[INSERT OFFICIAL SCHOOL BOARD OF BROWARD COUNTY LETTERHEAD HERE]

February 8, 2010

Dear Chorus Parents:

            Hooray!!! The Plantation Park Singers Chorus is pleased to announce that on Thurs.-Fri., April 15-16, 2010, we will travel to Tallahassee, FL to perform on the steps of the Florida State Capitol Building! This two-day, one night performance trip is open to all choristers in good standing (i.e.: who have good grades, good behavior, no unexcused absences in Chorus, and no outstanding fees).

The purpose of the trip is to help students learn about Florida’s geography and government system, to explore Florida’s natural resources, and to make our students and the Florida legislature aware of why the arts- especially music- are important to their Florida constituency and to our country as a whole, even in these tough economic times. Choristers will perform a 30-minute concert program punctuated by summaries of arts and brain research at 1pm on Friday, April 16. All choristers are encouraged to attend this unforgettable trip!

I.              COST PER PERSON (grades 3-4: $150; grade 5= $148) INCLUDES:

a)    Round trip motor coach with air-conditioning & restroom

b)    All admission fees per itinerary

c)     Hotel accommodations, based on quad occupancy (4 to a room- Supplements apply for rooms with fewer than 4 occupants)

d)    Security Guard @ hotel from 11pm-5am

e)    All meals per itinerary (unless noted)

f)     All tips and gratuities

g)    Services of Flamingo Educational Tours in planning and executing tour

h)    Flamingo Educational Tours - Tour Guide

i)      1 complimentary chaperone for every 10 paying participants

The above cost is based on 100 participants on two coaches (1 for Chorus, 1 for 5^th Grade. 5^th grade choristers will ride the Chorus bus and pay through Mrs. Greggs). Fewer or more participants may change the cost of the trip. This trip is first come, first serve.

II.            TENTATIVE ITINERARY:  Thursday April 15, 2010

4:00 AM            2/57 Passenger Motor Coaches & Tour Guide arrive:  Plantation Park Elementary

4:30 AM            Depart for Marianna, FL

6:30 AM            Brief breakfast/restroom stop @ Turnpike Fort Drum Plaza  (Pay on your own or bring)

9:00 AM            Brief snack/restroom stop @ Turnpike Okahumpka Plaza (Pay on your own or bring)

11:30 AM          Lunch:  Brief stop off Interstate I-10 (Live Oak exit) (Pay on your own or bring)

3:30 PM            Arrive: Florida Caverns State Park – Marianna, FL (2:30 PM Central) Guided tour of the only Florida caves with dazzling formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones & draperies.                                       

6:00 PM            Depart for dinner in Tallahassee

7:15  PM           Dinner:  Cracker Barrel (or similar) – Tallahassee

8:30 PM            Hotel Check-in: Microtel Inn & Suites (or similar)– Tallahassee (Security Guard on duty from 11pm-5am)

Friday April 16, 2010

6:30 AM           Wake up calls

7:15 AM           Breakfast at hotel (Continental Breakfast included)

8:00 AM           Hotel Check-out, load baggage onto bus & depart hotel

                        8:30 AM            *** 5^th Grade dropped off for Downtown Tallahassee Tour to include:                                  

                                                        Historic Old Capitol & New Capitol & Florida Supreme Court

*** 3^rd & 4^th Grade dropped off at Mission San Luis:  Tour Mission San Luis (Meet bus to depart for Museum of Florida History- if time allows)

11:30 AM          Lunch:  Cici’s Pizza – Tallahassee

12:15 PM           Chorus sets up for performance & changes into Formal Uniforms

1:00 PM            Chorus performs on Capitol Steps, 5^th grade watches

 2:00 PM           Chorus changes into street clothes; Depart for Plantation

3:30 PM            Brief stop for snack/restroom break @ I-75 (Watertown exit) (Pay on your own)

5:30 PM           Dinner:  Golden Corral (or similar) – Ocala

9:00 PM            Brief snack/restroom stop @ Turnpike Fort Drum Plaza (Pay on your own)

11:30 PM          Approximate return to Plantation Park Elementary                       

Bus Company is Midnight Sun Tours – Charter # 9447

III. BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS:

On our trip, we will have many opportunities for learning and fun. However, we are representatives of our school and state, and should act accordingly. We will follow the Student Code of Conduct for Broward County Public Schools throughout our trip, adhere to the Plantation Park Elementary School Pledge, and continue to maintain excellence in scholarship, leadership, character, and musicianship.

Prior to our trip, these behaviors are expected:

1)    Students will follow all classroom and school rules. This includes the general classroom, special areas, lunch, recess, and Chorus.  Students will be courteous and respectful to others, bring all materials to class and stay on task.

2)    Students will maintain grades of “C” or better in all letter-graded academic subjects, with no “3”, “D”, or “F” grades on any report card area. Further, students will not receive referrals or lunch detentions for behavioral infractions.

3)    During Chorus, students will show reasonable effort in achieving excellence. Choristers will consistently demonstrate a positive attitude and work ethic, bring their music folder, maintain at least 80% of total possible points in Chorus, & have no unexcused absences or outstanding fees.

During our trip, these behaviors are expected:

1)    Students will follow the instructions of their teachers, chaperones, and Tour Company staff.

2)    Students will stay with their assigned chaperones at all times during the trip. Students may NEVER wander off alone, especially without adult permission.

3)    Students will not bicker with each other or argue with chaperones about what activity is to be done.

4)    Students will think “safety first” at all times. Always travel with a buddy!

5)    Students will be neat with their food and beverage items, picking up crumbs, & cleaning up spilled beverages. No gum on the bus. Students will keep the bus clean by putting trash in trash receptacles.

6)    Common courtesy and good manners are expected at all times. On the bus, talk and play games quietly. If listening to a radio or Walkman, use headphones. Remember the driver needs peace and quiet to safely take us where we want to go.

This field trip is a privilege. Students who break these rules more than once (or experience a serious behavior issue) may be denied participation WITHOUT REFUND by Mrs. Greggs at any time between now and the departure date. 

IV.          TO PARENTS:

We have already arranged and confirmed the required number of official chaperones for this trip. At this time we do not have space on the bus for additional chaperones. However, you are more than welcome to follow the bus if you would like to see our performance! If you do tailgate, please keep in mind that choristers may not be removed from their official School Board approved chaperones by parents at any time while on the trip, and that all students must ride both up and back on the bus. Also, students must sleep in their assigned rooms with other students even if their parents are staying at the same hotel. Because this is an overnight trip, only official chaperones who have level 2 security clearance may ride buses.

V.            PAYMENTS AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Feb. 23, 2010        $75 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT due to Mrs. Greggs WITH ALL COMPLETED PAPERWORK- cash or money order only (no payments on Fridays and NO CHECKS). Trip is first come, first served. We are taking only 1 bus.

Mar. 9, 2010        Balance due. Please remember that 50% of your child’s Fall & Spring Sing-a-Thon fundraiser earnings will be credited toward the cost of the trip, up to $75. The initial $75 deposit is nonrefundable and therefore cannot be paid with Sing-a-Thon earnings. At the 2/19 Sing-a-Thon, you will receive a “balance due” notice indicating how much your child has earned from this year’s Sing-a-Thons and how much you need to send by Mar. 9.

A detailed list of what to pack and a finalized itinerary will go home at a later time.

If you have any questions about this trip, please contact Mrs. Greggs at nicole.greggs@browardschools.com or 954-868-5515, or call Denise Levin, PPSBA President, at 954-327-2044. We hope you are looking forward to this trip as much as we are. Thanks, and have a great year! J

“Sing”-cerely,

Nicole Greggs, NBCT- Early/Middle Childhood Music

Director, Plantation Park Singers

Plantation Park Elementary School

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THE SCHOOL BOARD OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

Plantation Park Elementary School

Authorization for Field Trip

Student_________________________________ Telephone______________________
Homeroom Teacher ___________________________  Chorus Teacher __­­Nicole Greggs__

I, ___________________________ (parent name), authorize my student to utilize the type of transportation identified below for this field trip.

 __School Bus   X Charter Bus  __Private Vehicle  __Walk  __Ride w/staff  __In House

 Maximum capacity is one (1) person per seatbelt.  No motorcycles/scooters/mopeds permitted as transportation.

1.                      Field trip destination:                     TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA

.                        Group Sponsoring Trip:                 PLANTATION PARK SINGERS CHORUS

.                        Departure Date/Time:                    THURS. APR. 15, 2010 AT 4:30AM

.                        Return Date/Time:                          FRI. APR. 16, 2010 AT 11:59PM

2.         On the day of the trip, we will:      ___      Eat lunch at school, as usual

                                                                                    _          Take a bag lunch and drink along

                                                                                    ___      Take a bag lunch and ___ for a drink

                                                                                    X__     Attached note gives details of trip

COST TO STUDENT:     $ 148 (Grade 5) or $150 (grades 3-4)

Emergency Contact

 In case of emergency, I may be reached at:  ______________________________________________.

In the event I cannot be reached, please contact: ________________________________________________.
Phone:  ________________________________

Health/Accident Insurance- Check and complete only one:

_____ Twenty-four hour (24), student accident insurance or family insurance covers my child. My Insurance Company is: ________________________ Policy No. __________________  (Or, I have attached a photocopy of my family insurance ID card.)

 _____ I do not have insurance; however, I will pay any and all medical bills for emergency care for my child.

____________________________________                                    _____________________

Parent/Guardian Signature                                                                  Date

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PLANTATION PARK SINGERS CHORUS TRIP BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS AGREEMENT:

____ YES, I understand and agree to follow the behavioral expectations outlined in this letter for the Chorus Trip to Tallahassee, FL on April 15-16, 2010.

_________________________________                           _________________        Chorus Fldr # _____

Student Signature                                                                     Date

_________________________________                           _________________

Parent Signature                                                                        Date

GROUPING PREFERENCES:

Up to 3 Preferred Pals for hanging out: __________________________________________________________________________________________

Please do not group my child with: __________________________________________________________________________________________

(Students are grouped by gender & grade level first, then according to preferences.  Preferences will be honored whenever possible, but cannot be guaranteed).

CHORISTER BACKGROUND INFORMATION
(will be copied for your child’s chaperone)

Child’s Name ________________________________________________ Nickname ______________________

Age _____  Grade _____  Allergies ______________________________________________________________

Unique characteristics that may be useful to know __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Home Phone # _______________________________________  Cell Phone # __________________________

Daytime emergency name & phone # ___________________________________________________________

Nighttime emergency name & phone # __________________________________________________________

Has child slept away from home before?                                      YES       NO

Will child need to take any medications while on trip?                    YES       NO

***PLEASE SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR MEDICAL INSURANCE CARD WITH YOUR PERMISSION SLIP BY FEB. 23. IF YOUR COVERAGE CHANGES, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR NEW INFO. TO MRS. GREGGS ASAP, AT LEAST 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE TRIP. THANK YOU!

Plantation Park Singers Trip to Tallahassee, FL  
Apr. 15-16, 2010- Chaperone  Responsibilities:

Thank you so much for volunteering your valuable time to assist us on our great adventure. Although there will be many fun times to be had during our trip, there will also be times when we will have to work together as a team in order to make sure our schedule runs smoothly. Below, you will find a list that outlines the specific times that you will be called upon to assist during our trip.

1. Chaperones will be placed in charge of up to 10 students during the bus rides to & from Tallahassee, including rest stops, & will monitor their group to ensure proper behavior & adherence to the schedule. Students may use vending machines at the rest stops only with adult supervision.
2. Chaperones are responsible for their personal behavior & the behavior of the students entrusted to them. Everyone should talk & play quietly. The driver needs to be able to concentrate on driving. Most bus companies allow food & drink on the bus as long as it is handled neatly. Have students pick up any crumbs, mop up any spills, & put all trash in designated receptacles. Ask the driver where he/she would prefer trash kept. Be neat in the bus restrooms. No gum on the buses.
3. When we arrive in Tallahassee, chaperones will distribute their students’ bags and room keys and assure that students arrive in the correct rooms. Chaperones will assist with who sleeps in which beds if necessary and with showering schedules to make sure we don’t run late in the morning.
4. Chaperones will enforce the following:  Lights out by 10pm. Quiet by 11pm.
5. Chaperones will provide wake-up calls in the morning, and get their children to breakfast on time.
6. After breakfast, chaperones will make sure rooms are properly packed up, room keys collected, and that formal uniforms are ready for noon changing.
7. After the performance, chaperones will make sure items are properly packed up for the trip home.
8. Chaperones will travel throughout the various venues with their assigned students. Chaperones MUST also call Mrs. Greggs IMMEDIATELY @ 954-868-5515 to notify her if any child becomes ill or is injured.
9. Chaperones are role models for students. Chaperones may not use profanity, gossip, deviate from the itinerary, cause tardiness of their group, indulge in alcoholic beverages of any kind, or use mind or mood altering substances whether legal or illegal.
10. Chaperones may be called upon to perform other duties as deemed necessary by circumstance. PLEASE remember that this trip is a learning experience for students, not an adult getaway or family vacation. It is vital for you to care for all students in your charge (not just your own), to maintain a positive attitude, & to support the group leader at all times, especially in front of students. Differences of opinion should be aired in private directly to Mrs. Greggs.  If an issue needs attention, please inform her right away so that problems may be solved before they escalate.
11. Parents who are not official chaperones may drive up behind the buses. Please welcome them to tag along with your group as you visit our various venues. However, per School Board policy, parents who are not official chaperones may not remove their child from your care at any time and/or under any circumstances. If a parent challenges or breaks this policy, call Mrs. Greggs immediately and steps will be taken to correct the problem.

 I understand & agree to the above guidelines. Please sign below & return to Mrs. Greggs ASAP.  Please attach a copy of your insurance information. Thank you so much! J

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____________________________________                                    ___________________________

Chaperone Signature                                                                                                             Date

______________________________    _____________________________     _________________________

Chaperone Name (Please Print)                                            Email Address                                                        Cell phone #

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