SKY RANCHParent 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⦿903-266-3300- 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.

SCHEDULETIME DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 37:00-9:00 Wake up

BreakfastWake upBreakfast

9:00-12:00 Arrive at Sky Ranch

Class 2 Class 4

12:00-12:30 Lunch Lunch Lunch

1:00-4:00 Class 1 Class 3 Depart for MIS

4:15-6:15 Rec Time Rec Time

6:15-6:45 Dinner Dinner

6:45-9:00 Clue/Games Campfire

9:00-10:00 Ready for bedLights out

Ready for bedLights 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.

⦿12-17 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 feed:

@SkyRanch2014, for informational purposes- arrivals, departures, etc.

⦿Fast follow by texting “Follow @SkyRanch2014” to 40404.

⦿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 e-mail 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.