Getting Ready and Packed for the Airport

We are just Five Days away from our big trip, and the first adventure we will all face together is getting through airport security.  However, with some advanced planning and smart decisions, we can all make it through quickly and easily.  Here are some tips:

Photo ID – Sometimes the airport checks IDs on our kids, and other times they don’t, but I don’t take any chances. Therefore, I have asked that ALL students give me their photo ID by Thursday at lunch. I already have many of our ID cards, but anyone who still needs to get it to me can do so by Thursday.  I keep all the IDs together in one binder sorted alphabetically to make it easy for check-in. The ticketing agents love this and are usually extra-nice to us as a result. If you will need your ID to use a debit or credit card, just let me know and I will give it to your during the trip. Just keep it safe and prepare to give it back to me before the flight home. All adults travelers will definitely need government-issued photo ID.

Reduce your metal – Try to wear as little metal as possible to the airport.  Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and even clothing with metal accessories attached to them always have the potential to set off the system (metal-rimmed eyeglasses are OK). Boys, if you’re into those big skater belt buckles, leave them at home.  Finally, any other objects (watch, camera, cell phone, iPod, coins) that could activate the metal detector should be placed in your backpack. Take some time BEFORE we get to the airport to do this, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. The only things that should be in your hand or in your pockets as you walk through security should be your boarding pass.  You MUST have this with you when you walk through security.

Measure up – I’ve already told you that your checked suitcase should be no heavier than 45 pounds. The airlines set 50 pounds as the absolute maximum, but you’re probably going to bring back more than you went out with, so leave yourself some room...I will be weighing bags at Rio Norte before we get on the bus.

Smart shoes – The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) will require you to take off your shoes and place them in a bin to be scanned. Make sure to wear shoes that are easy to take off and put on (no double or triple knots in your laces), but keep in mind these are probably the same shoes you will wear throughout much of our first day on tour.

Sweatshirts, jackets, and hoodies – If your outer layer is one that can be easily shed (zip-up hoodie or jacket), be prepared. TSA may ask you to remove it, place it in a bin, and run it through the scanner. If it’s a pull-over sweater or sweatshirt, they generally will let you leave it on. I actually recommend that whatever warm coat you’re bringing on the trip you actually wear to the airport and DON’T pack it. It’s one less bulky item to pack in your suitcase and it could double as a pillow or a blanket on the plane.

Quart-size bags – If you’re toting tons of electronics with you (iPod, iPod charger, cell phone, cell phone charger, headphones) all in your backpack, it may look like you’re carrying some sort of explosive triggering device. Make your life and the life of your TSA screener easier by grouping these items into quart-size storage bags. I’m partial to the quart-size freezer bags because they’re a little sturdier. If the TSA screener has to open your bag, it will be easy for him to see you have nothing suspicious. Plus, it will be easier for you to find your stuff later without cords getting all tangled up.  You can also use quart bags for your medications with your foldable medication authorization form.

Avoid liquids in carry-on – In the TSA 3-1-1 guide (available HERE), it talks about the rule for bringing liquids in your carry-on. I’m not bringing ANY liquids in my carry-on luggage (my backpack). All my hair gel, toothpaste, shampoo, etc. goes into my toiletry bag in my checked luggage. Why do you need hair gel or deodorant on the airplane? These guidelines are mostly geared to overnight travelers who pack everything into their carry-on, and that’s not us.

There are tons of other prohibited items that I'm not going into, but most of these are common sense. Here's a good rule: if it's not allowed at school, it's probably not allowed on a plane. Please ask Mr. Sheridan if you are unclear about what is prohibited and what is not.

“The Table” – When it comes to personal travel, it is important to be an efficient packer.   If you forget something, we won't have the luxury to buy items next week, which is why I suggest laying out all your things on a table. On “The Table” place your packing list and then item by item lay everything out that you need. Deodorant: check. Toothpaste: check. iPod charger: check. Camera battery charger: check.

If you haven’t set up your own version of “The Table” yet, I urge you to consider it. Lay everything out in advance now so you know what you have and what you may still need to get. Places like Walgreen’s are not always easily accessible with the places we’re visiting and the schedule we’re on. Hotel gift shops often sell toothpaste and batteries and memory cards, but it is likely at a significantly higher price.

Students—The next time I’ll see you is THURSDAY AT LUNCH
Parents—I’ll see you at Rio Norte on SUNDAY AT 6:45 PM!

Thanks for a Great Meeting Last Week!

Hey East Coasters,
Thank you all for coming to our pre-departure meeting last Tuesday.  It is great to see how excited the kids are becoming as we get closer to our trip.  I wanted to go over a couple of quick items that I mentioned at the meeting, but may not have explained as well as I would have liked.

Medication Authorization foldable:
This is the sheet that you picked up at the meeting that gives me or a chaperone the permission to administer some basic medications (Advil, Pepto-Bismol, etc.) as well as specialty medications that you wish to provide (if you wish to provide chewable versions of medications, just include them on the specialty side of the foldable).  This sheet should be folded and put into a quart sized Ziploc bag along with any daily supplements, or medications that your child takes on a regular basis.  Bring the baggie on the day we depart and I will assign it to your child's chaperone.  Please pack only enough meds for the trip, not the whole bottle.  Your child can get their medications from their assigned chaperone as needed (usually at meal times).  As always, any life saving medications (epi-pen, inhaler etc.) should be kept by your child for emergencies.  Additionally, we have a student with a severe nut allergy going on the trip, so please avoid bringing any snacks that might contain nuts.


The Flight:
It is a red-eye flight, and it is very important that the kids try their best to get some sleep/rest on the plane.  We will be touring all day when we arrive, so please let the kids know that they will regret not getting a little sleep when they have the chance.


And finally, I want to have a quick student meeting at lunch on Thursday, April 2nd in room D-6.  At this meeting, I will collect student ID cards in the event TSA needs them, and I will go over the rules of the trip and signed student agreement in detail one final time.  Thank you again for allowing your child to have this experience.  I will likely be sending a couple more e-mails before we leave, but as always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. 

-Mr. Sheridan

Pre-Departure Meeting Tomorrow!!

Hey East Coasters,
Just a quick reminder that our MANDATORY Pre-Departure meeting is taking place tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24th at 6:00pm in room D-6.  At least one parent or guardian must be present with their child.  We are less than two weeks away from our east coast adventure!  Please bring the completed paperwork you received in the mail from USA Student Travel, plus $10 cash (optional, but politely requested) for tips for our coach driver and tour guide.  Additionally, if your child has not turned in my trip agreement, please bring that as well. See you all tomorrow!

Mr. Sheridan

Pre-Departure Meeting Just One Week Away!

Hey East Coasters,
Just a quick reminder that our MANDATORY Pre-Departure Meeting will be taking place in exactly one week, next Tuesday, March 24th at 6:00pm in Rm. D-6.  The traveling student and at least one parent/guardian must be in attendance.  See you then!

Staying Healthy

Our East Coast Trip will be fun and exciting, but it can be a challenge to stay healthy. Inevitably, heads will ache, tummies will hurt, and eyelids will droop as the trip begins to take its toll on the teenage bodies embarking on this trip (and perhaps on some adult bodies as well). Here are my suggestions for staying healthy:

SLEEP
- I know the switch to Daylight Saving Time on Sunday probably has us all a little messed up, which really highlights how important sleep is for us. Get plenty of sleep the week leading up to Spring Break. The last thing we want to experience is fatigue and exhaustion before the trip even begins! If you are well-rested, it will help to counteract the less-than-perfect sleep you may experience when we’re on the red-eye flight out.

EAT HEALTHY, DRINK HEALTHY
Drink lots of water on the trip. Some kids experience headaches around Day 2 or 3 of the trip, and often this can be attributed to dehydration. Unless your child is an athlete in training, the East Coast Trip often has far more physical activity (with all the walking) than your child is used to in an average day. Caffeine and artificial sweeteners both act as diuretics, drawing fluids out of the body faster than necessary. Instead of turning to Mountain Dew or Diet Coke, encourage your child to drink water both at meals and in-between them. If you absolutely have to have something sweet to drink, consider lemonade, Sprite, fruit juice or some other non-caffeinated beverage.  If you really must have a Coke or Pepsi with dinner, have just one, and match it with an equal amount of water.

Eat healthy meals. “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” In that same spirit, we offer your child a variety of healthy eating options at each meal, but it’s up to your son or daughter to make those good choices. Day 2 or 3 of the trip is also the day that the stomachaches begin. While it’s not the most fun topic to talk about, constipation often is the cause. I encourage students to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and grains to keep things "regular.” And again, staying hydrated with plenty of water also prevents constipation. Finally, don’t blow your souvenir budget on candy and other unhealthy snacks; instead, pack granola bars, trail mix, dried fruit, or other healthy snacks in your luggage.

Eat light before the flight. Kids who are nervous about the flying, or who eat a large meal, or eat too much junk will probably end up sharing their partially digested meal with the rest of us if they aren't careful. Gross. Stick to a light dinner before we depart, and then pack a little trail mix or some pretzels for the flight.  Breakfast is the first item on our agenda after we land, so you can refuel once we’re back on terra firma. When we land in Washington DC, it’s better to be hungry than nauseous.  Along those lines, if you are prone to air sickness, or motion sickness of any kind, my suggestion is ginger gum.  It doesn't make you drowsy, and can help to keep your stomach calm.

MEDICATION
The only meds that kids are allowed to keep with them are life-saving meds (asthma inhaler, epi-pen, etc). All other medications (prescription or over-the-counter) should be handed to the designated chaperone, along with any written instructions, right before we board the coach to drive down to the airport. If your child is taking meds on a regular schedule, it is his/her responsibility to come to us.

This is an important topic, so medication will be addressed at our pre-departure meeting on Tuesday, March 24th. If you have any questions about medication, please ask at the meeting, or contact Mr. Sheridan well in advance of our departure. And of course, please indicate any medication or food allergies on that yellow release form you recently received in the mail from USA Student Travel.

Our Pre-departure meeting is only two weeks away, and our trip is a mere 26 days away!  I look forward to seeing everyone in Rm. D-6 at 6:00pm on Tuesday, March 24th!

Great Meeting Last Week!

Our meeting last week was all about questions.  We went over some important information, handed out the student agreement (which needs to be signed and returned), went over chaperone groups, and then let the kids ask any burning question that they just couldn't wait to get answered.  I answered many of these questions during the meeting, but for those who may have missed some, here they are, all the questions, with answers, that were asked last week.

One quick reminder that our next meeting is our MANDATORY Pre-departure meeting at 6:00 pm in room D-6 on Tuesday, March 24th.  At least one parent/guardian must be in attendance.

Q:  What are we supposed to pack?  Do we need to dress up for Broadway?
Check out the Packing List tab at the top of this page for basic information...keep your check-in bag below 45 lbs.  For Broadway, just wear something nice, but comfortable.  We will be touring during the day before we go to our play.
Q:  Do we have to stay in our chaperone groups?
No.  The chaperone groups are for organizational purposes only.  Most of the time we will be in a full group tour.  Chaperone groups allow us to account for all kids before we leave a location.
Q:  How often will we get food?

We get three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). These meals begin with breakfast the morning of our first tour. You are responsible for eating dinner before we leave for our trip.

Q:  How big are the food portions?

Some portions are fixed. At other places it's all-you-can-eat. I've never had anyone starve on the trip, so I think the portion sizes are good.  Be careful not to over-do it!

Q:  Is there time for shopping?

Plenty. You won't get to shop in every shop in every city we visit, but you will be provided with ample opportunity to spend your money.

Q:  What will the weather be like? 

It really depends.  It is early Spring on the east coast which means it will likely be cooler than it is here in California.  It could potentially be cold enough to snow, or you could have an 80 degree day (like we did in NY two years ago).  Pack for all eventualities.  

Q:  What play are we seeing on Broadway?  Are we going to a baseball game?

Right now we are scheduled to see "Matilda", winner of 7 Oliver awards including Best New Musical in London and a few Tony's on Broadway.  Unfortunately, the schedule doesn't seem to work out for a baseball game this year...but we're still working on it.

Q:  Will we be gone on Easter? 

No.  You'll be able to see the Easter Bunny before we leave that night.  Save your Cadbury eggs for when we get back. 

Q:  How long are the plane rides?   Can we move seats on the plane?

We are scheduled to take a direct flight from LAX...it's about 5 hours each way.  Seats on the plane are assigned and you need to sit in your assigned seat.

Q:  What time do we leave the hotels in the morning and what time do we get back? 

It depends, but usually we have breakfast at the hotel around 7:00am and leave around 8:00am.  We will return around 10:00pm each night.  Lights out is usually around 11:00pm.

Q:  Is the school dress code in effect?

Yes.  You are allowed to wear hats and sunglasses (if you are a Red Sox fan, I wouldn't recommend wearing that hat in NY).

Q:  Are there opportunities to buy snacks in between meals and can we bring water with us on tour? 

 Yes, but be careful not to eat too much junk or you will get sick.  Water is fine to bring with you while we are on tour, and the coach drivers often have bottles for sale as well.

Q:  Can we bring food in the hotel rooms and on the bus? 

In the Hotel the answer is yes, on the bus, NO.

Q:  How long is the trip? 

We will leave Rio around 6:00pm on Sunday, April 5th and return around 11:00pm on Saturday, April 11th.

Q:  What if our phone goes off while we are walking around? 

Your phone should be on silent mode for the trip...we don't want to be disrespectful.

Q:  Should we bring cash or a pre-paid card for the trip? 

This is up to you and your parents.  I would suggest looking into whether your bank will allow a debit card with set maximum daily charges - we can talk about money in depth at the pre-departure meeting.

Q:  Is it just us on the plane, and are the planes nice? 

We will have our own bus for the trip, but the plane will have many others.  At this point it looks like on the way out, we will be flying on Virgin America - a very nice airline (my personal favorite).  The home flight looks like it will be on JetBlue (also nice).

Q:  What are we doing everyday? 

We will be touring, and seeing many of our most important national treasures!

Q:  What kind of hotels are we staying in?

They're four-star hotels like Sheraton, Hilton, Doubletree, and Marriott. I don't know exactly where we're staying yet, but it will be in hotels of this quality.

Hope that helps!  See you all at our Pre-Departure Meeting: Rio Norte, Rm. D-6 @ 6:00pm on Tuesday, March 24th!