San Diego Trip, Dec. 26-31, 2008 ______________________________________________________

JET Band will be traveling on our “once-every-four-years BIG trip” in the 2008-09 school year.  The band will travel to Los Angeles & San Diego, California, December 26-31, 2008.  The band will be performing in a “Massed High School Band” at halftime of the Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium.  The tentative list of additional activities on the trip include Disneyland, Sea World San Diego, San Diego Zoo, Coronado Island Chartered Boat Trip, a performance in the Holiday Bowl Parade and several other activities.  The trip fee includes airfare to and from Southern California, five nights “full service hotel” accommodations, all ground transportation (Houston and California), most meals, awards banquet, park admissions, and several other items. 

The total cost of the trip is still pending, but we expect the final amount to be approximately $1700, just a bit above our original estimate of $1600.  While the cost of most items is now set, we are still awaiting the pricing on some ground transportation to determine the exact total cost of the trip. 

In addition to chaperones, additional family members can also purchase a spot on the trip.  In order to secure and hold positions on the trip, we must collect payments beginning in May and continue to collect payments monthly so that we can pay for airlines, hotels, tickets, and other trip expenses as they are booked.  The full cost must of the trip must be paid by October 2, 2008.  Payments must be made in $250 increments to meet the following minimum balances on these dates:

Thursday, May 8, 2008: $250 Thursday, June 5, 2008: $500 Thursday, July 3, 2008: $750 Thursday, August 7, 2008: $1000 Thursday, September 4, 2008: $1250 Thursday, October 2: entire cost of trip must be paid in full

IMPORTANT TRIP INFORMATION UPDATE: The next large trip payment will be made shortly.  That means that the trip is locked in from that point on -- no people in and no people out.  If you are thinking about going on the trip, you must notify us immediately to get on the list.  This also means that after August 27, we cannot give you a refund FOR ANY REASON.  The initial $250 has always been non-refundable, but after August 27, ANY AMOUNT you have paid becomes non-refundable.  If you have any doubts about going on the trip, NOW is the time to say something.  It's also a good idea to check out trip insurance.  If your child gets sick at the last minute, with trip insurance and a doctor's note, you can get a refund up to the full cost of the trip.  Go to www.travelinsured.com and read about Worldwide Trip Protector Lite -- it's $48 (plus $8 processing charge) for a student.  If you are a parent travelling and buy insurance for yourself, your child is covered at no charge.  Other plans and options are also available.  You can buy the insurance on their website or call them at 800-243-3174 if you have questions.

Please carefully review the following documents for more detailed information:
        San Diego Trip Letter
        Commitment Form for Band Students
        Commitment Form for Chaperones, Parents, or Relatives

Trip payment checks should be made payable to "Taylor Band."  You can mail payments to either of the following:

James E. Taylor Band Boosters P.O. Box 478 Barker, TX 77413

Jan Silliman, Treasurer 1019 Sherfield Ridge Katy, TX 77450

Do NOT mail cash!  Students can also put their trip payments into the bandhall safe.  Be sure the envelope is clearly marked "San Diego Trip" and has your student's name on it.  You can also make online payments with a credit card or PayPal account --  Click here for the San Diego Trip Online Payments screen.  Finally, if your bank provides BillPay or a similar option, you can use that to send your trip payments.  Click here for more information on BillPay. 

Questions?  E-mail JD Janda, Director of Bands, at johnjanda@katyisd.org.  

This Page Updated 8.15.08

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