April 8-12 FIELD TRIP WEEK!

The week of April 8th, we will be switching teachers!  Mrs. Brownlee and Mrs. Whittington will take all 5th graders on Iowa history and field trip adventures. Mr. Kosier and I will be with all 6th graders at "School of the Wild" at Lake MacBride nature and rec center.


Fifth grade parents - If you have any questions, please let me know!

Sixth grade parents - Below, I've included information that was sent home several weeks back, in a packet, with all 6th grade students.  Please take a look at material lists and details below.  We look forward to these upcoming adventures!  Go Hoover Hawks!

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School of the Wild 2013

Information Packet

School of the Wild

            School of the Wild is a five day outdoor environmental education program for our sixth graders.  It is now a part of our sixth grade curriculum and is cross-curricular in format, integrating language arts, science, social studies & math.

            Hoover sixth graders are participating April 8 – April 12, 2013.

This program was started in 1998, funded by the EPA, and continued through the 1998-1999 school year with REAP funding.  This year, the Hoover PTA and the ICCSD Foundation are generously funding the program.  Every Iowa City Community School District elementary school participates in this opportunity.

            The program is modeled after the University of Iowa Wildlife Camps and provides a week-long day outdoor environmental experience for students.  It introduces them to the natural history of forests, prairies, wetlands and birds, along with outdoor recreation and wilderness survival elements.

            The goals of the program are to:

·     Awaken an awareness of the wildlife and natural ecosystems in our area

·     Develop an appreciation of the natural world

·     Encourage a balanced environmental ethic and caretaker (environmental helper) attitude with respect for the earth

            The project takes place at the University of Iowa's Macbride Nature Recreation Area.  This nearly 500 acre area is surrounded by the Coralville Reservoir and Lake Macbride State Park.  It is located on County Road F-28 between North Liberty and Solon just north of the Sugarbottom Recreation Area.

Staffing and Transportation

School of the Wild provides at least three teacher certified staff members (plus science education students from the University of Iowa may participate on half-day basis as well) and transportation in Iowa D.O.E. certified school buses.  Participating schools provide at least two teachers each day to lead environmental activities.  Upper Unit teachers Lynn Ahlers, and Jeff Kosier will staff the week.  

Curriculum

Five day-long sessions will focus on these subjects: Prairies, Forests, Wetlands, Outdoor Adventures, and Birds.   Students visit a different session each day in a small group with a certified teacher as their leader.

Students will be in a team of about 10 Upper Unit peers during their week at School of the Wild.  They will be outside all day, participating in hands-on/minds-on activities, journaling and enjoying the wonders of nature in the outdoor classroom offered at Macbride.

Contacting School of the Wild participants

Please check with the Hoover Office (688-1110) if you have an emergency and a student needs to be reached during the Wild week.

Parent Volunteers

Each group of students will number about 10 and have a certified teacher as leader.  In addition, we have had some parents sign up for each day. They will be with their child's group.  Thank you very much for your help!

Daily Itinerary…Rain or Shine!

8:30      Start school day at Hoover

8:45      Bus arrives at Hoover

9:20      Bus arrives at MNRA

9:40      Begin morning sessions

11:30    Lunch

Noon     Begin afternoon sessions

1:50      Return to Bluestem Shelter; wrap-up

2:00      Load bus and return to Hoover

2:40      Arrive at Hoover

3:00      Dismissal

Note:  Thursday students will arrive at Hoover by 1:50 PM for early dismissal.

What students need to bring

lunch

water bottle filled with water (ice not recommended)

rain gear (rain ponchos at Target/DrugTown/Hy Vee run as little as $0.99)

LONG pants (that will get dirty and/or wet)

layered clothing (that will get dirty and/or wet)

a hat

shoes or boots that can get wet & muddy

sunscreen

insect repellent

backpack

pencils

colored pencils

journal (provided by Hoover)

a positive attitude

Optional items might include:  extra socks, camera, towel to sit on, binoculars

Bottom Lines:  YOU BRING IT...YOU CARRY IT.

                       DRESS for the WEATHER.(Students are outdoors all day..)

What students should NOT bring:

Anything that is not allowed at school is not allowed at School of the Wild.

For example:

Ø     Radios and CD players as we are keeping noise to a minimum in order not to disturb the wildlife and increase our chances of seeing some of the local residents

Ø     Knives of any kind as these are considered weapons (ICCSD weapons policy)

Ø     Cell phones should not be brought to School of the Wild.

Journaling as “Homework”

Students will receive a School of the Wild journal on Monday, April 11.  In addition to some assigned journaling during the day, students are encouraged to do some nightly journaling about their experiences at School of the Wild.  Also, please encourage your child to tell you about the activities s/he participated in each day as “homework” journaling is done.  NOTE:  This journal should be in your student’s backpack each day so s/he is prepared for the notes, observations, drawings etc. required during the day at School of the Wild.

Medications and Allergies

Medication for students who receive it daily through the Hoover Office will be packaged and taken to School of the Wild to be administered by an adult there.

If your student has allergies or medication needs beyond this, we need signed written instructions about the allergies and treatments provided in advance.  ALL MEDICATIONS are to be stored and administered by adults.