Washington, D.C. Cultural, Performance, Study Tour Proposal April 14 - April 19, 2011 Plymouth Public Schools High School Concert Band, Vocal Point, and Vocal Jazz Ensemble School Committee Presentation November 1, 2010 Presented by: Kathy Tosolini, Unified Arts Director Bonnie Holmes, High School Band Director Jonathan Richter, High School Choral Director Brian Raymond, Vocal Jazz Ensemble Director Patty Connors-Fry Principal, Plymouth South High School Kathy McSweeney Principal, Plymouth North High School
TO: Chris Campbell Assistant Superintendent of Administration and Instruction FROM: RE: Kathy Tosolini, Unified Arts Director Bonnie Holmes, Band Director/ PSHS/PNHS Jonathan Richter, Choral Director/PSHS/PNHS Brian Raymond, Vocal Jazz Ensemble Director/PSHS/PNHS Patty Fry, Principal/Plymouth South High School Kathy McSweeney, Principal/Plymouth North High School 2011 Cultural, Performance, Study Tour/Washington, D.C. High School Concert Band, Vocal Point, and Vocal Jazz Ensemble DATE: October 27, 2010 Please find the attached proposal for the Plymouth Public Schools High School Concert Band, Vocal Point and Vocal Jazz Ensemble 2011 Washington, D.C. Cultural/Performance/Study Tour. The following information is attached for your approval and support: Plymouth Public Schools Field Trip Form Detailed Working Itinerary indicating reservations and pending agreements Student Qualifications/Eligibility Student Behavior Guidelines and Expectations Student Payment Plan Detailed Fundraising Plan Chaperone Application Procedures and Responsibilities Three sponsoring teacher/directors, one nurse and nine chaperones will direct and accompany all itinerary activities. A protocol is in place for the selection of chaperones, focusing on parent/guardian participation. The Plymouth Schools Music Association has pledged its collaboration and support for fundraising and executing the trip. The Plymouth Public Schools Unified Arts teachers, their students and respective classes and ensembles present and perform regularly for local civic, community and state events. This cultural, performance, study tour will immerse our students in public performances in venues that will illuminate the national influence, responsibility and power the arts have in our American society. We look forward to presenting our proposal, answering any questions, and gaining your support of this initiative at the Monday, November 1 st School Committee meeting.
Working Itinerary for Washington, D.C. Cultural and Performance Tour 2011 Plymouth High School Band, Vocal Point, and Vocal Jazz Ensemble April 14 19, 2011 April 14, 2011 (Thursday) Early morning departure approximately 5 AM Pack first lunch/breakfast snacks 3 rest stops Projected arrival in Washington DC between 2:30 3:30 PM 3:30/4:00 PM - Arlington Cemetery Tomb of the Unknown Soldier/Kennedy gravesite Starting in April Changing of the Guard is every ½ hr. - Park closes at Sundown 5:00 6:15 - Dinner in Arlington Old Buffet 7:00PM Tentative workshop with conductor Fort Meyers (approved at this point) 9:00 PM Load buses 9:30 PM Check into hotel (Washington Suites Alexandria, VA/Triton Securities) 11:00PM Room check Lights out April 15, 2011 (Friday) 6:45 AM Morning buffet breakfast at the hotel 8:00 AM Load buses in uniform with change of clothes for evening. 9:00 AM Arrive at Capitol - Tour Capitol and visit Congressmen Unload equipment tours in groups (Snack before set up) 11:00 AM Set up for concert at Upper Senate Park 12:00 PM Noon Concert 1:00 PM Clean-up/Pack buses with equipment/change to evening clothes 1:30 PM lunch (Union Station or local fast food places on Penn. Ave. with chaperones) 2:45 PM Load buses and travel to Kennedy Center 3:30 4:30 PM Kennedy Center tours in groups of 30 5:30 PM Gather in Lobby 6:00 Dinner Kennedy Center Cafe 8:00 PM Evening performance event at the Kennedy Center o National Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert 10:00 PM Load buses and travel back to hotel 10:30 PM Arrive at hotel 11:30 PM Room check and lights out (one hour after arrival) April 16, 2011 (Saturday) 7:00 AM Morning buffet breakfast at the hotel 8:00 AM Load buses and travel to Monument Park 9:00 AM Visit the Monuments in small groups o Vietnam Memorial o Korean War Veteran's Memorial o Lincoln Memorial o Washington Memorial o World War II Memorial o Roosevelt Memorial Prior to 1:00 White House Tour Whenever they schedule us Lunch near Monuments must flex around White House tour April 16, 2011 (Saturday) 2:00 PM Tour National Basilica 3:00 PM Vocal Point mini-concert @ Basilica 3:30 PM Complete Basilica tours
Working Itinerary for Washington, D.C. Cultural and Performance Tour 2011 Plymouth High School Band, Vocal Point, and Vocal Jazz Ensemble April 14 19, 2011 April 16, 2011 (Saturday) (continued) 4:30 PM Load buses for travel to dinner 6:00 PM Evening dinner event at Buca di Beppo (Italian dinner) 8:30 PM Load buses/night Tour of Monuments/Capitol/White House 9:45 PM Return to hotel 10:45 PM Room check and lights out (One hour after arrival) April 17, 2011 (Sunday) 7:30 AM Buffet breakfast at the hotel Optional religious service for students and chaperones 9:00 AM Load buses for travel to Smithsonian 10:00 AM Smithsonian o Air and Space o National Museum of Natural History o National Museum of American History o American Art Museum o African Art Museum o American Indian Museum o Hirshhorn Museum o Renwick Gallery of the American Art Museum o American Portrait Museum 2:00 PM Late lunch at Air and Space Museum 2:50 PM Load buses 3:00 PM Travel to Monument Mall 4:00 PM Unload and set up for concert at WWII Memorial 5:00 7:00 PM Monument Mall Concert 7:00 PM Load buses and travel to dinner 8:00 PM - Dinner - Lebanese Taverna 10:00 PM Return to hotel 11:00 PM Room check and lights out in one hour April 18, 2011 (Monday) 7:30 AM Buffet breakfast at the hotel 8:30 AM Check out of hotel in concert attire/bring change of clothes 8:30 AM Pack and load buses 9:00 A.M. Travel to Old Post Office 10:00 AM Visit Old Post Office-possible NEA/DOE speaker/tour 11:00 AM Set up for concert 12:00 1:00 PM Performance at Old Post Office Vocal Point/VJE 1:00 PM Late lunch at Old Post Office Change to travel clothes 2:30 PM Load buses and depart for Plymouth 6:00 PM Scheduled supper stop in NY 7:30 PM Load buses 9:30 PM Pit Stop 11:00 PM Call Home one hour out April 19, 2011 (Tuesday) 12:00 12:30 A.M. Arrive in Plymouth
Student Qualifications for Participation Plymouth High School Music Department Cultural, Performance, Study Tour Washington, D.C., April 2011 Each student planning to attend the Plymouth High School Music Department Cultural, Performance, Study Tour to Washington, D.C. must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Currently enrolled as a class member of the Plymouth High School Concert Band, Vocal Point, or Vocal Jazz Ensemble; 2. Currently enrolled in and passing the equivalent of 20 credits with a minimum cumulative average of 70% by the 3 rd quarter (April 8 th ) marking period; 3. Maintain a consistent attendance record at rehearsals and performances throughout the school year (an unexcused absence from a performance or more than two unexcused absences from rehearsals will result in disqualification from the trip); 4. Complete a Faculty Approval Form; and 5. Have no current suspendable offenses. Final decisions for student participation rest with the performing ensemble directors and the Plymouth North High School and Plymouth South High School administration.
Student Behavior Guidelines and Expectations Plymouth High School Music Department Cultural, Performance, Study Tour Washington, DC, April, 2011 Plymouth Public Schools: Code of Conduct The Plymouth Public Schools believe that good school discipline promotes equal educational opportunity and a safe and effective educational environment. Students need a safe and orderly environment in which to learn. Students have the responsibility to behave appropriately. Students may not disrupt the educational process, endanger or deprive others of their rights to an education. Fair and reasonable procedures will be followed to assure students of their rights. Students must recognize that, to maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning, it is necessary for school officials to exercise reasonable authority. -Plymouth Public Schools High School Student Handbook 1) As a participant in the Plymouth Public Schools Concert Band, Vocal Point, Vocal Jazz Ensemble Cultural/Performance/ Study Tour, students represent Plymouth, Plymouth Public Schools Unified Arts Department, Plymouth North High School and Music Department or Plymouth South High School and Music Department, their parents/guardians and themselves. All behavior and demeanor should be above reproach. 2) All rules and regulations stated in the Student Handbook will be in effect throughout the duration of the trip. Please review the following policies which are of special importance on this trip: -Attitude, Behavior and Language, p. 24 -Public Displays of Affection, p. 25 -Anti-Bullying Policy, p. 35 -Harassment Policy, p. 36 -Student Sexual Harassment, p. 43 -Search and Seizure, p. 51 -Tobacco Use Policy, p. 55 -Use and/or Possession of Alcoholic Beverages or Drugs, p. 55 -Use of and/or Possession of Dangerous Objects, p. 57 *The Student Handbook is available for download at http://www.plymouth.k12.ma.us 3) All student handbags, backpacks, luggage, or other methods of carry will be searched. 4) No student may tamper with another person s personal belongings. 5) Students are not to leave their assigned hotel rooms for any reason after lights out each night. Phone numbers for chaperones and teachers will be made available to all students for emergency situations. 6) No student may separate from the group without the supervision of a chaperone at any time, for any reason. See next page
Page 2 Student Behavior Guidelines and Expectations (continued) 7) The sponsoring teachers/directors hold the responsibility to send a student home for any of the following incidences: -Any violation of the School s policies on tobacco, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or dangerous objects -Any violation of the Behavior Guidelines and Expectations -Any act which in any way jeopardizes the safety or well-being of another student or oneself, or which hampers the progress of the trip. In such an occasion, the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the involved student(s) will be contacted and the student(s) will be sent home at the parent s/guardian s expense.
Proposed Payment Plans Plymouth High School Music Department Cultural, Performance, Study Tour Washington, DC, April, 2011 The following plans are consistent with the monetary figures detailed in the Cost Spreadsheet. Total estimated cost of trip: $58,270 Total cost per student, without fundraising: $511* Total cost per student, $20,000 fundraising goal met: $336* Total cost per student, $15,000 raised: $380* Total cost per student, $10,000 raised: $423* * The above numbers do not include individual student fundraisers in which students earn money towards his/her required deposits. Scenario #1: Assumes the $20,000 fundraising goal is met. Required Deposits: First Monday, December 6 $150 Second Monday, January 31 $150 Final Monday, March 14 $36 Scenario #2: Assumes that $15,000 is raised. Required Deposits: First Monday, December 6 $150 Second Monday, January 31 $150 Final Monday, March 14 $80 Scenario #3: Assumes that $10,000 is raised. Required Deposits: First Monday, December 6 $150 Second Monday, January 31 $150 Final Monday, March 14 $123 All payments are non-refundable and are due on each respective payment deadline.
Fundraiser Detail Plymouth High School Music Department Cultural, Performance, Study Tour Washington, DC, April, 2011 Our fundraising goal for this trip is $20,000. Listed below are the fundraisers that we plan to implement in order to meet that goal, and the estimated earnings from each program. Some fundraisers will be structured so that students may earn money to individually bring down the cost of the trip (marked with an *). In those cases, the financial impact for each student will be a result of his or her participation in the programs. All other fundraisers are handled as a group effort towards the overall cost of the trip. One-Stop Shopping Craft Fair $2,000 Organized by the Plymouth Music Schools Music Association (PSMA), a traditional event being held on November 6th. (approved) Music Department Tour T-Shirt Drive $5,000 Organized by the Unified Arts Director and Music Faculty, donors will be offered advertising on tour shirts, which will be sold to students, faculty, parents and community members prior to the tour. Students will be encouraged to wear the shirts on the tour to improve visibility as a group. Spaghetti Night, January 2011 $2,500 Organized by the PSMA and the Music Faculty, a Spaghetti Dinner Evening will be held in late January 2011 with musical entertainment provided by the Choruses, Bands, and Jazz Ensembles. Independence Mall Charity Night $3,000 Organized by the PSMA, an annual event being held at the Independence Mall on November 21st to which students will have sold tickets. The $5 tickets will grant customers discounts at stores at the mall, and 100% proceeds from ticket sales go to the Music Department. (approved) NESBA Indoor Winter Percussion Show $3,000 Organized by the PSMA and Band Director, Plymouth will host an Indoor Percussion and Indoor Color Guard Show/Competition for the second year where profits will be made from registration, food sales, program sales, and admissions. Private Donations/Concert Donations $4,500 Recycling Drive* Organized by the PSMA and the Music Faculty, collections of redeemable bottles and cans will be collected and redeemed for profit for the Music Department or individual student account. Energy STAR Light Bulb Sale* Organized by the Music Faculty, NSTAR donates Energy STAR Light bulbs and 100% proceeds from sale of the light bulbs go to the Music Department or individual student account.
Chaperone Application Plymouth High School Music Department Cultural, Performance, Study Tour, Washington, DC April 14-19, 2011 All chaperones must be one of the following: A. a parent/guardian of a Concert Band, Vocal Point, or Vocal Jazz Ensemble member or B. a Plymouth Public Schools administrator or staff member Full Name: Relation to Music Department: Home Address: Home Phone Number: Cell Phone Number: Email Address: Date of Birth: / / Gender: M F Please provide a brief statement detailing your experience as a chaperone or as a leader of high school-age students and why you would like to participate in this initiative. If needed, please fill out the attached Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Form and submit at Plymouth North High School, Plymouth South High School, or the Plymouth Public Schools Unified Arts Office. No application will be processed without an approved CORI. The cost for all chaperones on the trip is a fixed rate of $255. This should be paid in two nonrefundable deposits: Monday, December 6, 2010: $150 Checks should be made to: Monday, January 31, 2011: $105 PNHS Music Department. Please return this application to Mrs. Holmes, Mr. Raymond, or Mr. Richter by Monday, November 22, 2010. See next page for Procedures and Regulations for all chaperones.
Page 2 Washington, D.C. Chaperone Application Procedures and Responsibilities for All Chaperones While on the Trip The level of student supervision of students on the Washington, D.C. trip is the same level of supervision of students required on school grounds. Teachers and chaperones must assume a 24-hour per day responsibility for students from the time they leave until the time they return. All chaperones will lead by example by adhering to the same code of conduct as the students. Chaperones are expected to follow the Student Handbook and Rules and the Student Behavior Guidelines and Expectations for the Washington, D.C. trip. All suspected violations should be reported (immediately) to Mr. Richter, Mrs. Holmes, or Mr. Raymond. Chaperones must actively supervise assist with loading and undloading of buses, setting up performances and keeping an accurate check on students assigned to their care. Chaperones are required to report any illness or injury of students to Mrs. Holms, Mr. Richter or Mr. Raymond. Chaperones may not retire until after all students are secure in their rooms, lights out, and the hotel security crew is in place. Medical Forms and Permission Slips for each student will be carried by the sponsoring teachers/directors. In the case of an accident, the medical release waivers shall be presented to the treating physician. Chaperones are required to report any illness or injury of students to Mrs. Holmes, Mr. Richter or Mr. Raymond immediately. Priority Preferences for Chaperone Selection 1. Parent/Guardian of student from each grade level and each ensemble 2. No more than one chaperone per family 3. Previous leadership or support in Plymouth Schools Music Association 4. Final decisions will be made by sponsoring music teachers/directors, Unified Arts Director, and school administrators