Green Roof Trip Thursday

I've heard from a decent number of people that they are able to attend the trip this Thursday.  If you are still interested, please notify me.  There is still room on the bus.

As it turns out, I'm told we will be ending things out at SIUE at 5:30, so we'll probably be back more like 6:30.

Please send a snack with your RK so we can all avoid the afternoon hunger funk...I'm the only one allowed to be cranky.

We'll meet in my room right after school Thursday.  I'm not usually a stickler on time, but in order to make it to SIUE on time, we've got to bolt out of NCS.  The bus will pull away at 3:40, so please send word if you're running late...at least then we can avoid an embarrassing situation where you're driving behind us flashing your lights and swerving back and forth trying to get our attention while we're obnoxiously caught up in a rousing round of Johnnie's Got A Head Like A Ping-Pong Ball...

See ya!

Ben

RSVP River Trip

I need to collect a number for Land for Learning so they'll have enough canoes for us on Saturday and Sunday.

Please reply to this email with IN or OUT status as soon as possible

We've adjusted the float takeoff time to 1pm for those coming late.

Ben

Earth Day and more

Thanks to all the kids and family members who made this Earth Day experience another success.  While we sold some items and met a lot of great people who were interested in what River Kids is and what we do, but the hit of the day was the stream table.

There were many kids and adults who visited the booth who were absolutely enthralled by the River Kids as they led lessons on the Stream Table...The kids should be very proud of their work...tired, but proud.  I know I am...proud, that is.  Actually, tired too.

Thursday will be the first of three green roof trips.  I will send a separate email with a permission slip for that trip.

Saturday and Sunday will be the annual RK Camping Trip with Land for Learning, the same crew who operates the New City 4th and 6th grade camping trips during the school year.  I'll be sending yet another separate email regarding the details of that trip along with another permission slip.

I'll be in touch soon...and then soon after...

Ben

Green Roof Trip

I need confirmation from all RK families planning to attend the Green Roof Trip on Thursday from 3:40-7pm.  We will be meeting Dr. Retzlaff at SIUE to learn about the research they have been doing regarding green roofs.  This is an amazing opportunity for our kids and parents to get the inside scoop from a leader in the field.

We have a bus scheduled to take us on the trip.  River Kids may join us with or without parents, but kids attending without parents need a permission slip.  A reply to this email with the name of the River Kid inserted below will suffice.

I give permission for ____________ to travel by bus with River Kids to Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville to hear Dr. Bill Retzlaff speak and to tour the green roof research facilities there on April 30.  I understand that my child will be leaving from New City School at 3:40 and returning at 7pm.

The number to call that evening in case of emergency:______________________

Parent's e-signature:

Kids joining us with parents will not need a permission slip, but I do need to know you are planning to attend.  Just let me know who's coming in a reply.

Thanks!

Earth Day

Thank you to all the kids and family members who have signed up to take part in hosting our Earth Day booth at the Festival this Sunday. A special thanks to those who were able to dedicate hours of their free time in preparation. 18 kids showed up over the course of the three days to learn about the stream table and how to use it to teach others about rivers!

This is one event that has been on our schedule since the very beginning of River Kids...it's an RK tradition. And with the weather being what it appears it will be, this will be a beautiful day to be out in Forest Park!

We take part in this festival to fulfill our mission to teach others about rivers and related issues. This is a great opportunity for the kids to be advocates for rivers on one of the largest "stages" available.

On Sunday, many of our kids will operate a stream table where they get the chance to be the knowledgeable ones, the experienced ones...the leaders. Still others will have conversations with festival goers that open their eyes to the fact that kids can do amazing things. In our circles it's common sense that rivers need to be protected, and yet there are many, often even earth-minded, people out there that still don't understand just how important our mission is. I guarantee you there will be many people of all ages who walk away from our booth with a greater appreciation for our waterways and for our kids.

Attached is a map of the festival. Although we have not been given a specific site yet, we are within section 13, Nature and Natural Resources. We asked to be near a water source, so I'm hoping they will place us very close to the side of the section by the fountain. That would mean the kids would get less of an upper body workout transporting water buckets across the site...

We will also be selling River Kids merchandise to raise additional funds for our projects. We have recently added a set of small buttons/magnets, hats of various colors and designs, and 100% biodegradable water bottles to the list of products we offer.

River Kids who have not signed up for a specific time slot may still show up to work. Again, parents are more than welcome to stay and help, but I will be there all day with other adults to supervise any kids who need to show up without an adult.

I will be providing snacks and drinks for workers throughout the day. River Kids who will be working through lunch may want to bring lunch or money to purchase food at the festival.

I did not receive any volunteers for setup on Saturday night, so if you want to be a RK superhero, this is now an easy opportunity. We are allowed in the park from 4-7pm as it turns out, so I'll be packing everything up at NCS around 4pm and heading over. With some help, we could be done by dinner time. Let me know if you can help out.

Last thing...my cell is 314-680-9442 in case you need it this weekend. If you are leaving a child with me, it would be a good idea to make sure I have a contact number for you as well.

I'm looking forward to another great Earth Day experience!

Ben



Download attached file here.