Follow up to our 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're 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 Tuesday, 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 student meeting on February 20th.  This is a separate agreement from the one sent by Nations Classroom. The kids should sign it along with their parent/guardian and return it to me sometime before the departure meeting on March 12th.

Nations Classroom should have sent you some travel documents to your email as well (behavior agreement, medical release etc).  Be sure to complete and submit them once they arrive. 

Due to the importance of communication, I informed the kids of different ways to stay in touch with me and the trip - and some might be good for you too.  The kids will be on Remind while back east, but that is just for them and the adult chaperones on the trip.  Another way for parents to contact me is through my Google Voice number (661) 621-3655.  Although e-mail is still best, students and parents are welcome to call or text this number with any burning questions between now and the trip.  I also shared some of my social media trip accounts with the kids, so please check with them on how to follow the trip online (FB, Instagram etc.)

Here are a few of the questions about the trip that the kids asked Monday:

Q: When do we leave and when do we get back?
A:  We leave Rio Norte on Friday, March 29th and return on Thursday, April 4th.

Q:  Is food included on the trip?  Are there vegetarian options?
A:  Yes, breakfast. lunch, and dinner are included.  Breakfast is usually at our hotel.  Yes, there are vegetarian options at every meal.  If you have dietary restrictions, be sure that you included those in your registration with Nations Classroom.  If you didn't, please contact them so we know who needs adjusted meals for allergies etc.

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:  Does the school dress code apply?

A:  Yes.  

Q:  Are we allowed to use our phones 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 it might be a good idea to bring an actual camera as well).  However, phone calls, facetime, texting, surfing, gaming, 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 actually looking at sites or listening to directions (including the bus).

Q:  What sporting event are we going to?  What Broadway play?
A:  It looks like we will be going to an MLB game - Phillies vs. Reds in Philadelphia.  We are also currently booked to see the musical "Back to the Future" on Broadway.

That should do it for now.  I am looking forward to seeing my East Coast Trip students at our next meeting on Tuesday, February 20th.  That meeting will again be for students and chaperones only in the MPR at 2:40 pm and will conclude around 3:45.  Thanks again for a great meeting and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Possible Conflict for 3/12 East Coast Adventure Meeting

Hey East Coasters,

I have heard from a few parents who were made aware that Valencia H.S. has decided to hold an orientation for incoming freshmen on March 12th (our planned Pre-Departure meeting date).  It appears that VHS has scheduled their event but still haven't advertised it or calendared it on their website.   We are working to see if we can adjust their start time and mine so that folks might be able to attend both events on the 12th.  If not, I will send a new date for our meeting.  I will keep you all in the loop if any changes occur.

As a quick reminder, our Student Meeting is taking place tomorrow, 2/6 in the MPR from 2:40 - 3:45pm.  This meeting is for student travelers and chaperones only.  Please make sure your child attends as we are choosing roommates.  If they cannot attend, make sure they designate another student who can speak on their behalf regarding room assignments.

  

Take care, and I will see the East Coasters tomorrow!

East Coast Adventure 2024...Here We Go!

 Dear East Coast Trip Family,

In a little less than 2 months, we will be departing on our big adventure to 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.

Tuesday, 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, 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.

Tuesday, Feb. 20th @ 2:40pm - Rio Norte MPR: Student Meeting 

Topics to be determined

Tuesday, March 12th @ 6:00pm - Rio MPR: Pre-Departure Meeting 

Organized by Nation's Classroom, and hosted by both myself and our tour company, 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, 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  

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

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

Zoom Meeting Tonight, 9/12!!

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.us/j/84085844184

Meeting ID: 840 8584 4184

Zoom Registration and Information Meeting Tonight, 5/9!

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!

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 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 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: "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 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!