Holifield Science Learning Center

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Holifield Science Learning Center

• Teacher Preparation for Field Trips

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What is the Holifield Science Learning Center?

• The Holifield Science Learning Center (HSLC),
  more commonly known as the Outdoor Learning
  Center and Living Materials Center, is a Plano
  ISD facility dedicated to science education and
  environmental studies.

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Who visits the HSLC?

• FALL
• All 4th Grade students
• Any 5th Grade students who dont go to Collin
  County Adventure Camp

• SPRING
• All 1st Grade students
• All 2nd Grade students
• All Kindergarten students

This field trip is a part of your grade level
curriculum.
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August Tasks

• Confirm assigned date (sent to team leader)
• Return Transportation Request form (4th)
• Complete verification form and return to Brett
  Taylor at HSLC (K, 1st, 2nd)
• Start recruiting parent volunteers make sure
  they fill out a Criminal History Check form as
  soon as possible

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Reserving Buses

• Tammy Welch at the HSLC will now be submitting
  your bus requests for the Outdoor Learning Center
  field trip
• Please complete and return the white copy of the
  Transportation Request form that we will send you
  by the following dates ASAP (4th grade)
  November 1 (1st grade) February 1 (Kindergarten
  2nd grade)

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Parent Chaperones

• Please limit the number of chaperones to no more
  than 1 adult for every 6 students
• Make sure each volunteer has been cleared with a
  criminal history check
• Parents may not bring any siblings
• Please do not bring parents who are afraid of
  animals (especially snakes) or are uncomfortable
  being outdoors. This field trip is not
  appropriate for them.

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Preparing for Your Field Trip

• Make copies of the field trip information
  (Both English and Spanish versions of the
  checklists and the travel release form can be
  found on the HSLC website)
• Inform your FANS manager of your lunch plans at
  least two weeks prior to your field trip date
• Send home a field trip letter and the travel
  release form at least two weeks before your
  scheduled date
• Send home a reminder with the student checklist
  at least two days before

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Before You Arrive

• Please make name tags for the students
• Please divide students attending each session
  into 2 teams of approximately an equal number of
  children and adults
• Team A will be indoors first while Team B will be
  on the trails first
• Please do not pre-group students without first
  contacting Brett Taylor at the HSLC

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Let the HSLC know

• of students attending each session
• If you have any students with disabilities or
  special needs (wheelchair-bound, hearing or
  visually impaired, autistic, etc.)
• If you have any students with severe allergies to
  pollen, poison ivy, insects
• Any questions or concerns you may have

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What to Wear (Students Adults)

• Long pants or jeans
• Old, closed-toe shoes (No sandals, flip flops or
  high heel shoes)
• Long socks
• Hat and/or sunscreen
• Raincoat or poncho (if rainy)
• Dress appropriately for the weather

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What to Bring

• List of all students, teachers, and parents
  visiting the HSLC for that session
• Field trip travel release forms
• Student medications and inhalers
• Digital camera
• Sack lunch a drink (4th 5th grade only)
• Water bottles (4th 5th grade only)

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Departure Times
earliest time a bus could arrive at your
school depends on how many schools are using
the same bus
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When You Arrive at the HSLC

• Exit the bus and bring medications (and lunches,
  if applicable) with you
• Follow the brick path to the front door of the
  HSLC (west side)
• Have students enter the building quietly
• Turn off or silence all cell phones

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During the Field Trip

• We need every parent and teacher supervising
  student safety
• Assist students with activities when asked
• Assist HSLC staff with managing student behavior
  you know them better than we do
• Refrain from using cell phones or having a
  parent/teacher conference during lessons

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Field Trip Safety Rules

• TRAILS
• Stay on the path
• Do not pick up or touch anything without
  permission
• Watch out for poison ivy fire ant mounds
• Listen to your guide

• ANIMAL ROOM
• Do not touch or insert fingers in cages
• Walk do not run
• Use quiet voices
• Stay with your group and adult leader at all times

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How to Contact the HSLC

• Brett Taylor (Lead Teacher)
• ext 21192
• Brett.Taylor_at_pisd.edu
• Tammy Welch (Office Manager)
• ext 21193
• Tammy.Welch_at_pisd.edu