Initial Parent Information (2013)

November 2012

Once again, the Cupertino Union School District is pleased to offer a program of study and exploration in conjunction with NatureBridge at Yosemite to our 8^th grade students. During this one-week experience, students will visit multiple sites in the Yosemite National Park. Trips are scheduled for the following dates: Lawson Middle School: January 27 – February 1; Kennedy Middle School: March 3–8; Cupertino Middle School: March 10–15; Hyde Middle School: March 17–22; and Miller Middle School: March 24–29. Small group instruction with NatureBridge staff and District chaperones encourages an understanding of the basic principles of ecology and geology through an intimate association with a natural environment.

Pursuant to Education Code section 35335, a school district may charge a fee for school camp programs or outdoor science programs provided that the payment is not mandatory and no student is denied the opportunity to participate in the outdoor science program because of nonpayment of the fee.

The Yosemite program is only sustainable with the support of voluntary fees. Please know that this fee is not required to participate; yet insufficient funding will result in a cancellation of the trip. The cost per student will be $650.00, which includes transportation, tuition, room and board, and fees for activities such cross-country skiing, etc. Participating students will be responsible, at the discretion of their teachers, for daily work covered at school while they are gone.

A $50 deposit along with a signed Parent Essentials Agreement is requested by the end of the next school day following the parent meeting. The deposit is non-refundable due to the early transportation commitments and Yosemite Institute costs. The fee balance of $600 no later than Thursday, January 10, 2013. At this point we will determine if we are able to financially sustain the program based on the fees collected. Insufficient funding will result in a cancellation of the trip. Please make your checks payable to your middle school.

Students, who become ill, voluntarily drop from the trip, or disqualify themselves through their behavior or grades, will not have their $50 deposit refunded. Once the balance has been paid, another eligible student must replace a student who drops from the trip in order to receive a refund of $600.00. If the student is not replaced, the refund will be $500.00, representing the portion of the balance attributed to Yosemite Institute. Unfortunately, if a student becomes ill while on the trip, there will be no refund.

The late winter weather in Yosemite can be anything from sunshine to snow. A suggested clothing list will be provided to all participants. The students are not to bring any electronic equipment, including computers, iPods, Gameboys, cell phones, or any other electronic gadgets. Accommodations will include hotel rooms in the Valley and simple dormitory bunks with a separate bathhouse when students are at Crane Flat. While at Crane Flat, each student will assist in meal set-up, cleanup, and other camp chores.

Students cannot be reached directly by telephone while in Yosemite. Emergency messages can be left for students by calling your school secretary or the Yosemite Lead Science Teacher (c/o Yosemite Institute (209) 379-9511 or Crane Flat Campus (209) 397-2358). In case of medical emergencies, the students will be taken to the Yosemite Medical Group facility in Yosemite Valley, where a copy of each student’s medical form will be provided.

Should you have any further questions about this educational program, please contact your trip leader. Our staff is very enthusiastic about this venture and feel confident that the NatureBridge will provide a unique educational program and improve environmental perceptions and ethics that will challenge and stimulate your student.

Yosemite Lead Science Teachers

Russ Philpott Khadija Iyer Adity Bandyopadhyay Mary Alarid-Enright Barbara Wooley

Lawson (255-7500) Kennedy (253-1525) Miller (252-3755) Cupertino (245-0303) Hyde (252-6290)