October 2011
Dear Parents and Guardians:
As I am sure you have heard the chorus has been selected to participate in the 2011
Disney Candlelight Processional at Epcot. Disney selects the performance dates and
we will be performing Monday, December 5th, the 6:45 & 8:15 PM shows. We will leave
Monday, December 5th at 5:30 AM sharp, and return around 12:00 AM December 6th.
The cost of the trip will be:
$30.00 without an RHS Disney Candlelight t-shirt OR
$40.00 if you would like an RHS Disney Candlelight t-shirt.
The cost includes round trip transportation on a charter bus, tickets are provided by
Disney. The students would only have to pay for lunch, dinner is provided by Disney.
The cost of the trip is based on 85 people attending. Before you read further, please
know that the trip IS NOT REQUIRED AND HAS NO GRADE ATTACHED TO IT.
However, if we move too far from our original numbers the cost could change for the
students participating.
The trip must be paid and all paper work completed by November 8th. Unless the
school cancels the trip, THERE ARE NO REFUNDS GIVEN AT ANY TIME FOR ANY
REASON. When you sign up to attend, reservations and contracts are signed on your
behalf and if for some reason you decide not to go or become ineligible to attend, no
money can be refunded.
The choruses will fall under the guidelines outlined in the chorus handbook when it
comes to “who can attend”. People that were not on the audition tape, do not know
their music, that have problems following rules or have UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
FROM REQUIRED CHORUS EVENTS or DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS AT SCHOOL
will NOT be able to attend. Take the time to read this section in the handbook so you
will know the requirements before you sign up.
There is a second free ticket provided by Disney that the student will receive after the
Winter Concert, providing they have met the following criteria:
1. You have followed all rules during the field trip.**
2. You are in school the entire day on Tuesday, December 6th.
3. You have turned in all permission slips in the box by 2:00 PM, Tuesday,
November 8, 2011.
4. You participate fully and without incident in the Winter Concert rehearsal on
December 8th at Ridgeview High School.
5. You participate fully and without incident in the Winter Concert on December 13th
at Ridgewood Baptist Church.
**Not following rules will include, but not be limited to things such as, wearing the
correct “Disney Candlelight uniform” upon arrival to RHS, meeting chaperones at the
right times and places, no food/drink on the buses, following ALL Disney procedures.
Disney Uniform (outlined further on the Disney pages):
White shirt, black pants, black socks, black shoes (no other color on the shoe!!)
Chaperones: Parents who are interested in chaperoning, please contact Mrs. Bice,
either by phone or e-mail. Parents who have volunteered to help as seat sitters,
chaperoned District MPA, helped with the chorus cabaret or have donated their time in
other ways to assist the chorus will be given first opportunity to chaperone this
wonderful trip. Chaperones will be responsible for 5-10 students.
The students and adults on this trip are representing Ridgeview High School. Their behavior
will help determine if there are any other trips of this nature. This trip has been planned for you
because you possess superior musical ability and the potential for demonstrating behavior FAR
ABOVE the average high school student. Our trip should not only give you a positive learning
experience, but also remain as one of your fondest memories of RHS.
I feel some guidelines should be given to help you understand the expectations of the trip.
1. You are expected to act professionally both musically and in those situations that
are planned and unplanned.
2. Since you are a large group, you need to be very considerate of others that are
not in our group. Remember that this is not a family vacation.
3. This trip is an extension of the classroom, so ALL rules and regulations of the
Clay County School Board will be followed. All chaperones attending this trip are
reasonable adults; their judgment will not be questioned. It would be wise for all
parents to be sure that their child understands this before we leave. If you have
a problem with this, perhaps it would be best if you stay home.
4. We will expect and require all students to be in the company of ONLY other RHS
students on the trip with us.
5. The basic rules of road will apply:
a. Quiet conversation only with the people in the same seat as you.
b. Expensive toys (iPods`, cameras, electronic toys) are permitted as long
as you realize that they are your responsibility.
c. Cell phones will be allowed on this trip. However, cameras, cell phones,
and pagers are not allowed in the rehearsal area or on stage, they will be
left with the chaperones.
d. Food will NOT be allowed on the bus. This includes water & gum.
e. Everyone is to be in his or her assigned seat every time we board the
bus. Your assigned seat must be with a member of the same sex.
6. Remember, time and bus wait for no man. All reasonable and rational efforts will
be made to locate everyone during the trip, but the responsibility is yours to the
group…not the other way around. Be sure to listen to instructions and times and
follow them.
SEVERE PENALTY CLAUSE
After consultation with the RHS administration, and it is deemed appropriate, students will be
sent home at the total expense of the parents for any infringement of the school board policy on
drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sex, lack of professional conduct or stated policies.
Legal issues that may arise will mean that the parent and the RHS administration will be notified
immediately. Any breach of conduct that the director sees as serious in nature will mean that
the parents will be notified and appropriate action will be taken upon return to RHS. The
violation will be handled in accordance with Clay County Student Code of Conduct.
There is no way every circumstance can be covered. I do expect you to use your common
sense and the good manners that your parents have taught you. If there is a situation that you
are unsure of, ASK! You are never to leave the group. If an emergency arises, talk with a
chaperone immediately. All of RHS is being judged by your actions. Show them why we are
the best.
RHS Disney Candlelight Itinerary
Monday, December 5, 2011
5:00 AM Arrive RHS for check in with chaperones *
5:30 AM We will leave promptly with or without you
9:00 AMish Enjoy the park
4:00 PM Meet in Italy
4:15 PM Arrival/Security Gate Clearance - Dinner
5:15 PM Choir to assemble on rehearsal risers/pre-show announcements
5:30 PM Rehearsal
6:00 PM Robe distribution and break
6:30 PM Riser lineup, processional formation & candle distribution
6:45 PM Show
7:40 PM Break between shows
7:55 PM Riser lineup, processional formation & candle distribution
8:15 PM Show
9:15 PM End of show- get on the bus backstage and go home
(you do not get to go back into the park)
12:00 AM Arrive back at RHS
Last minute instructions/changes will be given in Epcot.
*In order to board the bus you MUST be wearing solid black pants, black socks,
solid black shoes and a solid white short sleeve T-shirt, a watch or some way to
tell time and have a photo ID.
Please consider everything very carefully before you sign on the dotted line and as
always, if you have any questions please call and let me try to clear them up for you. I
look forward to this years Disney Candlelight performance. I think we are going to have
a great time.
Sincerely,
Heather Bice
hmbice@mail.clay.k12.fl.us
904.213.5346
DISNEY CANDLELIGHT 2011 CHORUS TRIP
I have read the letter about the Disney Candlelight trip and understand the student
expectations regarding traveling with the chorus for this event. I know that when I sign
up for this trip I am making a financial obligation for:
$30.00 without an RHS Disney Candlelight t-shirt OR
$40.00 with an RHS Disney Candlelight t-shirt
and that there are NO REFUNDS.
___________ Yes, my child will attend Disney Candlelight and buy an RHS Disney
Candlelight t-shirt for a total of $40.
___________ Yes, my child will attend Disney Candlelight, but will not be buying a t-
shirt. Total cost $30.
___________ No, my child will NOT attend Disney Candlelight.
_________________________________ __________________________
Student’s Name Student’s Signature
_________________________________ __________________________
Parent’s signature Date
_________________________________
Parent’s name
Please use money that is in my chorus account.
This form, school permission slip, Disney form, and money are due
November 8, 2011.
No late forms are accepted.
Be responsible and return it on time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
The payment is due, November 8, 2011 along with all paper work. If there is going to
be a problem getting a payment in on time please let me know ASAP because I also
have payment schedules to meet. Remember that money earned from the fall
fundraisers can be used to pay for the cost of the trip.
DUE NOVEMBER 8th – $, THIS FORM, DISNEY FORM