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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OEE:

 

NOTE: This Q&A is in no particular order -- Mrs. Serna will continually update this section as more questions come up!

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TIP: For a faster search, use CTRL + F to search up key words/phrases if you are looking for a specific topic! 

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*What is the connection with SSL hours and Outdoor Environmental Education?

In 6th grade, students earn 10 Student Service Learning hours through the Science 6 curriculum.  Student engagement during the three day OEE program along with the SSL pledge that students take to conclude the program will go towards the overall 10-hours earned throughout the year-long course. 

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*What time are students dropped off at school to depart for trip and what time do students return to JW?

• On Day 1 of assigned OEE session, students should be dropped off at JWMS between 8:35 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. Students cannot ride the school bus with their luggage.

• On Day 3 of assigned OEE session, students will return to JWMS at 1:00 p.m. Parents/guardians MUST pick up their student at this time; students are not allowed to finish the school day at school and they cannot ride the school bus with their luggage. Please arrange a carpool if you are not able to pick up your student from JWMS upon their return. 

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*What times are breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals served at the Skycroft?

• Breakfast will be served starting at 7:55 a.m on Day 2 and Day 3.

• Lunch will be served starting at 12:45 p.m. on Day 1, 12:00 p.m. on Day 2, and 11:00 a.m. on Day 3. 

• Dinner will be served starting at 5:25 p.m on Day 1 and Day 2. 

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*What are the exact foods served at Skycroft?

For a detailed list of everything served at each meal, please refer to page 7 in the information packet (go to "Details" tab above to locate the info packet!).  

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*Are students allowed to pack additional snacks for Skycroft?

Packing extra snacks is restricted at the Skycroft.  Please be sure your student has a solid breakfast on the morning of departure for their assigned session.  All meals provided by Skycroft are filling (see menu posted on page 7 of the Info Packet), and MCPS/Skycroft does not want trash scattered around the campus.  Additionally, students will be provided a s'more and a brownie as evening snacks during the trip.  If your student requires an additional snack for a medical reason, please contact Mrs. Serna to provide details.

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*What do I do if my child requires alternative meals due to food allergies/concerns?

Look over the menu posted on page 7 of the Info Packet, and figure out which meal(s) your child will require an alternative for.  Prepare those substitute meals into containers and label them with your child's name AND the meal name (breakfast, lunch, or dinner).  There is a refrigerator and freezer available for storage, and a microwave available to use if necessary.  On the day of departure, please put all alternative meals in a separate bag/cooler and give it to the main office that morning when you drop your student off at school! Email Mrs. Serna to give her a heads up about the alternative meals for your student.

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*What are the exact brands that are used to make s'mores during the campfire evening activity?

At Skycroft, students will participate in a campfire station where they will make s’mores.  The s’mores will be assembled using the following ingredients listed below:

• Chocolate Bars – Brand: Hershey’s Milk Chocolate

• Graham Crackers – Brand: Nabisco Honey Maid

• Marshmallows – Brand: Kraft Jet-Puffed

 

If a student requires an alternate ingredient to enjoy a s’more, please pack an individual portion (not an entire box or bag) of the substituted ingredient(s) into a small container and label with your child’s name.  Send this container with your child to school the morning of their assigned session.  You can take it to the main office or direct that student to give the container to Mrs. Serna. 

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*Are parents/guardians allowed to chaperone this trip?

Yes, parents/guardians are a MUST to ensure the success of the program for all students.  Chaperones are required to complete numerous requirements outlined by MCPS, including fingerprinting and background checks and child abuse and neglect training.  Also, other family members are allowed to attend the trip as a chaperone instead of a parent/guardian (must be over 18 years old).

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*When do students find out their assigned animal group and cabin group?

Students will find out their assigned groups the week prior to the start of the program.  Students will receive this information on a slip of paper, which is to be taken home to show their parent/guardian.  Expect these slips to come home with your student on Thursday, October 17! 

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*Will students have to carry their luggage on the hike into Skycroft?

No, students will only carry their water bottle and a small backpack with them (if they brought one).  There are busses specifically designated to take the luggage up to Skycroft.  The luggage is unloaded close to the cabins.  Students will have to walk their luggage from the parking lot to their assigned cabin.  Cabins are not very far away, and adults assist any student who struggles carrying their luggage.

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*Are backpacks/drawstring bags allowed?

Yes, students can use a bag to keep their items in.  Items could include water bottle, hat, bug spray, pen/pencil, extra clothes/socks, etc. Please take note that any small bag brought to OEE will need to be carried by the student on the hike-in to Skycroft Conference Center.

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*How many students typically attend OEE?

This school year, the sixth grade class at JWMS is approximately 465 students.  Each session has been evenly divided up, and there are approximately 155 students assigned to each session.  Historically, prior to the pandemic JWMS had around a 92% - 95% student attendance rate for OEE. The past two previous school years, JWMS had around 80% student attendance for OEE. We are hoping this year's program has a higher attendance rate than the past two years now that the community has had more recent experiences with the program again!

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*How many chaperones and JW staff typically attend OEE?

We take 16-18 chaperones and 10-12 JW staff with us to Skycroft for each session of OEE. Chaperones attend when their student is scheduled to attend.  Some JW staff attend multiple sessions while other attend only one session.  The JW staff chosen to attend OEE are primarily made up of current sixth grade teachers (but there are some exceptions).  Which staff members are attending which session will be shared with students officially in mid-October before the start of the program.

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*What time do students wake up and go to sleep?

On Day 2 and Day 3 of the program, students are REQUIRED to wake up at 7:00 a.m.  On Night 1 and Night 2 of the program, students are REQUIRED to have lights out by 10:30 p.m.  JWMS staff members and chaperones enforce these times strictly! 

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*How many students will be in a cabin together?

Each cabin is set up differently from one another at Skycroft.  Some cabins are hallway style with small rooms (3-4 people assigned to each room) while other cabins are large open rooms (14-20 people assigned to each room).  Your cabin assignment is randomly determined, and there are NO cabin-mate requests allowed. Remember, the cabins are where we will spend the LEAST amount of (waking) time at OEE. For more information on cabins, please refer to pages 3-4 in the information packet (go to "Details" tab above to locate the info packet!).  

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*What types of clothes are students allowed to pack for OEE?

Use the packing list (see menu posted on page 6 of the Info Packet) to see a full, detailed checklist of what you should pack.  One of the most important clothing items to pack is LONG pants for all instructional classes.  Even if the weather is warm, it is important that students are in long pants to protect their legs.  Students often slip and fall running around, and long pants will help prevent injury.  Students are allowed to wear shorts inside the cabins only for pajama purposes. Warm clothes and accessories (hats, gloves, scarves, etc.) are vital for packing this October!!!  It is likely we will have very chilly nights!! 

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*What happens if a student suddenly cannot attend OEE, but they already paid the program fee?

If there must be a last minute cancelation and a student cannot attend OEE, then a parent/guardian can request a partial refund by written request to the financial secretary and/or the coordinator.  The partial refund will be the majority of the fee paid, but due to some materials already being purchased we will be unable to give ALL of the program fee back. 

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*What happens if school is delayed or canceled during our OEE program?

The following scenarios are according to MCPS closure policy for OEE:

• If school is canceled on the day your student is scheduled to attend: the entire experience is canceled and MCPS will TRY to reschedule for different dates (if possible).

• If school is delayed on the day your student is scheduled to attend: the entire experience is canceled and MCPS will TRY to reschedule for different dates (if possible).

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