Who's Invited? Winter Recess is open to all, with discounted lodging, dining and activities available to public school teachers, school district employees, teachers union retirees and their guests. Each family or traveling group must have at least one qualified educator to qualify for Winter Recess discounts. To prove you're a qualified educator, you'll have to present appropriate ID at check in. Proper ID includes:    . Your school ID badge    . Proof of teachers union membership    . Proof of teachers union retiree status    . A letter from your principal or school board on official stationery Where Do I Check In? Visiting educators should check in and present ID at their participating hotel, B&B, or inn. Local teachers and day visitors should check in and present ID at the Ithaca/Tompkins Convention and Visitors Bureau. The address is: Ithaca/Tompkins Convention & Visitors Bureau 904 E. Shore Dr. Ithaca, New York 14850 (800) 284-8422 (607) 272-1313 What Happens After I Check In? You'll receive a welcome package that includes a Winter Recess Program. In it you'll find schedules, event descriptions, event venues and valuable coupons for free dining, activities and more. Each family or traveling group will receive one Winter Recess Program. Each family or traveling group will receive one Winter Recess Program and a "VIT" Pass. What is a VIT Pass? As part of your welcome package, you'll receive a free VIT (Very Important Teacher) Pass. It's your key to the city, unlocking communitywide discounts on just about everything: dining, shopping, entertainment-the works. Use your VIT Pass to pick up discounted theater tickets, gain admission to free teacher receptions, qualify for dining discounts and receive special deals at participating businesses. In addition, your traveling companions (family, significant other, etc.) will receive a "Teachers Pet Pass," good for additional deals around town. Participating businesses will display the Winter Recess logo on premises and will be listed in the Teachers Specials section at IthacaLovesTeachers.com. Where does Winter Recess Take Place? As a community-wide event, Winter Recess takes advantage of multiple venues throughout Ithaca, with additional recreational offerings throughout the surrounding Finger Lakes region, including:    . Ithaca College    . Cornell University    . Kitchen Theatre    . Tompkins Cortland Community College    . Ithaca Public Schools    . Ithaca State Theater    . Ithaca Downtown Commons    . Ithaca Discovery Trail    . Greek Peak Mountain Resort    . Cayuga Wine Trail What if I'm a Private School Educator? We welcome you. While Winter Recess formally celebrates the unique contribution of public school educators, the Ithaca community supports the work of all certified classroom educators and school employees. To qualify for Winter Recess discounts, private school educators must present proof of employment at check in. All other Winter Recess guidelines apply. Will Winter Recess Events Qualify for Professional Development Credits? They may. The decision rests on individual district policies. We will support teachers seeking professional credit with certificates of attendance to individual seminars. Can You Help Organize Group Tours? Yes. We can work with your group to package transportation, lodging and other group activities. Contact Louise at the Ithaca/Tompkins Convention and Visitors Bureau sales department, (800) 284-8422, Louise@VisitIthaca.com. Thank you, teachers. Ithaca loves you!