Thursday, May 31, 2012

EXCITING Field Trips for July, August, and September!


We have been offered some EXCITING field trips and kid activities opportunities during the Summer months. Some of these trips are free and some have a small cost associated with them. All of these trips have me super excited and pumped up. I hope you will be just as excited.  If you want to do any of these trips, please indicate which trip and how many students vs. adults in the comments section below.




Trip #1:

 July TBA(probably between the 15th and 23rd), 2012

Learning about Bush with Ms. Veronica Gordon at the St. George Village Botanical Gardens.

Ms. Gordon is our locally renown "bush lady". She is extremely knowlegable about bush and how to use it to improve your health, remove aches and pains, and where it origianlly came from. This is a great opportunity to come and learn from an expert.  In this informative field trip, we learn about our native bush, it's medicianal, homeopathic, and culinary properties. We will get to taste, touch, and smell real bush and enjoy a quiet morning at the Gardens.  Once the field trip is done, feel free to stay for lunch, art time, rambling, etc. The field trip will take about 1.5 hours. Cost is $2 per visitor(not including really little ones).

Trip #2:

mid to late August 2012

The Archeological wonders of Buck Island!

Did you know there are Pre Hispanic archeological sites hiding in plain sight on Buck Island?  I didn't and now we can learn about those sites, visit and explore them, PLUS make pre hispanic tools just like those first inhabitants on Buck Island did.  During this trip, students will visit Fort Christiansvaern and then take a trip out to Buck Island National Monument to explore those site we learn about in the fort.  This is a first come first serve trip. All ages welcome.  I NEED to know numbers ASAP so we can arrange for boats to take us out there and then get dates.  FREE


Trip #3


Reef Ranger Kids Program(ages 8-12) sponsored by the NPS. This program teaches boat safety, how to use flare guns, docking, anchoring, etc.  It is limited to 10 children per group. This is a 2 day program where kids spend it doing hands on activities related to water and boating safety, there is also an opportunity to go snorkeling at Buck Island.  This program is being held the 3rd weekend in July for two consecutive Saturdays, then again in August, and September. If you want more info or to register, please contact David at the NPS office.  FREE.


Trip #4(potentially)

Walking tour of Free Gut

Do you know where Free Gut is? Do you know what it is? I didn't..... Free Gut is an area where freed blacks lived during the colonial times. These free men and women built many of the structures that are part of Christiansted today, such as the Steeple Building, the Fort, the Old Post Office aka the Slave Market, etc. Out of Free Gut, the US got their first black millionaire, the first black US Ambassador, etc. This is a fascinating area that needs to be explored and experienced.  If you would like to see this tour set up, PLEASE leave feedback in the comments section and I will get it on the books. FREE


AGAIN, if any of these tours appeal to you, please let me know via the comments section of the blog.  In the case of the Reef Ranger program, please feel free to contact David at NPS yourself and set up your days with him.  If perhaps we have a HUGE group interest in this, I may be able to talk him into doing a 2 day mini class during the week during the school year.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Cool Summer Camp Offering for High Schoolers and Middle Schoolers

Country Day School is offering two COOL summer camp for Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers.

One is a spin off from their yearly Mini Gusto Program where students go out into the community and get to learn a trade or get exposed to a different set of skills.  As someone who went through that program, I HIGHLY recommend Mini Gusto and the experiences that your child can gain from being exposed to different businesses and mind sets.  Students are encouraged to pick two activities a day, but can opt to choose just one. The cost is $165 per week for two activities and $80 for one activity per week.  If you enroll two children from the same family, there is a discount in the weekly fee.  The camp runs from July 18 - July 20. Some of the offerings are Jewelry Making, The art of Bonsai, Japanese Language, Cooking, Redecorating Wood Chairs, Capoeria, Drumming, Rock Band, Modeling and Etiquette, Improv, Graphic Design, Steel Pans, Japanese Taiko Drumming, etc. For a full list of activities, go to the CDS web site here.

There is also an SAT/College Prep Camp that is being offered concurrently with the Mini Gusto Camp. This Camp or mini series focuses on Prepping for the SAT/ACT, Finding the Best Fit University for your child, filing out applications, creating a college resume, essay writing skills interview skills, and finding scholarship monies among other topics.  This camp costs $500 for all 5 weeks and is geared to students entering 11 and 12 grade.

If you need more info, please do contact Country Day at 778-1974 or see their website on the summer camp offerings.


Is there any interest from homeschoolers to get some of these classes offered to a younger set during the fall/winter/spring school year next year? If so, let me know via the comments section here on the blog and I will work on it.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Weekend Activities

This weekend is going to be a busy one!


FREE Snorkel clinic this Saturday!
Looking for a fun beach experience this weekend? Join SEA on Saturday, May 19, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Southgate Coastal Reserve for a free snorkel clinic. Southgate Coastal Reserve is located between Cheeseburgers in Paradise and Chenay Bay Beach Resort - just follow the gravel road to the beach. Learn how to snorkel or advance your skills - gear provided. This is a great family activity - school age children to adults welcome! FREE to all; registration is not required, but is appreciated (773-1989). This activity is sponsored by Reef Jam.


















The National Safe Boating Council invite boating safety professionals, the boating community and the media to participate in “Ready, Set, Wear It!” on Saturday, May 19. Participants in cities around the globe will gather to set a world record for the most life jackets worn and inflatable life jackets inflated. The goal is not only to promote the comfortable and versatile options when it comes to life jackets, but also to educate the public about life jackets and safe boating in general.
"We want to show the world that our boater community takes boating safety seriously," said John Harrison, Flotilla Commander of the St. Croix Coast Guard Auxiliary. "When on the water, wearing a life jacket is part of your clothing. Our island has an exceptional record for safe boating and I relate that to our resident's awareness that life jackets saves life's."
Mr. Harrison is expecting more than 300 St. Croix boaters to arrive at the pier in downtown Frederiksted, with their life jackets, this Saturday May 19th at 10:00 am to set a world record of local boaters with life jackets.
“Ready, Set, Wear It!,” will usher in National Safe Boating Week, this
year May 19-25, 2012. Boating safety partners across the U.S. and the world are teaming up to promote safe and responsible boating, including voluntary wear of life jackets, for National Safe Boating Week and throughout the boating season.
“What better way to share the life-saving importance of life jacket wear,
while having some fun and helping set a world record,” said Virgil
Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. “Each year, as many as 500 lives could have been saved if boaters had worn their life jackets. New life jackets on the market today make it easier than ever for a boater to have fun and stay safe on the water.”
Last year, 1,685 people gathered at more than 99 events held around the world to set a new record for the number of participants who inflated their inflatable life jacket or wore an inherently buoyant life jacket. This event is educational and fun for boating enthusiasts, families, and the general public to enjoy!
The Christiansted Coast Guard Auxiliary along with the US Coast Guard RIO St. Croix will be providing boating educational handouts and instructions on how to properly size your life jacket. For more information about the Coast Guard Auxiliary visit www.cgaux.org.
Drowning remains the primary cause of death in recreational boating accidents. Statistics released by the U.S. Coast Guard indicate that 84 percent of boaters who drowned in 2010 were NOT wearing their life jackets.
For more information, visit www.SafeBoatingCampaign.com or www.ReadySetWearIt.com.

Forms and info for homeschooling in the Virgin Islands

Borrowed from crewmartin.blogspot.com
Homeschooling in the Virgin Islands is fairly simple and easy. There isn't a lot of oversight from the VI Department of Education, after talking to multiple people in the VI, most agree that you file your paperwork and forget about it. Your child does not have to do standardized testing and you are not required to turn in a portfolio of your child's work.  That being said, you do need to file a 2 page document with the Department of Education at the start of your school year that states your name, your child's name, age, grade level, and what subjects they are learning. You also have to pick a date for a portfolio review(which again, most people say has never happened).  After you sign the paperwork and email to Ms. Sarah Mahurt for St. Croix her phone number is 340-773-1095 ext 7029,  email to it  Dianne George Rodgers her phone number is 340-772-775-2250 extension 8110 on St. Thomas/St. John or snail mail it back to the Department of Ed.  Make sure however that you remember to SIGN your forms before you send them in.  If by any chance, the Department of Ed sends you another form requesting you to fill out specs about your kitchen, facilities, etc, DO NOT fill that out. It is illegal - according to our local laws to fill out that form.  ALL you NEED to do is fill out the Letter of Intent Form and send it back.  That's it folks! If this process is any different from what I have been doing, please let me know as I would like to not only update this info but do it correctly myself!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Kids Triathlon at Cramer's Park 5/20


Last Kids Triathlon of the season at Cramer's park. This a great event where the kids all support one another, and have a great  time in friendly competition.  

Never fear if you don't have a bike, bike rentals are available for only $5 from the Triathlon Federation. Call or email Theresa Harper for more information or to reserve a bike. If you child wants to race and you are worried that their bike isn't right, no worries either. Kids ride with training wheels, baskets, horns, streamers, etc. You MUST however have a helmet and shoes to do the race as safety is a priority.

Race pre-registration is not required.

Distances vary by age.

5‐6













      Swim:

25M/
Bike:
1⁄2
mile/
Run:
1⁄4

mile
 

7‐8      













Swim:

50M/
Bike:
1⁄2
mile/
Run:
1⁄4

mile
 
 
 
9‐11    











Swim:

100M/
Bike:
1
mile/
Run:
1⁄2

mile
 
 
 
12‐15  









Swim:

200M/
Bike:
3
miles/
Run:
1
mile

Race starts at 8, so if you are like me, and you never preregister, you need to get there by at least 7:30.  Snacks for the kids and drinks are provided.  Coffee, you need to bring.



Field Trips during the summer

I know that many of you travel during the summer but I figured that it might be good for our kids to still have some play time together and do some fun filled field trips during this time.

 I would like to know if there is any interest in doing a summer time field trip with Ms. Veronica Gordon to learn about our local bush and it's applications in health, cooking, gardening, etc.  If you think you would be interested in this, please email me and let me know. I am thinking late July, early August.

Also, it might be a good time to set up a hike to Maroon Ridge or there abouts with Olasee Davis. So again, if you are interested let me know.  Maybe a Full Moon hike to Jacks and Issacs too? What are your thoughts?

Fall Art Lessons with Cindy Male - update

There WILL be lessons for Elementary and Upper schoolers with Cindy Male starting in the Fall($60 per class with 6 students = $10 per class per child). I have a few slots open in the Elementary class and 1 opening in the Upper Schooler class.  The students will meet at Remenisce Restaurant in Queens Quarters. If you are interested in these classes please send me your student's name, their age, grade, and art experiences. I will update the group on time and day of the week. Once we get closer to the start date, and you have confirmed that your child will be attending, I will send out a supplies list from Cindy Male. You will be required to pay for one month in advance of the start date in order to hold your child's spot.

Beach Clean Up at Sandy Point


Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a Beach Cleanup on Saturday, May 12th. The cleanup will start at 9am and end by 11am. All are invited to volunteer; groups are encouraged to pre-register by calling 340-690-9452. Volunteers should bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen and comfortable shoes.
Teams of volunteers will roam the beaches at Sandy Point collecting the trash they find. To volunteer, simply show up at the gate at 9am on Saturday the 12th. Come as an individual or come as a team. We will caravan to the beach at 9:15am.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Learning how to be a gypsy


 A Flaming Gypsy that is! The last PE Day that we had for the homeschoolers was a blast!  Kiki and her band of flaming gypsy girls came and showed our kids how to move and groove with hula hoops.  Kiki, LaurelLee, and Kelly were there to work their stuff. The ladies, got all the kids out on the basket ball court and pretty quickly the kids were doing some fun hula hoop moves, using the Poi and basically having fun while exploring a new skill. 

At first the boys and older high schoolers were resistant to hooping in front of others, but Kiki got them into a big circle and they learned how to make circles with their bodies and then they played a quick game of ball juggling where each child had to toss a ball to someone else while calling out their name. Once the first ball was halfway through the circle, another ball was thrown into the mix until there were 3 or 4 balls going at the same time.  After a while, the groups switched, and even the “I’m too cool for this” boys were hula hooping.  I call that success – don’t you?