February 12, 2007

 

 

Dear Parents:

 

The Tennessee Junior Classical League convention will be held this year at Rhodes College in Memphis.   We will leave Dobyns-Bennett at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 19 and return at approximately 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 21.   If your son or daughter is interested in attending, please read this letter carefully.

 The convention includes academic, art, essay, poetry, costume, forensic, and track and field competitions.  There is literally something for everyone.  I require that students take at least three academic tests and participate in at least one other site competition.   In the past students have returned from the convention with an increased commitment to and understanding of Latin and have also gained an increased camaraderie by working toward common goals. 

 We will leave from and return to the front (Ft. Henry Drive side) parking lot (near the flagpole). A Twentieth-Century Coach bus will provide transportation.  Space will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis.  I have not received information on hotels yet from the state chairperson but as soon as I do, I will give you the name and phone number of our hotel.

 The trip cost is $160.  This includes a $30 registration fee, charter bus transportation, and the hotel room for one night.  Students will need money for two dinners and one lunch meal (the registration fee includes Friday's lunch and the hotel provides a free complimentary breakfast), and one breakfast (early Saturday morning

 If your son/daughter wishes to attend the TJCL convention, please send a check made out to JCL or D-B Activities for $80 as a deposit (you may pay the entire amount if you wish) by Wednesday, February 28.  The final payment of $80 is due by Monday, March 26.

 For students who participated in our fundraisers last fall, their profit will be subtracted from the trip's cost.  They need to pay half of their total on each payment deadline.  I have notified each student concerning the amount of profit they earned and how much they owe for the trip.  The profit earned by students who participated in the fund raisers, but who cannot attend the convention, cannot be credited to another student’s cost unless it is for a sibling.   We must do this because an estimate of JCL funds has already been computed and used to decrease the total cost of the trip for all going.

 Because the cost of the trip is figured on the basis of an estimate of how many students will attend, a refund can be given only in the case of the student's personal illness or a serious family emergency.   If the trip is cancelled due to lack of participation, all money will be refunded. 

 I may need one additional chaperone other than myself.  If you are interested, please fill out the form at the end of this letter, and I will notify you in the event more supervision is needed.

 Thank you for your support for TJCL convention trip, which provides Latin students with an opportunity to compete academically, creatively, and athletically.  I will do everything I can to ensure that students have an enjoyable and safe time.  If you have any questions concerning the trip, please call me at school (230-6828 or 378-8400, ext. 6828) and leave a voice message or e-mail me at shickman@www.k12k.com.  I will return your call or e-mail as soon as classes are over.  In addition, you may visit the Foreign Language Department’s web site at www.k12k.com/db/academics/foreignlanguage and click on “Latin” to access more information about the convention. 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Sandra Hickman