PATS PEAK SKI PROGRAM UPDATE
As you know, the Pats Peak Ski Program will begin on Friday, January 8th and will continue for four more Fridays. Students riding the bus and meeting chaperones will be dismissed to the gym at 1:00. If you are not a chaperone and will be transporting your child, we request that you meet your child in the office lobby at 1:00 (no early dismissals, please). The ski bus will return to the school at 5:30 P.M. Please be prompt in picking up your child! The children, as well as the chaperones, are usually tired and anxious to get home.
Students are not allowed to carry their skis/poles/snowboards on their regular buses. We ask that parents drop off this equipment on Fridays in the gym entrance to the school. Mrs. Miller, our custodian, is here as early as 6:30 A.M. Thanks.
If school is cancelled during the ski program, the Pats Peak Learn to Ski Program will be cancelled. All other cancellations are made by mutual consent of the coordinators, the bus company, and the ski school. You may also check the school’s web page at www.nbcs.k12.nh.us or the Peak’s website at www.patspeak.com for the latest information on cancellations. Please let your child know what he/she should do after school in the event of a skiing cancellation (go to afterschool program, take bus home/to babysitter, etc.) It would be near impossible to have 140+ students contacting their parents if there should be a cancellation during the ski season. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the school.
Every New Boston Student will be issued a blue leg band for the season. This makes it easier for chaperones to identify our students. These as well as the laminated tags will be distributed the week of January 4th. Laminated tags are issued to each student and chaperone as a lift ticket. The tag must be worn and visible at all times. If a student loses or forgets the tag, he/she must notify Mrs. Wayland in the morning so that the order can be called in to Pats Peak for a replacement. The replacement cost is $10.00. Please help your child remember this tag on Friday morning. Even if they have forgotten their tag at home, they must purchase a new one in order to ski that day. At the end of the ski program participants may turn in their laminated tag at Pats Peak for a free day of skiing. If your child used rental equipment during the program, they will get free rentals on their free ski day or night. If you ordered a cafeteria card for your child, those will be passed out the week of January 4th as well. It is sometimes best if you hold on to the card between each Friday!
If your child is using his/her own equipment, skis should be at the right length for the student’s height, weight, ability, and skier type. All equipment should have a pre-season check by a ski shop. Equipment that is out-dated or does not meet industry standards should not be used. Snowboards must have two metal edges and a retention device. If you decide at a later date to have your child use rental equipment, there is an additional late fee of $25.00.
It’s very helpful if students have two pairs of mittens and socks since they sometimes get wet during recess at school. The following is a suggested list of helpful items: long underwear, turtleneck, thermal or wool socks (no cotton), sweater, big coverall with elastic cuffs, neck warmer, waterproof mittens (knit gloves or mittens soak up water like a sponge), handwarmers are suggested for very cold days, and goggles/sunglasses for eye protection. Pats Peak requires that every student wear a hat and/or a helmet. Helmets for all skiers and riders are strongly recommended. The first day of skiing could be an unpleasant experience if children are not dressed for the weather. Please make sure your child has a snack and drink for the ski program or send some $ so that he/she can purchase a snack. It’s a long day, and they get very hungry and thirsty!
We try to keep New Boston students’ gear all in one place in the smaller lodge at the right as you come into Pats Peak. Please stress to your children how important it is to always know where they have left their equipment, boots, etc. They are responsible for their own belongings, rental equipment, etc. Pats Peak will not allow a child to check out rentals the next week if they have not returned the equipment from the previous week. If they have their own equipment, they are responsible for handing it directly to the chaperone placing it in the transport truck. It’s a monumental task to try to find gear when the bus is ready to leave the ski area! We cannot stress enough that it is your child’s responsibility to keep track of their own equipment.
Children who are taking the bus must stop skiing by 4:45, return rental equipment, and be on the bus by 5:00. If your child is not returning to the school on the bus, you will need to send a note to Mrs. Wayland on Friday morning stating who will be picking your child up and what time. Chaperones leave the mountain by 5:00! Either you or the person staying with your child needs to see Mr. Matthews or Mrs. Wayland to let us know you have made it. Make clear arrangements with your child for a place to meet before 5:00. A visit over vacation can be helpful.
If you would like to join your child skiing on a Friday evening, Pats Peak offers an all-lift ticket for $24 each week.
This ticket is good from when our school arrives to closing. “Last Call” ticket is $12 for the last 2 hours of skiing on weekdays. We hope you will join us.
We are looking forward to working with our chaperones this year. Since so many of our chaperones are veterans, we do not feel that it is necessary to have a chaperone meeting before our first day. We just ask that you please make sure you are in your assigned place and keep your eye out for any potential problems. We depend on you to help ease our students’ apprehension during, what is for some, their first skiing experience. Please let us know if you do have questions. Please sign in each week with Danielle Wayland. If you are unable to chaperone on a given week, you must turn in your pass to Danielle Wayland so that another parent can take over your duty and use the pass.
Students who purchased helmets, gloves, wrist guards, or goggles from Pats Peak will receive them the first day. Pats Peak will have an area set up in the rental shop to pass these items out. Remind your child of your purchases so that they can pick them up.
We are looking forward to a great and snowy ski/boarding season!