TJHS Band Trip 2012 - New York City

TJHS Band 2012 Trip
NEW YORK CITY !!

The TJ Band Boosters are planning a 3 day 2 night spring trip for our band students to New York City. We will be departing TJHS Friday, April 13 th, 2012 at 5:30 AM and returning Sunday April 15th. Travel through out the trip will be via bus. Students will participate in a Broadway workshop plus has plenty of time to visit NYC classics:

• Statue of Liberty
• Times Square
• Chinatown
• Broadway show
• Off Broadway show
• Empire State Building
• WTC Memorial
• South Street Seaport
• Driving tour
• Madame Tussauds

Family members other than band students are welcome to come along. Children outside of the Band program must be accompanied by their parents.

We will rapidly reach the deadline when we will need to know how many students will be taking this OPTIONAL TRIP. In order to hold a reservation for them, the Thomas Johnson High Band Boosters will need the SIGNED commitment form at the end of this letter and a Non-refundable $150 deposit returned by November 1st.

Students and parents should be aware of some key points.

• This trip has been planned to cause minimal disruption to the normal school schedule. Only one school day will be missed and will be counted as legal absences.
• To participate in this trip: students must meet academic eligibility requirements.
• The Band Boosters will not be able to absorb costs incurred as a result of a student becoming unable to participate. This includes academic ineligibility.
• Students will be responsible for making up class work for the school day missed.
• Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and will be dealt with by Mrs. Caulfield and the chaperones. Appropriate discipline measures will be taken by TJHS Administrators upon return to Frederick.

Important information:

• The trip is open to ALL band members (marching, concert & guard).
• The trip is optional.
• All trip costs AND band fees will have to be paid in full or students will not be permitted to participate in the activity. Neither the TJ band Boosters nor TJHS can be held responsible for costs incurred should a student be unable to attend.
• The cost for the trip is $600.00 per student based on 4 students to a room, including transportation, hotel room, and all group activities. Costs on the trip for students will be limited to the cost of souvenirs.
• Chaperones are welcome (and necessary). Their cost will be $600.00 per person based on 2 adults per room, including transportation, hotel room, activities and the same group meals as the students. Chaperones will not attend the workshop or be given the $40 cash for three meals the students receive.
• Money for the trip will be due in five payments. The first payment of $150 will be due November 1st and will be a NON-REFUNDABLE commitment payment for the trip. The Band Boosters organization must make prepayments at set times to guarantee the trip itinerary and reservations. Once payments are made, the Band Boosters cannot get a refund and for that reason parents and students must decide now if they will participate in this activity.
• In past trips some students have covered most if not all of their costs by participating in fundraising plans. Get involved in those fundraising opportunities NOW! Some students have been accumulating funds in their account and should check their account balance – if your band fees are paid in FULL (and they must be) you can use fundraising money toward the trip. The fall band obligation, the indoor guard and indoor percussion obligations AND trip costs must be fully paid to take part in this activity.
• Methods of payment:

• Check made payable to TJHS Band Boosters
• Credit balance in your student’s account
• Credit card (Vise, Mastercard or Discover) – just complete the attached Credit Card Charge Authorization Form

• The payment schedule to spread the cost of the trip out and allow time for fundraising by students is as follows:

THERE WILL BE A MEETING FOR THIS TRIP ON:

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12 TH @ 6:30PM prior to the Band Boosters meeting

IT WILL BE HELD IN THE CHORUS ROOM. THIS IS FOR ANYONE WHO HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TRIP THAT NEED TO BE ANSWERED BEFORE RETURNING THE COMMITMENT FORM. I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE

This promises to be a memorable trip. Travel opportunities such as this are great for your student. They learn, they grow, and they see a different part of our great country and form friendships that can last a lifetime. When your band kids look back on their years in band, some of there fondest memories will be of the travels that they shared with their friends. We are hopeful that you will agree and send in the attached commitment form and $150.00 deposit.

Thank you,

Julie Marker & Terri Kieft

TJ Band Booster Trip Committee