As a culmination of the elementary experience and as a transition to middle school, our fifth grade students will participate in a three-day environmental education and team building program this spring at Hale Reservation in Westwood, MA. Below are important details about this exciting program.

2018 Dates & Times

Hardy, Hunnewell, Fiske & Upham will attend:  May 30th, May 31st and June 1st.
Bates, Schofield & Sprague will attend:  June 6th, June 7th and June 8th.

The program will take place within the regular school day hours (8:30 am – 3:05 pm) except on the Wednesday (May 30th or June 6th). Wednesday will be a full day for fifth graders participating in the the Hale Reservation Program.

Transportation

Hale Reservation is a series of three “day trips.” It does not include overnight stays.  Round trip transportation is provided between your child/children’s school and Hale Reservation. Transportation on Wednesday May 30th and Wednesday June 6th is as follows:

  • Parents will need to pick up their child/children from school at 3:05pm
  • Transportation to Boston will be provided for METCO students by the METCO program.
  • Transportation home will be provided for Special Education students.
  • WCCC students will be bussed to their respective schools.

Registration and Payment

The fifth grade environmental education program is a self-sustaining, tuition-based program paid for by the families of our fifth grade students.  The cost of the program is $255.00 per student.  This covers the fee for the Hale Reservation Program and their staff, transportation, and an on-site nurse from Wellesley Public Schools.

Registration and payments are completed online and are due no later than Thursday, April 12th, 2018. From your school’s homepage scroll to School Quick Links and click on Hale Reservation Program (Gr. 5).  Financial Assistance information and required forms are also available on that page.

We make great efforts to ensure that every student is able to participate in this learning opportunity by providing financial assistance to families demonstrating need.  You can help with these efforts by making a contribution to the Fifth Grade Environmental Education Scholarship Fund when you complete your child’s registration for the program.

Waivers

There are two forms that need to be completed and signed in order for your child/children to attend:

  1. Wellesley Public Schools Field Trip Consent Form: This is included in the online registration packet.
  2. Hale Reservation Waiver Form: This will be sent home to you via your child’s backpack and will need to be returned to their homeroom teacher no later than Tuesday,  4/10/18. Hale Reservation Waiver Form (PDF)

Additional Information

A Wellesley Public Schools nurse will be on site at all times.

Students Should Wear Sneakers

Students will need to bring the following items each day:

  • Snack for the day
  • Sack lunch (the first 2 days only- Hale provides a BBQ on the third day)
  • Sun Block
  • Bug repellent
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Rain poncho/raincoat
  • Backpack

Hale BBQ Menu (for third day lunch)

  • hamburgers, hot dogs, or veggie burgers
  • pasta salad and potato salad
  • watermelon
  • lemonade

Students who would like a burger without a bun, or any similar requests, can have that made at the grill.  The veggie burgers are cooked in foil so they never touch a grill that may have contacted meat and often satisfy kosher or halal requirements. Students are welcome to bring their own food on the last day if alternate food would be more comfortable or healthy for them.

Optional Parent Events

  • Hale Parent Overview is an opportunity to learn more about the activities that will take place at Hale Reservation.  This will take place on Wednesday, April 25th, 2018 from 6:30pm-7:30pm in the WMS Auditorium.  No RSVP is necessary.
  • Hale Facilities Tour for parents will be held on Saturday, April 28th, 2018 from 9:30am-10:30am at Hale Reservation. Please RSVP to Gwen Cheek at cheekg@wellesleyps.org no later than Monday, April 23rd, 2018.   We will provide directions to the Hale Cat Rock Parking area, where the tour will begin.

Further details about Hale Reservation can be found on their website at HaleReservation.org. We are looking forward to a great learning experience for your children this spring.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Gwen Cheek at cheekg@wellesleyps.org at any time.

Sincerely,
Joan Dabrowski, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning

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