1. Welcome to Lorado Taft Parent Information Night
Lorado Taft dates for this year:
Wednesday, April 18 to Friday, April 20
SUZANNE:
Welcome to Lorado Taft Parent Information Night! We really appreciate you coming to learn more about the adventure that your child’s fifth grade class is about to embark on! We have a lot of information to share with you, so let me begin by discussing the philosophy behind the Lorado Taft Outdoor Education program.

2. Philosophy We believe an outdoor education experience should:
Extend and enrich district 95 curriculum concepts learned in the traditional classroom setting
Enhance the potential for self-realization through the development of the individual
Strengthen human relationships through democratic processes
Encourage civic responsibility through an understanding of our ecological role in the environment
SUZANNE
~Simulate animal survival – read about it in class and simulate it at TAFT
~ Grow Socially and emotionally through this experience
~ Understand their role in our environment

3. Typical Day 7:00 – Wake Up! 7:30 – Hoppers report to Dining Hall
8:00 – Breakfast
9:00 – 11:00 – Educational Activity
11:00-12:00 –Lunch
11:30 – Hoppers report to Dining Hall
1:00-3:00 – Educational Activity
3:00-5:00 – Educational Activity
5:00 – Hoppers report to Dining Hall
5:00-5:30 – Quiet journal writing time
5:30-6:30 - Dinner
6:30-8:45 – Educational Activity
8:45-9:00 – Snack
9:00-10:00 – Journal Writing Time
10:00 – Lights Out
LISA:
Be sure to discuss Quiet Journal Writing Time (VERY IMPORTANT)
We do incorporate time for them to work on their TAFT journal
Busy learning all day

4. Special Responsibilities
Hoppers
Weather Crew
LISA
~ Hoopers: They are the only students up during meal times
~ Tools we learned in class to report the weather prior to each meal

5. Sleeping Arrangements
Boys and girls in separate buildings
Girls in two large dorms
Boys in rooms of up to 8 students
All supervised by Seth Paine staff
Showers/bathrooms are individual/private
Discipline policy applies to times spent in dorms as well as outdoor activities
LISA
& speaking of discipline

6. Discipline Policy
Our purpose is to provide a safe learning environment for all students.
Consequences
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Parental Responsibility
Suzanne
Level 1 – verbal; 2 – written; 3 – Child sent home

7. What to Bring Suggested Clothing A daily change of:
~Long pants ~Two pairs of comfortable shoes*
~Shirt ~Warm jacket
~Underwear ~Sweater or sweatshirt
~Socks ~Plastic baggies (for wet/dirty items)
~Hat
~Shower sandals
~Boots
~Extra socks
~Raincoat or waterproof poncho
~Sleepwear
Suzanne

8. What to Bring Personal Items Sleeping bag Toothbrush Toothpaste
Shampoo
Comb or brush
Towel and washcloth
Soap
Deodorant
Glasses/contacts
Suzanne

9. What to Bring Other Supplies Optional Items
Pens or pencils (at least 4)
Book for quiet reading
Watch
Taft book
Backpack
Small water bottle
Optional Items
Your own pillow
Camera at your own risk (NO PHONES)
Lisa

10. What NOT to Bring Electronic items Cell phones iPods
Battery-operated items
Food (including snacks, gum, candy, etc.)
Money
Lisa

11. Taft Journal Each student will receive his/her own Taft journal.
Purpose is to encourage students to reflect on their day’s learning & use writing skills previously learned this year
The Taft journal will provide grades throughout the subject areas for the third trimester.
Upon return:
time in class to talk to other people in their group
Time to make sure it’s completed to the best of his/her ability
NO Redos allowed
Suzanne:
Reminder on the Quiet Journal Time

12. Apparel Available for ordering Adult sizes (Sweatshirts run small)
Order forms will be due March 19
Lisa

13. Parent Responsibilities
Help your child pack for the trip, but do not pack for them.
Make sure your child can carry his/her own luggage unaided.
All luggage should have luggage tags attached
Drop off/ Pick Up (make arrangements & notes ahead of time)
Be positive!
Lisa
~ Help pack so they know how to repack for their return trip
~They will be given luggage tags
~ Be positive –they’ll follow your lead

14. Wednesday Drop-Off Procedures
Students must arrive at 8:00-8:15
Drop off your child at back of the Seth Paine parking lot.
Find a legitimate parking spot
Find bus w/ same color sign as your child’s luggage tags; put luggage in storage compartment, but child keeps their backpack w/ them
Students go to regular recess time.
Normal beginning of day routine, check-in, book hand out, etc.
Class/ All Fifth Grade pictures outside right before boarding busses and leaving.
Suzanne

15. Friday Pick-Up Procedures
Students must be picked up by their own parent or come with a note (on Wednesday) giving another adult permission for pick up.
The buses will be parked in the circle drive.
Check out w/ your child’s teacher (please don’t just leave!)
Find a legitimate parking spot in the lot & escort their child (with all of their belongings) back to the car.
Parents should be NO LATER than 2:15 in picking up their child. Remember your children are anxious to see their families again, get home, tell all about their experience, and get some well-earned rest!
Suzanne

16. Health Forms
Yellow Health forms being sent tomorrow. They are Due to the classroom teacher on March 19th.
BE DETAILED!!!
Food Allergies? Talk to your teacher & Chef Kurt.
ALL medications (even over-the-counter) must:
have medical authorization form signed by both parent and physician.
This form w/ all medications should be turned into the Seth Paine nurse by March 19th as well.
Hospital and care center nearby.
Protocol
Suzanne:
Lead into video

17. ALL paperwork and field trip money due March 19
Important Dates
Paperwork coming home tomorrow -
Apparel Order forms
Health Forms
Medication forms
Permission Slip
Behavior form
ALL paperwork and field trip money due March 19
Lisa:
Lead into video

18. SETH PAINE’S LORADO TAFT WEBSITE:
What an Experience!
As you can see from the video, the students have an incredible learning experience while at Lorado Taft! Your child will come back a more thoughtful, responsible person as a result of this memorable experience!
Lisa
~ Mrs. Christ –TAFT website so you can check in on your child’s learning
SETH PAINE’S LORADO TAFT WEBSITE:
Please make sure you know your child’s educational group number and table letter so that you can view pictures of them at Taft at the website:

19. Any Questions?
Lisa