Hello Delegates and Families!
I have been working very closely with the program office over the last few days, and am pleased to announce that we will now be enjoying a 19-day program to England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales! We’ll depart on June 25 and return home July 13.
Get a sneak preview of our Celtic Cultures program itinerary here! http://www.peopletopeople.com/TravelExperience/Pages/Students-Celtic-Cultures-BH-2011.aspx
While I’m disappointed that we won’t be able to travel to Japan this summer, I’m relieved that our delegation has been re-routed for our safety. I’m also pleased that we’ll still be traveling as a cohesive delegation—I’ve enjoyed getting to know each one of you and can’t wait until we experience the United Kingdom and Ireland together. We are going to have some amazing adventures. On our Celtic Cultures program, we will:
Rappel down a castle wall in the Full On challenge in Wales
Join in a community-day of service in a small Irish village
Go white water rafting in Scotland under the guidance of experts, and test your spirit of adventure!
Be welcomed into a 2−3 night Irish home stay
Discuss current events with a former Member of Parliament in London
Before, we were slated to spend 14 days in Japan, and we now get to enjoy a 19-day program for the same tuition!
Don’t miss our next orientation meeting, where we’ll start to dive into the history and culture of the United Kingdom and Ireland. You don’t have to worry about the work we’ve already done together to earn the academic credit—it won’t be thrown away, but we will take the time we have left before our departure to really sink our teeth into learning about our new destination.
Lastly, Ambassadors and parents, remember, I am here for you. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about our new opportunity. If you have a conflict with our new travel program arrangement, please contact me by Thursday and I will get your questions addressed with the support of the program office. I am in daily contact with the program office and can quickly get you the information you need.
Our destination may have changed, but our goals remain the same: to find new friends, experience new cultures, and help to build peace through understanding. Let’s get ready to change our world, forever, in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Another Update
Thank you for your input regarding assignment of a new program itinerary. At this time, I will not need any other input as I've heard from about 90 percent of the delegation. I have forwarded your suggestions to People to People. They will be announcing a new program itinerary by April 1, 2011.
Several delegates have asked about the online quizzes and the Project Fair assignments. At this time, students should STOP working on their Project Fair and Japan online assignments. Directions on what to do next will be coming shortly. What I can tell you at this time is that delegates will not be required to complete extra work. So, if you completed all of the Japan online assignments, you will not be required to complete additional online work for the new destination.
Have a great day everyone!
Several delegates have asked about the online quizzes and the Project Fair assignments. At this time, students should STOP working on their Project Fair and Japan online assignments. Directions on what to do next will be coming shortly. What I can tell you at this time is that delegates will not be required to complete extra work. So, if you completed all of the Japan online assignments, you will not be required to complete additional online work for the new destination.
Have a great day everyone!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Japan Update
Hello Ambassadors and families,
I am sure most of you have been wondering what is the status of our People to People Program due to the events in Japan. I think we are all seeing what effect these events have had on the people of Japan, so after much deliberation plus the advice of the United States State Department, the decision has been made to cancel all 25 delegations involving over 1000 students and families. As you know, safety is our main concern in all programs.
SO I need to know two things very quickly from each family:
1. How flexible are you on dates of travel --- rescheduling this many people is very difficult and the risk of overcrowding hotels, buses, attractions, and homestays is a problem that would affect every traveler. If we find that the majority of the delegation have commitments that strongly limit our rescheduling, they will work hard to keep us close to that date, but it could also limit our choices of destinations. If most of the group is flexible, we have more choices on destination, and People to People would work with the individuals that cannot make the change, so you might be traveling with a group at a distance from us.
2. What would be your student's two most desirable alternate destinations-- perhaps a consensus could be reached that would please the majority of the group. Again, those not satisfied with that choice could travel with another group, hopefully from Ohio but no guarantees.
If possible, please get back in touch with me by Friday of this week. People to People representatives have been calling me on a daily basis to get the update on any calls I receive from families, and now needs this information.
If you are unsure of other destinations, go to the front of your application or to the following web site:
http://www.peopletopeople.com/OurPrograms/Pages/StudentItineraries.aspx
If you have any questions, please let me know. As the week continued, I knew that our chances of traveling to Japan were slim to none. The area is too unstable at this point and the people of Japan will be putting all of there energy into helping the countless number of homeless people affected by this tragedy.
I would personally like the thank the countless number of delegates who asked what we could do to help the people of Japan. This shows that we have an amazing delegation!
Please respond to this post by Friday, March 18, 2011.
I am sure most of you have been wondering what is the status of our People to People Program due to the events in Japan. I think we are all seeing what effect these events have had on the people of Japan, so after much deliberation plus the advice of the United States State Department, the decision has been made to cancel all 25 delegations involving over 1000 students and families. As you know, safety is our main concern in all programs.
SO I need to know two things very quickly from each family:
1. How flexible are you on dates of travel --- rescheduling this many people is very difficult and the risk of overcrowding hotels, buses, attractions, and homestays is a problem that would affect every traveler. If we find that the majority of the delegation have commitments that strongly limit our rescheduling, they will work hard to keep us close to that date, but it could also limit our choices of destinations. If most of the group is flexible, we have more choices on destination, and People to People would work with the individuals that cannot make the change, so you might be traveling with a group at a distance from us.
2. What would be your student's two most desirable alternate destinations-- perhaps a consensus could be reached that would please the majority of the group. Again, those not satisfied with that choice could travel with another group, hopefully from Ohio but no guarantees.
If possible, please get back in touch with me by Friday of this week. People to People representatives have been calling me on a daily basis to get the update on any calls I receive from families, and now needs this information.
If you are unsure of other destinations, go to the front of your application or to the following web site:
http://www.peopletopeople.com/OurPrograms/Pages/StudentItineraries.aspx
If you have any questions, please let me know. As the week continued, I knew that our chances of traveling to Japan were slim to none. The area is too unstable at this point and the people of Japan will be putting all of there energy into helping the countless number of homeless people affected by this tragedy.
I would personally like the thank the countless number of delegates who asked what we could do to help the people of Japan. This shows that we have an amazing delegation!
Please respond to this post by Friday, March 18, 2011.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Japan Situation
Hello Everyone,
As you are aware, a massive earthquake and tsunami have hit the country of Japan. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan.
I'm sure you are wondering how this will impact our program. The People to People National Headquarters is watching the situation closely. I have listed some questions and answers regarding this situation. I've also attached a map of the areas most affected as well as the area we will be traveling to. (Check your email for this attachment.)
You may also want to bookmark the People to People Health and Safety Blog. It is a great source of information on ways People to People makes safety our number one priority.
As soon as I hear information, I will pass it on to you.
Thank you,
John Paydo
Delegation Leader
Land of the Rising Sun
Will People to People Student Ambassadors traveling to Japan this summer be affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami?
The safety of our delegates is our number one priority. We are closely monitoring the situation in Japan, and at this time we have not altered any of our program itineraries. We will assess the damage to any activity locations. Highlights for each itinerary will remain the same. The Schedule of Activities will be posted at 60days prior to departure and will reflect the final itinerary for each delegation.
Will the earthquake and tsunami in Japan affect my delegation’s itinerary?
The Land of the Rising Sun program does travel to Japan. Currently, it is too early to know the affect of the earthquake and tsunami on any People to People activity locations. We will assess the damage to any activity locations. For every itinerary the highlights will remain the same, while some activity locations may change to accommodate areas damaged by the earthquake and tsunami. The final itinerary for every delegation will be reflected in their Schedule of Activities posted at 60 days prior to departure.
How do you make the decision whether or not to travel to a country?
In making the decision to proceed with any program, our senior leadership team relies on up-to-date intelligence gathered from a number of organizations including the U.S. State Department, the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board, as well as from international safety and security specialists. We receive multiple updates from these organizations on a daily basis, and will stay very close to this situation until it is no longer a concern. If current conditions were to exist closer to our departure dates that might in any way hinder our ability to provide a safe and rewarding program, we will not hesitate to alter the itinerary, redirect the program to safer regions, or provide other alternatives including cancellation of the program.
As you are aware, a massive earthquake and tsunami have hit the country of Japan. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan.
I'm sure you are wondering how this will impact our program. The People to People National Headquarters is watching the situation closely. I have listed some questions and answers regarding this situation. I've also attached a map of the areas most affected as well as the area we will be traveling to. (Check your email for this attachment.)
You may also want to bookmark the People to People Health and Safety Blog. It is a great source of information on ways People to People makes safety our number one priority.
As soon as I hear information, I will pass it on to you.
Thank you,
John Paydo
Delegation Leader
Land of the Rising Sun
Will People to People Student Ambassadors traveling to Japan this summer be affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami?
The safety of our delegates is our number one priority. We are closely monitoring the situation in Japan, and at this time we have not altered any of our program itineraries. We will assess the damage to any activity locations. Highlights for each itinerary will remain the same. The Schedule of Activities will be posted at 60days prior to departure and will reflect the final itinerary for each delegation.
Will the earthquake and tsunami in Japan affect my delegation’s itinerary?
The Land of the Rising Sun program does travel to Japan. Currently, it is too early to know the affect of the earthquake and tsunami on any People to People activity locations. We will assess the damage to any activity locations. For every itinerary the highlights will remain the same, while some activity locations may change to accommodate areas damaged by the earthquake and tsunami. The final itinerary for every delegation will be reflected in their Schedule of Activities posted at 60 days prior to departure.
How do you make the decision whether or not to travel to a country?
In making the decision to proceed with any program, our senior leadership team relies on up-to-date intelligence gathered from a number of organizations including the U.S. State Department, the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board, as well as from international safety and security specialists. We receive multiple updates from these organizations on a daily basis, and will stay very close to this situation until it is no longer a concern. If current conditions were to exist closer to our departure dates that might in any way hinder our ability to provide a safe and rewarding program, we will not hesitate to alter the itinerary, redirect the program to safer regions, or provide other alternatives including cancellation of the program.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Tomorrow's Meeting
Just a quick note to let you know that tomorrow's meeting will proceed as scheduled. See you there!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Orientation Meeting #2 Update
Hello Japan Delegates and Families!
Orientation Meeting #2 is this Saturday! Here are the details:
Mayfield Middle School Auditorium
1123 SOM Center Road
Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
9:00 AM -- 12:00 PM (Please arrive at 8:30 AM)
Tina Johanns and I are excited to welcome our two new delegation leaders to our program. Dave Ehrbar and Heather Vokic will be traveling to Japan with us. Dave teaches sixth grade science at Mayfield Middle School and Heather teaches art at Mayfield Middle School and Gates Mills Elementary. You will have a chance to meet both of them this Saturday! They are wonderful people!
The following assignments are due by Saturday:
1. Japan Daily Life (online training)
2. Japan Food and Customs (online training)
3. Student Ambassador Certification Quiz 1; Chapters 1-5 (online training)
4. Civics 101 Worksheet (in Orientation Meeting #1 Packet)
Also, the three Teacher Evaluations (in Orientation Meeting #1 Packet) were due to Tina Johanns by February 10, 2011.
The following delegates have completed the three online trainings (Japan Daily Life, Japan Food and Customs, and Student Ambassador Certification Quiz #1; Chapters 1-5) due by Saturday. Thank you!! If you name is missing, you have not completed the required work due by Saturday. If this is incorrect, please let me know.
Alaina Bradley
Kailyne Brooks
Wesley Brown
Barrett Campbell
Megan Cerbin
Jered Colboch
James Day
Breanna Dyson
Jasmine Hamerter
Courtney Kolberg
Resha Latimer
Jacquee Pahor
Isabella Palladino
Catherine Peters
Steven Pham
Adam Rehberg
Michelle Sandler
Chase Spaid
Aleksey Sytinskiy
London Walsh-Wilkes
Carl Williams
Max Wright
Congratulations to the following delegates who have completed all eight of their online trainings! You have truly gone up and beyond! You will be eligible for a gift card drawing on Saturday!
Alaina Bradley
Kailyne Brooks
Barrett Campbell
James Day
Breanna Dyson
Jasmine Hamerter
Courtney Kolberg
Jacquee Pahor
Catherine Peters
Steven Pham
Michelle Sandler
Chase Spaid
Aleksey Sytinskiy
London Walsh-Wilkes
Max Wright
I have also attached an application for the 2011 Cellhire Techno-Teen Scholarship. Applications are due by March 18, 2011. Don't miss out on this!
The Orientation Meeting #2 Packet will be emailed later this week. Students will each receive a copy on Saturday. I have also re-attached the Orientation Meeting #1 Packet in case you need another copy. If you have not turned in your Health Form or Success Contract, please bring those documents on Saturday. They are also attached.
Orientation Meeting Schedule -- All Meetings at Mayfield Middle School
Saturday, January 29, 2011 (9 am-12 pm)
Saturday, February 26, 2011 (9 am-12 pm)
March Meeting is Canceled
Friday, April 29, 2011 (5-8 pm)
Friday, May 20, 2011 (5-8 pm)
As a reminder, here are additional ways we are staying connected with you:
1. If you use Facebook, I have created a group for our delegation. The group is called Japan 2011 -- Ohio Delegation. If you would like to join this Facebook Group, you can search for Japan 2011 Ohio Delegation and request to join. I have to approve your membership to this group, as it is a private group.
2. If you use Twitter, a Twitter Site has been created. In order to follow this site, you must have a Twitter account and request access to the site in order to view the tweets. Here's the address: http://twitter.com/ptpjapan2011 Tweets on this site will be private unless you are a follower.
3. If you like to follow blogs, we have also created a blog. Here's the address to follow the blog: http://ptpjapan2011.blogspot.com/
We are excited to see all of you on Saturday! Again, please arrive by 8:30 AM. We will start our meeting promptly at 9:00 AM.
Orientation Meeting #2 is this Saturday! Here are the details:
Mayfield Middle School Auditorium
1123 SOM Center Road
Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
9:00 AM -- 12:00 PM (Please arrive at 8:30 AM)
Tina Johanns and I are excited to welcome our two new delegation leaders to our program. Dave Ehrbar and Heather Vokic will be traveling to Japan with us. Dave teaches sixth grade science at Mayfield Middle School and Heather teaches art at Mayfield Middle School and Gates Mills Elementary. You will have a chance to meet both of them this Saturday! They are wonderful people!
The following assignments are due by Saturday:
1. Japan Daily Life (online training)
2. Japan Food and Customs (online training)
3. Student Ambassador Certification Quiz 1; Chapters 1-5 (online training)
4. Civics 101 Worksheet (in Orientation Meeting #1 Packet)
Also, the three Teacher Evaluations (in Orientation Meeting #1 Packet) were due to Tina Johanns by February 10, 2011.
The following delegates have completed the three online trainings (Japan Daily Life, Japan Food and Customs, and Student Ambassador Certification Quiz #1; Chapters 1-5) due by Saturday. Thank you!! If you name is missing, you have not completed the required work due by Saturday. If this is incorrect, please let me know.
Alaina Bradley
Kailyne Brooks
Wesley Brown
Barrett Campbell
Megan Cerbin
Jered Colboch
James Day
Breanna Dyson
Jasmine Hamerter
Courtney Kolberg
Resha Latimer
Jacquee Pahor
Isabella Palladino
Catherine Peters
Steven Pham
Adam Rehberg
Michelle Sandler
Chase Spaid
Aleksey Sytinskiy
London Walsh-Wilkes
Carl Williams
Max Wright
Congratulations to the following delegates who have completed all eight of their online trainings! You have truly gone up and beyond! You will be eligible for a gift card drawing on Saturday!
Alaina Bradley
Kailyne Brooks
Barrett Campbell
James Day
Breanna Dyson
Jasmine Hamerter
Courtney Kolberg
Jacquee Pahor
Catherine Peters
Steven Pham
Michelle Sandler
Chase Spaid
Aleksey Sytinskiy
London Walsh-Wilkes
Max Wright
I have also attached an application for the 2011 Cellhire Techno-Teen Scholarship. Applications are due by March 18, 2011. Don't miss out on this!
The Orientation Meeting #2 Packet will be emailed later this week. Students will each receive a copy on Saturday. I have also re-attached the Orientation Meeting #1 Packet in case you need another copy. If you have not turned in your Health Form or Success Contract, please bring those documents on Saturday. They are also attached.
Orientation Meeting Schedule -- All Meetings at Mayfield Middle School
Saturday, January 29, 2011 (9 am-12 pm)
Saturday, February 26, 2011 (9 am-12 pm)
March Meeting is Canceled
Friday, April 29, 2011 (5-8 pm)
Friday, May 20, 2011 (5-8 pm)
As a reminder, here are additional ways we are staying connected with you:
1. If you use Facebook, I have created a group for our delegation. The group is called Japan 2011 -- Ohio Delegation. If you would like to join this Facebook Group, you can search for Japan 2011 Ohio Delegation and request to join. I have to approve your membership to this group, as it is a private group.
2. If you use Twitter, a Twitter Site has been created. In order to follow this site, you must have a Twitter account and request access to the site in order to view the tweets. Here's the address: http://twitter.com/ptpjapan2011 Tweets on this site will be private unless you are a follower.
3. If you like to follow blogs, we have also created a blog. Here's the address to follow the blog: http://ptpjapan2011.blogspot.com/
We are excited to see all of you on Saturday! Again, please arrive by 8:30 AM. We will start our meeting promptly at 9:00 AM.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Emails
Hello Delegates and Families!
Please check your email inbox! By now, you should've received the following emails.
1. People to People Japan -- Email #1
2. People to People Japan -- Email #2
3. People to People Japan -- Email #3
4. People to People Fundraising
If you did not receive any of these emails, please send a request for the missing email to PTPJapan2010@aol.com.
Thank you!
Please check your email inbox! By now, you should've received the following emails.
1. People to People Japan -- Email #1
2. People to People Japan -- Email #2
3. People to People Japan -- Email #3
4. People to People Fundraising
If you did not receive any of these emails, please send a request for the missing email to PTPJapan2010@aol.com.
Thank you!
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