Flyers Promoting January 1st Fundraiser Available for Posting and Dispersal

Hey Everyone!  I wanted to let you know that I've made copies of our New Years fundraiser for you to post and get out into the community.  The flyers will be available for pick up at the District Service Center on Monday (Dec 27) morning.  I'll leave them at the front desk in a box marked EcoTeam.  The DSC will only be open Monday through Wednesday. 

The magnitude of this event will depend on YOU.  Get the word out about this great event! 

Ask local businesses/libraries/organizations if you can post a flyer by the door or leave flyers at the counter by the register.  Have a sporting event during break?  Bring flyers and leave them at the ticket table or concession stand.

Info to Know for January 1st Fundraiser - Keep checking this as info will be added here instead of onto multiple posts

Remember - be there at 8am...ready for training and setting up the area.

Please bring:

• marshmallow roasters (have your name on them) AND/OR wire hangers (with nothing on them) that can be manipulated to be roasters
• empty and clean pop cans (for pop can fishing caster activity)
• empty and clean 2 liter bottles with lids
• wear clothes to be outside/in the snow for long periods of time
• any leftover smencils you have AND the money you've earned from smencil sales (we probably won't have our second order by the 1st, so we are going to sell what is left in our current inventory)
• old newspaper to cover tables in the activity area and use for fire starting

January 1st Fundraiser Update

At the meeting after school tonight, it was decided that we would meet at 8am on January 1st for a training for the activities and to get everything set up.  Please plan on being there right at 8am so we can get everything ready and everyone trained for the activities they'll be leading. Please plan on staying until 3pm so we can get the place squeaky clean.

Students that were present tonight signed up for activities, the sign up will be available Saturday (Jan. 1st) morning at 8am to fill in the open slots.

Everyone needs to bring marshmellow roasting sticks...please make sure your name is on them too.

Parents - if you want to help out with anything (food, activities, etc.) please contact me.

Monday meeting reminder

Just a quick reminder...we're having a student meeting Monday after school to chat packing, January 1st fundraiser, smencil sales and letter writing.  I think the room number is 212...but it's the bio room that we've had previous meetings in right down from the bridge.  See you then!

Who's Going? Meeting Dates and Fundraiser Dates

I'm so excited about our Belize trip! With the date for the first deposit past us, our list of student participants includes:
Alex Angelo
Claire Clark
William Emory
Maddie Ernst
Katie Hamerlinck
Kelsey Johnson
Cedric Krouch
Megan Lundquist
Greg Skudlarek
Connor Venteicher

Now for the nitty gritty part of the trip...the meetings and planning!
Here are the dates you need to know and reserve:

Student planning dates:
Monday, December 20th @ 3:30pm (We will chat January 1st Fundraiser and Smencil strategy)
Wed, Jan 19 @ 7:30am
Thurs, Jan 27 @ 7:30am
Wed, Feb 2 @ 7:30am
Wed, Feb 23 @ 7:30am
Mon, Feb 28 @ 3:30pm
Wed, March 9 @ 7:30am

It's important for you to be at these. If you can't make it, it's important for you to check the blog to be up on what's happening.

Parent and student meeting: Monday, February 7th @ 6pm in the same classroom on the 2nd floor as last time

Fundraiser dates:
Saturday, January 1st 9am-3pm
Saturday, February 12th (time to be determined)

January 1st participants (to date): Cedrik, Claire, Connor, Kelsey, Maddie, Megan and William
**If parents want to help on the 2 bigger fundraisers, that would be great. You will 'count' in the division of funds with your child receiving that amount towards his/her trip cost. Just let me know if you are interested.

Cara needs:
**I need the name that is/will be on your passport. Formal, informal, middle name, etc....I need to know as this is the name that will be used on your air ticket.

January 1st Fundraiser is ON

More details coming soon, but reserve Saturday, January 1st 9am-3pm for our first BIG fundraiser.

First Payment Due!!

The first payment of $545 was due today.  If you forgot, you have another day to get it in.  Please email Cara right away or see Ms Korby first thing Thursday morning.  Airplane tickets are being finalized thus the reason for a FINAL final due date of tomorrow.

No go for Xcel Center

I was finally able to connect with a food service staff from Xcel Energy regarding fundraising opportunities.  Students need to be at least 18 years of age.  With our small group and mostly younger students, I told the staff that we'd keep them in consideration for future years.

January 1st Fundraiser Opportunity

We've been approved to hold a fundraising event for January 1st from 10am-2pm at McColl Pond ELC.  The focus will be for families looking for outdoor and some indoor activities.  We will provide snowshoeing, bonfires, orienteering, learning opportunities (Ms. Korby and Cara will train you for different games/activities), etc. for families.  I'm looking into how we can also provide a lunch for free will donations.  Adults will be charged $7 and kids will be $5 with age 5 and under free and a max of $30 for families. 

City of Savage is letting us use the building at no cost, so our only costs will be food items. 

I need to know who can help with this event before we dive into planning.  Your help will be needed from 9am-3pm.  Profits from the day will divided equally between those who help. 

Please email me ASAP on whether you can assist for this day. A final decision as to whether we have enough students to operate this day will be made by Wednesday, December 15th. 

Have you Doodled yet?

Students - I sent out an email on Friday asking you to complete a mini-survey on a website so we can determine a schedule for meetings...planning/information/etc.  Please check your email and go to the doodle link as provided...or go to it here: http://doodle.com/p9ksbk2uzszpzmd6
Please do this NOW.  Thanks.

Need a passport?

Go here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/

First Payment

Just a reminder...the first payment for the trip is due Wednesday, December 15th.  Please give deposit to Ms. Korby at PLHS or drop off to Cara at District Service Center.  Or give to Cara at Belize meeting on Friday, Dec 10th.

Fundraiser Update

Since this is a school sanctioned trip, all fundraisers have to be approved by PLHS principal and PLSAS superintendent.  Unfortunately, the liability for a polar plunge is just to much, so we are not able to do this as a fundraiser. 

The smencils were ordered on Tuesday morning. They should be in my office by Monday, December 13th.

Tomorrow at the Belize meeting (before EcoTeam meeting @ 7:20am) we'll chat fundraisers.  I have 2 ideas that could be potential big fundraisers. 

See you bright and early tomorrow morning!  Dress warm!!

Fundraisers

December - Focus Fundraisers: Selling Smencils and Letter Solicitations
January - Focus Fundraisers: Babysitting Night, Letter Solicitations and Yet to be Determined
February - Focus Fundraisers: Babysitting Night
March - Focus Fundraisers: Yet to be Determined

December through March possible options - Work Concessions at PLHS, Bagging Groceries, Snow Removal, ...

Costs and Payment Schedule

Approximate individual cost

• Total cost: $2345
• $1500 for lodging, meals, tips, and transportation in country
• $845 for airfare into country
• Additional incidental costs – passport, snorkel gear, appropriate clothing, etc.

Payment Schedule

• December 15 – Initial Deposit: $545 ($300 non-refundable)
• January 15 – Second Payment: $600
• February 15 – Third Payment: $600
• March 15 – Final Payment: $600

Fundraising Efforts will be applied to January, February and March payments. You will be provided with a ‘statement’ of your fundraising efforts on the 1^st of every month. Your balance due for the 15^th of will be the payment amount minus the amount indicated in your fundraising statement.

Checks can be made to "ISD #719" with "Belize Trip" listed on memo.  Checks can be given to Ms. Korby at PLHS or sent to Cara Rieckenberg, District Service Center ISD #719, 4540 Tower Street, Prior Lake, MN 55372

Leaders and Chaperones

• Trip Leaders:
• Cara Rieckenberg – PLSAS Environmental Education Coordinator; travelled to Belize for past 15 years; spent 2 summers in Belize teaching Marine Biology to high school students around world; chaperoned and assisted in organization of dozens of high school trips from Depere, WI school (crireckenberg@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us)
• Lee Korby – PLHS Teacher; PLHS EcoTeam Advisor (lkorby@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us)
• Chaperones (to date):
• Sara Aker – RR 5^th gr teacher; Belize trip experience; CPR/First Aid Certified
• Jill Kufrin – GW 3^rd gr teacher; Belize trip experience
• Dorothy Nicholas – PLHS teacher; Lifeguard/First Aid/CPR certified

Location to be visited and general itinerary

• Locations: Belize City, Belmopan, Dangriga and Southwater Caye
• Zero school days involved as travel will occur during spring break
• General Itinerary:
• March 19
• Fly from Minneapolis to Belize City
• Tour Belize Zoo
• Spend night at Tropical Education Center in Belize Zoo
• March 20
• Travel to Dangriga via bus (2.5 hours)
• Travel to Southwater Caye via boat (45 minutes)
• Settle In and Intro Snorkel
• March 20-23
• Marine biology activities, exploration, and lessons at Southwater Caye
• March 24
• Travel to Dangriga via boat (45 minutes)
• Travel to Caves Branch (outside Belmopan) via bus (1.5 hours)
• Settle In and Intro hike/exploration
• March 24-26
• Rain forest activities, exploration and lessons at Caves Branch
• March 27
• Travel to Belize City via bus (3.5 hours)
• Fly from Belize City to Minneapolis