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Permission slips, payment for HBCU Trip due Feb. 16

Posted Date: 01/14/26 (01:10 PM)
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Congratulations on your student’s selection for the HBCU tour 🥳

Dear HS Families,

Congratulations - your student applied for and was selected to go on our HBCU tour!

This experience offers students a meaningful opportunity to explore Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), learn about academic programs and campus life, and connect with institutions that have a long-standing legacy of excellence, culture, and leadership. For many students, visiting an HBCU can broaden perspectives, spark new aspirations, and support informed college and career decision-making as they plan for their future.

Trip logistics
  • Date: Monday, March 9 through Wednesday, March 11
  • Location: Baltimore, Maryland
  • Universities and sites to be visited: Bowie State, Coppin University, Howard University and Morgan State University, National African American Museum and Dave and Busters (for a fun group outing)
  • Districts in attendance: Gates Chili, West Irondequoit, East Rochester, Penfield, Rush-Henrietta
Trip cost
The majority of the cost of the trip is covered by the district, so the total due per student is $200, plus any optional insurance fees. It includes:
  • Roundtrip transportation
  • Two nights at the Double Tree in Linthicum, MD
  • Late night private security
  • Meals (two breakfasts at hotel, three lunches and three dinners)
  • Universities and sites to be visited
  • 1st Choice Educational Tour Managers
  • All taxes and gratuities
Trip insurance 
Insurance is offered as two options and is completely optional. You'll receive more about these options via the paper forms coming home this week: 
  • Option 1 (37.51): Purchase the insurance offered in order for the waiver of Pre-existing Medical Condition Exclusion to be included.
  • Option 2 ($49.52): Purchase the optional coverage that allows you to cancel for any reason. The insurer will reimburse 50% of the non-refundable expenses if you cancel your trip for any reason, up to 48 hours prior to departure. 
Making payments
You can make payments for both the cost of the trip and insurance in increments or all at once by entering the payment amount in the ParentSquare Pay feature attached to this Post. In the app, payments and forms are located at the top of the Post and on a computer, it can be found at the bottom of the Post. 

ParentSquare Pay includes a processing fee similar to other online payment systems, such as MySchoolBucks, so cash/checks will still be accepted and should be made payable to Gates Chili Central School District. Additional money may be brought on the trip for college apparel or other merchandise.

IMPORTANT: If you are unable to make the full payment by Feb. 16, please contact me directly to make other arrangements. 

Next steps and to-do items
I will be meeting with students this week to discuss trip details. They will also be provided with printed materials about the trip, including some additional forms that must be completed for the tour company. 

1. Complete the permission slip found in this Post by Monday, Feb. 16 
2. Make payment(s) in this ParentSquare Post by Monday, Feb. 16. 
3. Complete and send back tour company forms by Thursday, Feb. 12.

 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me by either commenting on this Post, sending me a Direct Message or calling my office at 247-5050 ext. 21300.

Thank you and I am excited for this opportunity for our students!

Sincerely,
Tom Hammel
Principal