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Teacher Kickoff

2025 -2026

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IN-SCHOOL PROGRAM STAFF

Jennifer Jacques

In-School Program Manager

jjacques@oceandi.org

626-678-7057

Alexa Labaun

In-School Program Coordinator

alabaun@oceandi.org

Ameena Smith

In-School Program Coordinator

asmith@oceandi.org

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LOOKING BACK AT LAST YEAR

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  • First year we reached all schools and grades in the Hoover Cluster (Kinder – 12th)
  • Over 6,000 students participated in our In-School Programs
  • Over 700 students participated in our After School Camp

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NEW PROGRAM STRUCTURE

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Grades

Exploration

Make a Difference

Kinder – 2nd*

Living Lab

Bus pick up: 9:30am

Site Pick up: 12:45pm

Classroom

1 hour Lesson

3rd – 5th

Coastal Sites

Bus pick up: 9:45am

Site Pick Up: 12:30pm

Living Lab

Bus pick up: 9:30am

Site Pick up: 12:45pm

*2nd grade will be an exception for the Exploration site – Living Coast Discovery Center.

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PREVIEW OF THIS YEAR: IN-SCHOOL

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Quick Note: A combo class will participate with the majority grade level. (i.e. 16 first grade + 8 2nd grade = go with 1st grade).

Grade

Time Frame

Habitat of Study

Field Trip Location

Kinder

April - May

Tide pools

Living Lab

1

January - February

Kelp Forests

Living Lab

2

September

Wetlands

Living Coast Discovery Center

3

April - May

Tide pools

La Jolla Tide pools

4

January - February

Kelp Forests

La Jolla Cove

5

September

Wetlands

SD Bay National Wildlife Refuge

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FIELD TRIP ORIENTATION VIDEOS

  • Field Trip Orientation Videos
    • Jenn will email you a link to a 2 minute video to show your students prior to the field trip.
    • Video will contain:
      • Preview of the space
      • Introduction to the ecosystem
      • Reminders on what to bring/wear
      • Ocean Discovery Community Agreements

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PROGRAM UPDATES

  • Extensive Need Classes
    • Each student is encouraged to attend with the scheduled grade-level classes with aides.
    • Please communicate with Ocean Discovery staff beforehand. Inform us of any accommodations needed.

  • Option to stay longer at the coastal field trip site
    • Buses will be scheduled to pick up at 12:30pm from the coastal field trip sites.
    • Your grade level has the option of staying longer at the site (without Ocean Discovery Staff)
      • You need to inform Ocean Discovery at least 10 days in advance.

  • Late Bus Protocol
    • If the bus is over 5 minutes late, Ocean Discovery staff will call transportation to get an ETA and communicate to Teachers.
    • Please note that the Ocean Discovery staff will need to leave the field trip site bye 12:45pm. At that time, teachers will take sole responsibility of their students.

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PROGRAM UPDATES

  • Rainy Day Plan
    • Ocean Discovery staff may need to reschedule coastal field trips due to rain in the forecast.
    • Our staff keeps a close eye on the weather, however, a call might be made day of.
    • Weather threshold:
      • More than 0.25 inches
      • More than 15% chance of rain

  • Cell Phone Policy
    • Ocean Discovery is aligning with SDUSD phone-free school day policy.
    • Phones may not be used during regular program hours
      • Exceptions: emergency situations, health-related purposes, as required by an IEP of Section 504 plan, or Instructional use authorized by educators.

    • Enforcement:
      • 1. Verbal Reminder
      • 2. Referred to the teacher
      • 3. Referred to Ocean Discovery Program Manager
      • 4. Phone retention (by teacher)

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LOGISTICS: TEACHER PORTAL

oceandiscoveryinstitute.org/teachers

Access to:

    • Waivers
    • Schedules
    • Preview of Lessons
    • Resources – extension activities

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NEXT STEPS

  1. Attend prep meetings with more details closer to your dates
  2. Review your schedule and put in your calendar & let us know about any conflicts
  3. Help us promote after-school camps

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PREVIEW OF AFTER-SCHOOL CAMP

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  • Host 24 weeks of after school programming

  • Mon – Friday 3:00 – 6:00pm or 3:30 – 6:30pm (late dismissal schools)

  • We will recruit from each school once or twice a year (30 students/week) with transportation
    • Plan to host 10% of each school’s students

  • Each school will be provided a folder of information (i.e. applications, contact number, flyers etc.) for the front office at the beginning of the school year.

    • Dates will be communicated next month!

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AFTERSCHOOL & SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM STAFF

Jo Vance

Program Manager

jvance@oceandi.org

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Call or Text:

619-889-4657

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THANK YOU!

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2nd and 5th Grade Prep

Fall 2025

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PROGRAM STRUCTURE

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*Timing includes Travel Time

**2nd grade will change to Ocean Discovery Living Lab during 2026-2027 academic year.

Grades

Exploration

Make a Difference

2nd**

Living Coast Discovery Center

(9:45am – 1:00pm)*

Classroom

(1 hour Lesson)*

5th

USFWS Sweetwater Marsh

(9:45am – 1:00pm)*

Living Lab

(9:30am – 1:00pm)*

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EXPLORE – WETLAND FIELD TRIPS

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5th Grade: Wildlife Refuge

2nd Grade: Living Coast Discovery Center

Each class will remain together as a group.

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2ND EXPLORE AT LIVING COAST DISCOVERY CENTER

  • Learning Objectives
    • Students will be able to:
      • Identify at least 2 animals that live in wetlands
      • Identify 2 ways that animals use the wetlands (food, housing, raise their young)
  • Three rotations
    • Bird Row
    • Aquarium
    • Shark & Ray

  • Students will no longer carry backpacks!

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE CLASSROOM: 2ND GRADE

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  • Students will create 3D models of wetland plants or animals
  • Students will make a pledge to protect the wetlands

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5TH EXPLORE AT LIVING COAST DISCOVERY CENTER

  • Learning Objectives
    • Students will:
      • Explore & identify at least 2 animals & plants that live in wetlands
      • Investigate the importance of the wetlands to animals (food, wildlife housing, nurseries)
  • Two rotations
    • Gathering evidence of animals on the trails
    • Plant restoration

  • A class will stay together (not be split)
  • Students WILL carry Ocean Discovery backpacks!

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT LIVING LAB: 5TH GRADE

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  • Students plant native seeds and zip line them across the courtyard for wetland restoration
    • Plants can be taken home with students or left at the Living Lab
  • Students innovate & engineer solutions to clean wetlands
  • Students have a conversation with a scientist

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NEXT STEPS

  • Print, disperse your school permission slips & Ocean Discovery waivers by the first day of program.

  • Recruit chaperones as needed for your class
    • 2 chaperones per class (does not include aides)

  • Order student lunches as needed

  • Show students Field Trip Orientation videos before attending

  • Support fellows with classroom management & address student behavior as needed

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MORE DETAILS & REMINDERS

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  • Student reminders:
    • Bring a water bottle on the field trips
    • Wear comfortable shoes for walking
    • Wear nametags
    • No backpacks on the coastal field trips (5th grade will be give ODI backpacks)

  • Join in!
    • Please join in on the activities and exploration with your students.

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LOGISTICS: TEACHER PORTAL

Oceandiscoveryinstitute.org/teachers

Access to:

  • Waivers
  • Schedules
  • Preview of Lessons
  • Resources – extension activities

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THANK YOU!