SUMMARY OF FIRST MEETING - TRIP TO MEXICO ON 02OCT2012

In attendance at the meeting were approximately 25 parents, 3 teachers: Mrs. D. Parker

(Spanish), Mr. M. Martin (Biology) and Miss A. La Caille (Biology) and organizer of the
tour, Exciting Destinations president, Mrs. Charmaine Croll-Singh.

Exciting Destinations operates in partnership with Centro Latino, a full-service Spanish

Language company based in Jamaica. Its president is Trinidadian, Mr. Bramwell
Shepherd, a former teacher and education officer. Local secondary schools to have used
the services of Exciting Destinations/Centro Latino include St. Joseph’s Convent (St.
Joseph), Naparima Boys’ and Girls’ and Queen’s Royal College.

After 2 short videos on Mexico and pictures of Naps Boys’ in Mexico during Easter
2012, Mrs. Croll-Singh spoke of the benefits of visiting a Spanish-speaking country for
students of the language e.g. the advantage of being able to write/speak in Spanish about
an event (shopping, ordering a meal, culture etc.) they actually experienced. Mrs. Croll-
Singh presented a sample itinerary for the tour (See flyer for highlights, package cost,
etc).

Among the questions/concerns addressed were:

 This trip is not only for students of Spanish. Mexico will also interest History
and Geography students, for example (One student of Upper Six at this meeting
confirmed that Mexico has featured in CXC History exams at both CSEC and
CAPE Unit I level).
 In addition to the 3 teachers at the meeting, Mrs. M. Ribeiro (Business) will join
the tour
 As in Trinidad, there is a high incidence of crime in Mexico. These incidents of
crime, however, occur about 1000 miles from where this group will be and the
tour will not take us to areas deemed unsafe. In addition to at least one Centro
Latino representative, there will be other personnel on the ground to ensure
adequate supervision and to advise on matters of safety.
 T&T passport holders visiting Mexico do not require visas. Participants in the
trip without a valid passport can receive assistance in expediting the passport
processing.
 Parents are welcome to participate. Younger siblings will be accommodated only
if parent (or other adult authorized by parent) accompanying
 The Mexican peso is the currency used. This is purchased using US$ through
widely available Cambios in Mexico.
 Hotel contact information will be provided to enable parents to communicate with
their daughters while in Mexico. Students will also be encouraged to contact
home within 24 hours of their arrival in the destination. Mrs Parker will also e-
mail the school and parents.
 Departure tax is included in the cost of the tour package
Parents and participants are asked to note:

 Although the flyer gives a deadline of October 15, 2012 for payment of the non-
refundable deposit (TT$1,000.00), our local tour organizer requested that this be
done prior to that date since we are already behind time and a contract needs to be
signed with the airline (COPA) very soon.
 A copy of the bio-data page of the passport of all participants must be submitted
in order to ensure correct spelling of names for the reservations. The airline
charges a US$150 fee for such changes.

The final item on the agenda was fundraising. Mrs. Parker acknowledged that given the
cost and varying means of our students, fundraising will be necessary. In this regard, she
advised that this being the school’s bazaar term when much is asked of parents and
companies, except for a stall at our bazaar, fundraising will have to be undertaken next
term. She also spoke of other initiatives undertaken for the Cuba/Panama trip last year
e.g. Irie Bites lunch, sponsorship requests sent to companies/individuals (non-sponsors of
our bazaar) whose contact information was provided by students. She also noted that one
parent, whose daughter (now a graduate) was not in need of assistance, was able to secure
funding for other students.