Parent Meeting

Monday, March 16, 2015

A parent-driven opportunity for NHMS SI students to travel abroad for an authentic cultural experience

and a chance to be immersed in Spanish

2015 Up-Date

We have 15 students (9 girls & 6 boys).

This is an exact match with Liceo’s numbers this year.

During the first two weeks of September, we need families to stand by in case a host change is needed (one girl and one boy backup). Also need host families for the two Liceo chaperones. Please ask around and if anyone would be interested, let me know or ask them to email nhs@imagetours.com.

Logistical Contact in Grand Rapids

Monique Kasmauskis Will remain in Grand Rapids to be available

to communicate between parents, chaperones, and Liceo contacts.

Group Leaders / Chaperones

Mike Kasmauskis and Lisa BaumanParents of current or past participants.

Student Mentors

Karina Kasmauskis and Brett BaumanPast participant / older Spanish Immersion students who will help prepare students based on their language skills and experiences, will encourage

communication in Spanish at all times in Madrid, and will be able to sympathize with and help students cope with natural student acclimation.

Dates 20152015 Dates to Madrid Depart: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 (last day of exams)Return: Wednesday, June 24, 2015

2015 Date of U.S. Visit (tentative)Arrival: August 30, 2015Depart: September 15, 2015Includes Labor Day Weekend.Only one week during school.School Starts Tuesday, Sep 8.

Air Schedule on United Airlines

Wednesday, June 10

Meet at Grand Rapids Airport at 12:45 pm

Depart Grand Rapids at 2:30 pm

Arrive Washington D.C. at 4:10 pm

Depart Washington D.C. at 5:45 pm

Arrive Madrid on June 11 at 7:40 am

Wednesday, June 24

Depart Madrid at 11:35 am

Arrive Washington D.C. at 2:30 pm

Depart Washington D.C. at 5:10 pm

Arrive Grand Rapids at 6:56 pm

Air schedules are tentative and subject to change at any time.

2015 Madrid ItineraryWed, June 10 – Departure

Thu, June 11 – Arrival and Overnight at Madrid Center Hotel Acclimation with Chaperones and group

Fri, June 12 – Meet Host Families

Sat, June 13 & Sun, June 14 – Host Family Activities Phone Call from Chaperone on Saturday

Mon, June 15 to Fri, June 19 – Group Excursions

Sat, June 20 to Tue, June 23 – Host Family Activities

Wed, June 24 – Return home. Host families will transfer students to the airport at 8:30 am.

Financial DetailsEstimated Costs -- $2,985 plus incidentals

Note: These numbers are based on 14 students with 2 group leaders.

Payment ScheduleDeposit / Already Paid - $745

By Monday, March 16 - $2000

By Monday, May 18 – Balance (less than $250)

$145 insurance premium is non-refundable in all circumstancesAll other payments are non-refundable as of payment due date.Covered claims with the travel insurance will not provide reimbursement of the $145 insurance premium, $200 proportional cost of chaperones’ air, or $500 U.S. reciprocal exchange costs.

All payments must be by check made payable to Image Tours Inc.

Next MeetingsBoth student and parent must attend all meetings,

with students working on preparing for the Madrid trip

and parents working on preparing for U.S. visit.

Monday, April 20 at 7 pm at Image Building

Monday, April 27 at 7 pm - Location to be announcedBring Spanish dish to pass

Host family matching day

Monday, May 18 at 7 pm at Image Building

Monday, August 10 (tentative - by meeting or email)Touch Base on final preparations for U.S. visit

(reservation confirmations, payment requests, final time schedules, etc.)

Monday, August 24 at 7 pm at Image Building Final communication for U.S. visit

2015 Tentative U.S. ItinerarySunday, August 30 – Arrival (late) and Meet Host Families

Monday, August 31 & Tuesday, September 1 – Host Family Activities and Acclimation

Wednesday, September 2 – Group Excursion Give Liceo students a chance to meet with their chaperones Evening get together of all host families (cook-out or pizza dinner)

Thursday, September 3 – Host Family Activity or Group Activity?In Grand Rapids, in case contact is needed with chaperones.Possible Football game opportunity (optional)

Friday, September 4 to Monday, September 7 – Host family activities

Tuesday, September 8 to Friday, September 11 – Group ExcursionsExcursions: three full day and two half day excursionsThursday Evening - Craig’s Cruisers PartyFriday Evening – possible football game opportunity (optional)

Saturday, September 12 & Sunday, September 13 – Host Family Activities

Monday, September 14 – School visits full day (Ada Vista, NT and Middle School)May need to move half day of school visits to previous weekGroup good-bye – meet for group photos and dessert?

Tuesday, September 15 – Liceo students depart for Chicago in the morning

Student Participation & Car Pooling List

I would like to email a list of participants, including main email address, main phone, and address.

I would also like to note close addresses for suggested car pooling communication.

If anyone prefers I do not include certain information, please email me in the next few days. I will send that information out by email on March 20.

2015 Tentative U.S. Visit Activities Wednesday, September 2 – Group Excursion

Give Liceo students a chance to meet with their chaperones Option: Downtown Grand Rapids

9 am drop off at Ford or Grand Rapids Public MuseumSack lunch in park along Grand River

Evening get together of all host families Picnic at Cascade Township Park (or other park)Cookout at someone’s homePizza at Village Pizza or similarPizza and Bowling

Thursday, September 3 – Host Family Activity or Group Activity?In Grand Rapids, in case contact is needed with chaperones.Do we need a planned excursion for today?Optional? / Liceo Only? / Liceo and student (add’l at cost)?

Possible Football game opportunity (optional)

2015 Tentative U.S. Visit Activities Tuesday, September 8 – Liceo Only Excursion

Option: Suggest Canoe Trip in Rockford

Wednesday, September 9 – Liceo Only Excursion Option: Suggest Silver Lake Mac Wood’s Dune Buggies, Little Sable Point Light House, Country Dairy in New Era for lunch and tour

Thursday, September 10 – Liceo Only Excursion Full Day Excursion to be determined.May need to swap with half day Friday excursions

if school visits need to be moved to this day.

Craig’s Cruisers Party from 6 pm to 9 pm

Friday, September 11 – Liceo OnlyHalf day visit to a business (Amway?)Half day visit to Meijer Gardens or similar May need to swap a half day with school visits on Monday.

Possible football game opportunity (optional)

2015 Tentative U.S. Visit Activities Monday, September 14 – School Visits

Visit two or three classes at NHMS in AMVisit NT and Ada Vista in PM possibly.May need to move one school visit to half day Friday.

Is there is a need for a group good-bye? If so, how about meeting at 8 pm for a group photo and dessert?

Example: Ada Covered Bridge for a group photowith the possibility to walk into Ada for ice cream?

Rain Day – Rivertown Crossings

2015 Tentative U.S. Visit Activities

Ideas for other Full Day Excursions:

Grand Haven

Camp Rogers

Hastings Charlton Historic Village/Museum Possibly with Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park on Return

Open to New Ideas

1. T-shirts: Need by May 8 for Madrid Trip. Print, Design, Sponsors.

2. Coordinator USA Visit: Budget, Time Schedule, Assignments.

3. Transportation Coordinator: Coordinate 20 passenger seats per excursion.

4. Activity Coordinator - Wed, Sep 2 - Full Day Excursion (Possibly GR Museums)

5. Activity Coordinator - Wed, Sep 2 – Evening: Gathering for all host families

6. Activity Coordinator - Thu, Sep 3 - Full Day: Is this needed/optional?

7 & 8. Activity Coordinators - Tue, Sep 8 Full Day - Full Day (Canoe Rockford?)

9 & 10. Activity Coordinators - Wed, Sep 9 - Full Day (Country Dairy/Dune Rides?)

11. Activity Coordinator - Thu, Sep 10 - Full Day Excursion

12. Activity Coordinator - Thu, Sep 10 Evening: Craig's Cruisers

13. Activity Coordinator - Fri, Sep 11 AM Half day: Visit a Business

14. Activity Coordinator - Fri, Sep 11 PM Half day: (possibly Meijer Gardens)

15. Activity Coordinator - Mon, Sep 14 Full Day – School Visits

U.S. Visit Sign Up List

Group Contact Information

Monique or Mike Kasmauskis

Image Tours Inc.

2828 Kraft Ave SE

Grand Rapids MI 49512

Phone: 957-1000 x290

Email: nhs@imagetours.com