Mountain School Information

March 8, 2011

Dear Fifth Grade Parents and Students,

Mountain School is just a few weeks away! This letter provides you with important details regarding transportation, departure and arrival times, and emergency contacts. Attached you will find the Mountain School clothing/equipment list and program schedule.

Transportation

Bellingham School District will provide bus transportation to and from the North Cascades Institute for our students, teachers and chaperones. We appreciate the Silver Beach Elementary Association (SBEA) who will pay the associated transportation costs.

Bus Departure and Arrival Times

Silver Beach students will attend Mountain School in two different sessions:

• Ms. Offutt’s class will attend Monday – Wednesday, March 21 – 23, 2011. Please have your child to Silver Beach by 8:15 a.m. on Monday morning March 21st. The bus will leave promptly at 8:30 a.m. On Wednesday afternoon, March 23, students will leave Mountain School after lunch and arrive at Silver Beach at approximately 2:45 p.m.
• Ms. Alexander and Ms. Irwin’s class will attend from Wednesday – Friday, March 23 – 25, 2011. Please have your child to Silver Beach by 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday morning March 23rd. The bus will leave promptly at 8:30 a.m. On Friday afternoon, March 25, students will leave Mountain School after lunch and arrive at Silver Beach at approximately 2:45 p.m.

Upon return to Silver Beach, you may pick up your child from 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. Students will not be able to take their regular bus home because of their bags. If you would like to pick up your child prior to the 3:30 p.m. dismissal, you will need to sign them out at the office. If you are having another adult pick up your child, that adult must be on your child’s approved pick up list. If not, please write a note giving special permission for another adult to pick up your child.

Sack Lunch

All students must bring a sack lunch for the day they leave for Mountain School in their daypack. Does your child normally eat hot lunch at school? If so, let your teacher know if you need a school provided sack lunch as soon as possible.

Contact Information

In the event of an emergency, schools and families can reach teachers and program staff at the following numbers:

                North Cascades Environmental Learning Center                                         206-526-2561

                Katie Chipko, Program Coordinator                                                                                206-526-2562, 360-873-4271 (after office hours)

                Katie Roloson, Curriculum Coordinator                                                          206-526-2595 (after office hours)

                Jeff Giesen, Education Director                                                                        360-752-1553 (after office hours)

                Laura Busby, Program Director                                                                        206-526-2598

                Newhalem Visitor’s Center                                                                                                206-386-4495

                Marblemount Ranger Station, Dispatcher ext. 37                                         360-873-4590 (7 a.m. – 10 p.m.)

Thank you for preparing your child for this trip. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at one of the emails below. Please remember to send the final Mountain School payment of $18 this week with your child to school. Make your check payable to SBEA/Mountain School.

Glenda Runge and Susan Everett

SBEA 2010-11 Mountain School Co-Chairs

stevenglenda@gmail.com, susaneverett@comcast.net