New York Trip Information
Dates: 5 day trip April 24-28, 2013 (Wednesday-Sunday)
Cost: $500-$550 per student/chaperone. This amount may be less but will not go over $550.
Hotels in NYC run around $300 per night. This is an excellent price for a 5 day trip to NYC! This price will include “some” meals. The bus alone will cost $5500 and is not included in the $500-$550 price. We have $2500 in our fundraising account and have plans to raise the rest of the money through school fundraisers to pay for the bus. The cost of the trip may be altered if tickets cannot be purchased for certain events or if prices change. The cost will not go beyond $550.
Projected fundraisers: Hope to raise:
Gate sponsored dance……………………………………….…….$500
Rose sale…………………………………………………………………..$800
Spring fundraising activity………………………………………….TBD
Fundraising
I need everyone’s help to earn money to pay for the bus. When we have activities such as the dance, rose sale, and any other fundraising activity, I will need students and parents to donate drinks/baked goods, offer to help wrap roses, and volunteer their time. There will be a candle sale for students who wish to raise money for their individual trip. Information will be sent home soon. This sale will begin in
November.
Chaperones: After students have had the opportunity to sign up for the trip, we will be taking requests for chaperones. Chaperones will be chosen based upon their ability to effectively monitor and lead a small group of students throughout New York and on the subways. Since we can not travel as a mass group in NYC, it is very important that all chaperones, who are in charge of a group be able to maneuver in a large city. . All chaperones will be required to have a criminal background check done before the trip. In order to keep the cost of the trip down, we have to pack the rooms. This means four people to a room or five people to a junior suite- style room. I can not always honor room request due to packing the rooms so please consider this before you sign up for the trip.
Trip Rules: Students will be under the supervision of a chaperone at all times. All Washington County school rules are strictly enforced. There will be a trip meeting before we leave to discuss rules/behavior.
Payments: Payments are expected to be made on time. I have already made reservations for the
Broadway plays, hotel, and bus. These businesses are already billing me for full amounts and down deposits. Once you submit payment, there are no refunds issued since the money will already have
been spent. First payment of $150 per person is due now. Please pay no later than September 28. If you are excessively late with payments, your spot may be given to another person if there is a waiting list.

Places we will view/ visit in NYC:
Comprehensive Tour of NYC: We will have a guided tour of the following places in NYC. Some of these will be viewing only while others will include visiting.

Soho, Tribeca, Chinatown/Little Italy, Wall Street, South Street Seaport, Battery Park, Ground
Zero, Brooklyn Bridge, 5 th Avenue, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Times Square,
Empire State Building, Macy’s, Madison Square Garden, Flat Iron Building, Greenwich Village,
Central Park, Dakota Apartments, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Grant’s Tomb, Apollo
Theater, Harlem Market, The Museum Mile, Guggenheim, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Broadway:

Broadway production of Wicked

Broadway production of Matilsa, Newsies or Lion King (based upon availability/price)
Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island

Students will ride the ferry to Liberty Island where they will have close up views of the Statue of
Liberty. Due to the size of our group, we may not be able to get tickets for the whole group to go up inside the statue. You will be at the base of the statue on Liberty Island. Students will also get to go to Ellis Island and view the immigrant wall and book.
Empire State Building

Students will be able to go to the 86 th floor of the Empire State Building. Tickets will be purchased in advance for each student/chaperone to avoid the 3 hour waiting line.
September 11 Memorial
Bodies Museum

Students will have the awesome experience of going to the BODIES museum. There are only 3 of these museums in the USA. Students will have to have permission slips signed for permission to tour this museum. Excellent for those thinking about the medical field. While at the Bodies museum, students will have the opportunity to have a close up view of the Brooklyn Bridge.
China Town/Little Italy

Students will have the opportunity to experience a different culture by visiting China Town and
Little Italy.
Today Show

Keep this form to remind you when payments are due.
Trip Dates: April 24-28, 2013
Payment Schedule:
September 28, 2012-Trip deposit of $150 per student/chaperone
October 31, 2012-Second payment of $100
November 30, 2012-Third payment of $100 (this payment can be made using funds from the candle sale if your child sells candles)
December-no payment due
January 31-$100 due
February 28, 2013-Last payment of $100 due (If the trip amount is less than $550, there will be a statement sent home.
Payments made be made anytime before the due date but must be on time. Checks should be made payable to Damascus Middle School and should be placed in Mrs. Mossholder’s mailbox in the office.
Parents may choose to pay more each month if desired or pay off the trip with one check. The payments listed above are the minimum that must be made in order for me to pay the bills. If you have a question about your account, please see Mrs. Jane Martin in the DMS office.

Return this form to Mrs. Mossholder
Parent ___________________________________
Student__________________________________
Parent email______________________________
Fundraisers: Please check any you would be willing to help with. Thank you!
School Fundraiser: Valentine’s Dance-February, 2013
_____I will provide a 24 pack of soft drinks (Pepsi, Sprite, Mountain Dew, Diet Pepsi)
_____I volunteer to provide a baked item.
_____I volunteer to help monitor the dance (1:00-3:00)
Trip Decisions:
____My child will attend the NYC trip. Please save them a seat. I will make the first trip deposit by
September 30, 2012
___I would like to attend the trip and serve in the chaperone capacity.
___My child will not attend the NYC trip.
For those going on the trip:
I agree to make the payments on time. I understand that there are deadlines for ticket purchases. I understand that if I change my mind about the trip, there will be no refunds unless there is someone willing to take my place on the trip.
_______________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian