Dear Space Team Alumnus,

On May 3^rd the 2001 Russell Space Team will continue the tradition when they blast off in the Star Sailor 1 Space Shuttle Simulator. We hope that you will be able to return for the 10:30 AM Thursday, May 3^rd launch.

Because of the tremendous success of past missions and the growing number of Space Team Alumni—somewhere around 150 students—we had had to put some rules on attendance at the launch. These are simply in response to serious safety and security concerns that I have over the growing number of people attending each year’s launch.

Please read on:

• A parent must accompany all attending alumni, and they must remain with them at all times. In the case of a student left at Russell Elementary without a parent present, I will call Crimes Against Children to report it as a case of child abandonment.
• Students and parents must sign in at the front office. Only past Space Team members will be allowed in attendance during the launch. A list will be maintained at the office of past Space Team members, and the office staff will be verifying that your name is on that list. You can contact me ahead of time at krislast@bellsouth.net to verify that you have not been left off of the list mistakenly. You can also check the list at our web site www.starsailor.com (click on the Alumni link).
• Once at Russell Elementary, alumni and their families will remain in the school media center to watch the launch on the big screen television. No alumni will be allowed in the Mission Control Area, Lunchroom, or other parts of the building during the school day (to visit past teachers, etc.).
• No Space Team Alumni will be admitted until 9:00 AM, and you must leave by 11:00 PM. At that time juice and rolls will be served in the media center, and you will be the first to cheer the astronauts as they are escorted to the simulator. I will also be proud and honored to visit with you for a few minutes during the morning.
• As always, you must provide your own transportation to and from school, and you must make up any class work that you miss while you’re absent from school.
• Again, a student’s parent must be present with them at all times. No student may be dropped off at the school to be picked up later.
• Cobb County security will be called for anyone not abiding by these rules.

These rules will be strictly enforced.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

This year’s Space Team is eager to follow in your footsteps. They are very much aware of what you have accomplished, and they’ve been working hard to meet the standards and expectations established by you. Your presence would really mean a great deal to everyone, including me, who is involved with this year’s program.

In the alumni tradition, we ask that you dress in your “Sunday best”—shirt, tie, dress, etc.—to lend an air of dignity to the event and to distinguish yourselves. Please pin your mission patch on your clothes if possible.

Thank you so much for making us all proud. We hope to see you at liftoff.

Chris Laster

This letter must be stamped in the Russell Elementary office and returned to middle school to be excused from class for the morning.

Any class work must be made up.