East Coast Adventure 2023...Here We Go!

 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.blogspot.com/  

You can also "Like" our Facebook trip page located: at https://www.facebook.com/MrSheridansEastCoastAdventure  

You can follow on Twitter;  http://twitter.com/sheridantrip

or you can check us out on Instagram at http://instagram.com/sheridantrip  

Thank you, and I will see your child this Monday, February 6th!

Zoom Registration Meeting Tonight, Wed. 9/14!

Are you the parent of a current 8th Grader at Rio Norte Jr. High? Did you miss the registration meeting for Mr. Sheridan's East Coast Adventure in May? Would you like your child to spend Spring Break 2023 in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City? Then join us on Wednesday, September 14th 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!

This meeting is intended for students and families who did not already register for the East Coast Adventure in May.

Here is the Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84246488989?pwd=dndhSFM1dnBnTkQrZDJGSFA1UUtXUT09

Meeting ID: 842 4648 8989
Passcode: 134957

Zoom Meeting Tonight!!

Are you the parent of a current 7th Grader at Rio Norte Jr. High? Would you like your child to spend Spring Break 2023 in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City? Then join us TONIGHT, Monday, May 16th at 6:30pm 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://us02web.zoom.us/j/86915440817

Meeting ID: 869 1544 0817

Have your child see their History teacher or Mr. Sheridan in Rm. P-2 for more information. See you online!

Thank you East Coast Adventure Family!

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 had not yet picked 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!

Holy Cow...Today is the Day!!

Hello East Coasters! 

Well, folks we are coming down to the wire.  Just a couple of quick things for kids and parents: 

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.  Batteries and chargers are the most frequently forgotten-at-home accessories on this trip.  Go through your whole packing list and check and double check.  I already have mine laid out 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/sheridantrip 

 facebook: Mr. Sheridan's East Coast Adventure 

 instagram:  http://instagram.com/sheridantrip 

Links to these sites are found to the right on this page.

Check the weather lately?  If you've been watching the weather, you’ll see some very typical East Coast weather for early spring: cold and some rain. Be prepared for this weather. I strongly suggest a small umbrella, caps and gloves. Weather forecasts can change, too, so be prepared for warmer weather just in case. 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. 

 

I will see you today in the Rio Norte front parking lot by 6:00 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.  

Additionally, I will be weighing luggage bags before they get on the buses, so be sure to be under 45 lbs.  

Thanks so much!

Getting Ready and Packed for the Airport

Well, East Coasters, we are just Eight 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 –  ID cards will be especially important for this trip.  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 on Friday at lunch.  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-nice to 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.  Obviously, if we go to a venue that requires proof of vaccination, ID will be required.    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). Boys, 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.

Gallon/Quart-size bags – If you’re toting tons of electronics with you (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 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 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 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 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. 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 4/1 AT LUNCH in Rm. G-2!
Parents - I'll see you at Rio on Saturday April 2nd at 6:00pm!

Great Meeting Last Monday!

 Hey East Coasters,

Thank you all for coming to our pre-departure meeting on Monday.  It is great to see everyone together (even online) 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.

Medication Authorization foldable:
This is the sheet that your kids picked up at the student 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 - mine all require swallowing).  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.  If your child is not bringing any medications or supplements with them, just sign the foldable for your child to have permission to get the basic medications I will have with me, and give it to me anytime before our departure.


The Flight:
I did talk about this, but really want to hammer home this point.  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.  Additionally, we want to be considerate to the other passengers on the plane who are trying to sleep as well.

Departure Day:
We are leaving from the Rio Norte Campus on Saturday, April 2nd.  Please wear your Nations Classroom t-shirt on this day.  Arrive by 6pm and you should park in the lot, and keep the bus loop open.  We will distribute lanyards and wristbands and will weigh your check-in bag - it must be 45 lbs. or less.


And finally, I want to have a quick student meeting at lunch on Friday, April 1st in room G-2.  At this meeting, I will collect student ID cards for safe keeping until we go through TSA, and I will go over any last minute information.  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.