SHS in Florida

Then it was time to go .....

2009-02-28T04:03:00.005-05:00

Our last day meant saying good-bye to our hosts who had looked after us so well. Then we had a guided tour of Miami before boarding the plane home .....

There'll be more pics very soon!

2009-02-22T16:21:00.002-05:00

We're all home safe and well, but the blog editor got well delayed on his own home run, so no new pics right now - there will be more very soon, so please keep checking!

We're Coming Home!

2009-02-22T07:48:00.002-05:00

We left Watford Gap Services at 12.45pm and expect to arrive at the Botanical Gardens at around 2pm.

Then we returned for the official school photo

2009-02-20T16:43:00.005-05:00

The Shopathon continues ...

2009-02-20T16:27:00.005-05:00

We then made it to 'The Nook' for shopping

2009-02-20T16:21:00.004-05:00

Someone looks geared up ready to go .....

..... and then we hit the Mall - and our purses!

Sheffield School Students Meet the Head

2009-02-20T16:09:00.003-05:00

Our students met the Head of the Benjamin School, Mr Goldberg who welcomed us in his office and the tour continued .......

Our Last Full Day at the Benjamin School

2009-02-20T15:59:00.005-05:00

Today we toured the Lower and Middle School campus and had a chance to visit the School shop - the Nook.

We did finally get to the University!!!

2009-02-19T20:12:00.003-05:00

Yes, we finally got to the University to have our talk and the tour, but not many photos of the tour because, as you know, they can all get a bit samey!!

We're still on the beach enjoying the sunshine!!

2009-02-19T20:00:00.003-05:00

More from our day at Boca Raton

2009-02-19T19:53:00.004-05:00

As you can see, even the staff got in on the beach action, albeit in a restrained way .......

... whilst the girls were clearly a little less restrained ......!

Our Day at Florida Atlantic University

2009-02-19T19:45:00.004-05:00

Today we've been to Florida Atlantic University at Boca Raton, south of Palm Beach. We arrived a little early and had time to go on to the beach there ......

Then we had an introductory talk at the University followed by a tour .......

More from our day in School .....

2009-02-18T22:04:00.003-05:00

Our Day In School

2009-02-18T21:54:00.005-05:00

We have had a full day of lessons today and a chance for a photo shoot of Academic Dean of the Benjamin School, Ken Didsbury officially greeting our own Head, Valerie Dunsford at the School.

We also had the chance to take a photo of the boards showing the School's core values ....

We're off to school today

2009-02-18T04:52:00.002-05:00

Today we are in school for lessons - to see how it's done US style. We aren't sure if we will be able to do photos in class - we'll try though .....

Jupiter Lighthouse and Museum

2009-02-18T04:48:00.002-05:00

After lunch came our last visit of the day - to the lighthouse at Jupiter and the Museum.

Seen a photo you'd like to keep?

2009-02-18T04:47:00.001-05:00

If you see a photo you'd like to keep, right click on the image and save it to your computer.

Time for a short spell on the beach

2009-02-18T04:38:00.003-05:00

We had a little time left after lunch to enjoy the beach - and the weather!

We love your comments!

2009-02-18T04:36:00.001-05:00

The girls and staff out here in Florida love to read your comments on the blog - so please keep them coming ......

More from the Marine Life Center plus lunch

2009-02-18T04:24:00.005-05:00

At the Loggerhead Marine Life Center (click on the www.marinelife.org link on the right hand sidebar to read more on the centre) we had a mini lecture about turtles - how they live and breed and the threats they are subject to. We also went down to the beach area where the femlaes lay their eggs. We saw the various tanks where the injured and sick turtles were being cared for and then we went off for our picnic near the beach ....

Grace is indeed alive and well!!

2009-02-17T21:32:00.001-05:00

In response to recent concerns, we are glad to confirm that Grace is alive and well and currently on an exchange visit with the Benjamin School in Florida .....!!

This has been our local visits day

2009-02-17T21:19:00.007-05:00

We've had another great day with fantastic sunny weather.

First of all we did our photo shoot outside the Benjamin School as a record of our visit. Then we went on local visits, first of all to the Loggerhead Marine Life Center to see how they help to rehabilitate injured and sick turtles. After that it was a picnic lunch near the beach followed by a visit to Jupiter Lighthouse, the oldest structure in the area.

The last ones!

2009-02-17T07:40:00.002-05:00

and those pics just keep coming .....

2009-02-17T07:34:00.003-05:00

And some more.....

2009-02-17T07:29:00.003-05:00

Now who's going to win today's beauty contest between our two aspiring contenders ....... ?!

More pics from yesterday

2009-02-17T07:26:00.004-05:00

The last pics of Eilie plus lunch

2009-02-17T05:28:00.004-05:00

As you can see, Eilie clearly got a lot of attention from us and we also found time for a spot of lunch ....

Some more of us with little Eilie the allie!

2009-02-16T23:28:00.004-05:00

From Swamp Buggy to Alligator Appreciation!

2009-02-16T23:18:00.004-05:00

We came off the swamp buggy and had a little time left to stroke our little reptilian friend - a 2-year old snapper with her jaws helpfully taped up!

From the airboat ride to the swamp buggy

2009-02-16T23:10:00.004-05:00

After the airboat ride we went ot the snake show (a bit too dark for photos) then it was on to the swamp buggy

More on the airboat ride

2009-02-16T23:03:00.002-05:00

At the Billie Swamp experience in the Everglades

2009-02-16T22:56:00.002-05:00

On the airboat ride ....

Click on the photos to enlarge them

2009-02-14T17:52:00.001-05:00

Don't forget that you can click on individual photos to enlarge them for better viewing

More pics from the beach barbie

2009-02-14T16:44:00.007-05:00

New friends and food - what better way to start the day!

A Day at the Beach Barbie!

2009-02-14T16:12:00.012-05:00

We have had a great day at the welcome barbie right next to the beach and then many of us have gone on to enjoy being near or on or in the water afterwards.

Tomorrow is a day with the families before our full day visit to the Everglades on Monday.

Our First Day!

2009-02-13T23:07:00.003-05:00

Today has been fine and everyone has travelled well. We landed at 11pm UK time and everyone was linked up happily with their hosts for their first night away.

We are all meeting for our beach barbecue on Saturday at about midday (5pm UK time).

FLORIDA – a few last reminders

2009-02-09T16:50:00.008-05:00

*Please be at the Botanical Gardens by 5.20am ready for a prompt departure at 5.30am on Friday 13th
*We are not likely to get food on the plane until about 3.00pm so bring some sandwiches or money to buy something at the airport
*Check the 10 day weather forecast on Google before we go (10 day weather in Jupiter is the most accurate – see http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/33458.) They have had some cooler weather recently so be prepared with some jumpers. And remember that jeans are not allowed inside the Benjamin School
*Don’t forget you will need a US adaptor for electrical appliances. The low voltage means that English hair dryers and hair straighteners aren’t very effective!
*Don’t forget any current medication you might need
*Remember to pack your PASSPORT! We will ask to see this before the coach leaves
*Remember the luggage limit is 23kg. You also have a generous hand luggage allowance
*Read through the Code of Conduct again – I will remind you of this on the journey!
*If you haven’t yet made contact with your host, you must do so immediately
*Keep checking the blog for last minute information!

Would you like a group Hoodie for Florida?

2008-12-12T12:56:00.004-05:00

I have ordered the hoodies and they will be with us on Tuesday 10th February!

Sarah A

Action from Meeting - Monday 24 November 2008

2008-11-26T16:11:00.003-05:00

If you have not given your passport in for photocopying or given a photocopy of your passport to Mr Atkins, please do so as soon as possible.

You also need to register with ESTA - the US Immigration Electronic System for Travel Authorization. If you have not already done so, please register and give Mr Atkins a print out showing that your application has been approved.

The web address to register is

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecutionKey=_c668BD176-F1DB-32A4-3F5D-CD8DF7D62B44_k9D136736-4862-A0FB-CF78-056252DD7A4F

Some of the details you need to give when you apply are in the Florida booklet given out at the Monday meeting.

Please ask Mr Atkins or Mrs Dunsford if you are not sure.

Meeting for Students and Parents

2008-11-06T14:14:00.003-05:00

Students and parents are warmly invited to a meeting about the Florida trip on Monday 24 November. This will take place in the Sixth Form Hall, starting at 7pm.

Please bring your passport with you - we would like to make a copy of it to check on its validity and also for possible use in an emergency when we are away.

We look forward to seeing you all then.

Please pay your final instalment!

2008-06-24T14:20:00.007-04:00

Don't forget that the final instalment for our visit to Florida next February is now due. Please make cheques payable to Sheffield High School and hand in to School without delay.

The Benjamin School has not yet confirmed details of the families we will be staying with and we will let you have this information as soon as we can.

Will you need to renew your passport?

2008-06-24T14:17:00.003-04:00

Please make sure that your passport is up to date and valid for at least 6 months following our visit - that’s until at least the end of August 2009.

You can renew your passport well before it runs out if you need to and have up to 9 months of unexpired time added to the new one – see http://www.ips.gov.uk/passport/apply-renewing-when.asp

Our provisional itinerary

2008-06-24T14:04:00.005-04:00

Our provisional itinerary for our visit next February is as follows

Friday 13 February

Early morning departure from school to travel by coach to Heathrow Airport

13.40 (UK time): Depart Heathrow on direct British Airways flight to Miami

18.20 (23.20 UK time): Arrive in Miami

Coach transfer from Miami to Palm Beach

Saturday 14 February and Sunday 15 February

Weekend with families to include a beach barbecue for everyone

Monday 16 February

Day spent in lessons at the Benjamin School – see http://www.thebenjaminschool.org

Tuesday 17 February

Visit to the Everglades Safari Park for an airboat and swamp buggy ride through the alligator swamps – see http://www.evsafaripark.com

Wednesday 18 February

Visit to the Loggerhead Marine Life Center and other local attractions – see http://www.marinelife.org and http://www.lrhs.org

Thursday 19 February

Morning: Visit to Florida Atlantic University – see http://www.fau.edu

Afternoon: Shopping in the Gardens Mall, Palm Beach – see http://www.thegardensmall.com

Friday 20 February

Day spent in lessons at the Benjamin School

Saturday 21 February

Morning: Departure for Miami

Afternoon: In Miami before evening flight to Heathrow – see http://www.miami-florida.com

Sunday 22 February

10.00am (UK time): Arrive Heathrow for journey back to Sheffield

The Blog will start again soon!

2007-07-06T13:23:00.002-04:00

Plans are afoot for Sheffield High School to visit Florida during February Half Term 2009 and to host visitors from the Benjamin School the following month.

Watch the blog for further information!