September 16, 2019

Dear Eighth Grade Parent,

The eighth grade trip to Washington, D.C. is scheduled for May 19 (Tuesday), May 20 (Wednesday), and May 21 (Thursday).  On Tuesday, October 1 at 7 p.m., there will be a parent meeting at which time a representative from Curriculum Travel of America (CTA), will be making a presentation.   Please read the enclosed materials carefully; they contain an explanation of billing and payment for the trip. Payments are made directly to CTA.  The tour company offers cancellation protection, which will provide a full refund if a student is unable to attend the trip (e.g. sickness, inappropriate behavior at school).  Please also be aware that if the trip is cancelled due to security issues resulting from political events, the Board of Education will not be liable for losses resulting from that decision.  If you have any questions regarding payments, cancellation policy, or the trip itself, please attend the parent meeting on October 1.  

Your child has the opportunity to participate in a fundraising project to offset the cost of the Washington trip.  The fundraising company, Gifts ‘N Things, made a presentation to the students on Wednesday, September 11, where the students received catalogues and detailed information about the fundraiser.   Fifty percent of your child’s sales (40% for magazines) will be credited to the cost of the trip and CTA will make the adjustments to your billing reflecting your child’s fundraising profit. The money raised through the fundraising project may only be applied to the DC Trip or the Alternate Trip.  Students may not retain profits that are not applied to those trips.  

If your family is experiencing financial difficulties that would prohibit your child’s participation in the class trip, please call me directly by Friday, November 1 and we will determine if you are eligible for financial assistance.  One of the criteria for assistance will be participation in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program.  Also, students requesting assistance must participate in the fundraising project.  Limited financial support is available, so please take advantage of the fundraising opportunity at the end of September.  

The trip to Washington, D.C. is a privilege in which students have the opportunity to visit and see many places that they have learned about throughout their time at Smith School.  Students who are not in good academic standing or failing two (2) or more classes will not be permitted to attend the trip.  Though most of our students consistently demonstrate appropriate behavior at school, it is our policy to exclude students from the Washington trip who fail to demonstrate responsibility, respect, and appropriate judgment during the school year.  Students whose behavior results in repeated detentions and/or suspensions will not be permitted to attend.  Any student that is found in possession or under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances will be prohibited from participation.  

I am looking forward to another great trip to Washington, D.C.  For those students who choose not to participate, an alternate program has been planned for these days.  If you have any questions, please contact me. I hope to see many of you on October 1.

Sincerely,

Christine P. Davis

Supervisor K-8 Education and Student Welfare