Jasper Middle School

St. Simons Island Field Trip

2015-2016

Each year 7th graders have the opportunity to travel to St. Simons Island on an

overnight field trip. This year students will leave on Wednesday, March 2nd, and return

Friday, March 4th. The cost of the trip this year is $240. The price of the trip includes:

charter bus, 2-night stay at Epworth-by-the-Sea on St. Simons Island, all meals, snacks, and

interactive classes and instruction at Driftwood Education Center. This trip is loaded with fun

activities for every type of student. The student to teacher ratio for this trip is about 12 to 1,

and when combined with Driftwood’s staff, it is 6 to 1.

To reserve a spot on the trip, please return a nonrefundable $50 deposit and the signed

portion of this letter by October 2nd.

Sign-up is on a first come, first served basis. Spaces may be limited to 45 students

unless we have 75 students participate. At least $150 should be paid by Thursday, December

19. The balance will be due on or before February 4, 2016, (see back for payment schedule).

Finally, this fieldtrip is a remarkable opportunity to make a lifetime impression

on each student!

If you have any questions about the trip, please do not hesitate to call. You can reach

me from 9:30- at school (706-253-1760) or email me anytime:

darlenefowler@pickenscountyschools.org

Thank you,

Darlene Fowler

7th Grade Field Trip Coordinator

A note from Driftwood:

Driftwood Education Center is located on St Simons Island, one of the Georgia Barrier

Islands, surrounded by miles of salt marsh and acres of maritime forest. The program we

offer is intended to be a valuable extension of classroom studies. We have incorporated math,

science, language arts, and social studies (based on Common Core Georgia Performance

Standards) into our curriculum and developed these topics into activity-oriented classes. Your

child will have an opportunity to learn about: marine biology, salt marsh ecology, reptiles,

low country cultures, and other science related areas. We also provide a chance for social

growth through learning to live and work closely with others in a community setting.

Sign and return this bottom portion with your $50 deposit I have read and understand the field trip guidelines for behavior, attendance, and grades as

written in the student agenda. If my child signs up and is unable to go on the trip, I

understand that my deposit may not be refunded.

Student Name: ________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________

Contact information:__________________________________________________________

Jasper Middle School

St. Simons Island Field Trip

2015-2016

Payment Schedule:

Payments can be made early and in smaller

amounts as long as the amount due is paid by

the due date. At least $150 should be paid by

Thursday, December 17. Remaining balance

should be paid by Thursday, February 4.

Students will be given a receipt for all

payments.

Fieldtrip Location: Driftwood Environmental Education Center 100 Arthur J. Moore Dr.

St. Simons Island, GA 31522 Phone: 912-638-3849

Driftwood Education Center’s mission is to cultivate a personal responsibility and awareness for our aquatic ecosystems. Our learner based classes and activities weave one concept to another through four main themes (intertidal zones, freshwater habitat, terrestrial ecosystems, and stewardship) which promote personal growth and critical thinking. It is the hope of Driftwood Education Center that our participants will become responsible members of their community and continue to have a lasting desire to care for and preserve their aquatic resources. Some of the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards addressed: S7L1 Students will investigate the diversity of living organisms and how they can be compared scientifically.

b. Classify organisms based on a six-kingdom system and a dichotomous key. S7L4 Students will examine the dependence of organisms on one another and their environments.

a. Demonstrate in a food web that matter is transferred from one organism to another and can recycle between organisms and their environments. b. Explain in a food web that sunlight is the source of energy and that this energy moves from organism to organism. c. Recognize that changes in environmental conditions can affect the survival of both individuals and entire species. d. Categorize relationships between organisms that are competitive or mutually beneficial. e. Describe the characteristics of Earth’s major terrestrial biomes (i.e., tropical rain forest, savannah, temperate, desert, taiga, tundra, and mountain) and aquatic communities (i.e., freshwater, estuaries, and marine). S7L5 Students will examine the evolution of living organisms through inherited characteristics that promote the survival of organisms and the survival of successive generations of their offspring.

Due Date: Amount due:

October 1 $50

November 5 $50

December 17 $50

January 7 $50

February 4 $40