June 24, 2009

FOR INCOMING SEVENTH GRADERS

Dear Parents,

As many of you know, Bolton seventh graders embark on an overnight trip early each fall to Boston University’s Sargent Center for Outdoor Education.  This year, we received the bad news that BU was closing down its school program at Sargent Center.  The Sargent Center staff worked hard to find another organization to take over their program while the seventh grade team worked hard to find a replacement trip.  As we were making plans for a replacement, we found out that Nature’s Classroom had agreed to take over operations of the Sargent Center School Program.  This has all happened very quickly and recently.  After examining this new program, the seventh grade team has decided to attend Sargent Center’s new program, but since the transition has just happened, we’ll need a few weeks before the specific details are worked out.  We still wanted to contact you before the end of this school year with the information we do have.  Here is what we know so far: 

PURPOSE

Seventh grade is an important time in the lives of middle school students.  The middle of the middle school is a time of great transition.  Students become more independent as they prepare for high school and began their teenage years.  Peer relationships become increasingly more important, too.  Although we participate in some school curriculum related lessons, our primary purpose for the trip is in team building.  This includes lessons that stress the development of strong communication skills, the importance of cooperation, and the significance of interdependence.  The new Nature’s Classroom staff has assured us that the new program will strive to meet these goals with the same professionalism as the Boston University program.

DATES

Timing the trip early in the school year makes it difficult to organize, but is necessary to facilitate our goals.  This year we plan to attend the last week of September or the first week of October. 

COST

We do no fundraising for the trip, and because it is a week long, the cost is more than the normal school field trip.  We will know the exact price in a few weeks.  Last year the cost was over $200 and this year’s trip may be slightly higher.  This may sound dear, but it includes five days, four nights, all meals, a nurse on duty, transportation and staff.  If the tuition is difficult for your family at this time, contact the seventh grade team, Mr. Tucker, or Mr. Bates.  There is assistance available for those who show need.  It is important to the goals of the trip that all seventh graders attend, and cost should not prohibit attendance.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The staff at Nature’s Classroom will contact us within the next two weeks.  At that time, we will know the exact cost and dates.  We will also have the necessary forms to fill out.  Those forms and details will be mailed to you.  In addition, Mr. Caligiuri maintains a “Sargent Center News” page on his website.  He has agreed to update his site over the summer whenever new information becomes available.  You can find out more about Nature’s Classroom through their website.  An informational meeting will be held early in the school year presented by the Nature’s Classroom staff and Sawyer chaperones.

If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact any member of the school administration or the seventh grade team.  We are working very hard to maintain this valuable experience and important tradition for Sawyer School and value your input and patience as the program adjusts to some changes.