East Coast Trip - Follow-up to today's meeting

We had a GREAT first meeting today, and I'm so excited to be working with such an enthusiastic, eager, and polite group of eighth graders. Today we . . .

• Did a fun icebreaker activity to get to know each other better
• Handed out the Student Agreement (must be signed and returned at the next meeting; extra copy can be downloaded HERE)
• Talked about the importance of communication. I set every student up with Twitter Fast Follow (it's free and does not require a Twitter account; standard text message rates apply) to receive my updates. I also gave every student my Google Voice phone number--(661) 347-4990. Students and parents can call or text with questions anytime between now and the trip.
• Assigned roommates

Here are the questions students asked me today:

Q: When do we leave and return?

A: We leave on Friday night, March 30, and return Thursday, April 5.

Q: How is the seating on the airplane?

A: The airlines generally assign seats to groups alphabetically. If everyone cooperates and we have the time, however, I have "the Ippolito system." This system allows friends to sit together. More details as we get closer to the trip.

Q: During the day, are we in small groups or all together?

A: It depends and varies. Sometimes we're all together. Other times we break up into smaller groups of 6-10 in each group. At breakfast and dinner, we're all together. On the coach we're all together. We have lots of "all together" time.

Q: What time do we go to bed and wake up?

A: That also varies, but generally it's lights-out by 11:00 p.m. and breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. the next morning. However much time it takes you and your roommates to get ready in the morning is how early you should wake up.

Q: Might I able to wear a Red Sox hat in NY?

A: At your own risk, yes.

I look forward to seeing all my East Coast Trip students again two weeks from today, Tuesday, February 21, at 2:15 p.m. That meeting is again in Mr. Sheridan's classroom, Room D-6. Thank you so much again for a great meeting, and please feel free to e-mail or text any questions you may have (students or parents).

Warm regards,

Mr. Ippolito