Outdoor lab - safety

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely not a favorite thing to do anymore.

It’s not a favorite for lots of kids. The proponents are just very vocal that every kid loves it. They don’t. Two of my kids hated it and they went a decade ago.

No dog in this fight but it’s really not a life changing experience for the majority

And I hear many teachers don't love it either (which I completely understand, they have to stay overnight and I sincerely doubt they get anything extra for doing so).

I hear people talk about all the life long memories. I went on an overnight school field trip in 5th grade (different state) and I remember NONE of it. Heck, I went on one in 8th grade and only remember bits and pieces of that one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where can I find out more about the current Administrators there and what that job entails?

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES (include but not limited to):
• Administers and coordinates program, staff, and operations of the Outdoor Lab program.
• Leads outdoor educational activities and facilitates learning experiences for a wide audience, including students, teachers, and community members.
• Supervises and model best practices to ensure the safety and well-being of all visitors to the Outdoor Lab.
• Collaborates with the Science Office to align Outdoor Lab activities and instructional programs with the Virginia Standards of Learning.
• Develops and maintains staff scheduling and work shifts to include the fifth-grade overnight program; participate in the overnight program, when needed.
Evaluates the effectiveness of instructional staff and the custodian.
• Performs a variety of administrative duties related to student transportation, building and facilities utilization, maintenance, and food operations.
• Manages the Outdoor Lab budget to include ordering supplies; and submitting and paying invoices.
• Maintains payroll records, prepares timesheets for Outdoor Lab staff, and processes leave slips.
• Oversees the Outdoor Lab school trip schedule and reserves bus transportation; communicates with teacher coordinators and/or school administrators on trip logistics; and adjusts schedule based on inclement weather.
• Directs, manages, and coordinates all aspects of the Outdoor Lab Summer Camp.
• Collaborates with the Arlington Outdoor Education Association; when appropriate, attends board meetings and Open Houses; builds positive working relationships with stakeholders.
• Performs related work and other duties as required.
EXPERIENCE:
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
• Experience working with students, families, and staff from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Possess knowledge of best practices in instruction, and the ability to provide instructional leadership.
• Possess knowledge of the principles of effective supervision.
• Have the ability to work effectively with students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Possess excellent human relation skills and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Possess basic content knowledge in the life sciences, including native Virginia animals and plants.
• Patient, dependable, organized, and flexible.
• Ability to perform sustained physical activity outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Keep current with Wilderness First Aid, Food Service, and other related certifications necessary for the job responsibilities.
• Bilingual skills preferred but not required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
• Completion of a master's degree in school administration.
•Extensive or progressively more responsible experience as a teacher and administrator/principal or any equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the above noted knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Possession of the Postgraduate Professional Certificate issued by the Virginia State Board of Education indicating endorsement for administration and supervision, or eligible for the same.

APS should cut the bloat, skip the outdoor lab and send the kids on field trip to nature centers in Arlington. Those are already running, APS will not have to pay to run them.

They will if they want them to be open when they take the kids there.
And schools do take field trips to them already. At least they used to. They aren't open all that much anymore due to County cutting their hours years ago. They are simply not the same experience as Outdoor Lab.

You are contradicting yourself saying that they are both not open but APS does take field trips there. What is sooooo unique about the very limited time any student gets at the outdoor lab to justify such a high cost? What other school division operates its own private nature education center?

I didn't say they're entirely closed. The unique question has been answered elsewhere. I don't know what other school divisions across the country operate their own private nature education centers. Are we not supposed to do something because nobody else does it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where can I find out more about the current Administrators there and what that job entails?

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES (include but not limited to):
• Administers and coordinates program, staff, and operations of the Outdoor Lab program.
• Leads outdoor educational activities and facilitates learning experiences for a wide audience, including students, teachers, and community members.
• Supervises and model best practices to ensure the safety and well-being of all visitors to the Outdoor Lab.
• Collaborates with the Science Office to align Outdoor Lab activities and instructional programs with the Virginia Standards of Learning.
• Develops and maintains staff scheduling and work shifts to include the fifth-grade overnight program; participate in the overnight program, when needed.
Evaluates the effectiveness of instructional staff and the custodian.
• Performs a variety of administrative duties related to student transportation, building and facilities utilization, maintenance, and food operations.
• Manages the Outdoor Lab budget to include ordering supplies; and submitting and paying invoices.
• Maintains payroll records, prepares timesheets for Outdoor Lab staff, and processes leave slips.
• Oversees the Outdoor Lab school trip schedule and reserves bus transportation; communicates with teacher coordinators and/or school administrators on trip logistics; and adjusts schedule based on inclement weather.
• Directs, manages, and coordinates all aspects of the Outdoor Lab Summer Camp.
• Collaborates with the Arlington Outdoor Education Association; when appropriate, attends board meetings and Open Houses; builds positive working relationships with stakeholders.
• Performs related work and other duties as required.
EXPERIENCE:
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
• Experience working with students, families, and staff from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Possess knowledge of best practices in instruction, and the ability to provide instructional leadership.
• Possess knowledge of the principles of effective supervision.
• Have the ability to work effectively with students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Possess excellent human relation skills and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Possess basic content knowledge in the life sciences, including native Virginia animals and plants.
• Patient, dependable, organized, and flexible.
• Ability to perform sustained physical activity outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Keep current with Wilderness First Aid, Food Service, and other related certifications necessary for the job responsibilities.
• Bilingual skills preferred but not required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
• Completion of a master's degree in school administration.
•Extensive or progressively more responsible experience as a teacher and administrator/principal or any equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the above noted knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Possession of the Postgraduate Professional Certificate issued by the Virginia State Board of Education indicating endorsement for administration and supervision, or eligible for the same.

APS should cut the bloat, skip the outdoor lab and send the kids on field trip to nature centers in Arlington. Those are already running, APS will not have to pay to run them.

They will if they want them to be open when they take the kids there.
And schools do take field trips to them already. At least they used to. They aren't open all that much anymore due to County cutting their hours years ago. They are simply not the same experience as Outdoor Lab.

You are contradicting yourself saying that they are both not open but APS does take field trips there. What is sooooo unique about the very limited time any student gets at the outdoor lab to justify such a high cost? What other school division operates its own private nature education center?

I didn't say they're entirely closed. The unique question has been answered elsewhere. I don't know what other school divisions across the country operate their own private nature education centers. Are we not supposed to do something because nobody else does it?

Not if we can't afford it. I'd prefer we pay our teachers. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely not a favorite thing to do anymore.

It’s not a favorite for lots of kids. The proponents are just very vocal that every kid loves it. They don’t. Two of my kids hated it and they went a decade ago.

No dog in this fight but it’s really not a life changing experience for the majority

Yup, same here. And even if it's a "favorite," I'd rather the school district focus on core instruction and paying teachers and updating our decrepit buildings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely not a favorite thing to do anymore.

It’s not a favorite for lots of kids. The proponents are just very vocal that every kid loves it. They don’t. Two of my kids hated it and they went a decade ago.

No dog in this fight but it’s really not a life changing experience for the majority

And I hear many teachers don't love it either (which I completely understand, they have to stay overnight and I sincerely doubt they get anything extra for doing so).

I hear people talk about all the life long memories. I went on an overnight school field trip in 5th grade (different state) and I remember NONE of it. Heck, I went on one in 8th grade and only remember bits and pieces of that one.

I can't believe APS expects teachers to chaperone an overnight field trip without paying them for it. If I was a teacher, I would just refuse. They all should. This is not right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely not a favorite thing to do anymore.

It’s not a favorite for lots of kids. The proponents are just very vocal that every kid loves it. They don’t. Two of my kids hated it and they went a decade ago.

No dog in this fight but it’s really not a life changing experience for the majority

And I hear many teachers don't love it either (which I completely understand, they have to stay overnight and I sincerely doubt they get anything extra for doing so).

I hear people talk about all the life long memories. I went on an overnight school field trip in 5th grade (different state) and I remember NONE of it. Heck, I went on one in 8th grade and only remember bits and pieces of that one.

I can't believe APS expects teachers to chaperone an overnight field trip without paying them for it. If I was a teacher, I would just refuse. They all should. This is not right.

Teaching is full of unwritten expectations like this. Our school system exists thanks to the good will of teachers doing lots of work for free. That, and the threat of retribution from administrators. You can certainly decline an unpaid overnight field trip opportunity, but if you have a bully principal, that’s a great way to get something unpleasant in return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely not a favorite thing to do anymore.

It’s not a favorite for lots of kids. The proponents are just very vocal that every kid loves it. They don’t. Two of my kids hated it and they went a decade ago.

No dog in this fight but it’s really not a life changing experience for the majority

And I hear many teachers don't love it either (which I completely understand, they have to stay overnight and I sincerely doubt they get anything extra for doing so).

I hear people talk about all the life long memories. I went on an overnight school field trip in 5th grade (different state) and I remember NONE of it. Heck, I went on one in 8th grade and only remember bits and pieces of that one.

I can't believe APS expects teachers to chaperone an overnight field trip without paying them for it. If I was a teacher, I would just refuse. They all should. This is not right.

Teaching is full of unwritten expectations like this. Our school system exists thanks to the good will of teachers doing lots of work for free. That, and the threat of retribution from administrators. You can certainly decline an unpaid overnight field trip opportunity, but if you have a bully principal, that’s a great way to get something unpleasant in return.

There's a need to stand up to and change the current culture of corruption with APS admins. Teachers and parents need to be vocal and put our students first!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely not a favorite thing to do anymore.

It’s not a favorite for lots of kids. The proponents are just very vocal that every kid loves it. They don’t. Two of my kids hated it and they went a decade ago.

No dog in this fight but it’s really not a life changing experience for the majority

And I hear many teachers don't love it either (which I completely understand, they have to stay overnight and I sincerely doubt they get anything extra for doing so).

I hear people talk about all the life long memories. I went on an overnight school field trip in 5th grade (different state) and I remember NONE of it. Heck, I went on one in 8th grade and only remember bits and pieces of that one.

I can't believe APS expects teachers to chaperone an overnight field trip without paying them for it. If I was a teacher, I would just refuse. They all should. This is not right.

Teaching is full of unwritten expectations like this. Our school system exists thanks to the good will of teachers doing lots of work for free. That, and the threat of retribution from administrators. You can certainly decline an unpaid overnight field trip opportunity, but if you have a bully principal, that’s a great way to get something unpleasant in return.

Wow - the tone deafness of this sort of comment blows my mind. My employer expects be to travel to locations all over the country, taking time away from my family, starting my day with 6 am breakfast meetings, working all day, and then having dinner meetings that go until 11pm. I do this several times a month and am not paid extra. Most of my colleagues and I clock 45-50 hours a week (when not traveling) year round. Most professionals do "lots of work for free". And yes there would be "retribution" from my leadership in the form of being fired if I refused to do a part of my job. I really cannot get worked up over teachers having to do a single overnight once per year.

[Anonymous]

The overnight part of outdoor lab is not required- it is optional. At my children’s school it was decided they would do 2 consecutive day trips. The teachers did not want to stay overnight and the admin supported them. Additionally the schools don’t get to choose their trip dates. They are assigned by APS and schools find out right before the year begins. Teachers might already have commitments they can’t miss if they are at the beginning of the year.
I support teachers not having to spend the night with our children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely not a favorite thing to do anymore.

It’s not a favorite for lots of kids. The proponents are just very vocal that every kid loves it. They don’t. Two of my kids hated it and they went a decade ago.

No dog in this fight but it’s really not a life changing experience for the majority

And I hear many teachers don't love it either (which I completely understand, they have to stay overnight and I sincerely doubt they get anything extra for doing so).

I hear people talk about all the life long memories. I went on an overnight school field trip in 5th grade (different state) and I remember NONE of it. Heck, I went on one in 8th grade and only remember bits and pieces of that one.

I can't believe APS expects teachers to chaperone an overnight field trip without paying them for it. If I was a teacher, I would just refuse. They all should. This is not right.

Teaching is full of unwritten expectations like this. Our school system exists thanks to the good will of teachers doing lots of work for free. That, and the threat of retribution from administrators. You can certainly decline an unpaid overnight field trip opportunity, but if you have a bully principal, that’s a great way to get something unpleasant in return.

Wow - the tone deafness of this sort of comment blows my mind. My employer expects be to travel to locations all over the country, taking time away from my family, starting my day with 6 am breakfast meetings, working all day, and then having dinner meetings that go until 11pm. I do this several times a month and am not paid extra. Most of my colleagues and I clock 45-50 hours a week (when not traveling) year round. Most professionals do "lots of work for free". And yes there would be "retribution" from my leadership in the form of being fired if I refused to do a part of my job. I really cannot get worked up over teachers having to do a single overnight once per year.

Teachers work on contract hours and you probably don't. Also guessing you are paid quite a bit more than teachers.

[Anonymous]

Need an audit of the current Outdoor Lab program and staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. There are adults in our school community with histories of various crimes, and I don’t want my kid to be at risk at all. The school refuses to explain how parents are matched with kids and don’t explain where they will change, etc. I was feeling like I was overreacting but I am feeling less so now.

You are not over reacting. You are doing good parenting. Safety of your child should be your top priority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Need an audit of the current Outdoor Lab program and staff.

Don't even spend $ on that, just shut it down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The overnight part of outdoor lab is not required- it is optional. At my children’s school it was decided they would do 2 consecutive day trips. The teachers did not want to stay overnight and the admin supported them. Additionally the schools don’t get to choose their trip dates. They are assigned by APS and schools find out right before the year begins. Teachers might already have commitments they can’t miss if they are at the beginning of the year.
I support teachers not having to spend the night with our children.

All true. Also: the overnight part is optional (by school) now, only since the Oakridge incident. Until then it was always mandatory/assumed. Now schools can decide - many principals make that decision for teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The overnight part of outdoor lab is not required- it is optional. At my children’s school it was decided they would do 2 consecutive day trips. The teachers did not want to stay overnight and the admin supported them. Additionally the schools don’t get to choose their trip dates. They are assigned by APS and schools find out right before the year begins. Teachers might already have commitments they can’t miss if they are at the beginning of the year.
I support teachers not having to spend the night with our children.

All true. Also: the overnight part is optional (by school) now, only since the Oakridge incident. Until then it was always mandatory/assumed. Now schools can decide - many principals make that decision for teachers.

The statement is illogical, wasting over $300,000 on two administrators who are not supporting instruction. The overnight trip is optional, allowing schools flexibility, but APS assigning dates last-minute disregards teachers' commitments. This misallocation of funds fails students and staff. Resources should directly support learning and well-being, not needless bureaucracy that demoralizes dedicated educators. Prioritizing students and valuing teachers is crucial for a thriving school system.