Are you a parent of an 8th Grader at Rio Norte Jr. High? Would you like your child to spend their Spring Break in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City? Then join us TONIGHT, Tuesday, Sept. 12th at 6:00pm for an important Zoom meeting where you will get information, and have the chance to register for, Mr. Sheridan's East Coast Adventure! Here is the Zoom link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nationsclassroom.zoom.
Meeting ID: 840 8584 4184
Are you a parent of a current 7th Grader at Rio Norte Jr. High? Would you like your child to spend their Spring Break next year in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City? Then join us this Tonight, May 9th at 6:00pm for an important Zoom meeting! At this meeting you will get information and have the chance to register for, Mr. Sheridan's East Coast Adventure! See you online!
Thanks to all our East Coast travelers for being real troopers. Thank you to our chaperones for keeping the kids safe and on schedule. And finally, a big thank you to parents for allowing your child to experience this trip...I know that they made memories that will last a lifetime. Speaking of memories, our commemorative photos are in! If your child would like to pick up their photo, they can get them this week in Rm. P-2. Thanks again and good luck with the rest of this school year, and with high school next year!
Hello East Coasters!
Well folks, we are coming down to the wire. Just a couple of quick things for kids and parents prior to departure:
Wear your blue Nations Classroom shirt tomorrow. We will be wearing this shirt for over 24 hours before we arrive at our first hotel. For this reason, I STRONGLY urge that you take a shower within the hour before you arrive at Rio. We’ll all be grateful that everyone is fresh and clean when we have to share an airplane and a bus together.
Do a final packing check. Chargers are the most frequently forgotten-at-home accessory on this trip. Go through your whole packing list and check and double check that you have everything you need. I already have my checklist and items laid out on a flat surface and ready to go.
Let’s keep in touch. Once the trip begins, I will no longer be sending out these regular broadcast emails to parents (you may get just one or two, or maybe not). Instead, I will be posting regular updates on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook (mostly Facebook). Check from work, check from home, my goal is to post a trip update everyday (hopefully multiple times per day). These links are great to share with family and friends (grandmas love my Facebook page!). Just a reminder that there are a number of ways to follow the trip:
twitter: http://twitter.com/
facebook: "like" Mr. Sheridan's East Coast
instagram: http://instagram.
Check the weather lately? If you've been watching the weather, you’ll see some very typical East Coast weather for early spring: some cold, some rain, and some days in the 70's. Be prepared for this variety of weather. I strongly suggest a water resistant jacket, small umbrella, maybe some caps and gloves. Weather forecasts can change, too, so be prepared for the warmer weather as well.
Layer.
Additionally, as I already mentioned, there is no need to "dress up" for our Broadway play. The weather might be cold and wet, plus we'll be touring all day before we make our way to the show. Something nice but practical for walking around Manhattan would be best.
This is probably my final message before we leave, so I will see you tomorrow in the Rio Norte front parking lot by 4:30 p.m.! Remember to park under the solar panels and NOT in the red zone and to bring your medication foldable along with any personal medications in a Ziploc bag. If you've already turned in your signed Medication form, and aren't bringing extra medications, you're good to go. Additionally, I will be weighing luggage bags before we get on the buses, so be sure to be under 45 lbs.
If you are interested, Mr Ippolito has made a short and helpful video going over some of these last bits of info, and the things that I covered at my student meeting yesterday at lunch. Feel free to check out that video through the link on the twitter feed to the right.
Thanks so much, and I will see you tomorrow!
Well, East Coasters, we are just Nine 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 wise 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 Rio Norte Student ID on Friday, 3/31 at lunch. If your child doesn't have their school ID, they should get one this week at the library. I keep all the IDs together in one binder sorted alphabetically to make it easy for check-in. The ticketing agents appreciate this and are usually extra-patient with us as a result. I will return the ID's to the students following check in, and they will need to be responsible for keeping it safe and accessible the rest of the trip. All adult travelers will definitely need a 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). If you’re into those big skater belt buckles, leave them at home. Finally, any other objects (watch, camera, cell phone, 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 and ID. You MUST have these 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. Speaking of jackets, many of our students are used to California weather, and only pack a sweatshirt or hoodie. These aren't helpful in the rain. I suggest bringing a coat or jacket that has some ability to deflect rain in order to enhance comfort.
Gallon/Quart-size bags – If you’re toting tons of electronics with you (cell phone, cell phone charger, headphones/earbuds) 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 or gallon-size Ziploc storage bags. I’m partial to the gallon-size freezer bags because they’re a little sturdier. If the TSA screener has to open your bag, it will be easy for them 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 perfume 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.
“Lay it Out” – 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, bed or other flat surface. On that flat surface, place your packing list and then item by item lay everything out that you need. Deodorant: check. Toothpaste: check. Phone Charger: check. Hand Sanitizer: check.
If you haven’t set up your own version of this technique 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 over the next week. Places like Rite-Aid 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 deodorant, but it is likely at a significantly higher price, and your access to these stores is limited.
Students—The next time I’ll see you is Friday 3/31 AT LUNCH in Rm. G-2!
Parents - I'll see you at Rio on Sunday April 2nd at 4:30pm!
Hey East Coasters,
Thank you all for coming to our pre-departure meeting on Wednesday. It is great to see everyone together and 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.Our meeting last Monday was all about information. We went over some important procedures, handed out the student agreement, went over chaperone groups and met some of our chaperones, and then let the kids ask any burning question that they just couldn't wait to get answered. If your student missed the meeting, have them come by my room (P-2) to pick up a trip agreement next week.
One quick reminder that our next meeting is our MANDATORY Pre-departure meeting at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, March 15th. This meeting will take place in the Rio MPR, and at least one parent/guardian must be in attendance with their student traveler.
Here are some of the questions that kids asked, with answers.
Q: What are we supposed to pack? How many bags can we bring? Do we need to dress up for Broadway?
Check out the Packing List tab at the top of this website page for basic information. You can bring a check -in bag and a carry on...keep your check-in bag below 45 lbs. and your carry on is usually your backpack. For Broadway, just wear something nice, but comfortable. We will be touring during the day before we go to our play.
Q: Can we wear pajamas on the plane?
NO. We will be landing in the morning, hopping on our bus, and will be touring all day after we land...we won't be going to the hotel until later that night. You will need to be in actual clothes.
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, is food included in the trip?
Food is included. 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! Also, if you have any dietary restrictions (vegan, allergies etc.) please let me and Nations Classroom know.
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 some dough.
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 85 degree day (like we did in NY several years ago). Pack for all eventualities.
Q: What play are we seeing on Broadway? Are we going to a sporting event?
Right now we are scheduled to see "Six" on Broadway. We are also going to a Brooklyn Nets game when we are in NYC.
Q: How long are the plane rides? Can we move seats on the plane?
It looks like 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 unless moved by a chaperone.
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, leggings etc. (if you are a Red Sox fan, I wouldn't recommend wearing those hats in New York).
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 of water as well. NO water when we go through TSA security at the airport!
Q: Can we bring food in the hotel rooms and on the bus?
In the Hotel the answer is yes, on the bus, NO. ALWAYS clean up after yourself.
Q: How long is the trip?
We will leave Rio around 5:45pm on Sunday, April 2nd and return to Rio around 10pm on Saturday, April 8th.
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: Can we bring stuffed animals, or GoPro Camera or a really big expensive camera on the trip?
You should avoid bringing anything overly expensive or of high sentimental value. The more stuff you bring, the more stuff you can lose or break. GoPro may not be allowed in some of the places we are touring (no photography).
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 buses for the trip, but the plane will have many others. At this point it looks like we will potentially be flying on Alaska Airlines - which is a nice airline.
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 Westin, Marriott, etc.
Hope that helps! See you all at our Pre-Departure Meeting: Rio MPR @ 6:00pm on Wednesday, March 15th!
Hey there East Coasters!
Our East Coast Trip will be fun and exciting, but it can be a challenge to stay healthy. Inevitably, heads will ache, stomachs 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). While it is impossible to avoid illness in all cases, making good choices can help to reduce the risks. Here are some suggestions for staying healthy:
SLEEP
I know the switch to Daylight Saving Time this Sunday 3/12 will probably have 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. Students WILL be tired on the trip. It is important that they learn to push through the exhaustion, and to take cat naps when they can because we will be doing things all day long. Encourage your child to take their sleep opportunities seriously...it will improve their enjoyment of the trip.
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 Adventure 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, 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 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 is available in the same section as Dramamine, but 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 Wednesday, March 15th. 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 medical release in the travelers form link you received through email from Nations Classroom.
MASKS/PROTOCOLS
Thankfully, proof of vaccination is not required for the trip this year. However, masks are still a good idea in some situations and it is always good to be prepared for any eventuality. While masks are not required, they are recommended for some indoor settings. Bring masks with you on the trip, and have them readily available to wear when/if you feel the need to mask up or in the event that something strange happens and they become a necessity while we are traveling.
As far as protocols go, while we are all excited to see things return to pre-pandemic norms, we will be continuing to follow guidelines that will encourage good hygiene and will help reduce the spread of germs. Hand sanitizer, hand washing, masks etc. will be enforced when necessary. Obviously, if students feel more comfortable continuing to wear a mask in all instances, they are welcome to do so.
Our Pre-departure meeting is only 7 days away, and our trip is a mere 25 days away! I look forward to seeing everyone in the Rio MPR at 6:00pm next Wednesday, March 15th!
Well, our East Coast Trip is just 5 weeks away. This is just a quick suggestion to get out and start walking. While on tour, we will be walking, on average, about 7-10 miles a day. Granted it isn't all in one shot, but we will be going through museums, the national mall, large estates, and major city streets in Philadelphia and New York. It is easy to get tuckered out if you aren't in decent shape.
I encourage all the East Coast Trippers to get out and walk at least a few times a week - and not just in P.E.! If you are thinking about getting some walking shoes for the trip, I would suggest getting them now and breaking them in. You don't want to be walking miles a day in new shoes...blisters hurt. I would also suggest bringing two pairs of shoes on the trip in the event that the weather is uncooperative and one pair gets wet. If you are looking for a complete list of things to pack, feel free to take a look at the suggested packing list on this page by clicking on the "Packing List" tab at the top of the page.
I hope that everyone is getting as excited as I am to start our journey. Remember that our Rio Norte students consistently get praised for their outstanding behavior on these trips...I am certain that this year's group will continue that tradition. I will be handing out a student behavior expectation agreement at our next student meeting on the 27th. This is my agreement, and is separate from the one sent to you by Nation's Classroom (make sure you have filled that one out as well). Be sure to review the agreement and have both the student and Parent/guardian sign it and return it to Mr. Sheridan by the departure meeting on the 15th of March (students can turn it in to Mr. Sheridan as soon as it is completed). Knowing what is expected of you will make it easier to make good choices. That should do it for now.
A quick reminder that our next student/chaperone meeting is this Monday, February 27th in the MPR at 2:40 pm. During this meeting we will talk about chaperone groups, review the student agreement, and cover other interesting topics - this meeting should take about an hour.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to email, text (661) 621-3655, or even post a question on our Facebook page.
Hey East Coasters!
NY” sweatshirt in Times Square can go for $50-60, easy. Overall, average souvenir purchases are about $10-$20 per day.Hello East Coast Trippers!
We had a very successful meeting last week. I'm extremely excited to be working with such fun, well-behaved, and respectful 8th graders - we're going to have a great trip! Here are some of the things we were able to accomplish in the meeting:Dear East Coast Trip Family,
In a little over 2 months, we will be departing on our big adventure to Monticello, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York. I can tell you from personal experience, that history travel is amazing. I am so very excited to be able to share the experience of visiting some of our most famous national treasures and landmarks with your child. For the past few months we have been finalizing our roster, and we now have a good idea of who is going on the trip, so it's time to inform you of some important dates.
Monday, Feb. 6th @ 2:40pm - Rio Norte MPR: Roommate Meeting
So, this is the meeting that all the students will be most interested in attending! This is my opportunity to become familiar with the kids, and we will finally have a chance for the students to meet their fellow adventurers who are going on the trip. This meeting is intended for students and teachers only. We will start with an ice-breaker activity, a quick check of vaccinations, and then we will move on to the all important process of choosing roommates. If your child cannot attend this meeting, it might be a good idea to have them designate a person to speak on their behalf regarding room assignments (unless they don't care who they room with). This meeting should take a little over an hour, and will conclude at 3:45pm.
Monday, Feb. 27th @ 2:40pm - Rio Norte MPR: Student Meeting
Topics to be determined
Wednesday, March 15th @ 6:00pm - Rio MPR: Pre-Departure Meeting
Organized by Nation's Classroom, and hosted by both myself and our tour company rep, this meeting will go over the specifics of the trip. We finally get to see our exact itinerary, and our hotel and flight information. Now that we know for sure everyone who is going on the trip, our tour company is working hard making final arrangements to secure the very best flights and hotels possible. This meeting is MANDATORY for the traveling student and at least one parent/guardian to attend, so please mark your calendar.
That should just about do it for now. I'm looking forward to a great trip, with a great group of kids. I will be trying to stay in contact with all of you on a pretty regular basis now as the trip gets closer.
On that note, I would also like to remind you (or inform you for the first time) that besides email, you can stay connected to the trip through my trip website, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
You can visit my website for any missed email messages by visiting https://sheridantrip.
You can also "Like" our Facebook trip page located: at https://www.facebook.com/
You can follow on Twitter; http://twitter.com/
or you can check us out on Instagram at http://instagram.com/
Thank you, and I will see your child this Monday, February 6th!
