OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION!
OCTOBER 21, 2024 - NOVEMBER 8, 2024
JWMS COORDINATOR: MRS. SERNA
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OEE IS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!
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OEE IS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!
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STUDENTS ARE THANKFUL FOR THIS EXPERIENCE!
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STUDENTS ARE THANKFUL FOR THIS EXPERIENCE!
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HOW LONG DO YOU THINK OUTDOOR EDUCATION HAS BEEN AROUND IN MCPS?!
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61
YEARS
IN MCPS!
Whoa, that’s a long time!
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MRS. SERNA AT OEE AS A
SIXTH GRADER!
MRS. SERNA AT OEE AS THE COORDINATOR!
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12th year teaching history
(9th @ JWMS!)
This is my TENTH coordinating experience with Outdoor Environmental Education!
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BIG QUESTION OF THE OEE PROGRAM:
HOW DO OUR ACTIONS AND CHOICES IMPACT THE WATERSHED?
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FOCUS OF THE OEE PROGRAM:
AT OEE, WE USE THE OUTDOORS AS A NATURAL CLASSROOM!
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VERY IMPORTANT INFO PACKET:
16 pages in total!
Sent home Thursday, August 29!
Digital copy of info packet on the OEE website!
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DATES OF OEE:
FALL
OCT 21 - NOV 8
Students are divided into ONE of three sessions to attend Skycroft Conference Center in Middletown, MD.
Each session is 3 days/2 nights in length.
Approximately 150 students, 10 JWMS staff members, and 16 parent/guardian chaperones will attend each session.
YES, WE ARE GOING IN LATE FALL!
STUDENTS WILL BE OUTSIDE FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME AT OEE,
REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER!
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STUDENT BREAKDOWN:
ASSIGNED OEE SESSION | FIRST LETTER OF LAST NAME |
1: MON, OCT 21 - WED, OCT 23 | A D G J N O R V Y |
2: MON, OCT 28 - WED, OCT 30 | B E F K M P T Z |
3: WED, NOV 6 - FRI, NOV 8 | C H I L Q S U W X |
NOTE: If a student has TWO last names, their session assignment was determined by the one that comes FIRST of the two.
EXAMPLE: Adrian Mejia Cruz = Assigned Session 2 (M)
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CHAPERONE NEEDS:
ASSIGNED OEE SESSION | FEMALE CHAPERONES | MALE CHAPERONES |
1: MON, OCT 21 - WED, OCT 23 | 4 free spots left! | 4 free spots left! |
2: MON, OCT 28 - WED, OCT 30 | 1 free spot left! | 2 free spots left! |
3: WED, NOV 6 - FRI, NOV 8 | 0 free spots left! | 4 free spots left! |
NOTE: These numbers are updated as of TONIGHT (Sept 4).
If interested in attending with us, please reach out ASAP!!!
ALL CHAPERONES ARE FINGERPRINTED AND BACKGROUND CHECKED!
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STAFF ATTENDING:
ASSIGNED OEE SESSION | JWMS STAFF MEMBERS ATTENDING OEE: |
1: MON, OCT 21 - WED, OCT 23 | Will be announced in October |
2: MON, OCT 28 - WED, OCT 30 | Will be announced in October |
3: WED, NOV 6 - FRI, NOV 8 | Will be announced in October |
NOTE: Due to how early we are attending, this information is not available YET.
Also, not every staff member stays overnight, but Mrs. Serna is there EVERY day/night!
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SKYCROFT CONFERENCE CENTER:
Skycroft Conference Center is 50 minutes away from JWMS.
Students will ride a standard MCPS school bus up to Skycroft.
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SKYCROFT CONFERENCE CENTER:
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SKYCROFT CONFERENCE CENTER:
Skycroft Conference Center is a privately owned Baptist facility.
There are signs with Bible quotes located around the conference center’s campus.
JWMS staff member will NOT acknowledge these signs in any way during our stay!
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STUDENT GROUPS:
ANIMAL GROUP:
CABIN GROUP:
Students will go to instructional classes and night activities together.
1-2 chaperones and 10-13 students in each animal group.
Gender identities mixed up.
Students will get dressed, shower, and sleep, and are only allowed inside their own cabin.
2-4 chaperones and 14-40 students in each cabin building (smaller rooms within building).
Gender identities separated.
ANIMAL AND CABIN GROUP ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE
SENT HOME THE WEEK PRIOR TO START OF THE PROGRAM!
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PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
Students will begin the program with a hike into camp.
Students will attend FOUR instructional classes throughout OEE! Student Service Learning and KP Duty are also required activities.
Students will participate in exciting evening activities, too!
Students will be woken up at 7:00 a.m., and must have lights out at 10:30 p.m.
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HIKE IN TO SKYCROFT:
FYI: Students will hike for 1-2 miles after the bus ride. Don’t worry, they will NOT have to carry their luggage on the hike.
STUDENTS MUST WEAR
GOOD SHOES FOR HIKING!
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INSTRUCTIONAL CLASS - CONFIDENCE COURSE:
TASK: Students will complete various team building exercises to practice communication
and risk-taking skills!
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INSTRUCTIONAL CLASS - POND STUDY:
TASK: Students will collect samples and complete a water health analysis of the local pond
at Skycroft Conference Center!
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INSTRUCTIONAL CLASS - PREDATOR + PREY:
TASK: Students will complete a simulation to better understand the role of different animals in the food chain and their impact on the ecosystem!
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INSTRUCTIONAL CLASS - WATERSHED EXPLORATION:
TASK: Students will explore the land around Skycroft Conference Center using a map and a compass to assess the health of the forest!
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STUDENT JOURNALING:
FYI: Students will record in their journal throughout the program for critical thinking and reflection questions on their experiences in each class!
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STUDENT SERVICE LEARNING ACTIVITY:
TASK: Students will build habitats for animals and/or remove invasive species that are in the surrounding forest of Skycroft Conference Center!
THIS WILL BE PART OF THE 10 SSL HOURS THAT ARE EARNED IN SCIENCE 6!
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KITCHEN PATROL DUTY:
FYI: Every student will be assigned ONE shift of
Kitchen Patrol Duty!
EACH STUDENT WILL HELP SET UP AND CLEAN UP A MEAL!
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MORE EXCITING OEE ACTIVITIES:
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EVENING ACTIVITIES:
NIGHT 1:
NIGHT 2:
These evening activities are divided into three rotations:
These evening activities are divided into two parts:
EVERY STUDENT WILL GET AN OEE T-SHIRT AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DECORATE THE BACK WITH VARIOUS STENCILS + TRACEABLES
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DISMISSAL TO CABINS:
We will wrap up each night with a quick debrief of the day and a goodnight chat before dismissal to cabins.
There will be THREE rounds of mail call to receive letters (one time on Day 1 and two times on Day 2). EVERY student who attends will receive at least one note! Students do not need letters for each round-- just at least one!
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STUDENT + CHAPERONE CABINS:
FYI: Cabins are where we will spend the LEAST amount of (waking) time at OEE! Cabins are only used for changing, showering, and sleeping.
ADULT SUPERVISION AT ALL TIMES!
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HIGHLIGHTS OF PAGES 1 - 4 IN INFO PACKET:
Long pants are REQUIRED for all instructional classes. This is for your student’s protection!
Students should only pack ONE suitcase or duffel bag. DO NOT OVERPACK! One other bag can be used for their bedding items.
Cabin assignments are done randomly and there will be NO cabin-mate requests!
NO student cell phones or computers allowed whatsoever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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HIGHLIGHTS OF PAGES 1 - 4 IN INFO PACKET:
Students have ALTERED drop off and pick up times for OEE: 8:35 a.m. - 8:55 a.m. drop off on Day 1 AND 1:00 p.m. pick up on Day 3
Students must pack a lunch for Day 1. They will bring this into school with them on the morning of departure!
Parents/Guardians should write a letter for their student to receive on the trip!
Students start off OEE with a hike into the camp. Make sure they have their water bottle!!!
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HIGHLIGHTS OF PAGES 1 - 4 IN INFO PACKET:
Students who need medication have additional paperwork to complete -- all info and forms are inside packet!
$94.00 total to attend OEE! We highly encourage online payments using School Cash Online!
If there is any financial hardship at all, reach out to Mrs. Serna as soon as possible!! No student will be deprived of this experience due to financial reasons!!! WE ARE HERE TO HELP!!!
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HIGHLIGHTS OF PAGE 5 IN INFO PACKET:
Pay attention to altered drop-off and pick-up times for OEE!!!
Helpful FAQ section of the OEE website!
Mrs. Serna provides an emergency phone number so any parent/guardian can get in immediate contact if needed!
240-753-0701
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HIGHLIGHTS OF PAGE 6 IN INFO PACKET:
Use this page as a checklist to help your student while they pack for OEE!
Bringing ANY of the restricted items on the list will result in confiscation of item(s) and a CONSEQUENCE at OEE!
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HIGHLIGHTS OF PAGE 6 IN INFO PACKET:
Remember, it will be FALL when your student attends OEE! Please pack multiple warm items for them -- it could be cold!!!
Please reach out if your student does not have these necessary items. The school and help provide these items for your student!
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HIGHLIGHTS OF PAGE 7 IN INFO PACKET:
All menu items at Skycroft are tree nut and peanut FREE!!!
If you are a vegetarian OR have major allergies, please have parent/guardian contact Mrs. Serna ASAP!
Each student makes ONE s’more around a campfire at OEE -- yummm!
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A FEW QUICK PACKING REMINDERS:
OR
FOR DIRTY CLOTHES AND RE-PACKING BEDDING ITEMS
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A FEW QUICK PACKING REMINDERS:
DO NOT FORGET ONE!!!
KEEPS
YOUR
FOOD
CONTAINED!
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HIGHLIGHTS OF PAGE 8 IN INFO PACKET:
Mrs. Serna will use Remind to send all sorts of reminders BEFORE the trip (packing tips and reminders, day of departure reminders, etc.)!
Mrs. Serna will send general updates DURING each session!
Mrs. Serna will send out pictures of lost and found items AFTER each session!
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PAST REMIND EXAMPLES:
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HIGHLIGHTS OF PAGES 9 + 13 - 16 IN INFO PACKET:
Medication forms are only for students who take medication that is NOT currently in the JWMS Health Room! Forms are due by Friday, October 11!
Skycroft has a certified day nurse on duty from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A designated JWMS staff member will be the designated night nurse to assist with medication needs in the evenings.
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HIGHLIGHTS OF PAGES 11 - 12 IN INFO PACKET:
$94.00 total to attend OEE! We highly encourage online payments using School Cash Online!
The permission slip must be SIGNED and returned to your student’s Science teacher by Friday, September 13!
Read the black and white boxes for helpful tips! DOUBLE CHECK you signed the bottom of the form before you send it back to school with your student!!!!
OPTIONAL donations can be made online or sent in with your student to further support our OEE program! Thank you for your support!!!
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AT JULIUS WEST DURING OEE:
When students are NOT at their assigned OEE session, they are REQUIRED to attend school!
They will still follow their schedule and complete regular schoolwork at JWMS when they are NOT away at Skycroft for OEE.
Their classes may be merged with other classes throughout the program. Their teacher will let them know if this will happen AND there will be signs directing them where to go.
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AT JULIUS WEST DURING OEE:
SCHEDULE AT JWMS DURING OEE:
LAST WEEKS OF Q1:
OEE SESSION 1: Mon, Oct 21 - Wed, Oct 23
ALL BACK AT JW: Thurs, Oct 24 & Fri, Oct 25
OEE SESSION 2: Mon, Oct 28 - Wed, Oct 30
ALL BACK AT JW: Thurs, Oct 31 & Fri, Nov 1
FIRST WEEK OF Q2:
NO SCHOOL: Mon, Nov 4 & Tues, Nov 5
OEE SESSION 3: Wed, Nov 6 - Fri, Nov 8
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AT JULIUS WEST DURING OEE:
Even if your student does NOT attend Skycroft, then your student is still REQUIRED to attend school at JWMS all days of the OEE program!
Remember, you MUST still return the permission form in even if your student is NOT attending OEE.
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AT JULIUS WEST DURING OEE:
Any student NOT attending OEE will be assigned an environmental based packet that will be completed at school in replacement of attending the program.
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OEE CONCLUSION:
THIS WILL
BE ONE OF
THE MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES OF MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!
We want
EVERY student
to participate in this educational + unique experience!
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THE OEE WEBSITE:
FAQ PAGE IS CONTINUALLY BEING UPDATED!
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THANK YOU!!!
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?
Any questions or concerns that were not answered
in this presentation or in the information packet
can be addressed by Mrs. Serna up front.
Or you can email Mrs. Serna at your own convenience!
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