TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS
Once your class appears on the schedule, we schedule a bus for you with one of our two bus contractors. With one exception (special needs buses), all you need to do is give a Program Trip Application Form to the bus driver. If you have any questions about transportation arrangements for the Environmental Education Programs only, please contact us. The Department of Transportation does not schedule Environmental Education Program buses and will not be able to answer your questions.
The exception for special needs buses is important, because neither of our bus contractors has access to a special needs bus. As soon as you know that you will have a student with special transportation needs attending an Environmental Education Program, please: · Submit a Program Trip Application to the Department of Transportation (available on their website). Please highlight and star the Special Needs section. When they see “Environmental Education” on the form, they know that they do NOT normally need to arrange any buses, and it may be accidentally overlooked if it is not noticeably flagged. · Ask whether it is a bus that will fit one, two, or no classes with the student. · Call us to let us know: ØWhat date and program your student will be attending. ØThat you have requested a special needs bus with Transportation. ØWhether or not the regular bus will still be needed. · Call Transportation a week or two ahead of time to re-confirm the need. Program Trip Application Form: Download/View
TRANSPORTATION TIMESPre-K · “Shuttles” (for schools near the Elms: a.m. and p.m. students arrive separately) ØBus pick-up from school will be 15 minutes after arrival. ØBus departure from site will be 30 minutes prior to dismissal. · “Combination” Programs (for more distant schools: a.m. and p.m. students arrive together) ØBus pick-up from school will be at 9:15. ØBus departure from site will be at 12:15.
Kindergarten – Grade 5 · Bus pick-up from your school will be at 9:15 (except Greenview Knolls & Carver: 8:45). · Bus departure from the site will be at 2:15* (except Greenview Knolls & Carver: 1:45*).
Parochial Schools (Pre-K – Grade 5) · Bus pick-up from your school will be at 8:45. · Bus departure from the site will be at 1:45.
King’s Christian Academy · Bus pick-up from your school will be at 9:15. · Bus departure from the site will be at 2:15.
Middle Schools (including Parochial Grades 6, 7, and 8) · Bus pick-up from your school will be at 8:30. · Bus departure from the site will be at 1:30.
High Schools · Bus pick-up from your school will be at 8:15. · Bus departure from the site will be at 1:30.
*For May and June programs: Please understand that a very large number of trips (besides Environmental Education trips) are scheduled system-wide during these months. So that all schools may participate in their trips, departure times may be as early as 1:30 on high demand days. To physically send or return things to Elms (nursery pots, critter keepers, buckets, equipment, clothing, etc.), please put them in Metro Mail and address to: The Elms Department of Teaching, Learning and Professional Development 23160 Moakley Street, Suite 101 Leonardtown, MD 20650 | CHAPERONES/GROUP LEADERS
Chaperones are not charged program fees, as they are expected to serve as active program assistants. Chaperones for Pre-K through 4th and 7th grade programs should be prepared to serve as small group leaders. Chaperones for the 5th grade canoeing program should be prepared to serve as competent canoe aides.
In addition to the classroom teacher and 5th grade P.E. teacher, please bring (no more than) 2 chaperones for each 5th grade canoeing class, and (no more than) 4 actively engaged chaperones for each Pre-K through 4th and 7th grade class. Thank you in advance for your understanding. We understand that it is not always possible to arrange for chaperones, and we will certainly work with you. Additional school support staff members (Para-educators, Special Education Teachers, Nurses, etc.) are always welcome.
CLASS STRUCTURE
All Pre-K through 4th and 7th grade programs are structured so that there is both whole group instruction and small group application. Please prepare your class by breaking them into 4 working groups, each with one chaperone. 5th grade canoeing programs are whole group.
PROGRAM FEES
Program fees remain the same:
· Pre-K through 4th grade: $8.00 · 5th through High School: $10.00 (except 7th grade) · 7th grade: $12.00 · Residential (overnight): $20.00
Please remit to Lisa Miller in Fiscal Services using the attached form.
LOGISTICS
· Dress o for participation in outdoor activities year-round o for temperatures (near the water) 10 degrees COLDER (and more windy) than at home or school o in layers. o in clothes and closed-toe shoes which can get wet and soiled. o in rain gear when rain is expected. · Pre-apply sun block and insect repellent if desired. · Food and Drink: o Pack in reusable containers, if possible. o Be prepared to recycle and compost any lunch remains. WEATHER CANCELLATIONS
Programs are not necessarily cancelled by weather. They will be cancelled for safety (lightning) and for system-wide weather cancellations (including delayed arrivals and early closures).
Programs WILL be cancelled if steady rain is expected for the majority of the period from 10:00 to 2:00. They will also be cancelled for a combination of two or more of the following factors: rain, strong wind, and cold temperature.
Winter programs are based indoors with significant outdoor activities. The ratio of indoor to outdoor time is adjusted based on the above factors. No programs are conducted entirely indoors. The Elms building is not designed to hold classes indoors for a full day.
If your staff would like to communicate with me on the day prior to or the morning of a questionable weather day, please feel free to call my work cell at (240) 298-0217. Leave a message with a number I can reach you at if I can’t answer. You may call as early as 6:00 a.m. |
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Green Schools |
For Teachers |
The Elms Environmental Education Center is the outdoor Environmental Education School
of the St. Mary's County Public School System. www.smcps.org.