Find out more information here
discoverytoursdc.com/

The parents meeting was a success. Don't worry if you missed out on the meeting, there is still time for you to come with us to Washington this spring break. Time is running short and space is limited. Come by my classroom ASAP to pick up paperwork needed to be signed and returned. Room C210

Click the download button for the Contract and Liability agreement.

Micky Shannon a representative from Discovery Tours met with the parents and students interested in going to Washington DC this spring break on Wednesday September 24 at 7pm. The dates are unconfirmed but we will be leaving between Saturday and Monday March 14 -16 and returning between March 17 and 19. The dates will be confirmed in November once we know the size of the group going. We will fly into either Baltimore or DC.

Once we leave the plane a representative from Discovery Tours will meet us at the airport where we will take a chartered bus to Mount Vernon, the home of our 1st president, George Washington. The students will be able to play and run in the president's back yard. We will also tour his house and see where he and his wife, Martha, are buried.

From the estate we will head to the monuments for a night tour. We will see the Lincoln Monument the Vietnam Memorial, the Korean Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial to name a few.

We will head to the Hotel for the evening to get settled in and have Pizza in our rooms.

I will go over student conduct before we head to Washington to ensure safety. Students will know they are not allowed to leave their rooms without a chaperone and will know the consequences of doing so. 1st a phone call home, if it happens again the student will be returned home early. This is for the safety of all the students. There is a police officer that will be patrolling the Hotel at all times as well as a representative of Discovery Tours. Chaperones will be on the same floor as the students and only a matter of a few doors down.

Students may bring small snacks if they wish. We eat a large breakfast in the morning before we head out. Lunch will be on our own. We will hit a fast food place at lunch time and each student will be given $10 to eat with.

All transportation will be on the subway. Students will be reminded of the procedures of entering and exiting the subway.

We will get up early on day two, (since I believe we are there to see or Nations Capitol, we will get up early and get in late) eat breakfast at the hotel and head out. I do not have a set agenda for day two and day three. I leave this up to the students. I ensure when making the agenda to include places such as the White House, The National Archives, the Capitol, and the Bureau of Printing and Engraving.

I will try to get tickets to the White House. We will go to the White House, but may not get to go inside.

On the final day we will head to Arlington Cemetery first thing in the morning. The students last year all were not interested in going to the cemetery until we actually got there. They were all fascinated in changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. The kids really enjoyed it and I plan to take them there again this year.

We will head back to the hotel and take the shuttle back to the airport and fly home where parents will be in Houston at the airport to pick up their excited child.

Payment for this trip is $1160. This price includes everything your child needs to enjoy the trip. Airfare, food, hotel, ground transportation, etc. A payment plan is available of $290 due October 10, November 10, December 10 and January 10. Payments are non refundable.

A contract must be signed and returned along with the liability form. Both these can be downloaded from the link above.

Students must have medical insurance. I will verify this before they are allowed to go. If your child does not have coverage, temporary medical insurance is available for about $45 which will cover the entire trip.

Q: Can I bring an electronic device?
A: No, please leave all .MP3 players, gameboys, portable dvd or any other electronic devices at home.

Q: What about a cell phone?
A: Cell phones will be allowed, but they must remain in the hotel room at all times. You may call home at the end of the day to tell your parents all the fun you are having. Each of the chaperones will have a cell phone on them in case of an emergency. These numbers will be given to the parents before we leave.

Q: Can we have cameras?
A: Yes, please bring disposable cameras with your name written on the cameras. I will have my digital camera with me and will take 250-300 pictures over the entire trip. I will put these on a cd and give them to all the students after we return. I will also upload them into kodak.com and on the Livingston website once we return.

Q: How many students are going on the trip?
A: I hope to take between 24 and 32 students. Classroom performance and attitude will determine eligibility. Safety is priority, and I need to know I can trust all the students going. I will make a finalized list early next.

Q: How many chaperones will there be?
A: There will be 1 chaperone for every 8 students. I have also had a large number of parents show interest in wanting to go on the trip. There will be plenty of supervision.

Q: Who determines the agenda and will Livingston mix with other schools?
A: I let the students determine the agenda with mandatory stops. It is their trip and I want them to enjoy it. We will not mix with other schools. Livingston is its own tour and we will be on our own as far as where we want to go and what we want to see.

Q: How much money should I send?
A: Last year students brought about $100 each. Spent wisely, this is more then enough. It is up to each parent to decide how much they want to send. If needed, I will hold a students money for safe keeping, but I will not tell them no if they want to buy an item. Please discuss with your child before hand your expectations of souvenirs and how you would like spending money spend.

Q: I have more questions, how do I contact you?
A: My conference time is between 9 and 10 am. Call the school with a number I can reach you at that time or a number I can reach you at after 5. Or click the send an email link at the top of the page.

Livingston Jr. High will be flying on Delta out of Intercontinental on March 15 and returning on March 18. The flight departs at 6:00 AM. Arrives in Washington D.C. around noon. Your return flight departs DC at 6PM and arrives in Houston around 10PM.