Taipei Adventist Prep Academy Tours

Friday, February 09, 2007

Dear parents and students:

This is just a reminder of the policy on deposits and probation. Any student who is on Probation or Critical Probation for attendance or citizenship will not be allowed to participate in any of the overnight trips. These students will be permitted to go on the Taipei Day Trips, but not any other trip.

Cheap airfare, which we are getting, often carries a “non-transferable, non-refundable” policy, which means that after the deposit is made and the student’s name is on the reservation, it is not possible to change the name on the ticket or to get a refund if the person decides not to go on the trip.

Similarly, as the trip draws closer the tour leaders must pay for bus rentals, hotels, and various other per person tour related costs and if a student falls into the Probation or Critical Probation territory after all the money is paid for the trip it is unlikely that the student will get any refund.

Please understand that we are not keeping the money, rather the money was already used to pay for the trip and in most cases it cannot be refunded to us, and therefore cannot be refunded to the student.

So, the bottom line is this: if you are unable to go on a trip because of probation and you have already made deposits or paid for the trip, do not expect to receive any refund.

If you have any questions please contact the tours leaders directly. If they cannot answer your questions, please contact me, Kris Erskine

Please also continue to check the individual trip blogs.

Regards,

Kris Erskine

請儘快將草約繳交至學校。也請記得，一月三十一日是繳交第一次保證金的截止日，因為航空公司需要姓名去預定機位。且在我們收到保證金後，各個帶團的老師們，也能夠直接給予參加他們所領團行程的學生們，相關的資訊。

台北當日之旅和台灣教學之旅相關注意事項：

關於保證金的金額，有一項說明誤導了大家。對於要參加台北當日之旅或台灣教學之旅的同學，只須在一月三十一日前繳清所有相關費用，且並不需要繳交二萬元的保證金。所以，若您打算參加台北當日之旅，則只須支付新台幣二千元整(如同此行程部落格上所列示)，這也是此行程所要支付的全數金額。另外，台灣教學之旅的總金額大約會在新台幣一萬二千元上下，您只須在一月三十一日到期日前繳清全數金額即可。

澳洲之旅、日韓之旅、英法之旅和印度慈善佈道之旅相關注意事項：

繳交保證金的截止日如下：

一月三十日 – 繳交第一次保證金到期日。

二月二十八日 – 繳交第二次保證金到期日。

三月九日 – 繳清全數費用到期日。

若您有任何關於行程的問題，請直接和各領團老師聯絡；若您有其它相關問題 (如：各行程可得學分數等)，請直接和Mr. Erskine聯絡。

Please send in your letters of intent as soon as possible. Also remember that the first deposit deadline is on January 31. This is necessary because the airlines need the names of those people who need reserved seats. Once the deposits are received the group leaders can also begin giving information directly to those students who will be participating in their trip.

FOR TAIPEI DAY TRIPS AND TAIWAN TRIPS ONLY:

There was a misunderstanding regarding the amount of the deposits. For those going on the Taiwan or Taipei Day Trips tours, ONLY the amount of the trip is due by January 31, NOT 20,000 NT. So, if you plan to go on the Taipei Day Trips tour then you'll only need to pay 2,000 NT (as listed on this tour's blog), which is the TOTAL cost of the trip. The Taiwan trip will likely be somewhere around 12,000 NT, and that amount will be due in full by January 31.

FOR AUSTRALIA, KOREA/JAPAN, ENGLAND/FRANCE, AND INDIA TRIPS:

The deposit deadlines are below:

January 31 - First deposit is due.

February 28 - Second deposit is due.

March 9 - Trip costs are due, in full.

If you have any questions about the tours please contact the tour leaders directly. If you have general questions about academic credit, or anything, please contact Mr. Erskine.

20.04.2007 - 30.04.2007

Dear TAPA Parents and Students,

有一則令人興奮的消息要告訴大家！今年我們將會擴大舉辦校外教學活動，所以大家都有機會參與。此外，好消息還不止這些，比起去年只有提供二個選擇，今年的校外教學，我們增加到了六個可成行的地點。您可以從下面找到相關的摘要。

再者，我們利用這次的校外教學，去幫助學生得到更大的學習。此外，每一位學生將會得到比去年更多的學分。從以下的說明當中，您可以看到我們提供給每一個行程的學分數。

學校將會在校外教學的這段期間停課，所以我們要求全體學生都要參與校外教學活動。您可以從以下選擇任何一個行程，且必須儘快登記，預訂您想要去的地方。並且在繳交初期保證金後，您的行程將立即被保留。
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使用網路部落格

從每一個行程的部落格裡，都可以找到各團的保證金、遊覽行程、將要參訪地點的連結、帶團老師的聯絡資訊(電話號碼和電子郵件)、公告事項、繳費截止期限和其它相關資訊。因為遊覽行程和公告事項會被發佈在網頁和個別的部落格上，所以請您務必要經常上網瀏覽最新消息。

您可從電腦螢幕旁邊，找到先前所發佈的資訊連結。
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各行程說明

行程一：印度慈善佈道之旅(十二日)

http://indiamissiontrip.travellerspoint.com

此次的印度慈善佈道之旅，我們將會到達印度東北部的鄉下地區，為當地居民挖井且提供乾淨的飲用水。這個村莊並沒有穩定的乾淨飲用水源，且乾季對當地村民而言是相當痛苦難熬的。此村落是位於曼尼普爾省的New Hoomi。
帶團的教師：Kris Erskine 和 Ashim Pheirim。Kris曾參與和幫忙安排及帶領之前的四個佈道之行，也曾經在馬紹爾群島上的鄉下地區，擔任過一年的教會老師。而Ashim則是印度當地居民，了解當地的語言及文化。

行程五：英法之旅(十一日)

http://europestudytour.travellerspoint.com

此行程著重於法語及英語、歷史、文化和歐式建築方面。將會花費五天的時間在法國，參觀巴黎市區和羅亞爾河谷。之後經由英法海底隧道扺達英國倫敦，並在倫敦當地參訪各式各樣的城堡及大教堂、巨石陣和其它重要的歷史遺跡。

帶團的教師：Roland LaFrance 和 Heather Runyon。Roland能說法語，且在法國居住過一年的時間。Heather也曾在英國待過一段時間，且他們對於要遊覽的地區，都有著相當豐富的背景知識。

行程六：澳洲之旅(八日)

http://australiastudytour.travellerspoint.com

此行程會以雪梨為主，將會參訪雪梨歌劇院、植物園和世界級的水族館等地方。並且著重在科學、攝影和澳洲的藝術和歷史方面。

帶團的教師：Dan Show曾安排、領導及參與過數十次的校外教學旅行。科學是Dan的專長，所以他將是此行程科學方面的指導。Esther Ke則負責英語教學的指導部份，且協助Dan共同計劃和管理此次的澳洲之旅。

行程二：日韓之旅 (七日)

http://koreastudytour.travellerspoint.com

此日韓之行著重於韓戰時遭入侵的舊址，不但會到仁川和釜山，還會參訪非軍事區域。此行程的日本部份，將包含從韓國搭乘郵輪至日本福岡市，我們將會在福岡停留，且參訪在日本及世界歷史上佔有重要地位的城市(如：廣島、長崎和東京等)，從福岡出發至各個城市，做當天來回的旅行。

帶團的教師：Geoff McRae 和 Laurie Stankavich。Geoff曾經住在韓國長達三年，且兩位老師都曾在當地教授過ESL的課程，也都有著豐富的旅韓、旅日經驗。另外，今年聖誕節Geoff會利用再次旅行韓國的同時，為四月份的校外教學先行探路。兩位老師對於要和同學們一起分享韓國和日本的文化，都感到非常的興奮。

行程三：台灣教學之旅 (五日)

http://www.tapa.tp.edu.tw/studytours/taiwan

您覺得您已經看遍全台灣了嗎？在此行程中，我們要帶您去參訪的景點，或許您從來都沒有到過。

帶團的教師：此行程將由Mr. Everhart和Mr. Mertins以及台灣當地的居民Ms. Jane Lin所領導。他們將會花費五天的時間，遊覽台北以外的地方，且將教學著重在科學、台灣史和攝影上面。

行程四：台北當日之旅(五日)

http://taipeidaytrips.travellerspoint.com

這些天的當日之旅，會著重於您或許尚未參訪過的台北市各大博物館上面。學生們將會參觀自來水園區、歷史博物館、自然科學博物館、十三行博物館，以及位於淡水的紅毛城，這些都還只是此次行程中的部份景點，除此之外，晚上還可以回到您舒適的房間休息。

帶團的教師：Terry Schneider和 Karl Snell。Karl居住在台灣的生活，今年已邁入第四年了，儘管他不是台灣人，卻能理解並欣賞台灣文化。而今年則是Terry居住在台灣的第二年，兩位老師對於台北市各類型的博物館之旅都感到相當興奮。
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截止期限

大部分的學生已經登記了他們所要參加的行程，而許多學生擔心若不儘快繳交保證金，則會喪失已預定行程的問題。以下有各截止期限的行事曆。

一月十日：

在此截止日前，貴家長請務必傳真一份使用電腦打字，且附上親筆簽名的草約至復臨附中。草約上必須清楚說明學生將要參加的行程。而每一位學生所預訂的行程將會被保留到這一天。若我們並未在截止日前收到您的傳真，則學生原先預訂的行程，將被開放給其他等候名單上的同學。

此草約請直接傳真予Crystal Lee：

電話號碼：886-22885-8282 分機110
傳真號碼：886-22885-8181

若我們在一月十日的截止日前，收到您的草約傳真，則此學生的行程將被保留到下一個準備事項的截止期限(一月三十一日)。

一月三十一日：

不論您要參加的行程是那一團，您都必須要支付新台幣二萬元整的保證金，來預訂您的行程。每一個行程的保證金都是相同的，且必須直接存入復臨附中的帳戶。繳清保證金的收據請立即傳真或親自繳交予總務主任Terry Schneider。

傳真號碼：886-22885-8181

若有任何關於保證金的問題(包含復臨附中的帳戶號碼)，請直接聯絡Mr. Schneider。

電話號碼：886-22885-8282 分機106

二月二十八日：

這是第二次繳費的截止日期。不論您所報名的是那一個行程，第二次要繳交的金額都是新台幣二萬元整；但若您報名的行程費用低於新台幣四萬元，您就只需付清剩餘的費用。

三月一日：

其餘的費用必須在此截止日前全數繳清。且也請您務必於此截止日前，繳交家長同意書、護照影本、任何相關的病歷和緊急聯絡人資料。
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退款注意事項、行程更改和其它資訊

當然，學校將會盡最大的努力去協調任何行程的花費。然而，一但您完成第一次保證金的繳交手續，我們就會開始進行訂機票的工作。所以，若學生之後行程有任何更改，請自行承擔所有取消事項的相關費用。

在實際使用參與行程的學生姓名預定機票以前，我們都無法得知機票價格，因此，所有行程的花費都是初步估計金額。我們會在二月的第一個星期前，完成金額的確認，而在這之前，甚至是帶團的老師也無從得知正確的費用。

在得知今年校外教學週的改變，和學生們能從參與的過程中獲得利益的同時，我們為此感到相當興奮。若您還有任何問題，非常歡迎來電告知。您可直接經由以下電話號碼聯絡我：

電話號碼：886-22885-8282 分機118

若對校外教學活動還有任何特別的問題，您可將問題發表至各行程部落格的意見欄上；如此一來，大家都能讀取到您的問題和校方的回覆。也請您加入成為一個(或多個) 部落格的成員，往後，您就能不定期地收到部落格的最新資訊。

由於所有的通知都將經由此網頁，和各個行程的部落格發表，所以請您務必密切留意網頁的更新資訊。

Sincerely,

Kristopher C. Erskine
Vice-principal for Academic Affairs
Taipei Adventist Preparatory Academy

Dear TAPA Parents and Students,

We have exciting news! We are expanding our Study Tours program this year so that everyone can go. Better yet, the choices for the study tours has expanded from the two trips that we offered last year to a total of six possible options this year, a summary of which can be found below.

Further, we are taking advantage of these tours as a way to facilitate greater learning by our students and therefore each student will receive more academic credit than he/she received last year. The amount of credit that each trip will offer is included in the description below.

Since the school will be closed during this week we are requiring all students to participate. You can choose from any of the options below and you’ll need to sign up as soon as possible to reserve your spot. Your spot will be reserved as soon as you pay the initial deposit.

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Using the Weblogs

The deposit amounts, tour itineraries, links to places that we’ll be visiting, contact information for the tour leaders (phone numbers and email addresses), tour announcements, deadlines for payment, and other useful information can be found on each of the tour weblogs. Please visit them and continue to check back often as the tour itineraries, and tour announcements will be made on this website and the individual weblogs.

Past entries may be accessed by looking in the archives on the side of your screen.

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The Tours

Trip 1: India Humanitarian Mission Trip (12 days)

http://indiamissiontrip.travellerspoint.com

A Humanitarian Mission trip. We will be digging a well and providing clean drinking water to a remote village in northeastern India. This village does not have a constant source of clean drinking water and the dry season can be devastating to these villagers. This is in the state of Manipur, in the village of New Hoomi.

Tour leaders: Kris Erskine and Ashim Pheirim. Kris has participated and helped organize and conduct four previous mission trips and also spent a year as a missionary teacher on a remote island in the Marshall Islands. Ashim is a native of India and knows the language and culture.

Trip 5: France / England Study Tour (11 days)

http://europestudytour.travellerspoint.com

This tour will focus on the French and English languages, history, culture, and European architecture. The group will spend five days in France visiting Paris and the Loire Valley and then take the Chunnel to London, England where they will visit various castles, cathedrals, Stonehenge, and other important historical sites.

Tour Leaders: Roland LaFrance and Heather Runyon. Roland speaks French and lived in France for one year. Heather has spent time in England and between them they have a wealth of knowledge about the area they will be touring.

Trip 6: Australia Study Tour (8 Days)

http://australiastudytour.travellerspoint.com

This tour will spend much of its time in Sydney and will visit places like the Sydney Opera House, a botanical gardens, and a world-class aquarium. The focus will be on science, photography, and Australian art and history.

Tour Leaders: Dan Show has organized, led, and participated in over a dozen school group trips. Dan's specialty is the sciences and he will be supervising the science aspect of this trip. Esther Ke will be supervising the English and ESL portions of the trip and will be assisting Dan in the planning and supervision of this tour.

Trip 2: Korea / Japan Study Tour (7 days)

http://koreastudytour.travellerspoint.com

The Korea/Japan trip will focus on Korean War invasion sites at Inchon and Pusan, as well as a visit to the DMZ. The Japan portion of this trip will include a ferry ride to Fukuoka where we will stay and do day trips to Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Tokyo, very important cities in Japanese and world history. This trip will focus on Korean War, WWII history, and photography.

Tour Leaders: Geoff McRae and Laurie Stankavich. Geoff lived in Korea of three years and both he and Laurie have taught ESL in Korea. They have visited the places on the itinerary in both Korea and Japan and Geoff is traveling to Korea this Christmas to scout out the places he will visit with the students in April. They are both very excited to share the Korean and Japanese culture with our students.

Trip 3: Taiwan Study Tour (5 days)

http://www.tapa.tp.edu.tw/studytours/taiwan

You think you’ve seen Taiwan? You probably haven’t seen all of the places that will be visited on this trip.

Tour Leaders: This trip will be led by Mr. Everhart, Mr. Mertins, and Ms. Jane Lin, a native Taiwanese. They will spend five days touring places outside of Taipei and the focus will be on science, the history of Taiwan, and photography.

Trip 4: Taipei Day Trips (5 days)

http://taipeidaytrips.travellerspoint.com

These day trips will focus on Taipei museums that you probably haven’t visited. Students will visit the Drinking Water Museum, the National History Museum, the Museum of Astronomy, and the Museum of Archeology, as well as make a visit to Fort San Domingo in Danshuei. These are only a few of the places that you’ll visit on this trip and you’ll get to sleep in your own bed at night!

Tour Leaders: Terry Schneider and Karl Snell. Karl has lived in Taipei, Taiwan for four years and while not a native, appreciates Taiwanese culture. Terry is in his second year in Taiwan and they are excited about visiting the various museums of Taipei.

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Deadlines

Most students have already signed up for a tour and many are worried that they will lose their reservation if they don’t pay a deposit. Here’s the calendar of deadlines:

January 10:

By this date parents must fax a typed and signed letter of intent. This letter should state clearly which trip the student will be participating in. Each student’s reservation will be held until this date. If no letter of intent is received then the student’s place on the tour will be made available to the people on the waiting list for that trip.

The letter of intent should be sent to the attention of Crystal Lee at:

Phone: 886-22885-8282 ext 110
Fax: 886-22885-8181

If this letter is received by the January 10 deadline the student’s reservation is assured until the next deadline, January 31.

January 31:

A deposit amount of 20,000 NT must be paid to reserve a spot on whichever trip you will be going on. The deposit amount for all of the trips is the same and should be deposited directly into TAPA’s bank account. Receipt of this deposit should be immediately faxed or hand-delivered to Terry Schneider, Business Manager, at:

Fax: 886-22885-8181

Direct any questions (including TAPA’s account number) regarding the deposit to Mr. Schneider at:

Phone: 886-22885-8282 ext 106

February 28:

This is the deadline for the second payment. The second payment amount, regardless of which trip you’ll be going on, will be 20,000 NT. If the total cost of the trip is less than 40,000 NT, then you’ll only pay the remainder of what the trip’s total cost will be.

March 1:

The remainder of the trip cost should be paid by this date. All parental release forms, copies of passports, any relevant medical records, and emergency contact information should be given to the school by this deadline.

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Refunds, Trip Changes, and Other Information

We will, of course, do our best to accommodate any trip changes. However, we will begin booking our airline tickets as soon as the first deposit is made and if changes are made the student will be responsible for all cancellations fees.

All trip costs are “rough” at this point because we have no way of securing our airfare prices until we actually reserve them with the names of the students who will be participating. Until that point, which should occur no later than the first week of February, none of the tour leaders will have firm tour costs.

We are excited about the changes made to our Tours Week this year and know that the students will receive great benefits from participating in these tours. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact us; you may contact me directly at:

Phone: 886-22885-8282 ext 118

If you have specific questions about a tour you may post that question on the comment board on that tour’s blog. In this way everyone can read your question and our response. You may also subscribe to a blog, or several, so that you’ll know when it has been updated.

Continue to check back often as announcements will be made through this website and each of the tour websites.

Sincerely,

Kristopher C. Erskine
Vice-principal for Academic Affairs
Taipei Adventist Preparatory Academy