September 1, 2015
Dear Parents,
This year we will enhance the curriculum by inviting artists to be in residence with us during the
fall and spring seasons. This fall, Ms. Suzanne Fierston, a member of the Montgomery County
Arts and Humanities Council, will join us. She has been teaching as an artist-in-residence in
Montgomery County public schools since 2005, focusing on third through eighth grades. You
can learn more about her work by visiting her website: http://www.suzannefierston.com.
We asked Ms. Fierston to focus on nature journaling with our students. Specifically, students
will create an illustrated nature journal that includes original drawings, recording of data (such as
bloom dates of flowering trees), scientific observations of the local watershed, and original
poetry. This interdisciplinary residency will bring together elements of science, math, language
arts and fine arts. As part of this study, students will learn elements of printmaking, watercolor
painting and contour drawing by going outside the classroom and drawing, painting and printing
from nature. Our observation site will be Moyer Park.
Our four lessons will include:
September – Introduction to the “Eight Treasures”. Through nature, students will learn
the power of observation which is critical not only for scientists but for writers, too! They
will create a field journal to explore nature, collect specimens, and write their own
observations about the environment.
October – Students will investigate changes in Moyer Park and record their observations
in their field journal. They will make foil relief prints of autumn leaves. Students will
investigate shape, lines, texture, color, form, values, and positive and negative space.
November – Our field investigation will continue in Moyer Park. Students will learn
how to make leaf rubbings to create an “Andy Warhol” inspired composition. Color
theory will be explored to assist students with making choices.
December – We will make one final visit to Moyer Park. Students will continue their
field journal entries. They will learn how to capture nature though contour drawing and
use this skill to enhance their poetry.
We will display all work at the annual Clearspring Art Show toward the end of the year.
The cost for these in-school field trips will be $20.00 per student. This money will be used to
cover the artist’s fee and materials. Please complete the attached form and return it to us by
Tuesday, September 8, 2015. We are deeply grateful for your support in this worthy endeavor.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Cumberland & Mrs. Hoffman
Clearspring Elementary
PARENT APPROVAL FOR FIELD TRIP
Teacher: Mrs. Cumberland/Mrs. Hoffman
Grade: 5
Cost: $20.00
Approximate time of return: 3:00
Time of Departure: 9:00
Date(S) of trip: 9/15, 10/13, 1/17, 12/15
We are always appreciative of any donations to the Clearspring Field Trip Fund.
Destination: Moyer Park
Transportation from school via: We will walk to the park.
Objectives: Students will learn observation and art skills to sharpen their skills as scientists and writers.
Student Name: ______________________________
Amount Enclosed for Field trip: ___
Date: _____________
Amount Enclosed for Clearspring Field Trip Fund: ____
Do you give permission for this student to go on the above stated Field Trip?
Yes
No
Parent’s
Signature:____________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number in Case of an Emergency:
______________________________________________________________
In case of emergency students will be taken to Clearspring.
PARENT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Clearspring Elementary School wish to advise parents and
guardians of the potential financial responsibility they may incur in the event that the activity named above is cancelled,
delayed, interrupted, or revised.
A decision may be made by the school or by MCPS, in accordance with the MCPS School Travel Policy, to cancel the
trip for safety or other reasons. In the event of such a cancellation, the trip operator’s cancellation policies, as well as
those of the hotels, bus companies and others providing services in connection with the trip, will determine the amount
of any refund to which you are entitled, if any. This will depend upon the date any cancellation occurs. As you would
expect, the closer to the date of the trip that a cancellation occurs, the more likely you will receive a smaller refund due
to non-refundable payments made by the trip operator to others on your behalf. Please note that, while trip operators
generally will make every effort to minimize your financial exposure in the event of a cancellation, we are unable to
anticipate the amount of any refund at this time should the trip be cancelled. In addition, please be advised that, for
safety or other reasons, the trip may be delayed or interrupted once it is underway. In that event, it may be necessary
for students to remain away for an extended time, thereby incurring additional room and board costs. It may also be
necessary to modify itineraries or other travel arrangement, thereby requiring additional transportation costs.
Neither MCPS nor Clearspring Elementary School will be responsible for any additional costs that may be incurred as
a result of any delay, interruption or revision to the trip. By signing below, parents and guardians acknowledge they
have read this notice and accept responsibility for any loss of trip fees due to cancellation and any potential additional
costs that may be incurred as a result of any delay, interruption or revision to the trip.
Information Regarding Travel Insurance
Although there are many travel insurance providers, the scope and cost of the coverage they provide varies widely.
The one consistency, however, is that the cancellation of a school trip by school officials is not a “covered event” under
travel insurance policies when the cancellation is purely precautionary. Nonetheless, travel insurance may be helpful
should a trip be cancelled, delayed or interrupted due to other causes. If group travel insurance is unavailable,
impractical, or inappropriate for a particular trip (e.g., only a small number of students are traveling or the cost of the
trip is not substantial) parents/guardians may still wish to purchase travel insurance on their own.
Payment for this trip may be made online at http://osp.osmsinc.com/montgomeryMD.
Please note that a .0375% fee will be charged by Online School Management Systems, Inc.,
for each transaction. This fee is not refundable.
___________________________________________________
____/____/____
Signature, Parent, Legal Guardian, or Eligible Student
Date
Please note: There will be a $25 fee charged for all returned checks.