SUMMER INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FOR HIGH SCHOOL

With the district's decision to disallow international travel during focus week, Mrs. Jackson and Mr. Plank are planning trips for high school students this summer. There will be information meetings Monday, December 12th:

Japan: Ms. Jackson's room 156 at 6:30 pm (contact email: ljacksonics@gmail.com)

Greece: Mr. Plank’s room 149 at 7 pm (contact email pplank89@gmail.com)

These trips are in no way affiliated with ICS or the Lake Washington School District.

Greece is the cradle of Western civilization, and ICS students have studied Greek history, philosophy, and literature. The 10-day trip includes four days in Athens, a multi-night cruise on the Aegean, and visits to Rhodes, Santorini and Patmos, among other places.

Students will need to reserve a place and sign up on the Explorica website before December 21st to secure the price. We realize that this time of year or the cost will not be feasible for many. To find out more details about the trip and to register, go to www.explorica.com/Plank-8484. If you are interested in attending, you'll need to register. The tour ID is Plank-8484 (need to include the hyphen). There are different payment options, and you don’t have to full price in order to register. There is also a $100 discount if you use the promo code Travel100.

Dates: June 29 to July 8, registration deadline Dec. 21

Cost: $4600 (with Travel100 code discount and depending on the number of students)

Eligibility: current grades 10-12

Number of students: 20-30 with 2-3 adult chaperones and a local guide

Japan on Foot is a unique walking exploration of Japan, its history and culture. We will explore the Nakasendo Highway, or "road through the central mountains." Once a main thoroughfare of feudal Japan, today the Nakasendo winds through scenic countryside and villages. Students will have some fascinating insights into the feudal Japan, the samurai, and also urban and village life today. We will stay in beautiful historic inns, sleeping in tatami mat rooms and eating traditional Japanese food sitting on tatami floors. We will be welcomed by Japanese innkeepers and people who will share culture with us, like folk singing, woodblock printmaking, and tea ceremonies. Students will have opportunities to bathe in wooden baths and hot springs. We will learn why the Nakasendo existed and about the great Shogun leader Tokugawa Ieyasu, whose dynasty ruled Japan for over 260 years. Students will read translated Japanese literature and study Japanese woodblock art in preparation for our trip. This trip also provides a physical challenge in its mountainous daily walks of between 4 and 10 miles. Our luggage will be transported to our destination each day with students responsible for carrying just day-packs.

Dates: June 28 or 29 to July 6 or 7 (tbd)

Cost: $4000-$4500 (tbd, depending on airfare and number of students)

Flights: Seatac to Nagoya Chubu Airport

Eligibility: current grades 9-12 at ICS

Number of students: 16-20 with 2 adult chaperones and a local guide