For those of you who have had as much trouble as we have had (or Abby has had I should say) calling each other, we just got the number of the hotel. I spoke to Angie (leader) and she said that they are having a great time, and the sun is out. She said not to avoid calling the kids at the hotel in the evening, that is a fine (and preferred) way of getting in touch with them. She said right before bed, when you know they'll be in their room, and it doesn't cost them anything (which I guess they all worry about) and they're not in the middle of an activity.
The number at IMI Dublin is 011-353-1-207-5900. The receptionist did not have our room number so you may have to get Elizabeth, Alberto, etc. because they have a list.
Good luck! Polly and Jerome
p.s. probably won't be able to use this method at the University (Wales) or Castle so next would be the Holiday Inn in London. Thanks to Leanne Pratt we have those links!!
16 comments:
I just called and they are not allowed to answer the hotel phone if it rings in their room. Jessica text me and said was it you calling cause we are not allowed to answer the phone it is against the rules to talk on it.
Abby told me the same thing but then we got to the bottom of it (we think) that Alberto told them they'd get a huge fine in Euros if they used the phone. The kids were pranking each other in their rooms so they weren't answering it.
I got Abby to answer and told her that Angie told me to call her there (which she did, I spoke to her in the lobby). I think there's some confusion that if you are calling from your home phone TO them, then obviously you are paying the charges.
I don't know Jessica is paranoid, says they are very strict. She forgot to wear her badge this morning and was made eat alone all day. Seems a bit extreme. She was afraid to answer the phone. They should tell them they are allowed to answer if it rings but can't use it to dial from room to room or call out then ... I tried. it was a good suggestion, just did not work for me. Was trying to save her cell phone minutes by calling :) Thanks.
I'm with you, I think it's easy to confuse the kids right now since there are a lot of 'rules'. Hopefully they can clear that up for London and we can call in to them if it's ok.
I'm confused by reading that Jessica had to eat alone all day because she forgot to wear her lanyard. I can understand having rules but that isn't right. Do you think this really happened? I'm concerned by that. Anyone else?
I agree - I find this disturbing.
certainly I do understand the importance of the lanyard especially when they are all in their street clothes and are not dressed alike....
I just rememebered, my daughter is in another P2P delegation, and the teachers told us in advance that if a child forgot their lanyard, or broke the rules and needed disciplining, the standard punishment was that the child had to shadow a leader for a full day - meaning that they were on the buddy system with a leader, and had to eat at the leaders table instead of with their friends. Perhaps this is what she meant? It's better than being isolated...
I never heard of this kind of punishment before. The kids lost all kinds of things last year and I don't remember hearing about any punishment like eating alone for a whole day, or even for one meal. Kirk lost his lanyard last year. Who is Jessica's group leader? You might need to call Elizabeth and find out what is going on.
Yes it really happened, my daughter is blunt and to the point and honest she was very upset by it and afraid to answer the phone when I called ( I saw the blog and thought that was a great idea) Jessica did not know what the consequences for answering phone would be so she did not even though I told her the blog said it was okay and other kids were doing it. Just want Jessica to be safe, but seemed to be extreme to be made eat alone. I asked Jessica again last nite and it was for Lunch only but she was made sit alone. I am sure it is a long trip and leaders get tired and cranky too, but I felt bad that she was afraid to pick up the phone. I can't imagine her answering the phone costs anything on that end, I can understand dialing out but not getting a call in. I am sure she will be fine, don't want to make a bigger deal out of it, hopefully she does not forget the lanyard today :)
I know that last year when my son Matt and another boy broke curfew because they were trying to get their laundry, they had small punishments. My son wasn't allowed to where his hat for about 30 hrs and the other boy wasn't allowed to drink soda for 30 hrs. I guess that boy loved to drink soda. My son loves to wear hats.
There were some other funky punishments that my son mentioned happened to some of the kids. The parents and especially the kids on the trip did not like the main leader at all. Don't know whatever happened to her. There are surveys to be filled out at the end of the trip, so if there are concerns or all of the positives, they can be mentioned on that survey.
I am sure the leaders all have to be strict to some degree to keep 39 kids in line. It does sound wierd though that they would make her eat alone. I could see shadowing another leader for the day.
We can always suggest an "end of the program mtg" for parents, and bring up some of our concerns. I would actually like to have an "end of the program picnic" with everyone. It would be a great way for the kids to see each other again and have some fun. We did one last year, but it didn't seem very organized.
What does everyone think about a picnic? Kathy B. #5
Kathy -
LOVE the picnic idea
Joanne
I think a picnic would be a great idea!
Kathy, you were giving me a fright until I read your son's leader last year was a woman. My daughter is leaving on the HS European Legacy trip in 6 days, but her leader is a male. *phew* I didn't want her to get stuck with someone who made unreasonable rules.
Picnic sounds nice, I was wondering if they had some kind of post meeting after the trip to share their experience.
I think we're only getting the kids side of the story about what they're doing wrong and how they're being disciplined. We should give the leaders the benefit of the doubt.
Sandy true true, my only concern is that they come home safe and sound and in one piece. Have you heard from Emily yet?
I would add that at all of the meetings, the leaders seemed very reasonable. The use of any sort of unusual treatment, without considerable justification, would seem to be out of character.
I agree, these leaders seem very reasonable.
With my son's group last year, it was his interpretation. There was never a follow mtg with the parents or kids. It did get the other parents reved up though.
I am sure whatever discipline and safety measures they take it is for the good of the group.
Kathy B. #5
Post a Comment