Greetings Skiers and Riders!
Ski and Board Club is almost upon us! We will be going to the mountain on Thursdays January 8, 15, 22, and 29.
We will depart right after school and ski from 3:30-7:30.
The exception to this schedule will be during exam week, on January 15, due to the early dismissal. On that date we will depart school at 12:30 and ski from 1:30-5:30.
Here are a few logistics for our upcoming trips to the mountain:
This year, Bolton has asked us for an emergency medical sheet to be filled out for each student. Please have this Emergency Health Form filled out and returned to Mr. Thime before we leave for the mountain on Thursday, January 8. If you do not have access to a printer, hard copies will be available in the front office.
Speaking of Thursday, January 8, I will be in the back gym hallway from 7 a.m. until 7:40 a.m. on Thursday mornings so that people can lock their gear in the varsity soccer locker rooms. I do teach first mod, so I will need to lock up right at 7:40. At the end of the day, I will get back there as soon as possible so that students can grab their gear and head out to the bus, which will be parked outside the a la carte doors. The sooner we get out and get loaded, the sooner we can get out on the slopes. Please don't make us wait! Students should bring everything they need for the evening, as they will not be able to get back into the building when we return to the school.
Speaking of bringing everything you need, keep in mind that we will be skiing at night, in January, in Vermont. It will be cold! Make sure you have appropriate gear... snow pants and jackets, gloves, hats/helmets, face masks/goggles. Layers are your friends! Use the buddy system to watch out for signs of frostbite, and be sure to take breaks to come inside and warm up.
As far as dinner goes, students may bring a bag dinner or purchase their dinner at the base lodge cafeteria. (Be prepared, though... Bolton is now a cashless resort, so students will either need to pay with a credit card or with money loaded onto their individual accounts. If students bring cash, they can load it on to their pass at the ticket window. Parents can also load money remotely, but just know that these funds take 24 hours to clear, so if the money is loaded the morning of, it will not be available that evening when students are trying to purchase dinner. Honestly, the best approach is probably just to bring cash and have students load it on to their passes at the ticket window.)
Our plan is to be back to the school by 8:45. However, we will see how things go the first week, as we may be a little closer to 9:00. I will encourage students with cell phones to call their rides when we get off of the highway.
Speaking of rides, please know that we are NOT permitted to allow students who travel on the bus to leave the mountain with other students. They may leave the mountain with their parents/guardians if both students and parents check in with me first. Failure to follow this protocol will result in dismissal from the program for the remainder of the season.
As always, Ski and Board club promises to be a great opportunity to get out on the slopes and have fun with our friends. Please remember that we represent the Colchester High School community, and we want to be sure to bring our best selves to the mountain... being polite and respectful, following all school rules, watching out for each other, and pitching in a helping hand when needed (especially when it comes to leaving behind a clean space at the end of the night!).
All in all, this year is shaping up to be a great return to the slopes for the CHS Ski and Board community, and I can't wait to see you out there.
Think snow!
Mr. Thime