Our first field trip of the year takes us to the Lava Beds National Monument in Tulelake, California, this Friday (Sept. 19th). This is an annual event for our 4th and 5th graders, and well worth the long drive. We alternate each year between studying the geology of the lava tubes and the Native American history associated with Captain Jack’s Stronghold. This is a history year, so the students are learning this week about the Modoc Wars and will be exploring both the Stronghold and the caves. I also like to incorporate bats into the curriculum, turning my students into chiropterologists for a couple of weeks. Students took home permission slips for the trip last week, but if it’s been misplaced, a new one can be found here. The cost to attend is $3 per student. This covers 30% of the transportation cost (your taxes cover the other 70% through the State). Here are a few tips to get the most out of this trip:

Students need sturdy shoes for hiking, good pants (such as jeans) for climbing over rocks, and a bike helmet (for head protection–required!).  They may want to bring gloves and a sweatshirt or jacket, as the caves can be a bit cold (usually around 42 degrees), although the weather forecast is calling for hot weather.

Students should also bring a water bottle (full of cold water–not sugary drinks), a small flashlight or headlamp, and both a hardy sack lunch and a good supply of quality snacks to eat on the way home. Lunch is around 11 a.m. and we won’t be returning to CPE until around 5:30 or later.

Students are welcome to bring electronics to use on the bus, they may bring cameras, and they can use their cell phones as cameras. Please be aware that the school district cannot accept responsibility for lost or damaged electronics.

We appreciate parents and grandparents who serve as chaperones.  Note, however, that chaperones are required to complete a volunteer application/criminal background check if one hasn’t been completed in the last two years. The forms can be found here and must be submitted by Wednesday of this week.

Chaperones are welcome to drive their own vehicles, though they may have to pay the $10 park entrance fee. We ask that chaperone vehicles follow the bus on the way too the park. Students may ride with their parents in private vehicles, but only with their own parent. (Sorry, a student may not ride with a friend, even if he or she has permission from a parent.) Note, too, that part of the field experience is the interaction that takes place on the bus, which brings me to pointing out how important it is that we have some parents joining us on the bus to help control said interaction. Finally, all adults who attend will be considered chaperones. Ideally there will be two adult chaperones with each small group.