Journalism trips

Optional Journalism Trips -Updated 9/18/2007

This year we have the opportunity to participate in State and National Conventions. I have investigated the costs associated with the trips and travel options and am in the process of having the trip approved through the School Board. Please check your calendars and check with your parents to see if it is a possibility for you to attend. The trips are optional, but I would like to see the majority of the staff attend the MIPA Fall convention.

Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA) Fall Convention

Date: Thursday, October 18, 2007

Where: Lansing Center, Downtown Lansing, Michigan

Time: We will leave school at 7:25 am and return to school around 2:45. Students should arrange a ride home from Hartland High School.

Transportation: We will be riding on a school bus. Newspaper will cover $100 of the cost, so we will need $5 per person to cover the rest of the transportation cost.

Cost: Registration is $9 plus the cost of lunch on your own. There are several fast food restaurants in walking distance of the convention center. Total trip cost per person = $14.00

Purpose: Attend practical sessions on topics ranging from Photojournalism, writing, reporting, interviewing and design. Speakers will be from states as far away as North Carolina.

Registration deadline is Monday, October 1. You must return your permission slip and check for $14 to Mrs. Bell. Please make your check out to Hartland High School and put Newspaper in the memo.

***I will reserve a bus for 25 people! I hope everyone can join us. Please see me if the cost of the trip is a concern. ***

JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention

Date: November 8-11, 2007 (Thursday a.m.-Sunday p.m.)

Where: Philadelphia Marriott, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Costs: Hotel: with 4 students per room is $209 per night or $52 per person per night for 3 nights=$157

with 3 students per room is $200 per night or $200 total

Registration: $80 per person +$10 for t-shirt= $90

Optional Costs: Meals, Pre-convention activities, Souvenirs -estimated $40 a day for 4 days=$160

Travel: ~$275 airfare estimate. I have not found it cheaper than this. Subject to change.

Total estimated cost: $680-700.00

We will take a morning flight so that we will arrive in the morning and have the afternoon to sightsee and participate in pre-convention activities. Airfare costs may vary due to availability of fares. I will reserve the flight in one group, so we are all on the same flight. Please send in a check for $247.00 to cover the hotel and registration costs as soon as possible, so we may reserve hotel rooms. Reservations are not refundable, so please make sure you can definitely attend. I will be reserving the rooms with my credit card by Sept. 21.

Airfare: I plan on watching the airfare to see if it goes lower than 275.00. I hope to reserve tickets no later than October 8. After tickets are purchased, students will not be able to be added or removed from the trip. If airfare rates increase by more than $20 at time of booking, I will contact parents with the new cost to confirm their willingness to pay. Right now it seems like $275-280 is the going rate for a non-stop flight. Refunds will be given if there is a cheaper flight.

Please see the Official Convention information on the following websites:

www.studentpress.org/nspa or www.jea.org

October 1st trip updates:

Updated/Suggested payment schedule

$ October 15 - Hotel and convention registration is due. The room is now reserved. I am waiting for the final price breakdown. (To be determined -5 students for 3 nights + registration + play and tour tickets)

$ 260.59 October 2 - to reserve airfare (as soon as possible). Please see email for itinerary. Tickets are now reserved.

*$160.00+ meals and miscellaneous-*Please have students bring money the day of the trip. This amount will vary based on your son or daughter's meal and souvenir needs. I have estimated $40 per day for meals. We will need to pay for an airport shuttle to our hotel from the airport.

All checks should be made payable to Hartland High School. Please write "Newspaper Philadelphia trip" in the memo section and turn in all checks to Mrs. Bell in room #306. You may write an individual check for airfare and hotel + registration or you may do one check for both.

Please email Mrs. Bell with questions and let me know if you are interested in attending this trip. I will hold a brief meeting before the trip to pass out trip schedules, discuss travel tips and safety, and to answer any specific questions.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Bell