Follow up to Last Week's Meeting

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 are going to have a great trip!  Here are some of the things we were able to accomplish in the meeting:

- We played an ice breaker game to try 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 Thursday, 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 23rd.  The kids should sign it along with their parent/guardian and return it to me sometime before the departure meeting on March 13th.

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 Thursday:

Q: When do we leave and when do we get back?
A:  We leave on Saturday, April 1st and return on Friday, April 7th

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 (leggings, hats etc.) at our next meeting.

Q:  What sporting event are we going to?
A;  It looks like we might be going to the Red Sox vs. Pirates game at Fenway


I am looking forward to seeing my East Coast Trip students at our next meeting on Thursday, February 23rd.  That meeting will again be in room G-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 2017...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. 2nd @ 2:10pm - Rio Norte Rm. G-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. 23rd @ 2:10pm - Rio Norte Rm. G-2: Student Meeting 
Topics to be determined


Monday, March 13th @ 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.

Spaces Available for Our 2017 Adventure

Hey there East Coasters,
With the addition of the second bus, we now have space for additional students to sign up for the trip.  If you have a friend who is interested, feel free to refer them to Mr. Sheridan in Rm. P-2.

Wait List Cleared!

It's official...we are approved for a second bus, and the wait list has been cleared! All those who signed up are now a part of the trip. Please continue to make your payments as the final balance is due by mid January. We will begin student information meetings in early February once all participants are confirmed.

2017 East Coast Adventure Update!

Our East Coast Adventure is currently full and has a wait list.  The wait list is quite large and our tour company is looking into the possibility of a second bus to bring all the participants who signed up.  However, at this point it is just a possibility.  As they check availability at all our venues, and for all our travel arrangements in order try to determine if taking all sign ups is possible, I will do my best to keep  you informed.  Wait listed students should continue to make payments in hopes of being added.

Miss the Registration Meeting? Drop by Rm. P-2 for a packet!

Our trip is nearly full.  If you are interested in signing up, and missed our meeting, come by Rm. P-2 to pick up a registration packet.  Once the trip is full, we will begin a wait list based on the date of registration sign up.  Don't get left behind!

Registration Meeting Tonight, Sept. 15th @ 6pm!!

East Coast Adventure 2017 registration meeting tonight at 6pm in the Rio Norte MPR!  If you are an 8th grade Rio Norte student who has NOT signed up for our Spring Break trip, come on by with your folks, and get some information and sign up for the adventure!  See you there!