World Language Department
Rose Tree Media School District
TO:
FROM:
Date:
RE:
RTM Board of School Directors
Tracy Jackson, District Coordinator, World Languages
April 1, 2008
Italy/Greece Trip Proposal: Latin I, II, III
Goal: To develop a short-term, historically and culturally authentic educational opportunity
appropriate for students at all levels of Latin study.
Rationale: “Hands-on” cultural and historical experience provides reinforcement and
motivation for language study. This trip offers an enrichment option to students who desire to
increase their understanding of Latin language and culture by visiting and studying the birthplace
of the Roman civilization.
Design: The program will be shaped in accordance with those guidelines that govern our ongoing French and Spanish trips to Canada, Costa Rica, Spain, and France as follows:
 Any Freshman, Sophomore or Junior student enrolled in Penncrest Latin I, II, or III in the
2008-2009 year is eligible to apply, and bi-annually thereafter. Seniors are not eligible
for this trip.
 All other criteria being equal, priority will be given to students who are furthest advanced
in their studies.
 Student participants must receive administrative approval. Any student of whom it is
believed that they might jeopardize the safety or integrity of the program will not be
invited to travel. The RTM solicitor will be consulted concerning criteria which
constitutes sufficient grounds for exclusion from the program.
 The chaperone of record will be the RTM Latin teacher. In the event that additional
chaperones are required, the former will choose other administratively approved
chaperones.
Implementation:
 The planned nine day itinerary will occur during the summer break.
 Penncrest Latin Teacher, Mr. Enoch Stevenson, will be coordinating the program.
 The trip will be organized through EF Educational Tours. The World Languages
Department has utilized this agency German immersion trip (2001).
 The trip will be promoted in Latin classes.
 Students will bear the full cost of the trip (currently $2,672) and all personal expenses.
 The trip may be canceled if it is undersubscribed (fewer than six (6) students).
 The trip will be scheduled bi-annually.
 The trip requires the approval of the RTM School Board.
Evaluation:
 Throughout the planning, implementation, and follow-up phases all aspects of the
program will be carefully monitored by the department coordinator, Mrs. Tracy Jackson.
 Student enrollment will serve as a key evaluative measure.
 All participants, parents, and chaperones will be asked to review the quality of the
experience.
 Students will be invited to share their historical and cultural experiences with other
students in their Latin classes.
 An evaluative summary will be prepared upon return.
Itinerary:
 Please see attached sample Itinerary from EF Educational Tours.
 Other companies considered (itinerary available upon request): ACIS ($3,800 10-day
two countries), Culture Quest ($3,200 9-day two countries)