Savannah and Atlanta, GA Trip

Our band has been invited to march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Savannah, GA this coming March 17, 2012.

Who is invited?

Seminole High School Band Students, Directors and Parent Chaperones.

IMPORTANT: The travel company requires a signed "Permission to Travel" Form for every student, chaperone and director. In addition, each traveler will need to complete the Savannah/Atlanta Trip Agreement. These are available in the band room, or may be downloaded in the links above. Please complete and return these forms to the band room ASAP!

What is the cost and when do I pay?

The cost of the trip for students and chaperones is $382, provided that students are 4 (four) per room AND chaperones are 2 (two) per room.  If you require a different rate of occupancy, please see Mrs. Galvin or Mr. Malcolm.

Initial deposit of $70 has been received and sent to the travel agency.

2^nd deposit of $156 due Wednesday, 01/18/12

3^rd (final) deposit of $156 due Wednesday, 02/15/12

Proposed Itinerary:

Friday, March 16:

9:00 AM - Students and Chaperones arrive at Seminole High School
10:00 AM - Depart SHS
12:00 - 1:00 PM - Lunch* at The Landing in Jacksonville
3:00 - 4:30 PM    - Check in to Holiday Inn, Pooler, GA
                         - Depart for River Street in Savannah
5:00 - 6:15 PM - Half Group has Dinner at Tubby's Tank House; remaining half explores Savannah/River Street.
6:45 PM - 7:45 PM - Half Group has Dinner at Tubby's Tank House; remaining half explores Savannah/River Street.
8:00 PM (ish) - Walking Ghost Tour: Return to Hotel afterwards

Saturday, March 17:

Breakfast buffet and hotel check-out
Directors will advise what time to load buses.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at 10:15 AM
After Parade, load buses to depart for Atlanta
    Lunch* stop on the way
Arrive in Atlanta; Dinner at the Varsity
Check-in Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Perimeter Center

Sunday, March 18:

Breakfast buffet
10:30 AM - 7:00 PM - Six Flags Over Georgia
    Lunch* on your own
    Dinner in the park with a meal voucher
Return to Hotel

Monday, March 19:

Breakfast buffet and hotel check-out
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM World of Coke Tour
Lunch* at the CNN Atrium
Tour CNN Studio until approximately 3:00 PM
3:30 PM - Depart for Sanford
    Quick Dinner* Stop on the way
Arrive SHS at approximately 10:00 PM - 11:00 PM

*5 Meals not included in Trip Packages:
    Lunch in Jacksonville
    Lunch on the way to Atlanta post-parade
    Lunch at Six Flags Over Georgia
    Lunch in the CNN Atrium
    Dinner on the way back to Sanford

Snacks and Souvenirs are at your own expense.

Chaperone Info:

IMPORTANT:  Here's the approval process for any adult who is travelling overnight with students:  
 
First of all you must be a Dividend.  If you're not one yet, go to the SCPS website www.scps.k12.fl.us and apply.  It's a questionnaire that takes about 2 minutes to complete.

Secondly, you will have to go to the SCPS Office on Lake Mary Blvd (east of 17-92) to be fingerprinted.  Their hours are M-F 8:30-Noon and 2:00-4:00 PM.  The cost, as of last year, is $57.25  It takes 10 days-2 weeks for them to get them processed, so please don't delay.  Once you have been fingerprinted by SCPS, the prints are good for 5 years.
 
I know that some of us have been fingerprinted for jobs and such, but unfortunately these prints cannot be used by Seminole County.  However, if you are an employee of Seminole County Public Schools, or are a current SCPS Mentor, you can request that your background check and fingerprints be provided to the Seminole High School Volunteer Coordinator (Mary Crager) by e-mailing Lynn Baggett in the Dividend office, lynn_baggett@scps.k12.fl.us. 

Please review the Chaperone Guidelines as required by the travel company.  

Student/Trip Accounts:

Students may apply funds from their student accounts to cover deposits.  If you have sufficient funds in your student account to cover a deposit when it is due, please make the request in writing by e-mailing Shelly Coker or Jen Polk at studenttrip@seminolehsband.org.  Student accounts may only be used to cover student costs, and may not be used to cover parent chaperone costs.  See the Band Handbook for full details on Student Accounts.

NOTE:  In order to GO on any band trip, your must not have any outstanding band dues/fees.  In order to participate in the Savannah/Atlanta trip, all band dues, instrument rentals or other outstanding fees must be paid in full by the January 18^th trip deposit deadline.  If you need to make payment plan arrangements for your band dues/fees, contact Linda DeJesus at treasurer3@seminolehsband.org.  Any cancellation fees charged by the travel company are the responsibility of the trip participant and will be deducted from the student account.