Griffith DC/NY Trip 2011

Washington D.C. & New York City

June 28th – July 2nd 2011

Rules & Behavior

• This is an educational trip, you should be listening and learning

• When either chaperone or tour guide talks, ear buds off.

• MP3 players, cell phones, etc. should not be used during tours or instructions.

• You are considered an ambassador of Griffith Middle School and East Los Angeles

• Be considerate of all tour guides and chaperones

• Students must wear proper attire and shoes at all times outside of your hotel room

Before You Leave Home… Pack efficiently and compactly for 5 days only.

Pack for multiple temperatures ~50 – 90 degrees (bring layers)

Recommended:1) 2 – 3 pairs of pants or jeans2) 1 – 2 pairs of shorts3) 1 swim suit (no bikinis, there is an indoor pool in hotel)4) 4 – 6 shirts (short and long sleeves)5) 1 good jacket6) 5 - 6 pairs of underwear7) 5 – 6 pairs of socks8) 1 pair GOOD walking shoes9) 1 pair of slip-on shoes or slippers/flip-flops (for airport)10) Toiletries and medications

You may want to bring a book, or deck of cards (something to entertain yourself on the plane and on the way to New York City).

You should also have a small bag (provided by chaperones) to carry around DC

Whatever you buy, you are responsible for carrying and packing back into your luggage

More on Packing

• Airport baggage guidelines:– Checked luggage

• Less than 50lbs• Should not be locked• Have contact information on WorldStrides tags

– Carry-on luggage• Less than 40 lbs (with personal items)• Less than 40 in.• Should have contact information on WorldStrides

tags• No prohibited items (see Airport Guidelines)• Valuables, medications, etc.

Airport Guidelines• According to the TSA (airport security), passengers may NOT carry-on

– Anything with a blade (i.e. knives, scissors, razor blades, utility knives, etc.), – Any sporting goods equipment, – Any guns or firearms, – Any tools, – Martial arts and self defense items, – Gel-type candles, or non-flammable gels, liquids, or aerosols. – No snow globes. – Passengers may not carry-on or check any type of explosive or flammable items.– Passengers may not carry-on or check any illegal substances or contraband

• Regarding liquids in carry-on luggage, all liquids in carry-on liquid needs to be in a bottle no bigger than 3.4 ounces and those bottles need to be in 1 quart sized clear plastic zip-top bag. You may only have one zip-top bag in your carry-on bag.

• Medications are ok, but must be declared when you go through security.

Do NOT Forget!

• Identification– All students must carry with them their school ID, and

their WorldStrides name badge around their necks at all times outside the hotel.

– Students will need a school ID and their flight ticket to get through security.

• Food– Most planes only serve small snacks and beverages

during the flight. You may bring solid food in your carry-on bag in order to eat on the plane, but nothing liquid, or gel-like.

Arriving at Griffith• Arrive at 3:00am• Meet in underground parking• You will receive:

– Your World Strides badge (must wear at all times outside of hotel room)

– WorldStrides luggage tags– A number (for roll taking purposes, so don’t

forget it)• We will boarding bus no later than 4:00am

Going Through Security

• Please have carry-on bag well-organized in order to get through the lines quickly.

• Have your liquids in a clear 1 quart zip-top bag.

• Pack jackets, sweaters and coats in your checked baggage if possible. You will need to remove and put through x-ray.

• Do not have wrapped gifts

• Be prepared to remove shoes, belts, keys, electronic items, coins, any metal objects.

• When in doubt, leave it out. If you’re not sure about whether you can carry it on, put it in your checked bag or leave it at home.

Items that might set off metal detectors

• Keys, loose change, mobile phones, mp3 players• Heavy jewelry• Clothing with metal buttons, snaps, or studs• Metal hair barrettes or other hair decorations• Belt buckles• Underwire bras• Body piercings• Shoes (flip-flops recommended for airport)

Boarding Plane

• We will board at our called time• Sit in your assigned seat• Once all are seated, we can move around.• Please be courteous to all passengers• Please keep noise levels low• Be aware it is about a 5 hour flight• Bring something to do or read on the plane

– You are responsible for anything you bring

Arrival in D.C.

• Our plane touches down at approx. 3:35pm EST (that is 3 hrs. ahead of PST - approx. 12:35pm)

• We will deplane, stop at restrooms

• Get our luggage

• Meet our representative, who will take us to our bus

• Proceed to Washington D.C. White House

• Have dinner

• See a few monuments

• Hotel check in at 10:30pm EST (8pm PST)

Hotel Routines• We will arrive each night at approx. 9:00pm

• Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM

• Lights out at 10:30 PM

• Students may not leave the hotel unless accompanied by a chaperone

• Students must sleep in their assigned room every night and remain in their rooms until awakened by the chaperone (6:00am wake up call)

• Students must wear proper attire and shoes outside of their hotel room (this means traveling to and from the pool as well)

• Also, be aware that any convenience in the hotel room (such as refrigerated beverages or snacks in room) is not free.

• You will have night security from 10:00pm – 5:00am, who is employed by World Strides.

General Daily Schedule

• Wake up at 6:00am

• Breakfast 7:00 – 7:45am at hotel

• Sightseeing and tours

• Lunch out around 12pm

• Sightseeing and tours

• Dinner out around 6:00pm

• Sightseeing and tours

• Return to hotel around 9:00pm

Leaving NYC

• Saturday morning we will load luggage onto bus before we leave the hotel

• Flight leaves EWR at 5:35pm

• Arrive LAX 10:10pm PST

• Parents pick up students at Griffith no later than 11:15pm

Staying Connected…

For more information and to stay updated on this trip go to:

http//:griffithtrip2011.wordpress.com

•pictures•videos•schedule•hotel information•and more…