NHMS SI STUDENT EXCHANGE

2013/2014Family Information Meeting

October 17, 20135:30 PM

YEAR TWO WAS A SUCCESS!!

The NHMS/Liceo connection

-Founded by Susan Wells and the SI parents of 2011/2012- this program will continue under the direction of NHMS staff!

- It was born out of the desire to provide an authentic cultural and language enhancing experience for the SI middle school students!

-Pairing- with Liceo- a private school in Madrid who is also passionate about providing authentic language experiences for their students in the US and other countries.

-We will continue to use the previous trip model created by Susan Wells with some adjustments as needed. Liceo’s model of exchange programs will be used to provide a successful design model.

Details of the program:- Approximately 20-30 students will have the opportunity to attend the trip with two staff members. The chaperones for this year are Sr. Duffie (2nd trip) and Sra . Klocko.

-The final number of students who can attend is based on the number of students who will participate in the exchange from Liceo.

-The trip is for 7th grade students only. WHY??-The trip dates are June 5- June 21,2014 and our Spain exchange students will be here from September 5 - September 19, 2014.

***Travel dates pending confirmation with Liceo***

More details:

Cost Projection-$2700.- $3000.- THIS INCLUDES:~Airfares- Roundtrip from Grand Rapids to Madrid and back- $1640. = upper end - Early decisions on student participation could lower this price!~includes some of the outings planned for hosts and their Spain guests when in GR!~and some incidentals (ie passport, spending money,etc)

Family/host obligations:~parents of traveling students will be required to participate in tasks such as bookkeeping,optional fundraising,t-shirt design contest, plan daily excursions for visiting Spain students, attend the excursions,etc.

In other words……. this is a trip based on RECIPROCITY!! (THIS MEANS THAT YOUR STUDENT WILL BE TREATED TO THINGS IN SPAIN AND WE WILL RECIPROCATE WHEN THE SPAIN STUDENTS COME HERE!!

PREPARATION MEETINGS-These are required to prepare students for a trip abroad!!!

- How many?? (4) Student Meetings (2-3) Parent

MeetingsTBD- some after school/some at night!

How does this exchange program work?

- Each student participant is paired with a host family. The same pairing will exist when in(@NHMS)

-This is a round trip pairing meaning you must be willing to travel there and host on our end!

-Reciprocity is key and saves $$$.

Madrid Exchange Experience:

- First night- Hotel with teacher chaperones- ADJUSTMENT!!

-The remaining overnight stays are with the HOST FAMILY!!

-Weekdays- school and daily excursions!(the Spain host will attend school while the NHMS student goes on daily excursions)

-Weekends- with the host family!!!(Spain excursions/ specific sightseeing will be shared on our SI Exchange Student website at siexchangetrip.weebly.com

Hosting in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Each host will:• Provide housing, meals, etc.• Weekday excursion support (ie sack

lunches, some transportation if needed)

• One to two evening group activities- (ie Craig’s Cruisers, Final Celebration)

• Weekend activities- biking, fishing, sightseeing,shopping, or other!!

***Weekday excursions will be listed on the exchange website siexchangetrip.weebly.com

Basic eligibility requirements:-Since this is an overseas trip and students will be representing our school, state, and country (ambassadors) , and will be staying with host families- they must have exceptional integrity, self - discipline, respectful behavior, and should be comfortable being away from their family. In other words, this should not be their first trip or first experience away from parents!!

- To be eligible students should:~be maintaining grades of at least a C and above~have a solid command of the Spanish language~no discipline /behavior problems for the last year and through the middle experience to date. (an in-school or out of school suspension in the last year disqualifies a student for this trip)

-If eligible for the trip- each student must have a valid passport, current physical, and signed behavior contract.

SELECTION PROCESS AND TIMEFRAME

STEP 1- Determine if this trip is a good fit for you!!(IF SO- COMPLETE APPLICATION PAPERWORK - DUE IN THE NHMS OFFICE BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25!!!

STEP 2- Student Interviews (SCHEDULED DURING THE WEEK OF NOV. 5-9)

NEXT STEPS:

-The SI Team will determine qualified applicants based on:

• student interviews/NHMS staff input• student essay• host family background check• Most importantly- do the dates work and is this financially

feasible for your family• Behavior/discipline record- The number of students that can attend is based on our Liceo student participation. If our qualified/eligible number exceeds this, a lottery will be held to determine who will attend.

-The number of male/female participants is also based on Liceo student participation. Homogeneous homestays are required. (girl w/girl, boy w/boy)

Once selected and contacted- next steps:

~ The behavior contract must be completed and signed.~A current health/physical must be on file for the current year.~A student profile must be completed to help match students from NHMS

and LiceoFinancial Details:

Cost Amount Notes

Individual Airline ticket $1640.00 (currently) The earlier we reserve, the better!!!

Divided cost of chaperones 250.00

Airport transfer/ 1night hotel 100.00

Recip. costs of GR excursions @ no cost to student in Madrid when there.

500.00 Reciprocal part of the exchange.

Travel Insurance $110.00

First night dinner,snacks/incidentals

$100.00

2700.00

OTHER:• Incidental expenses• Payment schedule- Deposit/installments are paid

in Nov/Feb/March- final!• A $750. non-refundable deposit is required in

November to hold your child’s spot!! The second installment will be due in Jan and the 3rd in Feb.

• Individual fundraising may be possible to offset trip costs.

SO WHY ATTEND THIS TRIP?????????????

BIG REASONS:• Authentic use of the Spanish

Language • Broader world perspective• Cultural exposure with host families

and during the entire trip!!• Development of long-term

friendship with exchange partner• Re-excite the commitment to the

Spanish Immersion Program!!!

The 2013 Exchange story goes on……….

How to stay connected/ informed??

• Sign up /provide email address• Use the website:

siexchangetrip.weebly.com• Talk to last year’s trip participants

and their families• Contact Program Coordinator- Srta.

Natalie Klocko: nklocko@fhps.net or 493-8650.