Dear Hemlock Huskie Families,
I want to thank you for your tremendous patience as we’ve navigated this situation with our partners at WorldStrides. I’ve just spoken with my contact there, and I hope you’ll be pleased with how they’ve cleared a path forward here that will better suit our families!
Pending board approval, we’re working with WorldStrides to firm up plans to combine the 2020 trip with the 2021 trip. That trip is already active and those dates are Thursday 4/29/2021-Monday 5/3/2021. I’m still very eager to travel with those of you who’d like to join us. You have worked so hard and I know we are all missing out on so much right now. This trip is going to be a great reward after getting through this difficult period. Even if it is another year away, I feel as confident as I can that we will safely be able to travel at that time.
As we work through this decision, I want to share some new information on WorldStrides’ policy for refunds for those who decide to cancel. Please note you do not need to decide at this time, as these options will be available until October 1. WorldStrides will honor the Full Refund Program, as we’ve already discussed. Here’s the change. For those who did not purchase FRP, you will also get a similar cash refund (including deposit), with an adjustment of $135 for just a small portion of WorldStrides’ unrecoverable costs. Fees incurred are non-refundable.
If you participated in fundraising and received fundraising dollars, I have arranged with WorldStrides to use that money for the $135 adjustment and you will get a full refund, inclusive of your deposit.
If you have any inkling that you might join us in 2021, please email me at pedelty@hemlockps.com prior to May 19, and we will have everything transferred over. You still have until October 1st, 2020 to cancel under the same policy for refunds indicated above.
As of May 19, the 2020 trip will be canceled and if I have not heard from you your trip will automatically be canceled.
If you have already indicated your intention to cancel to WorldStrides in writing, no action is required on your part to begin the refund process. Please note your exact refund amount may vary depending on what you’ve paid in toward your trip cost at this time. You can log-in to your account on MyTrip to view what you paid toward your trip. If you need additional clarification, you can reach out directly to a special hotline for WorldStrides’ Customer Support at 800-468-5899.
Due to the high volume of refunds being processed, WorldStrides has asked for your understanding on timing. Families can expect to receive refunds in 6-8 weeks from your scheduled departure date.
The team at WorldStrides asked me to share their appreciation for your patience and understanding in these unprecedented times. We hope this change allows the organization to earn your trust going forward, as we continue to navigate this difficult time in our history together.
If you have any questions, please email me at pedelty@hemlockps.com
Thank you,
Jennifer Pedelty
Social Studies Teacher
Hemlock Middle School