Dear Fifth Grade Parents: We are very excited to take ... - Key School

Dear Fifth Grade Parents:We are very excited to take the fifth grade on their overnight trip to Colonial Williamsburg onWednesday, December 2 and Thursday, December 3. This annual trip is one of the highlights of thefifth grade and provides a unique learning experience. The children are immersed in an eighteenthcentury town and its way of life. They are able to observe and talk with various craftsmen at work andparticipate in specially designed guided tours.In addition to the three fifth grade homeroom teachers—Ellen Mischke, Ollie Moochler and JonathanOglesbee—the Key School chaperones who will accompany your children include Keith Porterfield,MJ Eckert, Heather Nye, and Dave Magnus. We look forward to an informative and enjoyable timetogether. We have listed some important details for this trip below.TRANSPORTATIONStudents should arrive at school no later than 8:10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 2 so that they areready to depart at 8:30 a.m. Students should bring their suitcases and bags to the Barn Commonsand then go to their homerooms. We will travel to Williamsburg on a coach/bus, which has abathroom.ACCOMMODATIONSWe will be staying at the Clarion Hotel which is located at 351 York Street in Colonial Williamsburg.There will be three children to a room. Teachers’ rooms will be intermixed with the students’ rooms.In addition to the teacher chaperones, we have hired a security guard to be on duty from 11:00 p.m.to 6:00 a.m.MEALSStudents should bring a snack and a bag lunch with drink(s) on Wednesday, December 2. Theyshould put their snack and lunch in a day pack to take on the bus, as their main suitcase will bestored in the luggage compartment under the bus.We will be eating dinner on Thursday evening and lunch on Friday at the Golden Corral Restaurant,which has a wide variety of buffet-style offerings. We will have a buffet breakfast on Friday at theClarion Hotel. While we will not be stopping for dinner on the bus ride home, we will provide a snackfor the children.PERSONAL ITEMSWarm, comfortable clothing, including rain gear, is required since we will be outside walking a gooddeal of the time. Weather in Williamsburg is similar to that of Annapolis. Good walking shoes areessential. All personal items should be labeled and packed in a small suitcase or bag. Since the busride is long, the children may want to bring books, small board games, or other quiet activities.Electronic equipment is not permitted (note: students may bring a digital camera). Students must beaware that they are responsible for their personal items.

CELL PHONESStudents are with chaperones at all times and we, therefore, discourage students from bringing cellphones. If you would like your child to bring a cell phone for any reason, please contact Dave Magnusin advance of the trip.SCHEDULE / ITINERARY (Click here to view itinerary)In case of any emergency, we are providing you with contact numbers for the hotel and buscompany, as well as cell phone numbers for Dave Magnus and Jonathan Oglesbee:Clarion Hotel: 757-229-4100Dillon’s Bus Company: 410-647-2321Dave Magnus: 443-336-1149Jonathan Oglesbee: 443-415-8220Please complete the Permission Form below as well as the Student’s Medical Summary andEmergency Contact Information Form (click here to download form) and return them to your child’shomeroom teacher no later than Monday, November 23. All medication must be carefully labeled,packed in a small zip-lock bag, and given to our school nurse, Beth Phillips in the Health Room byTuesday, December 1.We know your children are already getting excited about this trip and we, too, are looking forward tothis wonderful, educational journey. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at yourconvenience.Sincerely,Ellen Mischke, Ollie Moochler and Jonathan Oglesbee-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Return this portion only)Williamsburg Permission Form_________________________________ has permission to participate in the fifth grade Williamsburgtrip on December 2 and 3, 2009.__________________Date________________________________Signature of parent/guardian