Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
East Coast Trip - Day 4 photos now online
Here are some selections from our day. We began our day in Philadelphia and we did Independence Hall. From there we spent a good deal of time in the bus today. We had lunch in Gettysburg, followed by a visit to the Gettysburg National Cemetery (site of the Gettysbrug Address), and then a battlefield tour.
After Gettysburg, we got back on the highway and drove into DC, where we first ate dinner at Phillps Flagship seafood buffet, and we finished the day by seeing the show "Liberty Smith" at historic Ford's Theatre. Tomorrow we have a full day in DC, including the wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery. Stay tuned tomorrow for more amazing tour experiences!
Here's the professional print from our Times Square photo
This photo turned out great! Your child will get a print of this included as part of your tour package.
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| Photo by www.groupphotos.com |
Rainy drive to Gettysburg
We've enjoyed beautiful weather so far, but today we're getting rained on. Fortunately we're on the bus for much of today, so if we're going to have one rainy day, today's a good one. :-) 
Tummy trouble
We had a couple kids get sick to their stomach last night and this morning. Some were blaming it on the salmon last night (which was delicious by the way, and an unlikely culprit), I still think it's the excessive sugar, sweets, sodas, and fatty foods a few kids continue to eat despite repeated warnings to avoid these foods. It may also be a little stomach bug. Whatever the cause, please join the chaperones in helping encourage your child to wash hands with soap and water, please encourage them to drink plenty of water, and ease up on the junk food. Most kids are doing fine and feeling healthy, but this is good advice for ALL kids. We'll be on the road to Gettysburg about 11:00am (8:00 Pacific time) so that's a great time to call or text your child. Thanks again for all your support.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Day 3 photos now online
Just a limited number of photos tonight, and I'm foregoing the captioning so I can get some sleep. Tomorrow, off to Gettysburg and then Washington, DC!
A quick selection of today's photos here:
Late night tonight
We are having a fabulous trip, and we have some amazing kids who are being polite, respectful, and who I believe are getting so much out of the places we're seeing and the experiences we are having. I'm finally sitting down with my computer after a long night of dealing with just a couple of student issues (don't worry, I've already been in contact with parents throughout the night tonight, so if you didn't get a phone call, that means all is well with your child). :-)
Therefore, the photos will be a quicker re-cap tonight. Again, as I mentioned before, at the end of next week, each child who has gone on the trip will get a burned DVD copy of every photo that my wife and I have taken (about 1,000 photos total). And I'm continuing to do my best to post updates throughout the day.
Stay tuned. I'm compiling photos now and am hoping to be finished soon.
All the best,
Mr. ippolito
Dinner selections
Baked ziti, chicken parmigiano, and salmon scampi. Surprisingly, lots of kids picking the salmon tonight. :-)
Love this restaurant!
Love this restaurant!
Breakfast sandwich on a real New York bagel
Kids have lots of breakfast options this morning, as they can choose from three different places.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
East Coast Trip - More Day 2 photos
These are mine. Have a good night, and stay tuned for more fun tomorrow. Central Park in the morning, then off to Philadelphia! https://picasaweb.google.com/rippolito/EastCoastTripDay2MrIppolitoSCamera?authkey=Gv1sRgCNXf7Nys-Y_OOQ&feat=directlink
East Coast Trip - Day 2 photos now online
Here is today from my wife's camera. In about another 30 minutes, I will post the day from my camera. Great day today! Another very tiring day, but we've seen and done many things. Enjoy the pics, and keep a look out for more.
Finally back in the hotel! Early wake-up tomorrow.
Bed checks at 10:15 EDT, then up at 6:00 am tomorrow for Central Park. Photos posted within about an hour.
Top of the Rock was crowded!
Whew! Everyone had the same idea as we did! Lots of folks enjoying the beautiful view tonight. Next stop: Times Square for our group photo.
This show is amazing so far!
We're done with the first act of Memphis. Amazing so far! Dinner after at Cucina and Co. back in Rockefeller Plaza.
Shopping in midtown Manhattan
Mrs Ippolito and Miss Bretthauer took a group of girls to go "power shop" at H&M and Juicy. Mr Costanzo, Mr Hamilton, and I headed north to 58th street and 5th Ave for the Apple Store and FAO Schwarz. After this, lunch in Grand Central Terminal.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Day 1 photos now online
Day 1 photos are now online. We had a great, and exhausting, day in New York City. You can check out the photos here:
It's late, and it's time for bed. More updates throughout the day tomorrow!
All the best,
Mr. Ippolito
One World Trade Center is now 50 stories high
It's amazing how fast the construction has gone in the past year. So moving to see the progress being made. 
Friday, April 1, 2011
Luggage scale and any questions?
I have a hand-held luggage scale here at school with me today. If done correctly, the measurements are usually pretty accurate. I'll have it at the same table as the name badges and wristbands. If you're worried about the weight of your child's checked bag, better to find out here at school than at the airport.
E-mail is a great way to get a hold of me today if you have any last-minute questions. I will be on e-mail until about 1:30. After 1:30, you can text me at (661) 347-4990. As we get closer to 4:00 p.m., I get a little busier, so the earlier the better. RVI
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Meds
For tomorrow, if you have meds to give to a chaperone, please follow this system:
If you are in MR IPPOLITO'S GROUP, give meds to Mr. Ippolito.
If you are in MISS BRETTHAUER'S GROUP, give meds to Miss Bretthauer.
If you are in MRS IPPOLITO'S GROUP, give meds to Mrs. Ippolito.
If you are a BOY, give meds to Mr. Costanzo.
Any meds questions? Give me a holler. Best way to contact me tonight or during the day tomorrow is via e-mail at rippolito@gmail.com or text me at (661) 347-4990.
East Coast Trip - The night before the trip
Just a couple of quick things for kids and parents:
Wear your blue USA shirt tomorrow. If you forget it, I have a couple extras, but it may not be your size, so it’s best just to wear your own. The first time you will be able to change your clothes will be Saturday evening when we check into the hotel. Keep in mind, though, that we check in around 5:00 p.m. and have a dinner reservation at 6:00 p.m., so this stop will be literally drop your bags, use the restroom, freshen up, and back out the door. For this reason, I STRONGLY urge that you take a quick shower when you get home from school tomorrow so you’re at your freshest when we fly out ESPECIALLY if you have PE and you’re doing the River Hawk Walk in warm weather tomorrow. We’ll all be grateful that everyone is fresh and clean when we have to share a bus together.
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. I already have mine laid out on “The Table.” :-)
Let’s keep in touch. Once the trip begins, I will no longer be sending out these regular broadcast e-mails to parents (you might get one or two). Instead, I will be posting regular updates on the blog, Twitter, and Facebook. Check from work, check from home, my goal is to post a trip update every 4-6 hours (probably more than that). These links are great to share with family and friends (grandmas love my blog!). There are a number of ways to follow the “Ipp Trip”:
Blog – http://ipptrip.blogspot.com
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/IppTrip
“Like” our trip on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/IppTrip
Check the weather lately? If you've been watching the weather (forecast links to our destinations are available on my blog), you’ll see very typical East Coast weather for early spring: cold and rainy. Be prepared for this weather. I strongly suggest caps and gloves. New York looks like it’s going to be mostly just cold. It gets a little soggier from Philly onward.
Finally, a couple of questions from students that I’ve gotten recently:
Q: If I’m not participating in the wreath-laying ceremony, do I still need to dress nice for the ceremony?
A: No, those of us who will be watching don’t need to dress up, but we will still need to dress warm. Only those selected for the ceremony will need to dress up.
Q: Can we change our shoes once we’re off the plane in New York?
A: I recommend you dress on the plane in layers and dress as if you won’t have access to your suitcase until the hotel Saturday evening. While we don’t anticipate any luggage delays, it would be a shame for you to wear flip-flops on the plane only to find you now have to wear them all day in cold and windy New York City.
Q: Can I bring a bathing suit?
A: Sure, but we won’t be going to a swimming pool.
Q: I have a nice pair of jeans for Broadway. Can I wear jeans that instead of a dress?
A: Sure. Wear nice jeans with a sweater or dressy shirt.
I said "second-to-last" e-mail because I imagine there will be one final one late tonight. See you tomorrow in the Rio Norte front parking lot by 4:30 p.m.!
East Coast Trip - Meeting Wrap-Up today
We just had our final student lunch meeting today. I'm very excited about our trip! We will all be meeting at the school in just a little over 24 hours! Here's what we went over today:
1. Make sure you know how to use the camera you bring with you. Before we leave, make you sure know how to:
- Shoot in regular "Auto" mode for most regular photos
- Turn your flash OFF
- Use your camera's night portrait or night scene mode
- Use the macro mode (usually a little flower icon)
- Use fill flash for daytime shots
2. We went over Mr. Ippolito's "Good Stuff to Know." You can check it out here: https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1qGuExwBiClQG1DPhp838jHDMk8v6_A6zEm44tVxw8nQ
This won't be the last e-mail you get. I'll send out at least one more later today. We're getting really close. :-) ANY question, big or small, call or text (661) 347-4990.
RVI
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Baggage tags - How do I fill those out again?
I've had a couple parents ask about the proper way to fill out baggage tags, so here is an "encore presentation." :-)
East Coast Trip – Getting packed and ready for the airport
We are just TWO days away from our big trip, and the first adventure we will all face together is getting through airport security. However, with some advanced planning and smart decisions, we can all make it through quickly and easily. Here are some tips:
Photo ID – Sometimes the airport checks IDs on our kids, and other times they don’t, but I don’t take any chances. Therefore, I ask that ALL students give me your photo ID tomorrow at our final lunch meeting. I keep all the IDs together in one binder sorted alphabetically to make it easy for check-in. The ticketing agents love this and are usually extra-nice to us as a result. 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 before the flight home. All adults will definitely need government-issued photo ID.
Reduce your metal – Try to wear as little metal as possible to the airport. 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 (those “Famous Stars and Straps” buckles 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 backpack. Take some time BEFORE we get to the airport to do this, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. The only things that should be 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.
Measure up – I’ve already told you that your checked suitcase should be no heavier than 45 pounds. The airlines set 50 pounds as the absolute maximum, but you’re probably going to bring back more than you went out with, so leave yourself some room.
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 are probably the same shoes you will wear throughout much of our first day on tour.
Sweatshirts, jackets, and hoodies – If your outer layer is one that can be easily shed (zip-up hoodie or jacket), be prepared. TSA may 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. I actually recommend that whatever warm coat you’re bringing on the trip you actually wear to the airport and DON’T pack it. It’s one less bulky item to pack in your suitcase and it could double as a pillow or a blanket on the plane.
Quart-size bags – If you’re toting tons of electronics with you (iPod, iPod charger, cell phone, cell phone charger, headphones) all in your backpack, 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 because they’re a little sturdier. If the TSA screener has to open your bag, 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 (available on http://ipptrip.blogspot.com), it talks about the rule for bringing liquids in your carry-on. I’m not bringing ANY liquids in my carry-on luggage (my backpack). 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 or deodorant on the airplane? 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. This can be one of those fancy refillable bottles, or simply an empty Aquafina bottle.
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. Please ask Mr. Ippolito if you are unclear about what is prohibited and what is not.
“The Table” – When it comes to personal travel, I am a very inefficient packer. For some items, I pack way more than I need. For other items, I don’t pack enough or don’t pack it at all. Inevitably I forget something, and we end up stopping at Target or Walgreen’s or someplace like that to get what I didn’t pack.
We don’t have that luxury next week, which is why I am such a different traveler when I go on the East Coast Trip. My wife laughs at me, but I actually set out a folding table. On “The Table” I place my packing list and then item by item I lay everything out that I need. Deodorant: check. Toothpaste: check. iPod charger: check. Camera battery charger: check.
If you haven’t set up your own version of “The Table” yet, I urge you to consider it. Lay everything out in advance now so you know what you have and what you may still need to get. Places like Walgreen’s are not always easily accessible with the places we’re visiting and the schedule we’re on. Hotel gift shops often sell toothpaste and batteries and memory cards, but it is likely at a significantly higher price.
Our final student lunch meeting will take place tomorrow! We’ll play a quiz game that will test students’ knowledge of everything we’ve learned about the trip so far. Want to “study” for the quiz game? I will draw from every e-mail I’ve sent out, the pre-departure meeting, the packing lists and tips sheets. Basically, it’s everything that’s on my blog: http://ipptrip.blogspot.com.
Students—The next time I’ll see you is TOMORROW AT LUNCH--bring your student ID!!!
Parents—I’ll see you FRIDAY AT 4:30 PM
RVI
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Meeting reminder TOMORROW at lunch
We have another student meeting tomorrow at lunch in D-6. We will be choosing airplane seats for the flight, so it's important you get there by 11:55. I'll bring dessert! Ron Ippolito • rippolito@gmail.com
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Meeting tonight at 7:00pm is in the MPR
I look forward to seeing you tonight at 7:00 pm. We are fortunate to get the MPR for tonight (we got an upgrade!), so please join us in the MPR, and not the library (as originally announced). We should be done around 8:30 tonight. All the best,
Mr Ippolito
Mr Ippolito
How to fill out your Baggage Identification tags
You're getting these baggage tags at the Pre-Departure Meeting tonight, Tuesday, March 22.
This is a sample of what your tags should look like. The top baggage tag is the sample of the one that goes on your CHECKED bag (the suitcase that you hand in at check-in) and it should be the one with the Sheraton address in New York. You should put YOUR CHILD'S name on the line for "Passenger Name," but include Mr Ippolito's phone and e-mail, since I should be the primary contact if your child's baggage is delayed heading into NYC.
The bottom luggage tag is the sample of the one that for right now will go on your CARRY-ON bag (your backpack). It should have YOUR CHILD'S name on the line for "Passenger Name," but this time you should put YOUR phone number and e-mail address. This is the tag you will eventually swap out and place on your checked suitcase for the return flight home. This tag should have the primary contact information for what happens if your baggage is delayed coming back home to California.
One final tip: I'm somewhat of a stylophile, so I used a Staedtler Lumocolor Superfine Point Permanent Marker to fill out my tags. Either that marker, or an Ultra Fine Point Sharpie, or some other similar permanent marker makes tags smudge- and fade-resistant. :-)
RVI
Monday, March 21, 2011
East Coast Trip - Meeting tomorrow . . . and we fly out in 11 days!
11 days from today, we leave on what could be the greatest adventure of your child’s junior high school career: our East Coast Adventure!
Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 22, at 7:00 p.m., we will have our big Pre-Departure Meeting.
Here are the three things you need to bring to tomorrow’s meeting:
1. Your yellow Emergency Medical Release form (this was sent to you via US mail), completely filled out and signed both front and back. Need another copy? Download it here: http://j.mp/ectrelease 2. The child traveling on the trip along with at least ONE parent or guardian
3. $10 total cash for gratuity/thank you for tour guide ($5) and coach driver ($5). These are, of course, optional, but I politely request this.
This meeting is so exciting because it gives both students and parents the chance to meet the families of the other students going, to meet me (the man to whom you are trusting your baby for six days), to see the final itinerary, and to get some important final tips and instructions.
As we get closer, parents and/or students may have questions. Please feel free to call/text me at (661) 347-4990 with any question you may have, big or small.
See you tomorrow!
RVI
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Need another copy of the Medical Release Form?
In the mail in the last couple weeks, you should have received a confirmation letter from USA Student Travel regarding our upcoming Pre-Departure Meeting next Tuesday, March 22. Also included in that envelope was a yellow sheet with the words "Medical Release Form" on one side and "Student Rules and Regulations" on the other.
It is important that EVERY student and adult traveling on this trip fill out the "Medical Release Form" portion, and that all students and their parent sign the "Rules and Regulations" side as well. If you need another copy, you can download it here: http://j.mp/medrelease
You must bring this to the Pre-Departure Meeting next Tuesday.
Thanks so much!
Mr. Ippolito
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Four Rio Norte students will be chosen for wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery
Today at our student meeting I announced that we have been invited by the United States Army to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. This is a tremendous honor, and we now have the task of choosing the four students to participate. Here is a video of a middle school group participating just a couple months ago.
If you would like to be considered for this honor, please apply online by clicking on this link here: http://j.mp/g14L6e. Please submit your application online by Sunday evening, March 20.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
East Coast Trip - Staying healthy and medication
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
- I know the switch to Daylight Saving Time has us all a little messed up right now, which really highlights how important sleep is for us. 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.
- Freaked out by your sleeping quarters? Get over it. Girls generally don’t have this problem, but boys sometimes 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 experience 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, vegetables, and grains to “keep things moving.” And again, staying hydrated with plenty of water also prevents constipation. 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.
- Eat light before the flight. Two years ago we had a student who was a little nervous about flying eat a large meal for dinner, followed by candy throughout the flight. Match this up with a little airsickness plus being a little anxious about the trip and—you guessed it—she threw up just as we were landing (in the seat right next to me, I might add). Stick to a light dinner before we depart, and then pack a little trail mix or some pretzels for the flight. Breakfast is the first item on our agenda after we land, so you can refuel once we’re back on terra firma. When we land in New York, it’s better to be hungry than be nauseous.
MEDICATION
The only meds that kids are allowed to keep with them are life-saving meds (asthma inhaler, epi-pen, etc). All other medications (prescription or over-the-counter) should be handed to the designated chaperone, along with any written instructions, right before we board the coach to drive down to the airport. If your child is taking meds on a regular schedule, it is his/her 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 will be about seven weeks away from being a high schooler) minds his or her own schedule.
This is an important topic, so medication will be well-covered at our pre-departure meeting next Tuesday. If you have any questions about medication, please ask at the meeting, or contact Mr. Ippolito well in advance of our departure. And of course, please indicate any medication or food allergies on your yellow release form you recently received in the mail from USA Student Travel.
Just a quick reminder that our next student lunch meeting is tomorrow, 3/16, in Room D-6. Thanks for your help in getting your child ready for the big trip, and I will look forward to e-mailing you again soon!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
East Coast Trip - Cameras, cell phones, and iPods (and next lunch mtg is 3/16)
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 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 – 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 don't want to send your child with a disposable camera if your child loves taking pictures; they'll fill it up by the end of our first day in New York! However, 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 on my blog at http://ipptrip.blogspot.com. Also, if your kid isn't a shutterbug, you can take comfort in the fact that both my wife and I are. When she and I both travel on this trip, you can be assured that between us we will take over 1,000 photos (easy!), and I will burn them all to a disc and give a copy to every child who goes on the trip. 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 can be both an amazing tool and an incredible distraction. For teenagers, cell phones are 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 at night with literally a million 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 some of our nation’s most honored places: Independence Hall, Arlington National Cemetery, Ford’s Theater, George Washington's grave, and more. It’s just not right to be texting as we pass by the final resting place of our country’s heroes. Finally, when we’re touring through a city or town, our tour guide will be sharing valuable information with all of us, either about the amazing sites right outside the window, or perhaps information about a meeting time, a meeting place, or lunch arrangements. This is important information you might miss if you’re busy talking or texting. 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 have them hang out at the mall for the week.
For all these reasons, we restrict cell phone use. Cell phones may 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 or a portable gaming system like a NintendoDS. The rules for these devices 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.
Please note that our next student lunch meeting is going to be on Wednesday, March 16. You bring lunch, and I'll provide dessert. This is a great meeting because I will be giving a sneak preview of some of the items on our itinerary, PLUS I have an announcement to make about an exciting opportunity we have on our trip. If you have someone in your family who has ever served in the armed forces, this could be an ESPECIALLY exciting opportunity, so I look forward to sharing this news with you Wednesday.
This e-mail had lots of information in it, so please feel free to e-mail if you have any questions. Next e-mail topic: medication and staying healthy. Have a great weekend!
Cheers,
Mr. Ippolito
Sunday, February 27, 2011
East Coast Trip - Money and our next student lunch meeting
Parents of students going on the East Coast trip often 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. 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.
As many of you may remember from the parent information meeting a few months ago, 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 it is customary and a nice courtesy, especially for a job well done. All other tips are included in the cost of the tour. I will collect the coach driver and tour guide tip money ($10) at the Pre-Departure Meeting on March 22. The hotel tip money should be gathered up by the room leader and left in the room at the conclusion of our stay in each hotel. We’ll assign room leaders at one of our upcoming student meetings.
On a related note, parents also ask: “Debit/prepaid card or cash?” There are advantages to both. Depending on the type of card and the issuing bank, parents can control the amount of spending per day and/or add value to the card if needed; this is a good security feature if the card is lost, and is also helpful in limiting teen spending. Talk to your bank now about your options. Cash is accepted everywhere, but once lost is almost certainly gone for good. As for VISA, MasterCard, or American Express gift cards, most of them don’t have a name on them, don’t require ID, and their value could be gone if they’re lost, so be careful with this option. Talk to your child and find out what you think will work best. Finally, don’t bother with travelers’ checks. They might be good for overseas travel, but not many places here in the United States even know what to do with them.
Once again, 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 March 22, at 7:00 p.m. for our pre-departure meeting. Our East Coast adventure is only 33 days away. As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to e-mail me at rippolito@gmail.com or text me at (661) 347-4990.
Cheers,
Mr. IppolitoSunday, February 20, 2011
East Coast Trip – When we’re flying and why you should be walking
We have all been waiting to find out exactly when we're flying, and I recently received tentative flight information from USA Student Travel. We are scheduled to fly JetBlue non-stop both ways, departing Long Beach on a red-eye flight on Friday, April 1, and returning home on Thursday, April 7. Here is our schedule at this time:
1-Apr Depart Long Beach 913PM Arrive New York-JFK 521AM (2-Apr)
7-Apr Depart Washington-Dulles 545PM Arrive Long Beach 821PM
Of course, flight information is subject to change, and we won't know our exact itinerary, flight times, and flight numbers for sure until our pre-departure meeting on March 22. As more information comes in, or if anything changes, I will keep you posted.
I encourage all our East Coast Trip families 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" day in New York City when we see our Broadway show. Again, consider a nice, but sensible pair of shoes for this event. If you wear cute little strappy high-heels, it's likely your feet will be both cold and in pain by the time the walk is over. If you're looking for a more complete list of suggested items to pack, you can check out my Suggested Packing List here: http://j.mp/ectpack. You can also find this same Suggested Packing List on http://ipptrip.blogspot.com listed under Helpful Links and Downloads. In the meantime, get out there and start walking!
--
Ron Ippolito • Teacher/Yearbook Adviser, Rio Norte JHS
rippolito@gmail.com • mrippolito.com • call/text: (661) 347-4990
Saturday, February 19, 2011
East Coast Trip 2011 - Welcome Aboard!
Dear East Coast trip family,
In less than two months, we will depart for our big adventure to New York City, Philadelphia, Gettysburg, and Washington, DC. I love historical travel and I'm very excited to see some of our nation’s historical landmarks and greatest treasures. I am especially excited to share these treasures with your son or daughter this April.
As I indicated to many families at the end of last school year, I spent a lot of time from last spring until now NOT communicating with you. This is because I wanted to wait until we were 100% certain of everyone going on our trip. I didn't want to start sending out e-mails, getting kids excited, and signing up roommates while our roster was still in flux. We literally had last-minute roster changes up to and including last week, but the good news is we now know FOR CERTAIN who is going on our exciting adventure, so it's now time for me to let you know about two important dates:
Wednesday, February 23, lunch, my classroom (D-6) – 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 26 girls going on the trip (five rooms of four; two rooms of three) and 12 boys (exactly three rooms of four). 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. Please arrive by 11:50 a.m.
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00pm, Rio Norte Library – Pre-Departure Meeting
Organized by USA Student Travel, and hosted by both myself and our tour company rep, this meeting will go over the specifics of the trip. We finally get to see our exact itinerary, hotel and flight information. 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. This meeting is MANDATORY for the traveling student and at least one parent/guardian to attend.
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.
If you ever miss one of these e-mails, it gets accidentally deleted, or you wonder if maybe you missed one, you can see an archive of every message on my East Coast Trip website, http://ipptrip.blogspot.com/. In the coming weeks, this website will be full of other great resources, too, including trip photos and real-time trip updates. You can also stay connected to the trip on Twitter and Facebook. You can "Like" our trip page at http://www.facebook.com/IppTrip or follow on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/IppTrip. Finally, you can get updates sent to you as a text message on your cell phone by texting the words follow ipptrip to 40404.
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 or text message me directly at (661) 347-4990 if you ever have any questions about the trip.
Cheers,
Ron Ippolito
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Space is available if you're still interested - MUST ACT FAST!
There is now limited space available for the Spring Break East Coast trip! We had a couple students cancel in January, so we have some availability, but you must act quickly. Please contact Mr. Ippolito at rippolito@gmail.com if you're interested in this opportunity.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Trip is now full
We have had an enormous response to our East Coast Adventure. As of August 1, 2010, the trip is full and we have one student on the wait list.
If you would like to place your child on the wait list, please register as you normally would. If space opens up between now and January 2011, you will move from "Wait List" status to "Active" status.
If space doesn't open up, then you will naturally get a full refund of all money you pay into the trip. If you have any questions about the wait list, please feel free to e-mail me at rippolito@gmail.com.
RVI
Monday, June 7, 2010
Materials handed out at the parent meeting
If you missed the parent information meeting three weeks ago, here's what you missed. First, the PowerPoint I presented is HERE.
We then handed out the registration materials. On one side is the pricing sheet, here:
On the back side of the pricing sheet is the registration form, HERE. If you are planning to pay by credit card at any time between now and the final payment, I STRONGLY urge you to register online by going to the USA Student Travel website HERE and clicking on Register Now.
The next handout was green, and included insurance information on one side . . .
and a sample itinerary on the other side.
We only have four spaces left, so if you have any questions, please contact me as soon as possible at (661) 347-4990 or e-mail me at rippolito@gmail.com.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Five spaces left for 2011 Spring Break Trip
Space is running out for our 2011 eighth grade history trip to the East Coast where we will visit New York City, Philadelphia, Gettysburg, and Washington DC. If you would still like to sign up, I strongly urge you to visit http://www.usastudenttravel.com and click on the "Register Now" tab. When our trip fills, you can still submit your registration and be placed on the wait list. Some years we have had zero students cancel, while other years we have had as many as five cancel. This means that the wait list may be a good option for you. If a spot does not become available for your child, you naturally get all your money back, including the deposit. Contacting me does not give you any greater priority, nor do I have the ability to simply "save you a spot," no matter how nicely you ask. :-) USA Student Travel also does not take registrations over the phone. The FASTEST way to get your registration in is to submit your deposit online. If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me at rippolito@gmail.com or call/text 661-347-4990. RVI
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