Pre-Departure MeetingFrench Exchange ProgramEastridge High SchoolMarch 30, 2010

MaterialsPlease pick up:Final Departure PacketRequired FormsPenRefreshmentsPlease initial the sign-in sheet (student AND parent/guardian)

Agenda 6:30-7:30Welcome, Introduction, Materials (2 min.)Contents of Pre-Departure Packet (30 min.)Forms processing (15 min.)Questions & Answers (13 min.)

Welcome & IntroductionsCandie Black, Trip Organizer(585) 356-0951 (cell) before 4/5/08(585) 339-1450 ext. 4013 (work)(585) 339-1555 ext. 4522 (voicemail)Candace_black@eastiron.monroe.eduAdditional chaperonesEllice Amendolare (teacher)Mary Di Muro (parent)Contact information!

American participants16 students2 sophomores6 juniors8 seniors3 chaperones

American participants

French participants16 host students4 students w/o American visitors2 chaperones

French participants

School Lyce Saint Martin31, rue dAntrain, 35706 Rennes FRANCETelephone: 001-33-2-99-84-16-16Email: secretariat@lycee-stmartin-rennes.orgWebsite: http://www.lycee-stmartin-rennes.org/

Travel Itinerary Overview4/11 Depart Rochester4/12-4/17 Rennes4/17-4/20 Paris4/20 Return Rochester

Monday 4/11/11Arrive at the Rochester International Airport upper departures level 12:45 p.m. with luggage & passportCheck luggage @ airline counterGoodbyes & security check2:55 p.m. - Depart flight #4346N, Rochester-Chicago arrive 3:50 p.m Early dinner @ airport5:55 p.m. depart flight #42N, Chicago-Paris, arrive the next day 9:20 a.m.

Tuesday 4/12/11Deplane, baggage claim, customsTransfer to train station at airportDepart Paris train station TGV #5214 @ 10:28 a.m. to RennesLunch on trainArrive at Rennes train station @ 1:27 p.m.

Tuesday 4/12/11French students to pick up Americans at train station take metro to drop suitcases off @ the high school2:00 p.m. Crperie + walking tour of downtown Rennes and the Thabor park (French students go to class.)5:00-6:00 p.m. French students will pick up Americans and their suitcases and bring them home. Dinner, unpack, shower, sleep

Wednesday 4/13/118:00 a.m. students arrive at the high school debriefing8:30 French and American students leave by bus to visit the seaside town of St. Malo (fortified city, ramparts, Sillon beaches)

Wednesday 4/13/11Picnic lunch in St. MaloAfternoon visit to the Mont St. Michel (fortress built on a mountain)6:00 p.m. students return to high schoolEvening with families

Thursday 4/14/118:00 Welcome breakfast at the high school9:00-10:00 American students go to classes11:00 Mayoral reception at city hall

Thursday 4/14/1112:00 Lunch1:00-? American students go to classesEvening with families

Friday 4/15/118:30 Americans leave for a tour of the Normandy coast (American Cemetery, the D-day beach)Picnic lunch6:00 p.m. students return to high schoolEvening with families

Saturday 4/16/11Family day suggested activities include the public market (March des Lices) in downtown Rennes, Cancale, Dinan, etcAmerican students pack their suitcases this evening

Sunday 4/17/117:30 a.m. French and American students meet at the Rennes train station with luggage and passportsFinal goodbyes8:05 a.m. train leaves Rennes for Paris TGV 8014

Sunday 4/17/1110:25 train arrives Paris (Montparnasse station)Transfer to hotel via metro/walkingCheck-in/relaxLunch (packed lunch)Siteseeing in ParisDinner

Monday & Tuesday 4/18-19Breakfast by 8:00 a.m. each morningStudents down in lobby by 9:00 a.m. each morningSightseeing as determined by students from 9:00-12:00Lunch together

Monday & Tuesday 4/18-19Free time for shopping SightseeingDinner SightseeingReturn to hotel by 11:00 p.m.Students in their own rooms and QUIET by midnight

Wednesday 4/208:00 - breakfast with bags packed the prior evening9:00 - depart hotel via metro for airport 12:15 p.m. - flight #41N, Paris-Chicago2:25 p.m. - plane arrives at the Chicago airport

Wednesday 4/20Deplane, baggage claim, customsDinner in airport4:55 p.m. flight #3917N, Chicago-Rochester, arrives 7:30 p.m.Families pick up their students @ baggage claim

Hotel Aviatic 4/17-2010, rue Brezin, ParisTelephone: 011-33-1-45-40-59-75Fax: 011-33-1-45-40-67-48E-mail: aviatic@free.frhttp://www.paris35.com/2511/paris-hostel-1061-hotel-aviatic.html

Hotel Aviatic 4/17-20

Hotel Aviatic 4/17-20

Emergency Contact #sIn the event of an emergency, the 1st person to contact in the event of an emergency is: Candie Black Now until 4/11: (585) 356-0951 (Verizon cell anytime, day or night)From 4/12-4/16: Christle Josso (English speaker) 011-33-2-99-55-35-12.

Emergency Contact #sIf you are unable to reach me in the event of an emergency, the secondary contact is: Ellice AmendolareFrom 4/12-4/16: Annie Frioux (English speaker) 011-33-2-99-00-18-53

Emergency Contact #sYou may call Mrs. Mary Grow, our principal, during regular school hours (585) 339-1450 and she will be able to get in touch with me.

Emergency Contact #sFrom 4/17-4/20, the only method of getting in touch with us is email or by calling the hotel directly at: 011-33-1-45-40-59-75(lHtel Aviatic)

Calling treeWhen the calling tree needs to be used (for instance, to indicate a change in any travel plans) I will call the 1st persons parent (Bri Bailey), who will, in turn, call the next person, and so forth and so on.

Calling treePlease do not break the chain. If the person you are calling does not answer, leave a message (if possible) and then call the next person on the list.Please keep the calling tree in a safe and convenient place (such as on the refrigerator).In the event of an emergency in France, I will start the calling tree with any pertinent information.

How to call FranceFrench phone numbers have 8 digits (to call within France) separated by periods (and 10 when the city code is added).To get out of the U.S., you dial 011next the country code (France = 33)..next the city code (Paris = 1, Rennes = 2)*the 8 digit #*often the number is quoted with a zero before the city code - omit this when dialing.011 33 2 99 55 35 - 12

How to call FranceWhen the French person answers the phone, he/she will say All?If you can speak French, do so. Bonjour. Je voudrais parler Megan, sil vous plat.Remember there is a 6-hour time difference between the US & France, so if you are calling at 6:00 p.m., it is midnight in France.

How to call FranceIf you cant speak French, just say your students name - the family will understand that you are calling from the U.S. and will get your student if he/she is home.Emily nest pas l. (pronounced Em-MEE-lee nay pa la) is what the person answering the phone will say if your student is not at home.

How to call FranceStudents should NOT use the familys phone OR their hotel room phones to call the U.S.!The ONLY exception is that the French family will allow their American students to call home briefly on the day they arrive to confirm with you that he/she has arrived safely.

How to call FranceIf the student needs to speak with their American family during the trip, they should purchase phone cards available in France to use in public phones.

Best option: EMAIL YOUR FAMILY and enjoy the absence of the cell phone!!

Weather in Rennes/ParisWebsite: http://www.weather.com/weather/5-day/Rennes+France+FRXX0114 Insert weather graphic from this site the Monday before the meeting.

Weather in Rennes/ParisUsually 10 degrees warmer than Rochester in early to mid spring. Students should dress in layers that can be easily added or removed depending on the weather & activity.A jacket and a sweatshirt are musts! Scarves are a great idea (and very chic for both men and women).

Packing list1 checked piece of luggage (preferably with wheels) that the student can manage carrying moderate distances.RULE: If a student CANNOT carry the piece of luggage up a flight of stairs by himself/herself fairly easily, it is TOO HEAVY take some things OUT!Weight limit applies: lbs

Packing list1 carry-onBook, iPod/mp3 player, snacks, medicationMust fit under seat or in overhead bin of planeShould contain valuables (money, passport) and one change of clothing in case luggage is lost.

General packing recommendationsBring comfortable clothes & shoesDo NOT bring anything that you would be heartbroken if lost.Bring as little as possible (mix-n-match)Try to avoid clothing that broadcasts your nationality (USA sweatshirts)

AppliancesCamera - yes (digital or regular)Music device - maybe (mp3 player/iPod)Laptop only after careful deliberation and verification that your homeowners insurance will cover damage or loss during the trip (including damage due to the electric current difference).

AppliancesOther appliances hair dryer / flat ironTry to avoid bringing these unless absolutely necessaryThey require a special electrical current converter and plug adaptor

Appliances

RememberThe LESS you bring, the HAPPIER you will be.You will be traveling with your luggage from airports to trains to metro stations and then on foot for short distances.Layout everything you want to bring and then only pack HALF!

MoneyHow much? $200 or more (this is for spending only - all other costs are prepaid)What will my student spend money on?Gifts for family & friends back homeSouvenirs

MoneyWhat form?Pre-paid card (such as a Visa bucks card) or bank credit card Be sure to read the fine print Can the card be used outside of the U.S.?If you want to be able to take money out of an ATM, you will need to request a PIN (personal identification number).

MoneyAdvantages/disadvantages+ Can be cancelled if lost or stolen+ Can be reloaded with additional funds by parents in U.S. for use in France.

MoneyWhat form?Travelers checks+ can be cancelled if lost/stolen- Requires passport to cash/use

MoneyWhat form?Currency+ most acceptableeasy to lose/cannot be replacedfee to change back to dollars

PassportsYour passport is the only proof you have of your valuable American citizenship. Know where it is at all times.

PassportsAll students have provided me with a copy of their passports and should put another copy in their checked luggage. A third copy should be kept by your parents.

PassportsI will hold on to students passports from the time we touch down in France to the time we leave.Exception students who bring travelers checks need to carry their passports when cashing a check.

BudgetInsert budget spreadsheet

Required FormsThere are 7 forms that you need to have on record with me prior to departureEmergency Contact formFT-3: Permission to participateFT-4A: Field Medical Trip WaiverFT-4B: Medical Permission for Overnight Field Trip ParentFT-4C: Medical Permission for Overnight Field Trip PhysicianFT-7: Field Trip Permission / Private TransportationFT-8: Student Conduct

FormsEmergency Contact formCheck all information for accuracyFill in any blank informationPurpose contact information in case of emergency

FormsFT-3: Permission to participate in a field tripFill out top Purpose gives permission for your student to participate in field trip

FormsFT-4A: Field Medical Trip WaiverPurpose gives permission to receive medical care while on the field trip.

FormsFT-4B: Medical Permission for Overnight Field Trip ParentPurpose gives permission to receive medical care while on an overnight field trip.

FormsFT-4C: Medical Permission for Overnight Field Trip PhysicianPurpose gives permission to carry/administer medication while on an overnight field trip.

FormsFT-7: Field Trip Permission / Private TransportationPurpose gives permission for student to travel in private via non-district transportation (private & public).

Emergency Medical TreatmentIf student requires medical attention during trip, every attempt will be made to contact you (as well as the others listed on your Emergency Contact Form) immediately.If medical services are needed, they will be paid for and then you will reimburse me immediately upon return to U.S. (and then you will go through your insurance company to be reimbursed).

FormsFT-8: Student ConductPurpose clarify expectations for student behavior while on trip

Code of ConductStudent will participate in activities with their French hosts.Student will be mature & courteous.Student will obey family/school rules.Student will NOT drive any vehicles.Student will not purchase, use or have in their possession cigarettes, cigars, or other tobacco products.

Code of ConductStudent will not purchase, use or have in their possession any drug/narcotic, unless prescribed by a medical professional.Student will not purchase, abuse or have in their possession any alcoholic drinks.

AlcoholYour student WILL be offered wine at dinner by their host families as part of the cultural experience.Your student IS of legal age in France to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.The school has a zero tolerance policy for abuse of alcohol, drugs and tobacco products while on school trips.

It happened in Fairporthttp://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Fairport-Students-Suspended-After-Class-Trip/A3TfLGxUjEGlnIQYnA1o-w.cspxMoral of the story: Your parents and you have worked hard and paid a lot of money for you to participate in this trip. Dont ruin it by breaking school rules that you knew about ahead of time!

AlcoholSo how we will reconcile such a situation?

(1) You must make your expectations extremely clear to your student about the consumption of alcoholic beverages during this trip.

Alcohol(2) Students found to have abused tobacco products, alcohol, or drugs during the trip will be referred to the principal for a Superintendents hearing that will result in disciplinary consequences as if the student had consumed said products on school grounds.

Other behaviorsFaced with sudden freedom, your student may be tempted to engage in other behaviors, that while not specifically addressed in the code of conduct or school policy, should nonetheless be discussed between parents and students prior to departure including, but not limited to, getting tattoos or body piercing.

Other behaviorsThese behaviors are inherently dangerous and neither the school district nor any of the chaperones accompanying the group take any responsibility, financial or otherwise, if a student engages in them while on the trip.PARENTS: TELL YOUR STUDENT WHAT YOUR EXPECTATIONS ARE FOR THEIR BEHAVIOR!!

DisciplineIn the event your student engages in inappropriate behavior during the trip at any time, you will be contacted IMMEDIATELY, regardless of the time of day.

Inappropriate behaviorsmoking, abusing alcohol of ANY kind, abusing a controlled substance, engaging in sexual behavior, causing bodily harm to another individual or damage to anothers property,being insubordinate towards a chaperone or disrespectful to another member of the group.

DisciplineThese actions committed once are grounds for disciplinary action and will be reported to Mrs. Grow, the Board of Education and the Superintendent upon our return!!!

Addendum A - FranceParisBrittanyNormandy

Addendum B - Rennes

Addendum C Detailed Packing List

Questions?

******