8th Grade Boston Trip

Dear 8th Grade Families,

As part of the rite of passage to high school and as a culminating activity of your students time in middle school, we go on a three days, two nights excursion to Boston.~ The dates of the trip are Wednesday, May 25th through Friday, May 27th.~ As part of this trip students will stay in a college dorm room, see Blue Man Group or Shear Madness, visit the Science Museum, walk the Freedom Trail, and have the opportunity to visit local colleges, eat in Chinatown and/or in the North End, and visit other museums in Boston.~ This is a trip that your student will never forget.

The total cost of the trip is $350.~ To help with the costs there will be ample opportunities for your student to fund raise for the trip.~ Your student has a fundraising account.~ The amount that your student raises will be deposited into your student's account.~ In April, the remainder of the balance will need to be paid.~ Families will also have to option to just pay the $350.~ To get the most out of this opportunity, I would strongly suggest that your student be responsible for a portion of the cost.~ Partial scholarships will be available to students, if they have participated in the fundraising activities.

For the student that raises the most money, we are looking for a unique experience for them and a friend. It may be dinner at a North End Restaurant or a special show. The prize will be offered based on the student’s interest.

Tentative list of this year’s fundraisers:

September – PTA Fundraiser – All students who participate, 50% of the profits from their orders will go towards Boston.
November – Thanksgiving Pie Sale
December – February – Calendar Raffle
February/March – Spaghetti Dinner

If you or your student would like to organize a fundraiser, please contact me and will try to make your idea work.

A letter went home with your child yesterday stating how much they have earned for Boston. Please ask them for it.

If you have any questions or suggestions for fundraisers, please contact Joe Smith at [ mailto:jsmith3@mtsd-vt.org ]jsmith3@mtsd-vt.org or 893-5529.

Finding Our Mansfield!

Greeting House C Learners and Families!

Here we are on the eve of our trip to show Mt. Mansfield what House C is made of. To ensure a successful day for all full of challenge, collaboration, and celebration, please prepare in the following ways:

• Get a good night’s sleep. You need lots of energy for this hike.
• Eat a hearty breakfast. (see above for reason why)
• Pack the following:
• Water - 32 oz (one liter) minimum
• Proper footwear - sturdy, closed-toed shoes/boots, socks
• Clothing layers - t-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, light jacket, light pants, shorts
• Lunch and snacks
• Sunscreen
• Backpack - it should only contain this list of items. As much as you’d love to do your humanities practice on the hike, please leave all non-hike materials at school/home.
• As of 9/15, the forecast for our trip is sunny, high of 79°F/low of 58°F with 0% chance of precipitation. This is warm weather for hiking, but you’ll notice the temperature drop as you ascend. Dress accordingly.

Please review the expectations as we discussed in class:

• No one hikes alone
• No one passes the lead adult for your group
• No one gets left behind
• If you need help, stop and wait for an adult
• Leave no trace
• Stay on the trail
• School rules and expectations apply

Remember, this trip is about both pushing yourself as an individual and about reaching out to others to help improve everyone’s experience of this trip. Let this make you and House C stronger.

Thank you for taking time to review this information. We look forward to see you all on the trail!

House C