Washington, D.C. Parent Guidelines and Trip Information

Washington, D.C.Parent Guidelines and Trip Information

Get your rest now!We have 3 days of non-stop fun coming up

next week!

Day to Day Guidelines and Expectations

Before the Trip!

Medicine!● We can not give your child ANY medicine, without

having a form on file from your doctor.● Daily Medicine… ● Tylenol/Advil/etc...

Before the Trip!Tonight you will be getting your Touring Group information. You need to:● Call each student/parent and introduce yourself tonight.

**If you can’t get in touch with them please let us know ASAP

● Find out if there is any medicine or need to know informationo go over this with the student’s parento make sure you have a current phone numbero Be sure to talk face to face the morning of the trip

Before the Trip!Packing

● As of now according to Weather.com, the weather is looking really nice- but we all know that can change!

o Wednesday: Sunny, High of 56 and Low of 38

o Thursday: Sunny, High of 60, and Low of 45

o Friday: …

● We HIGHLY suggest packing layers- it is much better to be over prepared and too warm!

● Pack an extra pair of socks/shoes in case it rains

● If possible- go out and get a cheap poncho. They are best for staying dry if it rains, students are not allowed to have umbrellas

● Remember your DC shirts, all people (students AND adults) are expected to wear these

o Wednesday: Pink “I <3 McAlpine” Shirt

o Thursday: Green “Super Student” Shirt

o Friday: Blue “McAlpine’s In The House” Shirt

Before the Trip!Electronics

● Yes, you can bring them.

● We (McAlpine, The Teachers, The Chaperones) are NOT responsible for them

o which means- if something breaks, gets lost, stolen, or left behind, it is the child’s responsibility

● Students should not be on their phones talking or texting while on the trip- they should only be used for emergencies to contact their parents at designated times during the trip

● Cameras are permitted in most places, but no YouTube type videos may be posted.

● Students can use their Ipad/Kindle fire or other device to take pictures, but when we visit the Capitol Building they are asked not to bring devices in

● Chaperones are highly encouraged to monitor device use

Before the Trip!Spending Money

● Students are allowed to bring spending money for souvenirs

● We ask that chaperones try to monitor what kids in their groups spend their money on (i.e. don’t spend it all day 1)

● Outside of certain venues, there are people trying to sell silly things (sunglasses, hats, etc)- kids always love to buy them, but these people raise the price to rip the kids off

● Please talk with your son/daughter about being responsible for their money

o Don’t flash your money around

o Do not share your money with your friends

o Put it in a safe place

● Parents are asked to send $5 with their student for dinner on the ride home

2015 DC Guidelines **you will get a printed copy of these on the bus

On The Bus:● When leaving/boarding the bus, make sure all members of your tour group are accounted for

prior to the bus leaving. The buses have to move out of their parked area very quickly. All students will sit in their assigned seats. Assigned seats will not be changed during the trip. Prior to leaving, one of the teachers will call out your group number for clearance. DO NOT affirm unless you can physically see your entire group.

● Boys sit with boys, and girls sit with girls. No exceptions.● Monitor who is getting out of their seats to go to the bathroom. There should never be more

than 1 at a time.● Make sure students keep their areas clean – no gum.● Report any inappropriate activities or behavior to a school representative.● While on and off the bus students are to be monitored by an adult. (Groups need to stay

together at all times.)


While at the hotel:● First night – please allow students to use their phone, or your cell phone, to call their parents to

let them know we’ve safely arrived at the hotel. Students MUST make a call home. Do not allow them to use the hotel phone- it will incur a charge.

● No smoking or drinking while with students.● There can be NO movies, food, phone calls, or any other activity that will result in a room

charge.● Monitor types of movies/shows on TV while students are in the room (Think G or PG)● Report any inappropriate activities or behavior to a school representative.● Please monitor how much, and what type of texting, messaging, video/game activity they are

having while in the hotel.● No student is allowed to leave the room without an adult present and no student is allowed to

remain in the room alone. (Groups need to stay together at all times.)● Be aware of any noise being made. We will not be the only people at this hotel.● Make sure all students are in bed and have lights out by 10:00pm. Our days are very tiring,

everyone needs their rest.


With the tour group:● Be prompt- we are on a very tight schedule and some venues are time ticketed. If we are late, we don’t

get in.● Keep all teachers’ phone numbers, parent’s phone numbers, and your tour partner’s number on your

cell phone. Use them if needed! Please do not give out teacher’s or parent’s numbers to students.● Two or more groups will tour together. If one adult needs to leave the group (ex. bathroom) the other

adult will watch the other students. Please make sure you have an emergency meeting area in case you get separated. (Groups need to stay together at all times.)

● If students need to go to the restroom, they need to go in groups of 2, or more, and with an adult.● Carefully monitor your students, especially in large venues.● Report any inappropriate behavior or unsafe activities to Mrs. Isamat, Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. Rayson, Mrs.

Fazio, or Mrs. Davis● Please refer to the behavior procedure at the end of the second page.● No games, phones, iPods, etc. should be on or used during the tour. Cameras are permitted in most

places, but no YouTube type videos may be posted. ● Teachers and administrators will be “roving”. They are not assigned to specific groups but are available

for problems.● Mrs. J is the “caboose” following at the end of the group. Her job is to make sure we get to the next

venue or onto the bus, in a timely manner.


Discipline Policy: Our goal is for all participants to have an enjoyable experience. While in Washington, our behavior

needs to be representative of both McAlpine Elementary and our families. However, if anyone makes choices that negatively affect the rest of the group, we have provided the following

procedures:1. The chaperone gives the student a warning. If the student does not self-correct behavior …..2. The chaperone will call the parent and give them the details of what that student is doing. The

parent might want to talk with their child at this point. If the inappropriate behavior continues….3. The chaperone contacts a teacher/administrator. The teacher will handle the situation as

needed, which may include isolating the student from further activities.Please note: If the school needs to be contacted, Mrs. Modine may choose to make a

disciplinary decision at this time. No one is to physically discipline any child – even if their parent gave you permission.

Day 1- The Morning We Leave

Arrive at McAlpine Elementary at 5:15am. If you think you will be late- plan to arrive at 5:10am.Buses WILL LEAVE at 6:00am on the dot. If you are not here, we CAN NOT wait.

Do not forget your bagged lunch from home- dinner is late and you don’t want to be hungry. -Parents give $5 to chaperone to hold for dinner on day 3

Day 1- Guidelines**you will get a printed copy of these on the bus

● Plan to arrive at school at 5:15am. Be sure to have your bag lunch/water from home out.● If you are leaving your car at school, park in the large front parking lot by the street lights. Make sure

nothing is visible inside your car. The school is not responsible for your car/belongings that are left in the parking lot for the duration of this trip.

● Bring all of your bags (clothes) in the school when you get here. Keep out anything you want for the day- we don’t open the bottom of the bus until we get to the hotel.

● Verify with one of the teachers that there have been no bus or group changes.● Check the bus seating assignments to know where your assigned seats are.● Make sure you personally speak to the parent of each student being left in your care. Verify that you

have their correct contact info. And that they have yours. Remind them to expect a call from their child when we get to the hotel tonight- somewhere between 8:30 & 9pm. Be sure that you have any important information. We will be handing out more contact information once we are on the bus.

● Make sure parent gives you $5 for meal on the way home- this is to cover the extra cost of the meal. We only get $5 from the tour company and it is not enough to cover dinner. *It is recommended that you hold on to this money for your group until it is time to use it*

Day 1- Guidelines**you will get a printed copy of these on the bus

***Write this down! ***You will need to commit your group number to memory- this is how you will be referred to moving forward :)

Bus 1 will report to Mrs. Johnston’s room: Groups 1, 2, 3Bus 2 will report to Mrs. Rayson’s room: Groups 4, 5, 6, 7Bus 3 will report to Mrs. Fazio’s room: Groups 8, 9, 10, 11**you will receive your group assignment at the end of the night

Day 1- Itinerary***you will get a printed copy of these on the bus; this is subject to change

5:30am Board Buses 6:00am Depart for Washington, DC11:00am Lunch: Eat bag lunch (brought from home) en route into Washington12:00pm Smithsonian Museums:

Natural History Museum (tentative time 12:00 – 1:45)Museum of American History (tentative time 2:00 – 4:00) or Visit the National Gallery of Art (with permission slip only) *These times are suggested times. Typically the American History Museum takes

longer than the Natural History Museum; feel free to go to the American History Museum earlier than the time suggested.

**If you finish touring these museums early, some other options nearby are: 1. Daniel’s Story (only) at the Holocaust Museum 2. The Smithsonian Castle 3. The Botanical Gardens

4:30pm Visit the World War II Memorial 6:00pm Visit the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial 7:00pm Dinner: Pentagon City Mall food court (voucher included) 8:30pm Check into hotel: Hampton Inn 6331 McClellan Way, Sterling, Virginia 20165


[2 step on guides: 8:00am-4:00pm; pick up @ 12th & Independence Ave.]

6:15am Continental breakfast in hotel dining room; board buses at 7:30am 8:15am Visit Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Wall Memorials 11:00am Boxed lunches (included) 12:00pm Guided tour of US Capitol (confirmed for noon and 12:10pm) 1:30pm Tour Arlington National Cemetery:

Tomb of the Unknown SoldierChanging of the GuardsJFK Gravesite and Eternal FlameWreath laying (confirmed for 3:15pm) 5:00pm Dinner: Pentagon City Mall food courts ($10 cash included

per person) and shopping

7:00pm Visit the Iwo Jima Memorial 8:00pm Return to hotel


[2 step on guide: 7:30am-11:30am; pick up @ White House Visitor's Center]

6:00am Continental breakfast in hotel dining room; board buses at 7:00am (hotel rooms must be cleared for checkout prior to this time) 8:00am Stop by the White House for a photo

opportunity 8:30am Visit Memorials: MLK, FDR, and Jefferson 10:00am Visit the National Air & Space Museum 12:00pm Boxed lunches delivered (included)

1:00pm Depart Washington, DC 6:00pm Dinner: Fast food dinner en route ($5.00 cash

included) 10:00pm Approximate arrival time at school

Overwhelmed yet?

That’s the end of our presentation! Don’t worry- this is going to be a GREAT trip!! And we will be supporting you every step of the way!!

Questions/Comments/Concerns….

Please stay seated as we work to hand out touring/room/chaperone assignments.

Please don’t forget to contact the parents of students staying in YOUR hotel room tonight.

Documents

Washington, D.C. Parent Guidelines and Trip Information