Thanks to helpful feedback from students and parents, as well as an internal review of Exploration Week’s mission, its strengths and areas for improvement, we are piloting several changes in this year’s program. I am excited to share with you an overview of Exploration Week 2010:

• In order to minimize the additional costs to students who choose local options, we are no longer charging the minimum of $150 per student, and instead are offering a number of no cost local options.
  
  
• In light of the mission of our school, the unique opportunity that Exploration Week provides, and especially during these difficult economic times, we are expanding the number of Community Service Options. Participating in a Community Service Exploration Week option will count as a fulfillment of your 18 hour requirement if you are in 10th-12th grade.
  
  
• One of the core values of Exploration Week is developing relationships through a deep and sustained period of time together. Therefore, we are no longer offering half-day Exploration University seminars. All programs will be full day (9am-4pm).

Additionally, we are trying a new process for registration and financial aid. We hope that this change will allow students to choose programs that they are interested in and allow families time to consider their financial commitments before being locked into tuition for a trip. Please find the registration form on page 4 of the program booklet, on the Gann Academy website, and on First Class. Please read carefully the deadlines below:

• November 24th – All families will receive the Exploration Week 2010 booklet and registration form via email.
• December 3rd – 9th Grade Parent meeting – members of the Exploration Week planning team will be present to answer questions for new Gann families.
• December 7th – Registration Form Due.
• December 14th – Exploration Week lists will be announced. Families will receive a postcard or an email informing them of their student's placement.
• December 21st – Financial Aid Forms Due.
• December 31st – Financial Aid Award Letters mailed.
• January 11th – Final Day for switching Exploration Week 2010 trips without financial commitment. Financial aid award letters due back to Gann’s business office.
• January 13th – Exploration Week Deposits Due
• January 26th – Exploration Week 2010 Information Packets and Permission forms will be mailed to families
• February 8th – Permission Forms and Final Payments Due
• March 19th-25th – Exploration Week 2010

To determine student placement on Exploration Week trips, we will continue to use a lottery system. Students who did not receive any of their choices last year will receive higher priority in the lottery. Seniors who have never traveled will also be given a higher priority in the lottery. Seniors who have never traveled will also be given a higher priority in the lottery. Students who do not turn their registration form in by the December 7th due date will receive lower priority in the lottery.

The entire Gann Academy faculty looks forward to making Exploration Week possible each year by sharing their interests and passions with the students in the form of the trips you will see offered in the booklet. This year, several faculty members and administrators will serve as program consultants to help ensure that each program’s educational goals are fulfilled. Simcha Cohen will be the operations point person responsible for the logistical details of the trips. I will be the chief communicator to parents and students regarding Exploration Week 2010.

Please be in touch with me if you have any questions, comments, problems or successful stories that you would like to share via phone: 781-642-6800 x118 or email: rarcus@gannacademy.org.

We all look forward to a wonderful Exploration Week this year.

Sincerely,
Rachel Arcus