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

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:

http://trippolito.blogspot.com/2009/03/advice-for-giving-your-child-spending.html

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

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

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

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

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

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