Title: CLS1-Palm Beach Gardens High School Traveling Gators Educational Field Trip to Ireland and England

Recommendation:
I recommend that the School Board approve an educational field trip for the Palm Beach Gardens High School Traveling Gators to travel to England and Ireland, June 15-23, 2007.

Description:

A group of 15 students (10 girls and 5 boys) will be chaperoned by three Palm Beach County employees (approximately one chaperone per every 6 students attending the trips).  The group will be met in Ireland by a tour director employed by EF Tours who will accompany the group throughout the trip.  This trip will provide the opportunity for advanced history students to apply their specialized knowledge of world history to the real world and to experience some of the places they have studied during the 2006-2007 school year.

The purpose of the trip is:

*  to expose students to art, architecture and historial information that relates to their previous studies of World History in order to reinforce their studies and to enrich their knowledge of various subjects and cultures.

*  to expose these students to the British and Irish culture and history, in order to promote diversity and tolerance of other people and appreciation of other cultures

*  to help encourage other students to take advanced classes by presenting the experiences of this trip to the entire school at the beginning of the next school year.  The students will construct a video diary of their trip for this presentation.

*  for the students to experience unique castle architecture, Shakespeare's birthplace, and multiple cathedrals.

The students will travel to Dublin, Ireland via an airplane and continue from there to various stops within Dublin, North Wales, Warwick, Stratford, and London. 

The benefits to the district include:

* representing Palm Beach County and Palm Beach Gardens High School.

*  the knowledge and appreciation gained by these students of other cultures and reinforcement of their existing historical knowledge of classical, postclassical and modern history.

*  representation of the quality of programs offered by Palm Beach County and the high level of academic and talented students.

Financial Impact:
The cost of the trip is $2,549 per student.  This includes travel costs, two meals a day and accommodations.  The students are able to raise funds through candy sales, school supply sales, donations and sponsorships by local businesses.  Every effort will be made to assure that all eligible students have the opportunity to participate, regardless of economic hardship. All funds will be raised through fundraisers or parent contributions so there is no cost to Palm Beach County School District.  Cancellation insurance information attached.

For Additional Information, contact:

Ann Killets  akillets@palmbeach.k12.fl.us

Marisol Ferrer  ferrerm@palmbeach.k12.fl.us

Jon Prince   princejo@palmbeach.k12.fl.us

Attachments (list):
PBGHS - Itinerary - Ireland & England.pdf
PBGHS - Field Trip Activity - Ireland & England.pdf
PBGHS - Cancellation Insurance.pdf