8th Grade Georgia Trip Info
Wednesday, October 2 to Friday, October 4, 2019
TRIP INFORMATION
1. SUITCASE SIZE: Each child is permitted to bring one (1) small suitcase and one (1) small carry-on (i.e., backpack for the bus). Please make sure all luggage and carry on items are labeled with name, home address, and phone number. Pack light because there is very little time for outfit changes due to the full itinerary. Space is limited on the bus, so please do not overpack.
2. DEPARTURE FOR TRIP: Arrive at Elkins Pointe at 6:15 AM. Students report directly to the Gym, sign-in, and drop off medications. *Bring snack donations to the gym. Buses will depart at 7:00 AM sharp!
3. RETURN AT END OF TRIP: We plan to return to Elkins Pointe on Friday, October 4th at 6:30 PM (traffic permitting). Parents should arrive at school on Friday, October 4th at 6:15 pm to pick up their child. If we are going to be more than 30 minutes late, we will keep parents posted via REMIND. Please be waiting in the parking lot.
4. PACKING: Students should pack 3-4 outfits, sleepwear for the hotel, a jacket, and rain gear. Students must abide by the school dress code and may wear jeans, pants, cropped pants, and APPROPRIATE-LENGTH shorts suitable to wear in the First Baptist Church. School Dress Code applies - short-shorts, boxer shorts, and pajama pants will not be allowed. This is a school function, and the school Dress Code will be strictly enforced. Comfortable shoes (i.e. sneakers) are a necessity... LOTS OF WALKING! A sweater, jacket, or sweatshirt will be needed for the bus, in airconditioned venues, and in the evenings. Note: Students should bring a small, compact umbrella or rain poncho.
5. LABEL ITEMS: All personal items brought on the trip should be labeled. The school assumes no responsibility if these items are lost. *Label your water bottle and other items. Note: We will be on a tight schedule and the chaperones will not have time to search for lost or misplaced items at each venue.
6. SPENDING MONEY: Students may bring spending money in the range of $20.00-40.00. All meals (except for the initial breakfast on the 1st day), lodging, and activities are included in the trip cost.
7. NIGHTTIME SNACKS & WATER BOTTLE: Inside the suitcase, we ask that the students pack 2 sets of nighttime snacks (one snack and drink for each night at the hotel). There are vending machines in the hotels; however, they may not be stocked for 150+ students. * Pack a refillable water bottle to fill in the hotel in the morning.
8. SNACKS ON THE BUSES: Students may bring nutritious snacks and drinks on the bus. All drinks must be in plastic containers with screw-on tops. We recommend that all food is put in plastic bags or containers.
- DONATIONS REQUESTED: Parents are asked to donate cases of water bottles to help keep students and teachers hydrated, and individual snacks (NO PEANUT PRODUCTS and nothing that melts) to keep students and teachers fueled on the trip.
- Food and water donations can be dropped off in the gym on the morning of the trip.
9. CELLPHONE ONLY: Students may bring one device (i.e. cell phone) with earphones. Cell phones are permitted, but they will be required to put them away when asked by chaperones unless being used to take pictures when appropriate. Students need to respect school rules with regard to the use of cell phones. STUDENTS MAY NOT BRING IPADS, TABLETS, LAPTOP, or GAMING DEVICE such as XBOX, PS4, SWITCH.
10. MEDICATION: If your child is on any medication, please complete a medical form. You may send the medical form into your child’s Georgia Studies teacher anytime prior to the trip. Each bus will have a designated chaperone in charge of medication. On the morning of the trip, the medication will be turned in to that teacher. Please put all medication (in its original package) in a plastic bag with the child’s name on it with instructions.
Medical Authorization Forms:
11. EMERGENCY: If you have an emergency and need to reach us while we are on the trip, please:
- Send a direct message to Mrs. Streeter on REMIND (This works like a text message)
- Email Mrs. Streeter at streeters1@fultonschools.org
- Email Ms. Ward at wardi@fultonschools.org
12. RULES & REGULATIONS: All county and school rules will be in effect during the trip. Students who do not follow the rules will be sent home at the parent’s expense, and disciplinary action will be taken upon our return.
13. CHAPERONES: The trip chaperones will be teachers and staff from Elkins Pointe Middle School. AP Tours will have a tour guide on the trip for the sole purpose of making sure the itinerary runs as planned and to resolve any logistical issues on the trip due to weather or timing issues.
14. ROOM ASSIGNMENTS: Students will be assigned four to a room. Students will be given the opportunity to select their roommates. This will take place in September.
15. BOYS/GIRLS EXPECTATIONS: Under no circumstances are girls to be in the boys’ rooms or vice versa at any time. Once students have been checked in their rooms at night by their chaperones, they are not to open the door for anyone except a chaperone.
16. OCEAN/POOL SAFETY: Students are NOT PERMITTED to go into the ocean or the pool at any time. Please discuss this expectation and safety precaution with your child.
17. CONDUCT OF STUDENTS: On this trip, our teachers and students are ambassadors of our school. Because of the length and distance of the trip, there are conduct and achievement requirements. If a student receives three (3) or more days of ISS or one (1) or more days of OSS from 08/12/19 - 10/1/19, that student will not be allowed to attend the trip. The administration of the school reserves the right to make the final decision concerning a student’s eligibility for the trip.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:
Savannah (2 nights)
The group will utilize two (2) hotels, to keep genders separated and to keep breakfast groups smaller and more manageable. The Country Inn and Comfort Suites are both located within ½ mile of each other and are located immediately off exit #94 on I-95. These hotels provide a convenient location and are in a safe area in Savannah. Room Arrangements: Students will be housed quad occupancy (when possible)
- Hotel #1: Comfort Suites Savannah Gateway - 596 Al Henderson Blvd., Savannah, GA 31419
- Hotel #2: Country Inn and Suites - 16 Gateway Blvd E, Savannah, GA 31419
BOYS/GIRLS: The boys and girls will be at separate hotels that are in walking distance of each other. Assistant Principal Ward will stay at the boys' hotel, and Mrs. Streeter will stay at the girls' hotel.
SAFETY CHECKS: Assistant Principal Ward will be going back and forth to conduct safety checks at both hotels.
COMMUNICATION
All communications will come through REMIND groups.
REMIND FOR PARENTS: Please sign up by
- Texting 81010
- Entering @c4kcg9e OR if full, please join @ake4h6
There will be two Remind trip groups for parents that will receive the same information (Remind maxes out at 150, henceforth, 2 groups- Please only join one)
PARENT - REMIND Sign-Up
***Only if your child is already registered to attend
1.) Download Remind OR Text to 81010
2.) Enter the Remind code: @c4kcg9e OR @ake4h6
There will be two Remind trip groups for PARENTS that will receive the same information (Remind maxes out at 150, henceforth, 2 groups- Please only join one)
STUDENT- REMIND Sign-up
***Only if you are already registered to attend
1.) Download Remind OR Text to 81010
2.) Enter the Remind code: @76e337 OR @ba7gf3
There will be two Remind trip groups for STUDENTS that will receive the same information (Remind maxes out at 150, henceforth, 2 groups- Please only join one)
GEORGIA STUDIES TOUR ITINERARY
Elkins Pointe Middle School
Georgia Studies Tour - October 2-4, 2019
DAY 1: Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019
- 7:00 am Buses arrive at Elkins Pointe Middle School
- 7:00 am - 7:30 am Check in with teachers and load buses for departure
- 7:30 am - 11:00 am Drive to Milledgeville
- 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Bus 1 and 2 Lunch: Lunch at GCSU Dining Hall
- 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Bus 3 and 4: Tour of Governor’s Mansion (a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum)
- 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm Bus 1 and 2: Tour of Governor’s Mansion
- 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Bus 3 and 4: Lunch at GCSU Dining Hall
- 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm Travel to Tybee Island
- 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Dinner and Beach time along Tybee Island Pier
- 7:00 pm - 7:45 pm Travel to Savannah
- 7:45 pm - 8:45 pm Trolley ghost tour in Savannah
- 9:15 pm Check into hotels in Savannah
DAY 2: Thursday, October 3rd, 2019
- 9:00 am- 11:00 am Wormsloe Plantation Interpretive program
- 11:00 am- 11:30 am Travel to Riverstreet
- 11:30 am - 12:15 pm Picnic lunch at Waving Girl (Chick-fil-a)
- 12:15 pm - 2:00 pm Shopping and free time along Riverstreet
- 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Riverboat Cruise along Savannah waterway
- 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm Travel to First African Baptist Church
- 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm First African Baptist Church tour
- 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm Travel to Mighty Eighth Air Force
- 5:30 pm - 7:15 pm Tour of Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum
- 7:15 pm - 9:00 pm Pizza dinner and Dinner dance with DJ
- 9:30 pm Return to same hotels as night one
DAY 3: Friday, October 4th, 2019
- 6:00 am- 6:45 Breakfast at hotels: staggered times. Bring luggage with you and load buses
- 7:00 am - 11:00 am Travel to Andersonville, GA (with a rest stop along the way)
- 11:00 am - 1:15 am Andersonville Historic Site
- 11:00 am - 11:40 am Buses 1, 2: Walking tour of the cemetery
- Buses 3, 4: Driving tour of Prison grounds
- 11:40 am - 12:20 pm Buses 1, 2: Driving tour of prison grounds
- Buses 3,4: Walking tour of the cemetery
- 12:20 pm - 12:30 pm Get boxed lunch and head to buses (Subway)
- 12:30 pm - 1:15 pm Travel to Plains, Georgia
- 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Buses 1, 2: Shopping in Plains, Georgia with optional peanut ice cream shop
- Buses 3, 4: Tour of boyhood farm (No Museum)
- 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm Buses 1, 2: Tour of boyhood farm (No Museum)
- Buses 3, 4: Shopping in downtown Plains, Georgia with optional peanut ice cream shop
- 3:15 - 6:30 pm Travel back to school
MEDICAL FORMS
Medical Authorization Forms
If your child will need to take medications, please complete the forms and turn in to Mrs. Streeter before or on the day of the trip.
Note: This includes over-the-counter medications. Here are the Fulton County approved medications: acetaminophen, antacids, aspirin, cough or throat lozenges, ibuprofen, Midol, and oral antihistamines.
If your child will be bringing ANY MEDICATION on the Georgia Trip, it is a Fulton County requirement to complete a form. See the policy below for instructions on which form is required.
Fulton County Student Health Services Policy
OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION POLICY:
Middle School students may carry Fulton County Schools approved medications with them during the school day, on field trips or during other school-related activities, if parental permission is provided in advance on the district approved form (Form SHS-2). Fulton County approved medications: acetaminophen, antacids, aspirin, cough or throat lozenges, ibuprofen, Midol, and oral antihistamines. Please Note: These medications also need to be in the original container and not expired.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION POLICY:
If you have a child who has asthma, a severe allergy or another health-related condition that requires self-administration of medication, or needs to carry an emergency medication (Epipen, Diastat, inhaler, glucagon, etc.), or if a student has an approved legitimate reason to carry a medication on his/her person, you must complete and submit to the school clinic an Authorization for Students to Carry a Prescription, Inhaler, Epipen, Insulin, or Other Approved Medication SHS-2 Form. Fulton County School System retains the privilege of refusing certain medications be carried, except where otherwise required by law. You may obtain a form from your child’s school. This form requires a physician, parent/guardian, and student signature if the medication is a prescription medication. You are strongly encouraged to keep a “backup” supply of any emergency medications such as an inhaler, Epipen, Diastat, Diabetes medication, etc. in the school clinic. For further instructions, please call or visit your school clinic.
MEDICATION POLICY:
When possible, the medication should be taken at home, including all non-essential medications, such as vitamins, herbals, essential oils, and narcotic pain medications. However, if medication must be taken at school, on a field trip or during a “before or after” school chaperoned activity, Parents must provide all medications (prescribed and over-the-counter) and the following policies and procedures apply: (Fulton County Schools reserves the right to decline administration of nonessential medications).
- Authorization for Medication Form – The parent/legal guardian must complete an authorization and instruction form entitled “AUTHORIZATION TO GIVE MEDICATION AT SCHOOL SHS-1 Form”. For all prescription medications, a physician must also sign the form. A faxed copy of the form from your doctor’s office is acceptable after the parent/legal guardian’s signature. All schools have copies of the form on-site for your convenience, or you can access the Student Health Services website to obtain a copy of the form. The school cannot give medications without the authorization form. The same form is used for prescription and nonprescription medications. Medication Authorization Forms are valid for one/current school year. A separate form MUST be used for each medication.
- The medication and the authorization form SHOULD be taken to the school clinic/office by the parent/legal guardian. However, if this is not possible, the student should be instructed to take the medication and the authorization form directly to the school office/clinic upon arrival to school. Please instruct your child that under NO circumstances should medication be shown to or shared with another student! It is essential for the parent/legal guardian to bring controlled substance medications to the school personally. Medications that are considered controlled substances by the State of Georgia (which includes medications for ADD/ADHD, prescribed pain medications and psychotropic medications) must be appropriately stored in the school clinic. STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES LYNNE P. MEADOWS, MSN, BSN, RN COORDINATOR 6201 Powers Ferry Road, NW Atlanta, GA 30339 Phone: 470-254-2177 / Fax: 470-254-2172 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR HEALTH SERVICES INFORMATION Revised May 2018
- Only medication in its ORIGINAL container from the store or pharmacy is accepted. Non-Prescription medications in small-sized containers are preferred due to limited storage space. Both prescription and non-prescription medications sent to the school must have current labeling on the container. Medication in containers that have expired labeling will not be given to the student. The medication in the container must MATCH the label. The label must MATCH the student and the instructions on the authorization form. The prescription label on the bottle must be CURRENT. A new prescription container with correct labeling is required for any dosage change. The school cannot alter dosages without a new authorization form from you and/or your doctor/healthcare provider. At the designated time, the student will go to the clinic to take the medication. Assistance/supervision by the school clinic personnel will be given in accordance with the instructions on the authorization form. Medication is a parental responsibility. Fulton County School System employees will not assume any liability for supervising or administering medication. Fulton County School System retains the privilege of refusing to supervise/assist in administering medication, except where otherwise required by law.
- Discontinued medication should be retrieved from the school office/clinic within one week after the medication is discontinued and any unused medication should be picked up by the end of the school year. Any discontinued, unused medication or expired medication left in the clinic at the end of the school year will be discarded.