Washington, D.C. Trip

Goals of the Trip

• The primary goal of this trip is to bring history to life for our students. By visiting sites they’ve studied, they’ll gain a deeper connection to U.S. history. This firsthand experience enriches their learning in ways that go beyond the classroom.
• Additionally, the trip fosters interpersonal skills. Students will share hotel rooms with three peers and interact with others on their assigned buses, building community, teamwork, and conflict resolution. This journey is a chance for students to strengthen friendships and develop bonds.
• Finally, the trip helps build personal responsibility. For many students, this is their first extended time away from home. They’ll learn to manage their belongings, make independent decisions, and practice accountability—important skills for high school and beyond. Chaperones will be present to guide and support them throughout, but they will be responsible for themselves.

The itinerary is subject to change.

We work with WorldStrides to organize our trip to Washington, D.C.  Their motto is “Committed to providing exceptional service, superior safety, and memories that will last a lifetime.”   The company is located in Charlottesville, Va., and was founded in 1967.  Our contact at WorldStrides is Tina DeSimone. Visit WorldStrides website. 

All trip registrations are managed directly through WorldStrides, not through Novi Middle School. To register, you’ll need the Trip ID: 221754. The registration link and a QR code are provided on this slide. This link is also located on the NMS website under the Student Passions & Interests tab.

Forms will be available for prescription and over-the-counter medicines.  The forms and medications are due to the main office at least one week prior to the trip.  Each group’s chaperone disperses the medicine as needed. More information will be provided at the mandatory parent meeting on October 23, 2025. 

Meals will be eaten in a variety of places including food courts, buffets, and family-style restaurants. We are able to accommodate a variety of dietary needs and restrictions such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and allergies. It is helpful if we are notified of dietary needs in advance of the trip.

D.C. Trip Restaurants 

*A finalized list of restaurants will be available in October 2025

Hilton Mark Center, breakfast

• Ivy City Smokehouse: 1356 Okie St NE, Washington DC https://www.tavern.ivycitysmokehouse.com/
• District Taco - Dupont Circle - 1919 M St. Washington, DC   https://www.districttaco.com/
• Night Hawk (Pasta Dinner) - 1201 S. Joyce St. Arlington, VA https://www.nighthawkbrewery.co/
• Good Stuff Eatery - 2110 Crystal Drive, Arlington VA https://goodstuffeatery.com/
• G Street Food 15th Street - 1030 15th Street NW, Washington, DC https://www.gstreetfood.com/
• Reagan International Trade Center Food Court (students receive a meal voucher that can be redeemed at various restaurants) - https://rrbitc.com/dining/
• Ballston Quarter Market Food Quarter (students receive a meal voucher that can be redeemed at various restaurants)   https://www.ballstonquarter.com/en/dining/quarter-market.html
• Pentagon City Mall (students receive a meal voucher that can be redeemed at various restaurants) https://www.simon.com/mall/fashion-centre-at-pentagon-city/dining

The trip is chaperoned by Novi School District Chaperones.  These are generally teachers but have also included principals, the superintendent, student resource officer, district nurse and board members. We keep a ratio of one chaperone for every twelve students. Parents do not attend this trip.

WorldStrides provides nighttime security chaperones who are stationed on each floor on which we have students housed.  They are stationed from 10:00 pm until 5:00 am.

WorldStrides also provides us with a 24-hour contact service.  Each student will be issued a wrist band with the contact number as they get on the bus in Novi.  We do this so that in the event they may need it, they will have a number to contact someone 24 hours a day.

While touring the city, each bus will have an assigned licensed tour guide to help our groups navigate and learn the history of the city and the nation. They are familiar with the DC area and aware of events happening in DC and help our buses safely and efficiently navigate the city.

We also have doctors on call in the event of a medical need.  We also carry trip liability insurance.

Included in the cost of the trip, each student will receive a Novi Washington D.C. t-shirt and sweatshirt.  Shortly after you register, expect an email from WorldStrides (and our representative Tina Desimone) requesting your child’s size for the t-shirt and sweatshirt.  We offer adult sizes small, medium, large and extra-large. Do not order the shirts while you are registering for the trip.  Wait until the company contacts you after you register.  Please remember that your child will likely grow from the time you select sizes until the trip, so order accordingly.

Students will complete a behavior contract at the beginning of September.  Violation of this contract will cause the student to be removed from the trip. If a student violates this contract prior to the trip, the student will be removed from the trip. If a student violates this contract while on the trip, we may send the student home on an airplane at the parent/guardian’s expense.

In October of 2025, we will hold a mandatory parent meeting about two weeks prior to the trip.  We will finalize paperwork and discuss what to pack and student expectations. We will also answer any questions that parents or students may have.