1) We are leaving at 9am this Saturday (11/22) for our trip to Montreal. Please wear comfortable, warm clothing that you can walk around in. Also make sure to bring $20 to cover your lunch and ice skate rentals. After arriving in Montreal at around 11:30am, we will eat lunch as a group and then have 2 hours of free time in the St. Catherine St. area. During the free time everyone will be working on a scavenger hunt. We'll then regroup at around 3pm and go skating. After skating we'll spend a little more time exploring and then head home at around 4:30-5pm. We should make it home around 7-7:30pm. One last thing: YOU MUST BRING YOUR PASSPORT. If you do not have your passport you MUST bring an ORIGINAL copy of your birth certificate and one piece of photo identification. As far as I know everyone is going on the trip except Cindy and Devon. I have permission slips from everyone except Kyle Schlosser.
2) Over a month ago I handed out an EF form that everyone was supposed to have signed by their parents and sent in to EF. I just got a mailing from EF stating at 8 of you have not sent that form in. If that form does not reach EF by Monday, 11/24 each person that has not sent in the form will be fined $50. Here is the list of people who have not sent in the form: Rahel, Beth, Zach, Jamie, Devon, Jarret, Kyle, Julia. Each of the people on this list need to come to Severance 21 to pick up a copy of the signature form, bring it home, have it signed, and then BRING IT BACK TO ME. If you have your copy of the form at home, have it signed and then BRING IT BACK TO ME. Everyone MUST bring me their missing form by Friday morning immediately after chapel. If your form is handed to me after 8:30am on Friday morning you will be fined $50.
3) The second payment of $1,005.34 is due by next Tuesday, 11/24. If you bring your payment directly to the business office, please let me know so I can mark it down in my records.
4) I am missing passport info from Devon and Jamie. Please let me know the status of your passports.
5) I still have no pictures of Zach, Devon, or Julia. Email me a picture of your face asap.
- Mr. Seamon
Peru 2009: Meeting Reminder
Written by Josh Seamon
Tuesday, 04 November 2008
Hello everyone,
This is just a reminder that we have an all-group meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, 11/5) from 7-7:45am in Severance 21.
Show up a little early so that we can get started right at 7am. I will have the south entrance to Severance open at 6:50. (The front door closest to Mr. Lovett's house.)
Here's what we'll be covering:
- Devon and Emily's presentation on Machu Picchu
- Cuzco free time specifics
- This weekend's Pisgah hike
- Our 11/22 trip
- Passport/Visa status
- Missing paperwork
Cya tomorrow,
- Mr. Seamon
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 04 November 2008 )
Peru 2009: Departure Date
Written by Josh Seamon
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Our departure date has been finalized. We will be leaving on Thursday, February 19th.
It is still not known if we'll have an overnight return flight. So, we'll be returning on Wednesday, March 4th or Thursday, March 5th.
Our exact flight info will not be known for at least another month.
Peru 2009: 3 Important Dates
Written by Josh Seamon
Monday, 27 October 2008
Wednesday, 11/5, 7am: All Group Meeting, Severance 21. Parents do not need to attend.
Saturday, 11/8, 11am to 4pm: Hiking Mt. Pisgah. We depart Brantview Drive at 11am SHARP. You MUST hand in a filled out permission slip BEFORE we leave. You can pickup a permission slip in my room any time. Bring a bag lunch to eat on the mountain. Make sure you wear appropriate clothing.
Saturday, 11/22, 9am to 7pm: Trip to Montreal. We leave at 9am SHARP from Brantview Drive. You MUST hand in a filled out permission slip BEFORE we leave. You can pickup a permission in my room any time. Make sure to bring some money for lunch.
Last Updated ( Monday, 27 October 2008 )
Peru 2009: Numbers
Written by Josh Seamon
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
As I noted in my last email the trip price could be tweaked a bit due to price reductions or increases. Unfortunately we are at the mercy of the airlines so for the past month I have been bracing myself for some kind of monetary punch in the face. Well, the punch has come and it's not bad at all -- $61.
So, the overall trip price is $3,461. I checked with EF and this price is 100% set in stone on 11/12. I asked them what the chances of another increase are and they said incredibly slim. Hooray for good news.
I also wanted to point out that Math Teachers make math mistakes. When I was dividing up the three payments I improperly typed a 9 as an 8. What this changed is NOT the overall trip price, but how much is due for each payment. In my last email I stated that $2,950 was due to EF (+ $200 to SJA and $250 you carry). Well, 2,950 divided by 3 is NOT $950, it's $983.34. Adding in the $61 price increase spread across the three payments, each payment becomes $1,005.34.
So, the three payments are now $1,005.34. They are due by:
Friday, 10/24
Monday, 11/24
Friday, 12/19
I apologize for the math mistake. Fortunately it didn't impact the overall trip price.
- Mr. Seamon
ps. I have important documents for each trip particpant in my classroom. Many of you have not come to pick it up. Also remember that I asked for many items in my last email. Please get those items to me ASAP.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 15 October 2008 )
Peru 2009: Post Meeting Summary
Written by Josh Seamon
Friday, 10 October 2008
Here's the post meeting run down:
1) If you do not have a passport, start the process of getting one RIGHT NOW. Seriously, go to the courthouse TODAY and pick up the forms. It take a rather long while to get a passport these days. This is something you CANNOT put off.
2) All trip participants need to bring me a copy of their passport (The main page with your photo and the facing page).
3) All trip participants need to send me a picture of themselves. The picture must be a relative closeup of your face.
4) Each trip participant needs to pair up with another trip participant and pick a presentation topic. Each topic should be related to one of the locations we will be traveling to. Each presentation will be 5-10 minutes long and at least one will be given every time we meet. Topics are first come first serve. Presentation topics and dates are posted right here.
5) Our next group meeting is on Wednesday, 10/22 from 3:45 to 4:30 in Severance 21. Parents are welcome to attend.
6) The first trip payment of $950 is due by Friday, 10/24. Checks should be made out to St. Johnsbury Academy and handed directly to me. If you'd like to pay by credit card, let me know. Note: I will not be in school on 10/23 or 10/24. If you're going to bring the payment in on one of those days, please bring it directly to the Business Office and tell them the payment is for Mr. Seamon's Peru account. (The second and third payments are due by 11/24 and 12/19.)
7) We will be taking a trip to Montreal sometime in the near future. The trip will be a day trip on a Saturday. We will also be taking a couple hiking trips in the coming months. The specific dates for these activities will be determined soon.
8) If you have any fundraiser ideas, send 'em over.
9) Each trip participant needs to do some research on one of their ideas for a free time activity. Each trip participant will be expected to share what they've come up with at our next meeting on 10/22.
10) Please let me know if you speak any Spanish, and if so, your level of proficiency.
11) Everyone's Cuzco free day ideas are posted right here. We'll be working on the next phase of the free day planning at our next meeting.
Last Updated ( Friday, 10 October 2008 )
Peru 2009: Meeting and Payments
Written by Josh Seamon
Friday, 03 October 2008
The next trip meeting will be from 7 to 7:45 AM on Friday,
10/10. This meeting is only for students and will take place
in Severance
21. At this meeting we will discuss Cuzco free-day plans, fundraiser
options,
and a group excursion to Montreal.
Moving on...
The cost breakdown for the trip is as follows:
Tour Company: $2,950
SJA Fee: $200
To Carry: $250
$100 of the $200 that
you're paying to the Academy
was just used to pay for your initial registration with the tour
company. In order to keep costs to an absolute minimum all tour
payments will be
sent out through the Academy. Checks should be made out to St.
Johnsbury
Academy and handed off to me in Severance 21. Here is the payment
schedule:
Amount Due
Date
$950
Friday, 10/24
$950
Monday, 11/24
$950* Friday, 12/19
Please keep the following things in mind:
1) These due dates are very firm.
2) You can pay more than the amount due at any time.
3) The final $950 payment could be slightly modified
to correct for any
last minute small fees or price reductions.
- Mr. Seamon
Roster and Refunds
Written by Josh Seamon
Wednesday, 01 October 2008
Our roster is now set! We are now geared up for two wonderful weeks in Peru! :)
I have made the official request to the business office that all refund checks be processed and mailed out. All refund checks should be arriving in the mail shortly.
If you have withdrawn from the trip you will not receive any more emails from the trip mailing list.
SA2009: Last Call
Written by Josh Seamon
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
If you're interested in going on the revamped trip to Peru you need to let me know by 3:30pm this Friday, 9/26. The best way to contact me is via email at jseamon at gmail dot com.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 24 September 2008 )
SA2009: Redone Trip, Lower Price
Written by Josh Seamon
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
The South America trip has been re-worked to cost substantially less.
The trip is now a 14-day trip to Peru and will cost a total of $3,386. This
includes all possible fees.
If you have already been
cleared by the school to participate in the original trip there is no
new trip application.
If you would like to go on the trip, please do the following by Friday,
9/26.
1) Email me (
) and let
me know that you would like to go.
2) Bring me a check for $100 made out to
St. Johnsbury Academy. You can hand it off to me at any time in
Severance 21.
Here is the new itinerary:
Day 1 Thursday, February
19, 2009
Board your flight to Lima!
Arrival in Lima
Overnight in Lima
Day 2 Friday, February
20, 2009
Guided Sightseeing of Lima
Today, you will tour Lima, the capital city of Peru. Lima was founded
by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 when he and a group of conquistadors
defeated the Incan Empire. After your tour, you will also be visiting
the Archeological and Anthropological Museum.
Overnight in Lima
Day 3 Saturday, February
21, 2009
Transfer to Cusco
Today you will fly from Lima to Cusco which was once the capital of the
Incan Empire.
Guided Sightseeing of Cusco
With a local guide, you will tour the city. Cusco was the most
influential city within the Incan Empire which ruled the area from the
1200s until the 1530s when it was sacked by Spanish conquistadors.
There are still ruins from the Incan Empire in and around Cusco which
will be the focus of your tour.
Overnight in Cusco
Day 4 Sunday, February
22, 2009
Visit the Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo
Travel to the Pisac Market, one of the most extensive markets in South
America. Whether you are shopping for native trinkets or just taking in
the experience, this visit will visit will not be soon forgotten. You
will also visit Ollantaytambo, located in the Sacred Valley.
Ollantaytambo is famous for both its extensive ruins but also for its
natural beauty.
Overnight in Cusco
Day 5 Monday, February
23, 2009
Transfer to Machu Picchu for guided sightseeing
Today you will travel by train to Machu Picchu where you will have a
guided tour. Machu Picchu was built in the 1460s, during the height of
the Incan Empire. It is a classic example of Incan style and it is also
now recognized as one of the new wonders of the world.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes
Day 6 Tuesday, February
24, 2009
Transfer to Cusco
Travel back to Cusco to begin activities arranged by Mr. Seamon.
Overnight in Cusco
Day 7-13 Wednesday,
February 25-Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Group Leader arranged activities
For this portion of the tour, you will be participating in activities
arranged by your group leader, Mr. Seamon. Activities could include:
Volunteer work, photography, more touring, return to Machu Picchu,
culinary excursions
Overnights in Cusco
Day 14 Wednesday, March
4, 2009
Transfer to the airport for your return flight
Your tour director assists you to the airport in Cuzco, where you will
take your international flight back home.
If you have already requested a refund of your original deposit and you
do not want to participate in the trip, then do nothing. Your $100
check will be mailed directly to you soon after 9/26.
If you have already requested a refund and would like to participate in
the trip, I will take your name off of the refund list as soon as you
email me.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
