SKY RANCH Parent Information Meeting 2015

DEPARTURE  Students should arrive at school by 8:20 AM.  Students should report to the East side of Stinson Field (near Key Street) with all of their necessary items.  Buses are limited in space. Pack lightly.  Duffle bags are preferred.  Pack bedding into luggage or in a labeled trash bag. No loose pillows or sleeping bags.  Be sure all bags and pieces of clothing are labeled with your child’s first and last name.

SKY RANCH INFORMATION  Location- Nestled in the piney woods of East Texas in Van, TX  use only for emergencies

CABINS  Students are assigned cabins with at least 2-3 chaperones in each cabin.  Students will be in mixed-advisory cabins to encourage new friendships and team building.  Each cabin is equipped with beds, showers, and restrooms. Separate cabins for boys and girls.

SCHEDULE TIMEDAY 1DAY 2DAY 3 7:00-9:00Wake up Breakfast Wake up Breakfast 9:00-12:00Arrive at Sky Ranch Class 2Class 4 12:00-12:30Lunch 1:00-4:00Class 1Class 3Depart for MIS 4:15-6:15Rec Time 6:15-6:45Dinner 6:45-9:00Clue/GamesCampfire 9:00-10:00Ready for bed Lights out Ready for bed Lights out

SKY RANCH HOME EDITION  We will provide alternative (Sky Ranch-like) activities for those students not attending Sky Ranch.  Your child will be counted absent if they do not attend school on “camp” days. Please inform the office if your child is sick.

CLASSES  Expeditions- Firsthand look at learned and inherited behaviors of organisms, life cycles, and the impact of man on the environment  Challenges- Team building activities involving communication, trust and cooperation  Fishing- Identification of fish species, prey- predator interactions, food web, basic fishing skills.  Forces in Nature- Learning about gravity and friction and how nature changes our environment

RECREATION AND NIGHTTIME ACTIVITIES  Open rec time- field games, zip lines, water slides, etc.  Team games  Campfires- skits, songs, and more

LEARNING GROUPS  Students will travel with mixed advisory learning groups as they participate in sessions.  students per group. Different from cabin groups.  Learning groups are led by experienced counselors.  Teachers and parent chaperones will be accompanying the students.

CHAPERONES  We need approximately 6 full-time moms and 6 full-time dads (or the equivalent half-time amount) per team depending on class sizes. More is better!  Chaperones can sign up tonight or with advisory teachers: By Friday, September 4 for Olympians, Superstars and Team Genius By _________for Titans, Patriots, and Chiefs  Chaperones that need to attend due to medical necessity must be included on sign-up form.

CHAPERONES (CONT)  Chaperones are required to attend an additional chaperone meeting. Thursday, September 18, 6PM, room B127 for Olympians, Superstars, and Team Genius chaperones. Other teams TBA  Responsibilities include supervision in classes, cabins, mealtimes, and bed time.  Must have ALREADY completed criminal history background check.  Cost is approximately $150 depending on numbers

COST AND FORMS  Payment $215 per child (if not already paid online)  Checks should be made out to MIS and returned to student’s advisory teacher.  Forms needed: District Health History Form Sky Ranch Participant Agreement Medication Form (only if needed-available online)  Form and payment due dates: Olympians, Superstars, and Team Genius: September 12 Titans, Chiefs, and Patriots:_______________  Due to time constraints, no late payment will be accepted

MEDICATION  A registered nurse and staff will assist in the administration of medications to students while at camp in accordance with HPISD medication guidelines and board policy.  Guidelines will be sent home in communication folders.  Please review these guidelines carefully if your child will require medication at camp.  If you have questions, contact your child’s advisory teacher or the nurse.

WHAT TO BRING  Detailed packing lists will be sent home. Some items include: Sleeping bag/sheets and blanket Pillow and pillow case Towels Appropriate clothing (weather) Swimsuit with swim shirt (t-shirt) Toiletries Watch Backpack Flashlight Sunscreen and bug repellant Refillable water bottle Camera (disposable preferred) $$$ for snacks and gift shop (no more than $40) Please label EVERYTHING

WHAT NOT TO BRING:  Electronics, cell phones, eReaders, iPads, iPods  Valuables or breakable items  Prank materials

DISCIPLINE  Students are expected to follow all school rules and camp rules.  Parents of students who fail to follow directions will be called to come pick up their child from the camp.

TWITTER UPDATES  We have a twitter for informational purposes- arrivals, departures, etc.  Fast follow by texting to  Following the twitter feed is especially useful to receive timely notifications about our arrival back at MIS.

MEALS  Food is served family-style.  Kid-friendly menus  Salad bar is available at each meal.  Dietary needs are addressed.  Please let your child’s advisory teacher know through about any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

ARRIVAL AT MIS  Our estimated time of arrival back to MIS is 2:30-3:00 pm  We will update twitter with more precise arrival times during travel, so please check periodically.  Students must sign out with advisory teacher BEFORE leaving the school grounds.  Advisory teachers must have written notice if your child is going home with another adult.  Pick-up location will be on Stinson Field near Key street.