Zoom Registration and Information Meeting Tonight!

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., New York, and Boston? Then join us Tonight, May 7th 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! 

Zoom Registration Meeting on Tues. 5/7

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., New York, and Boston? Then join us this Tuesday, May 7th 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!

Thank you East Coast Trip 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 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!

Holy Cow...Tomorrow 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 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 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 couple of ways to follow the trip:

facebook: "like" Mr. Sheridan's East Coast Adventure

instagram:  http://instagram.com/sheridantrip



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 maybe 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 5:30 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.  

  

I will see the students tomorrow during lunch in Rm. G-2 for a quick meeting.  I will be collecting school ID cards and going over a few last bits of information.

That's it for now.

Thanks so much, and I will see you tomorrow!

 

Getting Ready and Packed for the Airport

Well, East Coasters, we are just Seven 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, 3/29 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 valid 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 3/29 AT LUNCH in Rm. G-2!
Parents - I'll see you at Rio a little later on Friday March 29th at 5:30pm!

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to get in touch.

Follow up to our Pre-Departure Meeting

Hey East Coasters,

Thank you all for coming to our pre-departure meeting on Tuesday.  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.

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 - 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 Friday, March 29th.  Please wear your Nations Classroom t-shirt on this day - if you still need a shirt, please let me know ASAP.  Everyone needs to arrive by 5:30pm 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, March 29th 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.

Staying Healthy

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 3/10 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 their 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 in depth at our pre-departure meeting on Tuesday, March 12th. 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 and masks are 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 can be helpful 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 have things back 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 when recommended etc. will be enforced when necessary.  Obviously, if students feel more comfortable continuing to wear a mask, they are welcome to do so.

Our Pre-departure meeting is only 7 days away, and our trip is a mere 24 days away!  I look forward to seeing everyone in the Rio MPR at 6:00pm next Tuesday, March 12th! 

- Mr. Sheridan