Mr. Fessler is in communication with Bob Rogers Travel about possible refunds for the cancelled Disney trip. Here is what he has been told so far:

“This process may take a number of weeks, but in the meantime, it is important that families who purchased CFAR insurance begin the claims process with Travel Insured. Please share the following information with them:

  • If you have purchased Cancel For Any Reason Insurance (CFAR) then you will need to contact Travel Insured directly to start the claim at 1-800-243-3174, option #3, or email claims@travelinsured.com
    • Travel Insured will reach out to Bob Rogers Travel directly for details regarding the cost of the trip. Please do not email the claim form to us.
  • If you are not sure if you purchased the CFAR insurance or purchased a different insurance plan, then you will need to contact Travel Insured at 1-800-243-3174, option #6. We are a separate entity from Travel Insured and we do not have access to your insurance information.”

We will post additional information as it becomes available.

Dear band parents and guardians,

 

After the governor’s press conference this afternoon, the district has decided to cancel all school trips until further notice.  Mr. Fessler has been notified. The band will be turning around and returning to Columbus. We will provide an estimated time of arrival as soon as that becomes available.  The students are currently in the area of Charleston, West Virginia.

 

We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

Sincerely,

Andrew C. Theado, Principal

 

Please complete this form ASAP if your student IS NO LONGER going to Disney.

https://forms.gle/p4AQE7ZHyxApL21t5

After further consideration and discussion with the administration, we decided that if we no longer have an instrumentation to support a quality sound, we will not march the parade. If the parade is not happening, we will cancel the trip because it is the curricular aspect of our trip.

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Below is the statement from Bob Rogers Travel on COVID-19:

Since our founding in 1981, the health and safety of our clients, travelers, and employees has been the number one priority at Bob Rogers Travel. Since then, we have kept our travelers’ safe during numerous worldwide events such as 9/11 in 2001, the SARS outbreak 2003, and H1N1 outbreak in 2009 to name a few. We have been closely monitoring the situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus, and have been following the guidance posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). We are also in close communication with our partners on the ground across the country and around the world.

 

This is a rapidly changing situation, and we are working to address everyone’s concerns as quickly as possible. Here are the facts as we currently know them:

 

  • There are currently no travel advisories or restrictions within the United States.
  • Though infections are on the rise in the United Sates, according to the CDC “For most people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low. This virus is not currently widespread in the United States.”
  • The CDC has also said that “information so far suggests that most COVID-19 illness is mild”
  • Emergency or disaster declarations have been made in several states. However, this is not an indication that travel to those areas is unsafe. Rather, these declarations are made to remove red tape and release federal and state funding to assist with being proactive and supplement local resources.
  • As of February 2nd, the following restrictions have been placed on international travelers bound for the US:

o   Any U.S. citizen or lawful U.S. permanent resident returning to the United States who has traveled to mainland China or Iran within the previous 14 days must enter the United States through an approved airport where CDC screening of arriving passengers is in place. These citizens and residents will be subject to health monitoring or quarantine for up to 14 days.

o   Foreign nationals who have traveled to mainland China or Iran within the last 14 days will be denied permission to travel to the United States.

  • In 2020, the CDC estimates there will be 34,000,000 to 64,000,000 cases of the seasonal flu and 20,000 to 52,000 deaths resulting from the seasonal flu in the US alone.

 

We have been in touch with our vendors and partners across the country. They have informed us that their respective cities and states are open for “business as usual.” We have also been in contact with multiple state and county departments of health who have reiterated that there are no travel bans, and that travelers should exercise normal precautions (like frequent hand washing) while traveling.

 

Vendors across the world have increased their cleaning protocols in response to COVID-19. Buses are being cleaned and sanitized nightly. Airlines have HEPA air filer systems installed on aircraft (which completely cleans the air every 2-4 minutes) and have increased the frequency at which they are conducting deep cleaning of aircraft to nightly. Museums, restaurants, amusement parks and other attractions have added additional cleaning and sanitization measures.

 

We know that on the mind of many of our groups traveling in the next 45 days is what would happen should they decide to cancel. As there are currently no travel advisories or restrictions in the US, the majority of our vendors (such as hotels, motor coaches, restaurants, and attractions) are not offering refunds at this time. Should you choose to cancel or postpone, we will work in good faith with our vendors and the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA) to see what options are available.

 

Travel insurance does not consider the current situation a “covered reason.” Should individual travelers wish to cancel, they could only receive a 75% refund if they purchased the Cancel for any Reason (or CFAR) package.

We will continue to monitor the guidance from the CDC, and will send an update should there be a change. We will not send any travelers to areas that we wouldn’t visit with our own families or have been deemed unsafe by the CDC, Department of State, or WHO. Additionally, BRT has a full Crisis Management Plan ready to be put into action should there be a need.

And here is information on cancelation:

 

What happens if the school decides to cancel a trip?

 

Unless the CDC deems travel to a particular destination to be unsafe, the amount of refund from BRT and our vendors would be limited.

 

What happens if BRT decides to cancel a trip?

 

Should the situation reach a point where travel to your destination is deemed unsafe by the CDC, we will work with our vendors to either postpone the trip to a later date or work to get as much money refunded as possible. We have excellent relationships with our vendors and they will work hard on our behalf to do right by our customers.

 

What happens if a parent decides to remove their child from a trip due to COVID-19  concerns?

 

Should an individual decide to cancel, they would be subject to our normal cancelation and refund policy. For invoiced groups, all cancelations made with 45 days of departure are non-refundable. All money paid through IPS is non-refundable. If a traveler holds CFAR travel insurance, 75% of the money paid will be refunded by Travel Insured. “Regular” travel insurance will not cover cancelations made due to fear of contracting COVID-19.

The Boosters have taken the following precautions for the safety of the students traveling to Orlando:

  • Prior to boarding the bus on Thursday, all students will have their temperature taken by the nurse that will be  accompanying us.  If a student has a fever, they will not be permitted to board the bus.
  • Hand sanitizer will be provided and its use mandatory for all upon entering and exiting the busses.
  • Students will be encouraged to wash hands (20 second minimum) at every opportunity (ie meals, restroom breaks, etc)
  • Chaperones will be provided with first aid kits and instructions for how to seek help for any student that exhibits flu like symptoms.
  • Follow and abide by recommendations outlined by the CDC and Disney World

Wednesday/ Thursday reminders:

Wednesday, March 11- 7:00 am Bring hat boxes with suspenders, spats, hat, plume, gloves, and black socks.

Thursday, March 12- 7:00 am Luggage drop off.

Mr Fessler will have students excused from afternoon classes for a noon bus departure.

*If your student has food allergies, please pack snacks for them. While food allergies will be taken into consideration, we cannot guarantee the selection at the stops along the way.

 Sunday/ Monday Itinerary recap:

  • 6:45-7:30 am – Morning time slot for student pick up at the hotel. If your student is not returning on the bus to Columbus, an authorized adult must meet a district staff member at the Buena Vista Suites, 8203 World Center Drive, Orlando, Florida 32821 407-239-8588.  Students will place their luggage in a designated area for the early release students, check out with a district staff member and their parent, then head to breakfast.
  • 9:00 am – Students spend the day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • 9:15-9:45 pm – Evening time slot for student pick up at the buses. To find the buses as you exit the park, pass by the Skyliner and Disney Transportation buses. Motor coach parking starts around stop #60. Students need to check out with a district staff member and their parent.
  • 9:45 pm – The buses depart for home.
  • MONDAY, MARCH 16 – 4:30 pm approximate arrival at Upper Arlington High School.

Visit the Disney Trip Info page  for extra details such as current itinerary, packing lists, etc.

UAHS Band Program