Information for Spain 2007

Tentative: May 31 to June 14

Dear parents of 5th grade IS Spanish students;

I would like to thank all the parents who attended the 1st meeting on September 5th. The gathering was a very encouraging 50 to 60 parents.

I have received emails from 35 parents with their email addresses and their home and contact information. There are still many more parents in both Coral Way/Sunset and Ada Merrit that I would like to reach. So if you look at the email addresses and/or you know someone not on the list who needs to be included I ask that you forward on this email to them with instructions to contact me.

I would also like to thank all the parents, in advance, who have signed up to assist me in the trip planning process. There are many areas and elements to consider and get involved in so if you have yet to offer your assistance please step forward and do so now. All of your help will pay off fully in the end when we return with the memories of a life time from being on a well organized and thoroughly planned trip.

Details of the trip as outlined at the meeting:

Tentative dates for the trip are May 31 to June 14
Estimated cost before fund raising $2700

Coral Way contact Mike Wallman cell 305-7206739 mwallman@aol.com
Ada Merit contact Eldred Garcia
Sunset contact Andrea Straus (cell # 305-962-3086) mamadreas@aol.com

NEXT 2 SCHEDULED MEETINGS:

OCTOBER 17TH 7:00 AT SUNSET ELEM. CAFETERIA
NOVEMBER 21, 7:00 AT CORAL WAY ELEM MEDIA CENTER

ALL MEETINGS ARE MANDATORY.

I am accepting all applications with the $100 deposit as of now which will secure your child's spot. We have a maximum number of 55 attendees.

If you have not received the necessary preliminary paperwork you may get copies from the school contacts. I will additionally place some packets on the SIPA board at Sunset as long as the school does not object.

VERY IMPORTANT....YOUR CHILD/YOU MUST BE A CURRENT SIPA MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE TRIP. ADDITIONALLY IF YOU ARE REQUESTING A CHAPERONE POSITION YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO SIPA IN TIME OR OTHERWISE IS CRITICAL FOR TOP CONSIDERATION. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO GET INVOLVED!!!

RULES OF CHAPERONING; one parent of the child may chaperone/ if you are applying for financial assistance you are not permitted to chaperone.

FINCNCIAL AID IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE NEEDING ASSISTANCE!! PLEASE APPLY USING THE FORM GIVEN AT THE MEETING.

The deadlines for payments are as follows:

First Installment Child and Chaperone each $700 January 23
Second Installment Child and Chaperone each $1000 February 20
Third Installment Child and Chaperone remainder of balance March 20

Costs cover:

  • Air travel
  • Hotel Room (Breakfast included with Hotel)
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Insurance
  • Admissions
  • Afternoon activities
  • Laundry
  • Tips: Guide, Bus & Hotel
  • Bus transportation

Passports and Visas depending on your country of origin need to be current and valid for 6 months after the end of the trip. Please take care of this detail immediately. For reference you may visit : http://travel.state.gov/ for information that will assist you in this regard.

Some of the areas in which we need assistance are:

  • Treasurer for the trip..needs to be a chaperone.
  • Cooperate sponsorship contacts and letters needed to be written
  • Collection of gifts for Spanish students and teachers
  • Individual needed to use contacts for reduced airline flights
  • More help needed with fund raising projects.

Currently we are organizing a Sunset entire school directory, in which we will sell ad space. We need not only help in obtaining ads from parents and community but I need to have approx. 10 volunteers to help type parent info. Sunset is a large school and we hope to achieve at least 75% or more, parent/child participation. This is a lot of inputting, but more easily achieved with more volunteers. So if you are able to help please contact Cecilia Blanco at ceciblanco@bellsouth.net. SIPA will direct all funds earned after expenses directly to defray the cost of the trip.

This letter has covered a variety of areas and I apologize for its length but we had much to recap from the first meeting which several people on this email were unable to attend. Please be advised unless the comments and questions are of a more personal nature I will respond to "all" in an attempt to share info that some may have not thought to ask.

For those unfamiliar with the structure of the trip following is last years' itinerary. We will be making adjustments based on our dates and numbers but you will get the feel for how your child will be traveling and attending school. This trip is one of a kind and if any one has experience and familiarity with Madrid and can share info let me know.

Download the Spain 2007 Application Form