boarding the bus at 5:45 a.m. The bus departs at 6:00 a.m.
Parents need to be at the school at 7:45 p.m. to pick their child up on Wednesday evening. The bus returns at approximately 7:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (we pulled into the school at 7:45 pm on the 2007 trip). Please be prompt in picking up your child. (Note: Sometimes we're early. You don't have to be at the school early, but please be by a phone after 6:00 p.m. I post to a blog live updates detailing our locations as we're coming back I'll post the blog address closer to the trip.)

SPENDING MONEY:

There will be opportunities for students to purchase items (museums, the mall, etc.). We are asking that students do not bring more than $31.00 (One dollar is for a tip at a Golden Corral). Students are responsible for their own money and for any items they might purchase on the trip.

WHAT TO PACK: (Pack three outfits. One for each day, plus an extra in case of a spill. Please remember a light jacket and changes of socks, underclothing, and sleepwear.)

Appropriate clothing means it passes the school dress code
Sneakers MUST be worn at all times due to the activities involved on the field trip (no sandals, no open-toed shoes, etc.) If you can't wear the sneakers to PE, you can't wear them on the trip.
Shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, brush/comb, medicine if needed, any other necessary personal items
Light jacket
Optional items: camera, film, sunglasses, hat, pillow for the bus

LUGGAGE:

All cell phones must be packed in luggage. No cell phones are allowed on the bus.

One suitcase per person
One small carry on per person (example: bookbag, shoulder bag)
No coolers allowed

SNACKS/DRINKS (some may be relaxed):

No gum on the bus
No personal coolers on the trip
Snacks and drinks will be provided by the school. Meals are included in the cost of the field trip.

STUDENT RULES FOR ENTIRE FIELD TRIP:

Stay with your chaperone at all times
Listen and follow directions at all times
Be respectful to adults at all times
Use appropriate language
No yelling and/or screaming
Use manners
No running (for safety reasons)
Wear name tag at all times
Must stay with designated chaperone and group at all times
Keep hands, feet, and objects to self
Students are responsible for their own items
Stay in your motel room - no room hopping or cruising the halls

BUS RULES:

Same as student rules listed above
Must remain seated on bus
Listen and follow directions of bus driver, tour guide, and all adults
No gum on bus
Students may bring hand held CD players, DVD players, etc, but [B][I]they must have headphones [/I][/B](No portable stereos)
Students may bring electronic handheld games (ex. Game Boy) if the volume can be turned off.

EMERGENCY CONTACT:

Wingate Inn (our motel) - 850-553-4400 . We will also have a few cell phones with us and will send home the numbers shortly before the trip, including my personal cell phone number.

ITINERARY (subject to change):

Day One

Leave school at 6:00 a.m. for destination
Arrive at Wakulla Springs for a picnic lunch (which will be provided by Wakulla Springs)
Take a Jungle Boat Tour down the Wakulla river to view abundant wildlife (gators!) and lush vegetation
Next we travel to the Tallahassee Jr. Museum and Discovery Building
Then we visit the Natural Habitat Zoo and Nature Trail
Check into hotel (to be announced)
All you can eat buffet dinner
Shop at the Governor's Square Mall
Return to motel for the night

Day Two

Eat breakfast at the motel
Tour the Old Capitol and learning historical facts
Visit the New Capitol and explore the Heritage Chapel (we get to dress up in old clothing styles and take pictures)
Visit the Museum of Florida History (we learn about the sunken trasures of old Spanish Galleons, and march into battle in imagination under Florida's Civil War Battle Flags)
We will visit FSU (this is a bonus and is based on overall behavior of trip per tour guide)
Eat lunch at CiCi's Pizza and then head back home
Arrive back at school between 7:30-8:00 p.m.

Students must listen and follow the rules for safety reasons and to make the trip successful. We can't stress enough that students must stay with their designated chaperone and group.

Sincerely,

The Fifth Grade Teachers

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