RICE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

TECHNIQUE FOR EFFECTIVE ENROLLMENTS

Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington, Vermont has a long tradition of summer travel with students. Its beginnings extend back into the mid-1960s when we offered a trip every year. These were 42-day immersions, using a base city approach from which day excursions were operated.

Today, due to increased costs, we offer a 25/26-day trip every other year. This enables families to plan their finances, allowing more students to participate.

I begin the enrollment process by "planting the seeds" about European travel with students several weeks before we announce our newest Comparative Cultures program. I listen to them describe places they would like to visit, and then contact passports to make an appointment to visit their headquarters in Spencer, Massachusetts. At that time, I present my proposed itinerary to Martine, Roberta, Mike and Gil. I always prefer doing this in person as it gives me a chance to raise questions, issues, and to talk about the previous trips with the very people who "make it happen."

When the itineraries are delivered to me, I have the program announced to the entire school. "We are proud to announce our 1999 European Comparative Cultures Program, etc. Students who are interested are asked to stop by Mr. Pearo's room for further information."

When the students stop by to pick up a program, I give them a pre-registration sheet. This asks for information about who they are: name, birth, address, telephone, parents/guardians, and class in school. Beneath that are three options:

1. __________ I am definitely going. Make an appointment.

2. __________ I want to go but need more time.

3. __________ I am unable to go but "Thank you."

Students then bring the brochures and pre-registration forms home for discussion with their parents. The pre-registration forms are returned to me. I then spend the next several weeks doing visitations to the homes of those who have pre-registered. This takes a great deal of time but is 95% effective. Parents see this as an educational experience, and that it is not a frivolous trip. They appreciate the personal touch. I do this during the spring semester, a full year before we leave.

Over the summer, I send students a card from somewhere abroad to tell them that we are going to have a special experience when they travel. Then, in the fall, we begin to have our Orientation Sessions. We hold these on Sunday afternoons, and they usually are two hours in duration. Here we try to establish a philosophy of travel. We review the itinerary. Videos which will enrich the travel experience are shown. Students are given readings to complete, and assignments such as maps, etc. are handed out. Sometimes guests are invited to talk to the group (art teachers, language teachers, et. al.). We encourage students to spend about one half hour per day doing something related to their upcoming trip.

A unique feature of our programs are the classes we give in travel photography. I will assign the students a photo essay topic and review it with them upon completion. They are instructed to use the same camera and the film they will use on the trip. This enables them to become familiar with the camera, and understand the limitations of their film and flash units. We usually meet for a total of 25-30 hours before departure.

Students must keep an academic journal while on the trip. Teacher-counselors check the students' progress and quality of the journals throughout. Completed journals are due the first week of school in the fall, and are graded. Prizes are awarded for the best journals, entries and travel photos. While traveling, we send postcards to all parents saying something nice about their child and how they are adjusting to the European experience.

Students receive one academic credit for the trip, provided all the work has been completed and is satisfactory. I sometimes give them an overtime period to polish up their journals if they don't measure up the first time. I have kept track of academic hours on the trip, and they usually run to 125-150 hours on field trips. Added to the Orientation hours, students spend approximately the same amount of time on tour as they would on a regular academic offering.

It is not unusual for our trips to fill up in less than a week. Our most recent tour had 48 students. We anticipate 60 for the 1999 European Experience. This will be my 23rd trip with students, and I still get exhilarated by the experience. I believe it to be a very special program.

In addition to passports' own Terms and Conditions, and suggested "Rules and Regulations for Student Participants," Mr. Pearo also requires that his students and their parents/guardians, sign the following pledge and contract to ensure the schools rules and regulations for student trip participants are also carried through. Veteran group organizers urge newcomers to use a similar agreement for their students.

RICE COMPARATIVE CULTURES' PLEDGE & CONTRACT

I, ____________________, do hereby commit to God, my parents or guardians, to Rice Memorial High School, to Mr. Pearo and Mrs. Ring, and the other teacher-counselors, to my fellow travelers, and to myself, that I will refrain from the total use and the purchase of alcohol, illicit drugs and tobacco throughout the duration of my travel experience as part of the Rice Memorial Comparative Cultures Program.

I understand that it is my obligation to have a positive influence on my peers, and to abide by the other rules and regulations of the Rice Comparative Cultures Program. I recognize that bringing a large number of students abroad is a formidable responsibility, and that I have to share in this responsibility. I will endeavor to make the travel experience a learning opportunity for me, and a pleasurable trip for all participants by my full compliance with the spirit and intent of the rules and guidelines. I also accept the right of the teacher-counselors to randomly inspect my personal belongings and will cooperate with them in every way.

By signing the above pledge, I understand that should I break this pledge, I will accept the penalties which will include all of the following:

1.expulsion from the program and returning home at my own expense after Mr. Pearo informs my parents/guardians. This may be on the first day of the program, and could result in the forfeiture of all monies paid for the trip;

2.should the violation occur at the end of the trip, and if it is impossible to arrange for a separate return, I understand the matter will be referred to the Rice administration for action.

3. loss of academic credit;

4. suspension from school in accordance with the Rice Student Handbook;

5. suspension from participation in athletics during the time of my suspension from school.

Student Participant's Signature: ___________________________________________

Parents/Guardians as witnesses: ____________________________________________

Signature of Mr. Pearo/Mrs. Ring: __________________________________________

Date: __________________________________________________________________

Following here is a prototype of the Pre-Registration form Mr. Pearo uses for his groups:

RICE COMPARATIVE CULTURES 1999

PRE-REGISTRATION:

Complete the following and return to Mr. Pearo. He will arrange a meeting with your parents/guardians. This meeting is mandatory.

Name: _____________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________

Telephone: ___________________________________________________________________

Parents/Guardians name: _________________________________________________________

Class at Rice: __________________________________________________________________

Things to keep in mind:

1. This is an academic program.

2. Attendance is required at the Orientation Meetings.

3. Grades will be assigned rather than just Pass/Fail.

4. This is the 23rd student trip sponsored by Rice/Mr. Pearo. You will be traveling with experienced teachers on the premier program of its kind in the USA. 1,500 students have already participated!

5. A pledge-contract must be signed. Breaking the pledge-contract carries severe consequences. This will be explained by Mr. Pearo when he meets with your parents/ guardians.

Check one:

_______ I am definitely going. Make the appointment.

_______ I want to go but need more time.

_______ "Thank you," but I am unable to go.

Enrollments are limited. Act promptly and save money!