Follow up to Yesterday's Meeting

Hello East Coast Trippers!
We had a very successful meeting Yesterday.  I'm extremely excited to be working with such fun, well-behaved, and respectful 8th graders - we are going to have a great trip!  Here are some of the things we were able to accomplish in the meeting:

- We played some ice breaker games to try and learn everyone's name and get to know one another better
- Wrote down shirt sizes for our commemorative t-shirt
- We assigned roommates
- We answered a few questions related to the trip

There are a couple of things I covered with the kids yesterday, and I am including them in this message for parents as well.

I will have a student behavior agreement for the kids at the next meeting on February 25th.  The kids should sign it along with their parent/guardian and return it to me sometime before the departure meeting on March 14th. 

Due to the importance of communication, I informed the kids of two additional ways to stay in touch with me and the trip - and it might be good for you too.  One is following my text alerts by having yourself and the kids fast follow sheridantrip on twitter by texting "follow @sheridantrip" to 40404.  Another way is through my Google Voice number (661) 621-3655.  Students and parents are welcome to call or text this number with any burning questions between now and the trip, although e-mail is still best.

Here are some of the questions about the trip that the kids asked yesterday:

Q: When do we leave and when do we get back?
A:  We leave on Saturday, April 2nd and return on Friday, April 8th

Q:  How many bags are we allowed to bring?
A:  You are bringing one check in bag weighing no more than 45 lbs. and one carry-on (usually a backpack)

Q:  What time do we go to sleep and wake up?
A:  It varies, but usually we will get up around 6 am and get to bed around 10 pm

Q:  Are we allowed to use our phone on the trip?
A:  Yes, and no.  You should absolutely bring your phone on the trip, and you are welcome to use it as a camera while we are touring (although you should bring an actual camera as well).  However, phone calls, texting, surfing etc. should be reserved for times when we aren't on tour.  What does that mean?  You can use your phone in your room, at meal times, and when we are traveling between major cities on the bus, but NOT when we are in the city looking at sites (including the bus).

Q:  Is the school dress code in effect?
A:  The answer is basically, yes.  You should follow the school dress code, but I will go over a few exceptions (hats etc.) at our next meeting.



I am looking forward to seeing my East Coast Trip students at our next meeting on Thursday, February 25th.  That meeting will again be in room P-2 at 2:10 pm and will conclude around 3:15.  Thanks again for a great meeting and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Take care, and I will talk with you soon.

East Coast Adventure 2016...Here We Go!!!

Dear East Coast Trip Family,

In a little over 2 months, we will be departing on our big adventure to Washington D.C., New York, and Boston.  I can tell you from personal experience that history travel, is amazing.  There really is nothing quite like it; and I am 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.  


Thursday, Feb. 4th @ 2:10pm - Rio Norte Rm. P-2: 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 or two 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 3:30.


Thursday, Feb. 25th @ 2:10pm - Rio Norte Rm. DP-2: Student Meeting 
Topics to be determined


Monday, March 14th @ 6:00pm - Rio Norte MPR: Pre-Departure Meeting 

Organized by USA Student Travel, 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 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 this page, you can stay connected to the trip on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  You can "Like" our trip page at https://www.facebook.com/MrSheridansEastCoastAdventure  follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sheridantrip  or you can check us out on Instagram at http://instagram.com/sheridantrip  Finally, you can get updates sent to you as a text message on ANY cell phone (regular cell phone or smartphone) by texting the words follow @sheridantrip to 40404. These Twitter text alerts are free and do not require you to sign up for a Twitter account. Standard text rates do apply.

Meetings for East Coast Adventure Participants will start in February!!

If you are an 8th grader who signed up to participate in Mr. Sheridan's East Coast Adventure taking place this Spring, be sure to pay off your trip by mid January!  Once I have a finalized roster, we will begin student meetings in early February.  Have a great winter break, and I look forward to a great trip in 2016!

Still Want to Sign up for the Adventure?

If you missed all the information meetings, don't worry!  Information packets are available in Rm. P-2.  Come on by and pick one up...the trip is filling up fast!

Information Meeting Tonight 9/14 @ 6:00pm in Rm. P-2!

Any current 8th grade Rio Norte student who has not yet signed up for our East Coast Adventure, is invited to an informational meeting this evening in Rm. P-2 @ 6:00pm.  Get some specifics on the trip and have an opportunity to sign up and join us for the trip of a lifetime!  See you there!

Interested in the East Coast Adventure 2016?

If you are interested in the East Coast Adventure,but were unable to attend the meeting, please have your student stop by either room D-6 or C-1 to pick up an information/registration packet.  Spots are filling up quickly, so don't get left behind!

Interested in Mr. Sheridan's East Coast Adventure 2016?

If you are a current 7th grader at Rio Norte and you would like information on next Spring's trip to the east coast (2016), you and your parents are invited to attend an important information meeting tomorrow, Wednesday May 6th at 6:00pm.  Come on by Rm. D-6 for more information!  See you there!