Europe 2014 Trip

April 2014

London, Dublin and Edinburgh

April 22, 2013

NEXT STUDENT MEETING!

There will be a MANDATORY student meeting on THURSDAY, MAY 9th at 11:15am in ROOM 324. Bring your lunch!

February 1, 2013

The trip is now full. We have 45 registered travellers. We were able to add the first person on the waiting list. Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in the trip. I truly wish we could take all deserving students! If you are on the waiting list, I encourage you to start SAVING MONEY! You never know what may happen. A spot may open up at any time. I will contact students on the waiting list, in order, immediately if any spots open up.

Again THANK YOU for your interest and patience!

January 25th, 2013

The list of invited travelers has been posted outside of the Main Office.

Students on the list may line up in front of the Main Office on Monday, January 28th. The school opens at 7am and Ms. MacQueen will be there to pass out online registration information at 7:30am. Students must be in a single file, orderly line. Please be respectful of each other. Students MAY NOT hold spaces for other students. The first 45 students in line will receive a letter explaining the registration process. The remaining students will be put on a waitlist based on their order in line.

Students are NOT required to bring a deposit to school. All payments will be made online directly to the travel company.

There is a mandatory meeting for PARENTS/GUARDIANS of interested students on Thursday, January 24th at 7pm in the school library.

Explorica Power Point

London, Dublin & Edinburgh

Tour Itinerary (Detailed)

· Day 1 Start Tour

· Day 2 Hello London

Meet your Tour Director and check into hotel

London City Walk

Thames River, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery Visit, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Soho

Fish and Chips dinner

Details: London City Walk

Step outside your hotel, for a stroll through the streets of the heart of the English-speaking world. In this city of nearly seven million, you'll see everything from 12th-century fortifications to modern skyscrapers, formal parks to punk rockers. Your Tour Director will lead you to some of the most famous sites. Walk along the Thames River. Cross Trafalgar Square. See bustling Piccadilly Circus. Pass trendy shops and cafés in Bohemian Soho on your way to Covent Garden, a 13th-century fruit and vegetable garden transformed into a maze of narrow streets and pedestrian walkways burgeoning with street performers, open-air markets and boutiques.

Details: National Gallery Visit

Located in an impressive domed building right in Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery houses a rich collection of over 2,000 works of art dating from the mid 13th century to 1900. Explore the beautiful marble hallways to see famous paintings by van Eyck, Turner and Van Gogh.

Details: Fish and Chips dinner

Nothing's more British than fish and chips-there are eight fish and chips shops ("chippies") for every McDonald's in the county. Head to an authentic pub with your Tour Director for a taste of this national food, generally served with malt vinegar.

· Day 3 London Landmarks

London Guided Sightseeing Tour

Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, St. Paul's Cathedral

Windsor Castle guided excursion

Join a licensed local guide for an in-depth look at London, from the royal haunt of Buckingham Palace (the official London residence of Queen Elizabeth II) to the slightly more democratic Speakers’ Corner of Hyde Park, where anyone can pull up a soapbox and orate to his heart’s content. You’ll see the changing of the guard (season permitting), the clock tower of Big Ben with its 14-ton bell, and Westminster Abbey, where almost every English king and queen since William the Conqueror has been crowned. After a stop at the Houses of Parliament, continue on to the magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral, the masterpiece of London architect Christopher Wren.

· Day 4 London--Dublin

Fly to Dublin

City Walk

O'Connell Street

Parnell Square

Henry Street

Details: City Walk

Get a friendly introduction to Ireland’s capital city, compliments of your Tour Director. Discover an international urban scape of Georgian buildings, castles and cathedrals. Literary legends and budding musicians. All while one million people welcome you with smiling eyes. Stroll bustling O’Connell Street, once (at 150 ft wide) the widest street in Europe, and still the busiest thoroughfare in Dublin. Pass shop after shop of local and global wares and flairs, and a lush street-meridian lined with tall trees and ebony statues of Irish leaders. Make your way to the end of the strip to Parnell Square, an antique scape of red brick townhouses and classic Irish theatres. As you wander the streets, take in the international glamour of Ireland’s most cosmopolitan city.

· Day 5 Dublin Landmarks

Dublin Guided Sightseeing Tour

Phoenix Park, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College Book of Kells visit

Optional Powerscourt Gardens Excursion $55

Traditional Public House Dinner

Details: Dublin Guided Sightseeing Tour

Join a professional licensed tour guide on an adventure to Dublin’s finest attractions. Pass the residence of Ireland’s president, Mary MacAleese, along your journey through Phoenix Park. Within Europe’s grandest enclosed park, encounter 1,760 undeveloped acres scattered with cricket pitches, grazing cows, and red deer. Stop to eye a stone phoenix rising from flames atop the Corinthian-style Phoenix Column. Tour the roads along the River Liffey to 12th-century St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest of its kind in all Ireland. Get a glimpse of the neighboring park where St. Patrick (who brought Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century) baptized converts. Continue on to Trinity College, the stone-clad sprawling campus where Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett studied. Stop by the Long Room in the Old Library for a zoom-view of the illuminated edition of four Gospels, the Book of Kells. The original manuscript was penned in Latin around AD 800 by four Irish Monks who used multicolored ink from plants and bugs. Take some time to study the brilliant latticework of curvy Celtic symbols woven with animal figures that enlivens the script.

· Day 6 Dublin--Edinburgh

Fly to Edinburgh

Edinburgh City Walk

Charlotte Square, Alexander Graham Bell's home, Robert Louis Stevenson's home, Robert Burns monument

Details: Edinburgh City Walk

The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh has steep streets and stone buildings zigzagging up hills and down into small valleys, and the brooding Edinburgh Castle looms over the whole thing. Follow your Tour Director through New Town's Charlotte Square, with its elegant Georgian townhouses. See where inventor Alexander Graham Bell was born in 1847, pass Robert Louis Stevenson's birthplace near the Royal Botanic Garden, and stroll by the monument commemorating Scottish poet Robert Burns. Hear the castle's ramparts echo with gunfire at 1 p.m. Gaze out at the steep slopes and craggy cliffs of the northwest Highlands, visible from Edinburgh's highest points. Peer down into the blue sea stretching out beyond the city.

· Day 7 Edinburgh Landmarks

Edinburgh Guided Sightseeing Tour

Royal Mile, Old Town, Sir Walter Scott Monument, Edinburgh Castle

Details: Edinburgh Guided Sightseeing Tour

Edinburgh Castle, the historical and emotional heart of the city, is just one of the many sights you will see on this tour, led by a licensed professional guide. Make your way along the Royal Mile, the main thoroughfare of the 16th and 17th centuries. (It's actually one mile and 107 yards long--from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House). As you make your way along cobbled streets, you'll see a handful of the several thousand buildings officially protected in Edinburgh because of their architectural or historic importance. The 200-foot spire of the Sir Walter Scott monument soars above the East Princes Street Gardens. Grand figures from Scottish history adorn its heights, make sure you also look down -- the figure below the marble statue is Scott's favorite dog, Maida.

· Day 8 End Tour

PRICE: $3406

Tour Fee Includes:

§ Round-trip airfare

§ 6 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms

§ Full European breakfast daily

§ Dinner daily

§ Full-time services of a professional Tour Director

§ Guided sightseeing tours and city walks as per itinerary

§ Visits to select attractions as per itinerary

§ Flight from London--Dublin

§ Flight from Dublin--Edinburgh

§ Tour Diary™

Tour Fee DOES NOT Include:

Passport
Lunch
Spending money
travel insurance (MANDATORY)

Please Note: The info below pertains only to the 2012 Europe trip.

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May 30th, 2012

Families will be reimbursed $85 from the $200 cheque received for tips and extra excursions. To receive your cheque, please see Mrs. Cummings in the main office and let her know who the cheque should be made out to. It will then take a few days to process the cheque. Students should check back with her a few days after the request.

Thanks!

April 26, 2012

Parents and travellers:

Please join us for a 'Wrap Party' on May 10th from 7-8:30pm in the band room. There will be pictures to share, slideshows, refreshments and a special keepsake gift for students. RSVP at 864-6700 on or before May 8th.

Hope to see you there!

April 2, 2012

Rules of the Road!

Two of the MOST IMPORTANT rules that must be followed at all times:

-ALWAYS be in a group of 4 or more

-ALWAYS be on time! (BRING A WATCH!)

Suggested Reading to enhance your learning!

You may want to read or bring the following books with you to help put your learning into context:

Diary of Anne Frank

Vimy by Pierre Berton

Suggestion: Bring hand sanitizer and a few small packs of tissues with you for bathroom breaks. You may need them!

March 30th, 2012

Students were given a copy of the TELEPHONE TREE at today's meeting. Parents, please make sure you have a copy!

March 27, 2012

Mr. Miller has purchased umbrellas with the SHS logo. You can buy one at our meeting on March 30th. They cost $4 and may make the trip much more comfortable! We will be outside for hours most days and should expect all types of weather. Exact change is appreciated! See you on Friday. :)

March 19, 2012

Final Meeting for Students!

Our pre-departure meeting will be held on Friday, March 30th from 11:30-1:25pm. This is a mandatory meeting for all travellers and attendance will be adjusted for the period after lunch.

Passports and airport arrival time

Several students have NOT yet signed their passports. Please sign where indicated on the page opposite your photo. This should be done before you arrive at the airport.

All students should arrive at the airport NO LATER than 10:30am on Thursday, April 5th.

Baggage Restrictions

AIR CANADA

Checked luggage

Hand luggage

Please find more information at http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/baggage/index.html

LUFTHANSA

Checked luggage

table	General	Frequent Travellers	Senators/ HON Circle Members/ Star Alliance Gold Members
Economy Class	1 bag up to 23 kg	2 bags up to 23 kg each	2 bags up to 23 kg each
Business Class	2 bags up to 32 kg each	2 bags up to 32 kg each	3 bags up to 32 kg each
First Class	3 bags up to 32 kg each	3 bags up to 32 kg each	4 bags up to 32 kg each
Additional sports bag	All routes except for North Atlantic: + 1 ski bag	All routes except for North Atlantic: + 1 ski bag	All routes except for North Atlantic: + 1 ski bag + 1 golf bag

Please note the maximum dimensions per bag of 158 cm (width + height + depth).

Hand luggage

A piece of hand luggage may not be larger than 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm and may not weigh more than 8 kg. Foldable garment bags are an exception to this; they count as hand luggage up to a size of 57 cm x 54 cm x 15 cm.

We will carry items of baggage exceeding these limits in the cargo hold as the stowage space in the cabin is limited.

Please find more information at
http://www.lufthansa.com/us/en/Baggage-overview

Packing List

Please remember to identify all pieces of your luggage

(on the inside and the outside).

1. PASSPORT!!!!

2. Money belt (NO PURSES!)

3. Basics (shirts, jeans, socks, underwear)

4. Toiletries (most should be in your suitcase, NOT your carry-on)

5. Comfortable shoes (we will be doing PLENTY of walking)

6. One nice outfit for a special night out

7. Sweaters/light jacket with hood

8. Warm jacket with hood and gloves

9. Electrical adapter WITH converter for hair dryers, etc.

Website with information on electrical adapters:

http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap11/electric.htm

10. Necessary medications in original bottles or packs

11. Eyewear (sunglasses, extra pair of glasses/contact lenses)

12. Camera and extra batteries

13. Carry-on essentials (put things you need for the first day or two of the trip in your carry-on in case you are separated from your luggage. Keep your passport, cash, debit and credit cards in your money belt at all times).

14. Black pants and a white shirt for the Vimy Ceremonies on April 9th.

15. Your Vimy jacket (arriving soon!)

Pack light! You will be expected to carry all of your own luggage, often up several flights of stairs. We will be making several hotel changes, so we will be carrying our luggage around often.

February 16, 2012

Overdue passports and cheques

There are currently 12 students who have not passed in the required $200 cheque (made out to Sackville High School) and 6 students who have not passed in a copy of their passport. These items are overdue and must be passed in immediately. Thank you!

January 30, 2012

Upcoming mandatory meetings for students and parents!

Student Meeting

There will be a mandatory 10 minute meeting on Friday, Feb. 3rd at 11:15am in Room 324. We will be selecting sizes for our Vimy Tour jackets (included in the cost you have already paid). Please be there to select your size. Otherwise, a size will be selected for you.

Parent Meeting

A mandatory Parent/Guardian meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 6th at 7pm in the school library. Tour details, such as hotel and flight info, will be shared at this time. Please bring your medical and emergency info with you as you will need to fill out two forms.

January 16, 2012

Reminder

A $200 cheque (made out to Sackville High School) must be given to Ms. MacQueen on February 14th. This was discussed in detail at the first parent meeting and is needed to cover tips for tour guides and bus drivers, as well as special excursions such as the trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

January 12, 2012

84 days to go!

Copies of passports still needed...

There are 12 students who have not passed in copies of their passports. Please bring a copy in to Ms. MacQueen ASAP!

Thank you!

Parent Meeting

There will be a mandatory parent meeting during the first week of March to discuss final preparations for the trip. A specific date and time will be posted ASAP.

REMINDER:

January 10th, 2012 is Passport Day.

Students must bring in a copy of their passport to Ms. MacQueen between

8-8:30am in the Main Office.

Passports

According to Canadian Customs, passports must be valid for up to 6 months after the last date of travel. Therefore, if your passport expires BEFORE October 12th, 2012, you will need to have it renewed before we leave on April 5th.

Dietary Requirements

Special dietary requirements (not preferences) must be submitted to Ms. MacQueen in Room 324 no later than Monday, December 12th (as discussed at the meeting).

There will be a MANDATORY meeting for all student travelers on

Wednesday, December 7th

at 11:15am in Room 324.

Bring your lunch!

Students should share meeting agendas with their parents.

September 9, 2011

There will be a MANDATORY meeting for all student travelers on

Wednesday, September 14th

at 11:15am in Room 324.

Bring your lunch!

June 10, 2011

Our next student meeting will be in mid-September. Good luck on your exams and have a safe and happy summer!

April 5-12^th, 2012

366 days to go!

April 4th, 2011

Thank you for your interest in the Europe 2012 trip!

The trip is presently full. Thanks to everyone who got up early! Students who were #43 and above in line are now on the waiting list. I encourage all students on the waiting list to save their money in case a spot opens up. If spots open up, students will have a day to decide if they still want to participate. Students will be contacted in the order that they appear on the waiting list.

Regarding $99 cheques for those on the waiting list:

You can either: have your student pick up the cheque and write a new when when/if required OR leave the cheque with me for safe keeping in case a spot opens up.

Tour Details

1st Parent Meeting

Please note: The info below pertains to our 2010 trip only.

Europe Trip ~ March 2010

Please check this page often for tour updates.

March 9, 2010

2 days!!!!

Our meeting time at the U.S. Destinations section of the airport is 6:15am on Thursday. Please meet our group on the main floor beside the escalator that takes you up to the U.S. check in area.

The following is important information from our tour guide, David Milden.

1: It is imperative that the students remember that we're going to a lot of churches, especially in the Italian portion. It being Italy there is an element of it depending on the priest or verger of the day's mood, but skirts should be long enough to cover the knee, shoulders need to be covered and for the Vatican it should be long sleeves all round. Gentlemen should not be wearing shorts until we leave Florence. If everyone follows these indications we will be fine and if other groups are allowed in a little less-modestly dressed, we've still erred on the side of respect.

2: No backpacks on the day of the Vatican visit, checking them in will really throw out our timing and limit our capacity to see everything.

3: Italy and Spain are very different about guiding than the UK, France, and the Northern European countries. ONLY local guides can guide. What that means practically is that I can lead you in the streets but not give you explanations as to what things are. Colleagues who ignore this have been fined and or forced to spend their day filling out forms at the local police station. Practically speaking, it just means that there are times when my hands are tied. So I will be brief and concise in setting meeting times etc, so the group will need to listen to me very carefully. I will then re-iterate to the adults the info, so the students can double-check if required. It'll go fine, but I want people to know that if we're by the Pantheon and someone asks "What's that church", if I say, "tell you later" it's not because I wouldn't like to.

4: Students MUST not buy from Vendors on the street in Italy. Registered market stalls are fine, but if they buy from a licensed hawker, they are also liable for a fine. The law's enforced in both directions in Italy. Pisa is particularly bad for this. More info on this when we arrive.

March 2, 2010

9 Days!!!!!!!

Requested changes to the room assignments have been made. The updated lists are posted in Ms. MacQueen’s room.

All travelers must stop by Room 210 to pick up the Telephone Chain Chart. Please stop by before the end of the day on Thursday.

FINAL EUROPE MEETING!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

11:15am in Room 210.

This is a mandatory meeting where you will receive your EF back pack and learn any last minute news about our trip. See you there!!

January 26th, 2010

Parent/Guardian meeting tonight! 7pm in the SHS library. Please bring NS Health card and health insurance information. Students are not required to attend, but they are welcome to join us.

Europe ’10 Packing List

Please remember to identify all pieces of your luggage

(on the inside and the outside).

PASSPORT!!!!
Money belt (NO PURSES!)
Basics (shirts, jeans, socks, underwear)
Toiletries (most should be in your suitcase, not your carry-on)
Comfortable shoes (we will be doing PLENTY of walking)
One nice outfit for a special night out
Sweaters/light jacket
Warm jacket with hood/gloves
Electrical adapter for hair dryers, etc.

Website with information on electrical adapters:

http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap11/electric.htm

Necessary medications
Eyewear (sunglasses, extra pair of glasses/contact lenses)
Camera and extra batteries
Carry-on essentials (put things you need for the first day or two of the trip in your carry-on in case you are separated from your luggage. Keep your passport, cash, debit and credit cards in your money belt at all times).

Pack light! You will be expected to carry all of your own luggage, often up several flights of stairs. We will be making 5 hotel changes, so we will be carrying our luggage around often.

Please refer to Continental Airlines for baggage restrictions.

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/Default.aspx

January 15, 2010

55 days until departure!

There will be a mandatory meeting for all students on Tuesday, January 19^th at 11:15am in Room 210.

There will be a mandatory meeting for parents/guardians on Tuesday, January 26^th at 7pm in the SHS library. Please bring NS Health card and health insurance information. Students are not required to attend, but they are welcome to join us.

December 1^st, 2009

Today is Passport Day!

100 days until departure!

All students are asked to bring a photocopy of their passports (or the actual passport to be copied) to Ms. MacQueen (in the Main Office) before classes begin on December 1^{st, 2009}. This is required in case a student loses his or her passport while we are in Europe. If you have forgotten your copy, please bring it in ASAP.

Parent/Guardian Meeting

There will be a mandatory meeting for parents/guardians in early February 2010. A date will be set for the meeting as soon as we receive our hotel and flight information.

Final Payment (for travelers not using AUTOPAY)

The final and full payment is due (60 days prior to departure) on January 10, 2010. You may receive a message from EF Tours stating the payment is due in early December, but this is not accurate. The December date applied when our trip was scheduled in July.

November 12, 2009

Please check below for the following important deadlines.

Passport Day-All students are asked to bring a photocopy of their passports to Ms. MacQueen (in the Main Office) before classes begin on December 1^{st, 2009}. This is required in case a student loses his or her passport while we are in Europe.

Passport Names – Ensure that your passport name matches that which is on your EF invoice. Submit any changes to EF 99 days prior to departure.

Dietary Requests –if you have any have special dietary requests (vegetarians, no wheat. etc.) or if you have any allergies we should be aware of, please inform Ms. MacQueen no later than December 1^st, 2009.

August 24, 2009 (199 days left!)

Next Meeting: October 7th

Our next mandatory meeting will be Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 11:15am in Room 210. Bring your lunch!

A reminder to those travelers who are not enrolled in the Autopayment plan: Please make sure that you have a plan in place so that you will be able to make your final payment by January 10, 2010. Please remember that you can make smaller payments at any time by contacting Customer Service (1-800-263-2806). You do not have to wait until January to make your next payment.

June 12, 2009

As discussed at previous meetings, a $100 payment (made out to Sackville High School) was due on June 1^st. This money will cover all tips for tour guides and bus drivers that are expected while we are on our tour.

There are still 12 travelers who have not submitted this payment. If you have not submitted your payment yet, please bring to the main office as soon as possible. Thanks!

May 3, 2009

Meeting for all travelers!

Tuesday, May 12^th at 11:15am in Room 210.

Attendance is mandatory. Bring your lunch!

April 24, 2009

IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING THE CHANGE OF DATES FOR OUR TRIP.

As you know, the date of our trip has been changed to March Break of 2010. Our departure date is March 11, 2010. Remember that we must save a day or two on either side to accommodate our large group’s need to travel by plane together.

Along with the date, a few things have changed in terms of the payment of the trip.

1. Autopayments will continue to be withdrawn on the last Wednesday of each month. The price per month will now increase by $100. The number of monthly payments has been reduced from 14 to 10.

2. If you cannot accommodate this Autopayment schedule, you can be taken off the Autopayment plan and go with a manual payment plan. Please call EF’s Customer Service line at 1-800-263-2806 if you would like more information about switching to this option.

3. Some good news!! The program fee for our trip has dropped because of the change of date. If we continue to have 35 or more travelers, the program fee will be $262 less than the original program fee. If we fall below 35 travelers, the price will be $187 less than the original program fee. The new price is now reflected in your online EF account.

4. The final payment deadline has been extended from 99 days prior to departure to 60 days prior to departure (January 10^th, 2010).

Again, if you have specific questions about pricing or payments, your best option is to call EF Tours at 1-800-263-2806.

Thank you so much for your understanding and patience as we were working through this unexpected change!

March 24, 2009

Meeting for all travelers!

Tuesday, May 12^th at 11:15am in Room 210.

Attendance is mandatory. Bring your lunch!

February 17/09

There are a few open spots on the trip. If you are interested in attending, please see Ms. MacQueen in Room 210.

Tour Information

(Power Point)

Day by Day Intinerary

February 5 Parent Meeting Agenda

February 12/09

Due to the cancellation of school today, applications for the Europe 2010 trip will be accepted in the Main Office on Monday, February 16th at 7:45am.

February 9/09

The list of invited applicants has been posted outside of the Main Office.

The next step in the process is to bring your completed application and $99 registration fee (cheque made out to EF TOURS) to the Main Office on Thursday, February 12/09. Applications will be accepted from 7:45am to 8:25am. Students should form a single file line, in order of arrival, directly in front of the Main Office. The first 43 applicants will be accepted. Other applicants will be placed on a waiting list.

Thank you for your interest in the trip!

Italy, South of France and Barcelona ~ July 20-29, 2010

Mandatory Parent/Guardian meeting:

Thursday, February 5th at 7pm in the school library.

Students: Please return your RSVP for the Parent/Guardian meeting to Ms. MacQueen in Room 210 by February 2/09.

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All of the information below pertains to our 2008 tour. It is on this page for my reference and does not apply to the 2010 trip. Thank you.

EUROPE 2008 TOUR UPDATES

June 29, 2008

Passports

(2 days to go!!)

Please check your passports. While reviewing the photocopies of your passports, I noticed that 8 students have NOT signed PAGE 3 (the page opposite your photo). PLEASE ensure this page is signed before you arrive at the airport.

See you at 8:30pm on July 1st. The FINE SYSTEM will be in effect! :)

Number System

In order to keep everyone safe and together, we will be using a ‘number’ system while traveling. Whenever we meet, get on or off a bus, plane, etc. we will call out our numbers to make sure we are not missing anyone. You will find your number below!

1	Gregory
2	Jasmine
3	Brittni
4	Jenna
5	Ashley B.
6	Alyssa
7	Monica
8	Christin
9	Kris
10	Kevin
11	Abby
12	Samantha
13	Rebecca
14	Nita
15	Michelle
16	Shayne
17	Bryan
18	Jayme
19	Cyndel
20	Jennifer K.
21	Nicole L.
22	Victoria
23	Jennifer M.
24	Krista
25	Nicole M.
26	Mary
27	Kristina
28	Stacy O.
29	Megan
30	Andrew S.
31	Sean
32	Justin
33	Emma
34	Ashley S.
35	Andrew T.
36	Deanna
37	Kassie
38	Kate T.
39	Andrew V.
40	Kate W.
41	Allison W.
42	Staci S.
43	Calder
44	Ms. MacQueen
45	Mr. Spike
46	Ms. West
47	Mr. Drapak
48	Mr. Chisholm
49	Mrs. Pothier
50	Ms. Fewell
51	Mr. Pothier

June 23, 2008

EF Backpacks

(8 days to go!!)

If you have not picked up your EF backpack from Ms. MacQueen (Room 210), please do so by June 27/08. Leftover backpacks will be redistributed after that date.

June 18, 2008

Questions from the Parent Meeting

1. What banks are located in London and Paris?

In London there are Barclay's Banks, as well as HSBC, NetWest and some others. The major banks in Paris are: Le Crédit Agricole, La Caisse d'Épargne and La Société Générale. Please contact your bank and inquire as to which foreign banks they are affiliated with.

2. How long is the ferry ride from England to France?

It is approximately a 1 hour and 15 minutes ferry transit to Calais and then a 4 hour road transfer to Paris.

May 13, 2008

Telephone Chart

EF Tours requires us to submit a ‘telephone chain chart’ in the case of delayed return flights. All travelers must visit the main office by May 22/08 to submit the name of a parent/guardian AND accurate home and cell phone numbers.

The chart will be distributed to all parents/guardian at our meeting on June 16^th.

Thank you!

May 1, 2008

Questions and Answers from our last meeting:

Q- Can we use Euros in London?

A- No. You can only use pounds () in London. France accepts Euros. So, you should leave Canada with enough pounds to get you through the first few days AND some Euros to get you started in France.

Please remember, do not wait until the last minute to exchange your money!

Currency conversion as of Thursday, May 1, 2008

1 Canadian Dollar = 0.50192 British Pound

1 British Pound (GBP) = 1.99236 Canadian Dollar (CAD)

The pound () is made up of 100 pence (p) exactly like the dollar is split into 100 cents.

Currency conversion as of Thursday, May 1, 2008

1 Canadian Dollar = 0.63557 Euro

1 Euro (EUR) = 1.57340 Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Q- Is the Palace of Versailles closed on Mondays?

A- Yes, it is. Our schedule will be rearranged so that we can view Versailles on another day.

April 16, 2008

Lunchtime Meeting/Social

Friday, April 25 at 11am in Room 210. This will be a mandatory meeting and a chance to get to know your fellow travelers better before our trip. Pizza and juice will be served. Only 75 days to go!

March 27, 2008

Parent/Guardian Meeting:

There will be a mandatory Parent/Guardian meeting in June to answer questions and provide hotel and travel details. Date TBA.

Only 96 days to go!

Next Student Meeting:

Mandatory meeting for all travelers on Friday, April 25/08 at 11am in Room 210. Lunch will be provided.

Special Diets:

If you have a special diet request (allergies, vegan, etc.), you must let Ms. MacQueen know by March 31, 2008.

March 18, 2008

Important Updates from EF Tours:

Names on Passports:

You will be denied boarding if the name on your passport DOES NOT MATCH the name (first and last) that you submitted to EF Tours. Middle names, accents and hyphens between surnames DO NOT MATTER.

If your names do not match, you must call the Customer Service line BEFORE March 20/08 to have it corrected.

Corrections must be made now; financial penalties of a minimum of $100 per change will apply if changes are made after that deadline.

Payments:

March 24, 2008- If you are NOT on the Autopay plan, the balance of your trip is due by this date.

All payments after 99 days prior (MARCH 24, 2008) to departure (late payments, optionals, special arrangement with customer service) must be certified (credit card, money order of certified cheque) no personal cheques are accepted and they will be returned to the sender. All payments must also be sent to the Toronto Office address directly in order to avoid delays in sending out ticket packages.

Special Diets:

If you have a special diet request (allergies, vegan, etc.), you must let Ms. MacQueen know by March 31, 2008.

January 30, 2008

Important dates:

Please note the change in date below. Since the snow day has moved the start of Semester Two ahead by one day, Passport Day will move from Feb. 5 to Feb. 6.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008- Passport Day. Please bring in a photocopy of your passport. We need to have a copy of everyone's passport in case of loss while on the trip.

Ms. MacQueen will be in the main office from 7:45am -8:10am and again during lunch hour to collect and/or photocopy passports.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 -Mandatory meeting for all travelers at 11:15am in Room 210.

March 24, 2008- If you are NOT doing the Autopay plan, the balance of your trip is due by this date.

September 13, 2007

Welcome back!

There will be a mandatory meeting for all students who are going on the Europe trip on Wednesday, October 3/07.

Room 210 at 11:15am

See you there!

June 19, 2007

For those students who are NOT on the Autopay plan,

there is a $200 payment due to EF Tours by August 30, 2007.

As well, if you are not on Autopay, I strongly encourage all students and parents to come up with a saving/payment strategy. The final payment will be due 99 days before the trip, and it will be a big one! Please ensure you are in a position to make the final payment at that time.

I am looking forward to having another meeting with students in September. Have a safe and happy summer!

June 5, 2007

For those of you who check your account on www.eftours.ca, you may notice that two charges have been added: a $95 charge for our day trip to Oxford and Stratford and a $65 charge for our day trip to Versailles. These charges are covered by the $250 that you submitted to SHS. I have submitted the payment for the entire group already, and I am just waiting for it to be applied to your accounts.

These are NOT additional costs.

May 29, 2007

Two spots have opened up on our tour. If you have any friends who are interested in joining us in July ’08, please ask them to see Ms. MacQueen.

April 26, 2007

There will be a mandatory meeting for all STUDENTS traveling to Europe in July '08 on Monday, May 7, 2007 at 11:30am in Room 210. Please bring any questions or concerns with you. See you there!

April 12, 2007

REMINDER:

The $250 cheques (made out to Sackville High School) that were passed in with application forms will be cashed on April 24/07.

March 21, 2007

By this time, you should have received an invoice from EF Tours. On the invoice, you will find all of the information you will need to track your account online. Your online account should have the most up to date information.

In some cases, invoices were sent out before the $99 registration fee was processed. If your invoice says you owe $408, it should say you owe $309.

As well, invoices state the next payment ($309) deadline is April 7. I asked for payments to be sent by March 21 because I didn't know exactly when your deposits would be cashed and I didn't want anyone to be charged late fees. Technically, payments received by April 7 are considered on time.

EF Tours Customer Service Line: 1-800-263-2806

March 18, 2007

The following information was given to students when they passed in their applications. Please refer to it as needed.

Europe 2008

Payment Schedule Update

February 19, 2007

EF Tours Customer Service Line: 1-800-263-2806

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

For payment schedule purposes, please replace this memo with the one you received at the Parent Meeting on Tuesday, February 13/07. There are few minor changes to the payment schedule that you should be aware of.

Payment Schedule: (as found on page 12 of the application booklet. Please refer to the small green box titled “For applications received at EF before July 30”).

Wednesday, February 21/07-$99 non-refundable deposit and $250 cheque (made out to SHS) due with completed application form.

YOU SHOULD RECEIVE AN INVOICE IN THE MAIL AS SOON AS EF PROCESSES OUR APPLICATIONS. THE FOLLOWING PAYMENT DATES DO NOT APPLY IF YOU CHOOSE THE ‘AUTOPAY’ METHOD.

March 21, 2007- $200 payment plus $109 all-inclusive insurance payment due to EF Tours. If you do not want to purchase the insurance, you must opt out by contacting EF Tour directly at 1-800-263-2806.

August 30, 2007- $200 payment due to EF Tours.

March 28, 2008-Full balance due to EF Tours.

As outlined on page 12 of the application booklet, late charges will apply if these deadlines are not met.

Please check my website periodically at http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/macquekl/index.htm.I will post information and news that I receive from EF. As well, I will post meeting times for students. We will meet once more before June and then several times during the 2007-08 school year. We will also have another important parent meeting about a month before our departure.

Please feel free to email any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Kerry MacQueen

macquekl@staff.ednet.ns.ca

March 5, 2007

The following students have been randomly selected to receive a $99 Tour Voucher from EF. Please see Ms. MacQueen to get your $99 cheque back. Congratulations!

-Kristi B.

-Tyler F.

-Alyssa B.

-Rebecca B.

-Michelle F.

-Monica B.

-Cyndel K.

-Paul P.

-Mary M.

February 26, 2007

Applications have been sent to EF Tours. Please anticipate deposit cheques to be cashed in the next 10 days.