Sunday, December 6, 2009
Excited about our upcoming trip!
I'm very excited about our Spring Break 2010 trip to the East Coast! If you are a student traveling on our trip, or a parent of a traveling student, you won't be hearing much from me until our final payments are all complete next month. At that point, we will know for sure all the students who are joining us on the trip, and we can begin getting our group together, assigning roommates, and all that fun stuff! In the meantime, should you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail Mr. Ippolito at rippolito@gmail.com or call/text 661-347-4990.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Only four spots left
Contact Mr. Ippolito immediately if you are interested. A wait list will begin once the trip fills. Deposit money is fully refundable for any wait-listed students who don't end up going on the trip.
Friday, August 21, 2009
East Coast Adventure 2010
This a great opportunity to find out more about this exciting opportunity. I currently have about 20 students traveling on this trip, which means I have room for about 25 more (45 maximum). At this meeting, I will give all interested families information about this year's trip, plus a packet of all the materials you will need to register for the trip.
If you aren't able to attend the meeting, I urge you to do a couple things:
1. Check out the link at the right. You can download the PowerPoint from the meeting that may answer many of your questions. If you have other questions, e-mail me at rippolito@gmail.com or call (661) 347-4990.
If you aren't able to attend the meeting, I urge you to do a couple things:
1. Check out the link at the right. You can download the PowerPoint from the meeting that may answer many of your questions. If you have other questions, e-mail me at rippolito@gmail.com or call (661) 347-4990.
2. Send your child to Room B-7 so I can meet your son or daughter and give him/her the packet of materials.
The past two years, my trip has filled completely by the end of September. I intentionally keep my numbers small so that students can have a more personal, meaningful traveling and learning experience. If you believe your son or daughter is ready, and has the maturity and responsibility to handle this trip, then you'll want to sign up before it's too late. Please call or e-mail if you have any questions!
RVI
Friday, April 10, 2009
Missed any shopping?
We were moving pretty quickly that last 36 hours, and although we spent PLENTY of time in the touristy souvenir shops, we skipped some historical gift shops at the end of our tour that I wish we had more time to explore, but they still offer a selection of items online. Here are three I would recommend:
Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/shop
http://www.loc.gov/shop
Ford's Theatre (enter the coupon code 6001209 and save 10% because we visited there)
http://www.fords.org
http://www.fords.org
National Archives (I was so bummed we had to skip this one!)
http://www.estore.archives.gov/
http://www.estore.archives.gov/
Of course, it's entirely possible that your child has already spent enough of your money as it is. If so, you can just delete and have a great day!
Cheers,
Mr. Ippolito
Mr. Ippolito
East Coast Adventure wrap-up
Thank you again to our East Coast Trip parents for being so supportive and helpful in making our trip safe, fun, educational, and memorable. Thank you to our chaperones: Mr. Martinez, Ms. Reinhold, Miss Bretthauer, and the lovely Mrs. Ippolito for all their help in keeping kids safe, for counting so many times (. . . 41, 42 . . . 43, OK we have them all!) and for reminding students that they are proudly representing their families and representing Rio Norte with their good manners and citizenship. I think our chaperones' greatest strength was that each was a role model and an example of good character for all our kids.
Thank you to our students. For as frustrating and annoying as some of the behaviors were in the first couple days of our trip, after a few conferences with students and a handful of e-mails and phone calls to parents, we all settled into "a groove" with each other and the last four days went great. I was especially proud of our students in Washington, DC. While other middle and high school students from other groups were chasing each other around monuments and memorials, smacking gum in cemeteries, and texting in museums, our students were polite, thankful, and respectful. We were praised by several adults along our travels for how well-mannered and polite we were.
Most impressive throughout the whole trip was that our students were so ON TIME. This promptness, the best I have seen out of all these East Coast trips I have done, meant that we were able to see more and do more than any other student group I have traveled with.
The Day 6 photos are now online, and I was able to capture a few videos from our trip as well. You can check out the videos here:
I will have over 1,000 photos from my camera and Mrs. Ippolito's camera burned to a disc and ready to give to your child by Tuesday, April 14 (if you come to visit me in my classroom on Monday, April 13, you can wish me a happy birthday, but I probably will not have your disc ready yet, so just give me one more day back in my classroom). Also available for pickup will be your child's student ID card. Hanna Kerby, I found your disposable camera. E-mail me, and we'll figure out a way to get that, and your photo disc, to you.
Anything I missed? If so, let me know. Thanks for a great trip!
Cheers,
Mr. Ippolito
Thursday, April 9, 2009
At the crest of Sepulveda Pass
Please make sure to keep the red curb clear for the bus. Thanks!
Sent from my iPhone
Headed home on the charter bus
We're on our way!! We made great time and should be at Rio about
11:50pm.
11:50pm.
Sent from my iPhone
Safe in SLC
Our flight to LA leaves at 9:20. If anything changes, I'll let you
know. Otherwise, expect to pick up around 1:00 a.m.
know. Otherwise, expect to pick up around 1:00 a.m.
Sent from my iPhone
Flight delayed to SLC
we should be OK.
On the road to the airport
just finished lunch. We are now off to the airport to come home!
As we have more flight info, I will pass it along to you via the blog.
Remember we have a plane change in Salt Lake, so I'll keep you posted
on that too.
See you at Rio late tonight at around 1:00 a.m.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
New photos are online
For Day 5. A fun, full day with the kiddos today. Enjoy the pics!! We're on our way back home tomorrow.
RVI
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Mr Ippolito is tired!
We have faced a few health challenges this evening! Nothing too serious, and all the appropriate parents have been notified. However, Mr. Ippolito is tired.
As such, I am currently preparing photos for posting, but they may be without captions tonight.
I also should mention that in the past 24 hours, our kids have--for the most part--been wonderful.
The docents at Mt. Vernon this morning commented on how pleasant our students were, and the server at Dobbin House last night mentioned that we were the BEST group she has had all season.
Thank you, parents, for helping us hold our students to such high standards of behavior. We want to represent our school and our community in the best way possible, and that all begins by being courteous, kind, and caring to each other, and the people we encounter during the trip.
RVI
National Museum of American History
Just left the National Cathedral (amazing photos you'll see tonight!!)
and we're now in American History. Just saw the big Lincoln exhibit,
and about to see the ruby slippers from Wizard of Oz, among other cool
Americana. After this, dinner at King Street Blues and then memorials
at night.
and we're now in American History. Just saw the big Lincoln exhibit,
and about to see the ruby slippers from Wizard of Oz, among other cool
Americana. After this, dinner at King Street Blues and then memorials
at night.
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, April 6, 2009
Photos for Day 3 are now online!
Enjoy, and have a good evening! We start bright and early tomorrow at George Washington's home of Mt. Vernon!
RVI
A rainy ride to Gettysburg
it's off to G'burg!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Thank you and goodnight
Thanks to all parents who responded to my call for help. It has been a good night, and with the exception of one girls' room (we've already spoken with them), our security guard has said that it's a quiet night.
I appreciate your support. We're looking forward to a great day tomorrow! The weather probably won't be as great as it was today (we're expecting cold and rainy tomorrow in PA), but we're ready.
Photos are now up for today. Enjoy!
RVI
I need your help
Parents,
--
Ron Ippolito
Rio Norte Junior High School
rippolito@gmail.com
We are having such a great time on our tour, and I think our students are having a great learning experience. However, one of things we seem to need a refresher course is being considerate while traveling. We have spoken with them quite a bit, but I think it would also help coming from you.
When you speak to your child tonight or tomorrow morning, please take a moment to talk to your child about consideration. In the hotel room, we are not the only guests there. Families with children, men and women on business, and other patrons share the hotel with us, and our students right now are way too loud with their doors, their footsteps, and their voices.
Also, our students are having a problem remembering to clean up after themselves. Whether it is in a restaurant, or on our coach, they need to remember that if they don't clean up after themselves, they are just creating an unnecessary job for someone else.
Thank you so much for your help in this matter. I believe that if we both send this strong message together, it will be that much more effective. Even if think, "Never MY child!" please send the message anyway, and encourage your child to be a role model to others.
Warm regards,
Ron Ippolito
--
Ron Ippolito
Rio Norte Junior High School
rippolito@gmail.com
Driving to Philly
the history of turnpikes when you talk to him/her this evening.
Levain Bakery
We're surprising kids with Levain Bakery cookies in Central Park.
Check out photos of me in the bakery at www.levainbakery.com
Check out photos of me in the bakery at www.levainbakery.com
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Updated flight number
Our itinerary says Delta flight 614, but our flight number is really
flight 714. Right now scheduled for on time departure.
flight 714. Right now scheduled for on time departure.
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, April 2, 2009
East Coast Trip - Last e-mail before we travel!
This time tomorrow, we should be checking in at the Delta gate, ready for our big adventure. I'll make this last message short.
Wear your blue USA shirt tomorrow. If you forget it, I have extras. We all wear the same shirt because for the first 18 hours of the tour, we're all still getting to know each other. It helps everyone if we all look alike. You'll be able to shower and change before Broadway. Yes, of course, wear your jacket over it when we're out in the cold, but your blue shirt should still be underneath.
Do a final packing check. Batteries and chargers are the most frequently forgotten-at-home accessories on this trip. Go through your whole packing list and check and double check.
Transition to the blog - I will no longer be sending out these broadcast e-mails to you. Instead, I will be posting regular updates on the blog. These updates will include a collection of photos each evening. Check from work, check from home, my goal is to post a trip update every 4-6 hours. Again, that address is http://trippolito.blogspot.com
I'm ready. I'm packed. I'm excited. Hope you are too!
RVI
East Coast Trip - The second-to-last e-mail
OK, here are just some few last-minute things I've been thinking of:
Attendance on Friday - I think it's important to be at school Friday. First of all, I don't think the school would let me continue my trip if tons of kids kept turning up absent. Second, Hey, I'm going to school! And third, I don't think it's a good idea to stay at home and sleep/lounge all day. You WANT to be tired by Friday night. You want to get some sleep on the plane. Taking a three-hour nap in the middle of the afternoon will just throw your sleep pattern off even more, I think. Stay healthy, eat well, get a good night's sleep Thursday night, but don't spend all Friday napping.
To reward those who come to school Friday - I am going to hold a drawing. You must come see me in person sometime on Friday (brunch or lunch) to enter yourself into the drawing. The winning student will receive an "I HEART NY" t-shirt when we arrive on Saturday. Hanna and Lucas, since you don't attend Rio Norte, I'm going to assume you are going to your respective school on Friday and enter your name into the drawing. I'll announce the winner when we're on the coach heading down to LAX.
Weather reminder - If you've been checking the weather, it looks like it's going to be in the 30s, 40s, and 50s, with a bit of rain here and there. Be prepared!
Luggage captains - I have had one strong student (thank you, Lucas) volunteer to be a luggage captain. Marc, I've heard a rumor you're interested, too. If anyone else is interested, come see me.
Name badge preference - If you have a preferred nickname that you'd like on your name badge other than the name that is officially on my roster, let me know. If it doesn't matter whether you are "Katrina" or "Katie," "Christopher" or "Chris," then don't worry about it.
I said "second-to-last" e-mail because I imagine there will be one final one later Thursday afternoon/evening. See you in about 40 hours!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Luggage tag instructions and examples
This is a sample of what your luggage tags should look like. The luggage tag on your CHECKED bag (the one that you hand it at check-in) should be the one with the Sheraton Manhattan address. The luggage tag you put on your CARRY-ON bag (your backpack) should be the one with either the Rio Norte school address, or your personal home address. You will swap tags at the end of our trip (I will give a reminder on this on our final night in DC).
The phone number and e-mail address you put on the tag can either be Mr. Ippolito's OR the phone/e-mail you as a parent would like to be contacted at when your bag is found (should it ever get lost or misplaced by your child or by the airline).
One final tip: I used an Ultra Fine Point Sharpie to fill out my tags to make them extra smudge- and fade-resistant.
(click on the image to enlarge)
East Coast Trip - Final weekend before the trip!
As promised, here is the information I said I would give you this weekend:
Chaperone groups - As I mentioned to you in my last e-mail, Ms. Jenny Bretthauer is now joining us on the tour. All students who were in Ms. Sternberg's chaperone group will now be in Ms. Bretthauer's group. If you still don't know who your chaperone is, come see me any time this week in my classroom.
Medication - As I mentioned at the predeparture meeting, if you have meds you will give them to us Friday evening before we board the coach. To keep things simple, let's have BOYS' parents give meds to MR. IPPOLITO and have GIRLS' parents give meds to MRS. IPPOLITO. Place meds in a quart-size bag clearly labeled on the outside with your child's name. Inside the bag, please include a signed letter or note authorizing us to administer how many of the meds and how often (once daily, twice daily, as needed, in case of allergic reaction, etc). If it's a medication your child will keep with them (eyedrops, topical cream, or life-saving meds such as an epi-pen), please let me know--if you haven't already indicated it on the emergency medical form. If you have any questions, ask me.
Interactive itinerary - Kudos to Mrs. Ippolito for tracking down web links for every place on our itinerary. She rocks! You can access the interactive itinerary (with some of my added sparkling commentary, of course) to learn more about the places we'll visit by logging on to the blog and clicking on NEW! - INTERACTIVE ITINERARY! under HELPFUL LINKS on the right-hand side of the blog, at http://trippolito.blogspot.com
Luggage tags - If you'd like instructions and a helpful sample, I scanned my luggage tags so you can see what they should look like. Check out the link on the blog at http://trippolito.blogspot.com
Health coverage - I know this got a little confusing at the predeparture meeting, so let me clarify: if your child gets sick or injured on the trip, you as the parent will be notified immediately. If medical treatment is required, we will use your family's health insurance first (as indicated on your Emergency Medical Release form). Whatever co-payments or additional costs above and beyond your health coverage will be paid for by our tour company thanks to the 24-hour accident and health coverage included in the cost of your tour. Your child is 100% covered.
Parking - Again, please park in one of the designated parking spaces in the front of the school. Do NOT park in the red zone, as this is where our coach will be coming in.
Starting right after my wife's scrapbook night tomorrow evening, I'm going to clear off one of our cropping tables and convert it to my packing table. Using my packing list, I will start laying out all the clothing, accessories, and everything else I need to pack, checking items off as I place them on the table. By starting the packing process tomorrow evening, and doing a little each day, I'm hoping to make for a calm Friday afternoon. Finally, if you have been watching the weather as I have, you'll know we're going to run into at least a little rain while we're back there. Please be prepared.
Did I miss anything? If so, give me a holler. Otherwise, I'll see you Friday. What time do you arrive? No later than . . . 6:45! I plan for the coach to roll at 7:00 p.m.
RVI
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Thank you and money advice
Thank you so much for coming to this evening's meeting. A special thank you to all who helped with setup and clean-up. By this weekend, I will send out the following to you:
- Final chaperone group assignments
- Who do I give my meds to?
- Links to find out more information on some of the places we're visiting
Do you have advice to offer families about what to do with spending/souvenir money? If so, please post a comment to my blog entry here:
Thanks again!
RVI
Advice for giving your child "spending money"
Hey parents!
Do you have advice for other parents on giving your child spending/souvenir money on the East Coast Trip? Pre-paid debit card? Cash? ATM/debit card? Daily envelopes with pre-sorted cash? Every family is different, so I'm sure there are lots of great ideas out there! Please post a comment to this blog post to share your thoughts with other parents. Thanks!
RVI
Monday, March 23, 2009
Quick reminder
I just wanted to send out one final reminder that we have our big predeparture meeting tomorrow evening, Tuesday, March 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Rio Norte library.
See you tomorrow! Our flight leaves in 11 days . . . :-)
RVI
Friday, March 20, 2009
East Coast Trip - Predeparture meeting
Two weeks from tonight, we leave on what could be the greatest adventure of your child's junior high school career: our East Coast Adventure! This coming Tuesday, March 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Rio Norte library, we will have our final gathering before the big trip: the predeparture meeting.
Here's a reminder of what you need to bring:
- Your yellow Emergency Medical Release form, completely filled out and signed
- The child traveling on the trip along with at least ONE parent or guardian
- Your Rio Norte photo ID card
- $10 cash for gratuity/thank you for tour guide ($5) and coach driver ($5). As I've mentioned before, I politely request this.
This meeting is exciting because it gives you the chance to meet the families of the other students going, to meet me (the man behind all the long e-mails), to see the final itinerary (where we're going and what we're doing), and to get some important final tips and instructions.
As always, don't hesitate to call or e-mail me if you have any questions. Or, save your questions, and you can ask me in person on Tuesday. Have a great weekend!
RVI
Monday, March 16, 2009
East Coast Trip - T-shirt size, please!
I know it's late Monday evening, but if you get this message in the next 36 hours, could you let me know your child's t-shirt size (adults traveling, may I get your shirt size, too)? I will send out a notice to your child in homeroom Wednesday if I haven't heard from you. I need to e-mail sizes to our tour company by lunch on Wednesday so they can ship our t-shirts to us in time for next Tuesday's predeparture meeting.
T-shirts are standard adult tees, so in your e-mail please indicate your child's name and either small, medium, large, XL, or XXL. If your child isn't sure, I have a couple sample shirts in my classroom he/she can take into the restroom and try on. These are the shirts we will all wear the evening we depart.
Thanks so much!
Mr. Ippolito
Ron Ippolito
Rio Norte Junior High School
rippolito@gmail.com
East Coast Trip - Airport security
If you travel regularly, you know that getting through airport security takes time. Combine this with getting 49 students and adults all through all together, and it becomes a challenge. However, with some advanced planning and smart decisions, we can all get through quickly and easily. Here are some tips for our travelers:
Photo ID – I will require all students to turn in their Rio Norte student ID at the predeparture meeting on 3/24. Sometimes the airport checks IDs on our kids, and other times they don't, but I don't want to take any chances. If you will need your ID to use a debit or credit card, just let me know and I will give it to your during the trip. Just keep it safe and prepare to give it back to me for the flight home. All adults will definitely need government-issued photo ID, and I will not carry it for you (to Mrs. Ippolito: OK, honey, I'll carry your ID for you).
Reduce your metal – Try to wear as little metal as possible on the night we fly out. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and even clothing with metal accessories attached to them always have the potential to set off the system (metal-rimmed eyeglasses are OK). Boys, if you're into those big skater belt buckles (they were really popular a couple years ago), leave them at home. Finally, any other objects (watch, camera, cell phone, iPod, coins) that could activate the metal detector should be placed in your carry-on bag. Do this in advance so you're not scrambling at the last minute. The only things that should be on your person, in your hand, or in your pockets as you walk through security should be your boarding pass. You MUST have this with you when you walk through security.
Smart shoes – The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) will require you to take off your shoes and place them in a bin to be scanned. Make sure to wear shoes that are easy to take off and put on (no double or triple knots in your laces), but keep in mind these will also be the same shoes you will wear throughout much of our first day in New York City (sandals would be bad). Comfy shoes like UGGs might be a great choice, for example.
Sweatshirts, jackets, and hoodies – If your outer layer is one that can be easily shed (zip-up hoodie or jacket), be prepared. TSA will probably ask you to remove it, place it in a bin, and run it through the scanner. If it's a pull-over sweater or sweatshirt, they generally will let you leave it on.
Quart-size bags – If you're toting tons of electronics with you (iPod, iPod charger, travel alarm clock, cell phone, cell phone charger, headphones) all in your carry-on, it may look like you're carrying some sort of explosive triggering device. Make your life and the life of your TSA screener easier by grouping these items into quart-size storage bags. I'm partial to the quart-size freezer bags from Target because they're a little sturdier, but still a good price. If the TSA screener has to open your bag and go through your stuff, it will be easy for him to see you have nothing suspicious. Plus, it will be easier for you to find your stuff later without cords getting all tangled up.
Avoid liquids – In the TSA 3-1-1 guide you received in the mail from USA, it talks about the rule for bringing liquids in your carry-on. As I mentioned in my last e-mail, I'm not bringing ANY liquids in my carry-on luggage. All my hair gel, toothpaste, shampoo, acne cream (OK, well I don't use this any more, but you might), goes into my toiletry bag in my checked luggage. Why do you need hair gel at 30,000 feet? These guidelines are mostly geared to overnight travelers who pack everything into their carry-on, and that's not us. Ooh, and I have one more tip for you. You know you can't bring bottled water through airport security, right? But, Mr. Ippolito has been bugging you (and will continue to bug you) about staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water, right? Try this: pack an EMPTY water bottle in your carry-on bag. Once we get through security and we're just hanging out in the terminal waiting to board the plane, go fill up your bottle at the drinking fountain.
Finally, there are tons of other prohibited items that I'm not going into, but most of these are common sense. Here's a good rule: if it's not allowed at school, it's probably not allowed on a plane. OK, that's it for this week's e-mail. In my next e-mail, I will remind you of everything you need to bring to the predeparture meeting on 3/24. Take-off is just over two weeks away! Woo-hoo!
RVI
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
East Coast Trip - Important information just received in US Mail
Over the weekend, you should have received an envelope from USA Educational Adventures. There is important information in here, so make sure you open it as soon as possible, read over everything, and share it with your child. There is also some generic information that does not apply to our group specifically. Here is some detail to help sort things out:
Emergency Medical Release – You MUST bring this form—completely filled out and signed—to the predeparture meeting on March 24.
Airport Check In – This is somewhat misleading, as you will not actually be taking your child to the airport. You WILL need to worry about getting your child to Rio Norte on time on Friday, April 3 (exact time to be announced at the predeparture meeting). From there, a coach will take us all to LAX.
Swimming?? – Not for us. If we lived in Minnesota and the prospect of going swimming was a rare treat, we would take time out of our itinerary to do some swimming at the hotel. However, we live in Southern California, where you have a pool, know a friend who has a pool, or have easy access to a neighborhood or community pool. I actually did try allowing a little swim time our first year, and after watching the terror in the eyes of the vacationing mother with her two young children as twenty teenagers swarmed the pool area, I decided that it's better just to fill the itinerary with more things that we CAN'T see or do back at home.
TSA 3-1-1 Guide – For a six-day trip, I pack my toothpaste and hair gel in my checked luggage, not in carry-on. If you do have the need to pack liquids in your carry-on, please make sure they conform to the 3-1-1 rules. Please read this TSA guide, and we will go into greater detail on getting through airport security smoothly in our next e-mail!
If you have any questions about any of the materials you received, please feel free to e-mail me at rippolito@gmail.com or call me.
RVI
East Coast Trip - Staying healthy
Did you miss your Friday evening East Coast Trip e-mail? Sorry for the delay, but I was away at a conference and didn't return until Saturday evening. I'm finally catching up and am now ready to give you some thoughts on good health . . .
Our East Coast Trip will be fun and exciting, but it can be a challenge to stay healthy. Inevitably, heads will ache, tummies will hurt, and eyelids will droop as the trip begins to take its toll on the teenage bodies embarking on this trip (and perhaps on some adult bodies as well). Here are my suggestions for staying healthy:
SLEEP
- Get plenty of sleep the week leading up to Spring Break. The last thing we want to experience is fatigue and exhaustion before the trip even begins! If you are well-rested, it will help to counteract the less-than-perfect sleep you may experience when we're on the red-eye flight out to New York on Friday night/early Saturday morning.
- Freaked out by your sleeping quarters? Get over it. Girls generally don't have this problem, but boys often get a little freaked out at the prospect of sharing a bed with another guy. If it makes you feel better, this was a very common occurrence for young men who were roommates in the 1800s (it may help you feel more connected to the history we'll be exploring—even Abraham Lincoln shared a bed with his law partner, William Herndon). By trying silly things like sleeping on the floor, in a chair, or in the bathtub (boys actually do this!), you may feel slightly less weirded-out, but you won't nearly get the same quality of sleep.
EAT HEALTHY, DRINK HEALTHY
- Drink lots of water. Some kids start to get headaches around Day 2 or 3 of the trip, and often this can be attributed to dehydration. Unless your child is an athlete in training, the East Coast Trip often has far more physical activity (with all the walking) than your child is used to in an average day. Caffeine and artificial sweeteners both act as diuretics, drawing fluids out of the body faster than necessary. Instead of turning to Dr. Pepper or Diet Coke, encourage your child to drink water both at meals and in-between them. If you really need something sweet to drink, consider lemonade, Sprite, fruit juice or some other non-caffeinated beverage. If you really must have a Coke or Pepsi with dinner, match it with an equal amount of water.
- Eat healthy meals. "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." In that same spirit, we offer your child a variety of healthy eating options at each meal, but it's up to your son or daughter to make those good choices. Day 2 or 3 of the trip is also the day that the stomachaches begin. While it's not the most fun topic to talk about, constipation often is the cause. I encourage students to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to "keep things moving." Finally, don't blow your souvenir budget on candy and other unhealthy snacks; instead, it may be a good idea to pack granola bars, trail mix, dried fruit, or other healthy treats in your luggage.
MEDICATION
The only meds that kids should carry with them are life-saving meds (asthma inhaler, epi-pen, etc). All other medications (prescription or over-the-counter) should be handed to Mr. Ippolito, along with any written instructions, right before we board the coach to drive down to LAX. If your child is taking meds on a regular schedule, we ask that students take the responsibility to come to us. We will do our best to keep track of who's taking what, but it really helps if your child (who is just weeks away from being a high schooler) minds his or her own schedule.
If you have any questions about medication, please contact Mr. Ippolito well in advance of our departure. And of course, please indicate any medication or food allergies on your medical permission form. Thanks for your help, and I will look forward to e-mailing you again soon!
RVI
Monday, March 2, 2009
Camera suggestion
Mrs. Countryman gave a great suggestion if you're looking for a camera. Circuit City is having a going-out-of-business sale, and has some great deals on digital cameras. If they haven't already closed their doors, it might be a great place for a bargain!
As with any going-out-of-business situation, make sure you ask about warranty information before making a purchase. Because they're going out of business, my guess is they have an "all sales final" policy. If something does go wrong with the camera, the only recourse you may have is to send it back to the manufacturer.
Happy bargain-hunting!
RVI
As with any going-out-of-business situation, make sure you ask about warranty information before making a purchase. Because they're going out of business, my guess is they have an "all sales final" policy. If something does go wrong with the camera, the only recourse you may have is to send it back to the manufacturer.
Happy bargain-hunting!
RVI
Friday, February 27, 2009
Cameras, cell phones, and iPods, oh my!
Kids these days are surrounded by technology, and it seems like teenagers and gadgets are inseparable. This can be good, especially when it comes to taking lots of photos of our big East Coast adventure. This can also be a challenge, as I do place several restrictions on the use of certain types of technology. These restrictions are put in place primarily for the safety of your child, but also so we can be polite and respectful of the people and places we visit.
Cameras – Since we began doing our trip in 2006, USA Educational Adventures has been suggesting that students bring disposable cameras. I love our tour company, but I would disagree. If it were my child going on this trip (she'll be in eighth grade in eleven short years), I would definitely go digital. I would not give her our $600 digital SLR camera, but I would certainly give her our digital point-and-shoot (around $225).
But that's me, and every family is different. When thinking about what camera to send along with your child, you must consider your budget, your child's ability to keep track of and take care of a camera, and how much of a picture-taker your child is. You may feel a bit bamboozled if your child begs for an $800 camera only to find they come home with 20 photos. If you're still unsure, check out my camera comparison chart here: http://www.rionorteyearbook.com/eastcoast/cameras.pdf. Finally, students will not be able to use the camera feature on their cell phones. Here's why . . .
Cell phones – As we see in the world around us, cell phones are a distraction. For teenagers, cell phones can be even more of a distraction. On top of that, these teenagers will be with friends, during spring break, in a strange new place away from home. I can't have us walking through Times Square on a Saturday night with a million (literally) people all around us with your child text messaging their friends back home as we cross 42nd Street and –slam!—they become a hood ornament on a taxi cab. That's the most important reason for restricting cell phone use on our trip: the safety of your child. The other big reason is just simple courtesy. We are visiting our nation's most honored places: Independence Hall, Arlington National Cemetery, Ford's Theater, Gettysburg National Cemetery. It's just not right to be chatting on the phone with your friends as we pass by the final resting place of our country's heroes. Here's the bottom line: if your child wanted to spend all of spring break texting or chatting with their friends, you could have saved a lot of money and just had sitting on the couch at home.
For all these reasons, we restrict cell phone use. Cell phones may only be used (1) in the mornings or evenings while we are in our hotel, or (2) while we are "in transit" from one major city to the next. The rest of the time, students are to keep their cell phones silent and put away. If we find your child using his or her cell phone, I will take it away and keep it for the duration of the trip. The only permitted use at that point would be to call home once each evening, and your child would do so in the presence of a chaperone. No fun! Finally, please make sure your child has a wristwatch, as the cell phone may not be used as a time-keeping device.
iPods and other devices – You child may bring an iPod or other MP3 player. The rules for iPod use are the same as those for cell phone use: only in the hotel or "in transit." We cannot be responsible for any lost electronic devices, so please allow your child to bring only what you trust they will take care of. Laptop computers (I actually had one child ask me if she could bring hers last year!) are not allowed.
This e-mail had lots of information in it, so please feel free to e-mail if you have any questions. Next weekend's topic: medication and staying healthy. Have a great weekend!
Cheers,
Mr. Ippolito
Monday, February 23, 2009
Lunch meeting reminder
Hey East Coast trip family,
- Packing suggestions and answering common packing questions
- How to make sure you sit with your friends on the airplane and on our motor coach
- Which chaperone group you will be assigned to on the trip
- How to make sure you sit with your friends on the airplane and on our motor coach
- Which chaperone group you will be assigned to on the trip
See you tomorrow!
Friday, February 20, 2009
East Coast Trip - Our trip blog and lunch meeting for students this coming Tuesday
We now have a blog dedicated to your East Coast Trip with Mr. Ippolito. You can find it at:
http://trippolito.blogspot.com Get it? Trip . . . with Ippolito . . . TRIPPOLITO!
Included on the blog you will find:
- an archive of every e-mail message I've sent out to my East Coast Trip families
- a suggested packing list
- the most current flight information as provided by USA Educational Adventures
- links to each day's photos
I would like to have one more student meeting on Tuesday, February 24, at lunch in my classroom. You bring your lunch, and again I will provide dessert. Some of the topics we will discuss at our meeting will be:
- packing suggestions and answering common packing questions
- how to make sure you sit with your friends on the airplane and on our motor coach
- which chaperone group you will be assigned to on the trip
Please feel free to email me at rippolito@gmail.com if you can think of other helpful content to add to the blog, or if you have any questions. If you are a student, I look forward to seeing you Tuesday at lunch. If you are a parent, I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, March 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Rio Norte library for our predeparture meeting.
RVI
Friday, February 13, 2009
East Coast Trip - Show me the money!
Parents of students going on the East Coast trip always ask, "How much money does my child need to bring with them on the trip?" The short answer, technically, is "none." Your child won't like me telling you that, but all necessities are covered on the trip. All meals are paid for, drinking fountains are fairly common in most of the places we're going, all admissions to all museums, events, and attractions are included, so your child doesn't need to bring any money. Technically.
OK, seriously now. Your child is probably going to want a bottle of water here and there, perhaps an ice cream cone, or a bag of sweets. So he or she may want a little extra spending money for snacks and beverages beyond mealtimes (about $3-$5 per day).
Then there are souvenirs. I've seen kids buy a couple small tchotchkes for family, and spend little more than $15 on souvenirs for the whole trip. For other kids, if shopping were an Olympic sport, they could medal several times over. One year I even had parents ask if they could wire transfer their child more money since she had already blown through the $300 they originally gave her! Are you kidding me? (By the way, we don't do wire transfers).
You know your child and his/her shopping habits best. Clothing is usually the most expensive item kids buy on this trip, and one sweatshirt in one "I LOVE NY" gift shop can go for $40-50, easy. Overall, average souvenir purchases are about $10-$20 per day.
Finally, as I mentioned in the parent information meeting (and in the online PowerPoint for those who couldn't make the meeting), I do respectfully request a little tip money ($15 total) in advance from each student: $5 for our coach driver, $5 for our tour guide, and $1 per night ($5 total) for housekeeping. Naturally, tipping is optional, but in our country is customary and a nice courtesy, especially for a job well done. All other tips are included in the cost of the tour.
On a related note, parents also ask: "Pre-paid debit card or cash?" There are advantages to both: a pre-paid card can be cancelled and its balance frozen if the card is lost, making it more secure. The downside: even now, not every place takes plastic, and not every place honors every type (Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted). Cash is accepted everywhere, but once lost is almost certainly gone for good. Talk to your child and find out what you think will work best. We'll talk more about this at the pre-departure meeting (March 24, 7:00pm, Rio Norte library). One thing I know for sure: travelers' checks are a thing of the past. Many vendors don't accept them anymore (or the cashiers don't know how to process them). Don't even bother with travelers' checks.
OK, seriously now. Your child is probably going to want a bottle of water here and there, perhaps an ice cream cone, or a bag of sweets. So he or she may want a little extra spending money for snacks and beverages beyond mealtimes (about $3-$5 per day).
Then there are souvenirs. I've seen kids buy a couple small tchotchkes for family, and spend little more than $15 on souvenirs for the whole trip. For other kids, if shopping were an Olympic sport, they could medal several times over. One year I even had parents ask if they could wire transfer their child more money since she had already blown through the $300 they originally gave her! Are you kidding me? (By the way, we don't do wire transfers).
You know your child and his/her shopping habits best. Clothing is usually the most expensive item kids buy on this trip, and one sweatshirt in one "I LOVE NY" gift shop can go for $40-50, easy. Overall, average souvenir purchases are about $10-$20 per day.
Finally, as I mentioned in the parent information meeting (and in the online PowerPoint for those who couldn't make the meeting), I do respectfully request a little tip money ($15 total) in advance from each student: $5 for our coach driver, $5 for our tour guide, and $1 per night ($5 total) for housekeeping. Naturally, tipping is optional, but in our country is customary and a nice courtesy, especially for a job well done. All other tips are included in the cost of the tour.
On a related note, parents also ask: "Pre-paid debit card or cash?" There are advantages to both: a pre-paid card can be cancelled and its balance frozen if the card is lost, making it more secure. The downside: even now, not every place takes plastic, and not every place honors every type (Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted). Cash is accepted everywhere, but once lost is almost certainly gone for good. Talk to your child and find out what you think will work best. We'll talk more about this at the pre-departure meeting (March 24, 7:00pm, Rio Norte library). One thing I know for sure: travelers' checks are a thing of the past. Many vendors don't accept them anymore (or the cashiers don't know how to process them). Don't even bother with travelers' checks.
RVI
Monday, February 2, 2009
East Coast Trip - tentative flight itinerary
We have all been waiting to find out when we're flying out, and I just received the word today from USA Educational Adventures. We are scheduled to depart Los Angeles on Friday, April 3, and return home on Thursday, April 9. Here's our schedule at this time:
3-Apr LAX/JFK 1055P 716A
9-Apr IAD/SLC 419P 650P
9-Apr SLC/LAX 855P 1006P
All flights are on Delta Airlines. Of course, flight information is subject to change, but we should have everything set by our pre-departure meeting on March 24. As more information comes in, and if there are any major changes to these flight times, I will keep you posted.
3-Apr LAX/JFK 1055P 716A
9-Apr IAD/SLC 419P 650P
9-Apr SLC/LAX 855P 1006P
All flights are on Delta Airlines. Of course, flight information is subject to change, but we should have everything set by our pre-departure meeting on March 24. As more information comes in, and if there are any major changes to these flight times, I will keep you posted.
RVI
Saturday, January 31, 2009
East Coast Trip - Get ready to walk!
Our East Coast Trip is now 62 days away and now is a good time to get out and stretch those legs. We walk about four to six miles each day in this trip--through museums, up and down the National Mall in DC, along the battlefields of Gettysburg, and through the big-city streets of Philadelphia and New York City. Even the most physically-active students can get worn out by the amount of walking in our trip.
I encourage all our East Coast Trip families to take advantage of our beautiful weather to take a family walk two or three days a week. If you really feel the need to get a special new pair of shoes for the trip, get them now and start breaking them in. On every trip I've done, there's always one student asking for band-aids to patch up blistered heels from a new pair of shoes. Don't let it be you!
While on the subject of footwear, we will have one special dress-up night in New York City when we see our Broadway show. Again, consider a nice, but sensible pair of shoes for this evening. If you wear cute little strappy high-heels, it's likely your feet will be both cold and in pain by the time the evening is over. In the next few days, look for me to send out a more comprehensive list of what to pack. In the meantime, get out there and start walking!
Mr. Ippolito
rippolito@gmail.com
I encourage all our East Coast Trip families to take advantage of our beautiful weather to take a family walk two or three days a week. If you really feel the need to get a special new pair of shoes for the trip, get them now and start breaking them in. On every trip I've done, there's always one student asking for band-aids to patch up blistered heels from a new pair of shoes. Don't let it be you!
While on the subject of footwear, we will have one special dress-up night in New York City when we see our Broadway show. Again, consider a nice, but sensible pair of shoes for this evening. If you wear cute little strappy high-heels, it's likely your feet will be both cold and in pain by the time the evening is over. In the next few days, look for me to send out a more comprehensive list of what to pack. In the meantime, get out there and start walking!
Mr. Ippolito
rippolito@gmail.com
Sunday, January 25, 2009
East Coast Trip - Assigning roommates
In just over 10 weeks, we will depart for our big adventure to
I need to let you know about two important dates:
Tuesday, January 27, lunch, my classroom (B-7) –ROOMMATE meeting
This is what so many students have been waiting for! Bring your lunch, and meet everyone who is going on the trip. We have 32 girls going on the trip (exactly eight rooms of four) and 11 boys (two rooms of four, one room of three). We will start with an icebreaker to get to know everyone, and then we’ll get down to the business of choosing roommates. You bring your lunch; I’ll provide dessert.
Tuesday, March 24, 7:00pm, Rio Norte Library – Pre-departure meeting
Organized by USA Educational Adventures, this meeting will go over the specifics of the trip. We finally get to see our exact itinerary, hotel and flight information, and all that good stuff. Now that we know for sure everyone who is going on the trip, our tour company is working hard right now to get us the very best flights and hotels possible.
Here is my very IMPORTANT request right now: please e-mail me back just to simply say, “Yes, you have the right e-mail address, Mr. Ippolito.” I will be using e-mail quite a bit from this point on, not only to share important trip information with you, but also to share photos and trip updates with parents while we’re back East. It’s very important that I have an e-mail address that your family checks regularly. Also, please let me know if you like to add an additional e-mail address (other parent, child going on trip) to get all this information as well.
This is a big trip, and you are placing your child into my care for a week. Please feel free to e-mail me at rippolito@gmail.com (this is the e-mail address I check wherever I go) or call me on my direct line (provided in the e-mail I sent you) if you ever have any questions about the trip.
RVI
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