Grade 5 field trip

Dear Fifth Grade Families,
I am pleased to write to you with our plan for promoting leadership among our fifth graders this year. In past years, fifth graders have had a leadership retreat, and we plan to continue this practice with the following goals in mind: promoting a sense of unity among the students, promoting a sense of responsibility as role models for younger students, promoting self confidence and leadership, promoting positive problem solving skills, and having fun together.  At the end of the year, all fifth graders in Wellesley participate in a 3 day program located at Hale Reservation. Students are bussed to Hale each day and return to Sprague within regular school hours. There is a different focus on each of the three days, which include science, ecology, and team building on a ropes course with high elements. They also discuss the changes involved in moving on to the Middle School. 
We will be having a fall leadership retreat at Hale Reservation on September 12th for Sprague 5th graders and their teachers this year.  We feel this will be a great way for the group to ‘gel.’  We have planned the day so it will be very different from the springtime ‘Hale experience.’ Students will not be on the high ropes course during this trip and will utilize a different area of the reservation. While at Hale, students will be participating in activities specially designed to build community, self-confidence, leadership, and problem solving skills. We hope this special day helps them to become a really cohesive class of Sprague School 5th graders. Some activities will be led by Sprague staff and some will be led by Hale staff.
Students will travel to Hale by bus and return before 3:05 p.m. Students should bring a bag lunch. They will receive a T-shirt for this event and should save this T shirt for other 5th grade events during the year. This will be the only T-shirt they will receive for 5th grade, (but it is a great one!).
We are excited to offer this trip.  Our school nurse will work with teachers to be sure that all medications are accessible to students who may require them. I’d like to give special thanks to the 5th grade teachers, Mrs. Hale, Mrs. Banthin, Mr. Craig, and Mrs. Mahoney, as well as parent committee members, Becca Cahaly, Maura Wayman, Anne Marvan, Eunice Groark, and Mason Smith. 
​A copy of this letter with a tear off permission form is attached to this email. Feel free to print it and send it back to school. We will also send a hard copy with students on Monday. If you any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.
Have a great weekend.
Best regards,
Susan Snyder