Exploremore

Volunteer Assignments

All volunteer assignments were sent home last week in your child’s folder. If you cannot find it, it is the pdf attachment named lead volunteers at the bottom of the page. Please read through all of the attached documents! We look forward to seeing you Friday! Exploremore goes on rain or shine so please come prepared for all weather options as we will go outside any time we possibly can!

What is Exploremore?

Exploremore is an incredible event sponsored by the Parent Associations for the lower school children. It is KCD’s version of a field day, but it is not a traditional day of games and races. On Exploremore, children in kindergarten through fourth grade get to choose six different classes in which to participate. Junior kindergarten students choose three classes to take in the morning and get to rest in the afternoon. A picnic lunch is held on the playground, and all parents are encouraged to attend (and they usually do). Younger siblings are invited to attend the picnic lunch only.

What are the classes?

These courses are a mixture of sports activities, crafts, nontraditional science classes, and just plain fun! The 2009 theme was “Survivor.” The class offerings are listed below: Waterfall Water Slide, Flag Football, Rock Climbing Wall, Martial Arts, Wacky Relays, Velocity Obstacle Course, Tennis, Golf, Survival Hike, Survival Games, Soccer, Lei Making, Hula Dance, Island Baking, Candy Creations, Hair, Makeup & Nails, Make Your Own Spa Stuff, Shrinky Dinks, Buried Treasure, Native Beasts, Super Silly Sushi, Volcano Science, GPS Scavenger Hunt, Treasure Hunt, and Dad’s Construction Crew.

Who teaches the classes?

Another element of Exploremore that makes it so special is that all of the classes are led by parent volunteers—you! Parents are given the opportunity to sign up for the classes that they are interested in teaching. No experience is necessary—just a commitment to spend the entire school day teaching the class to which you have been assigned.

Do I go to the classes with my children?

No, parent volunteers stay in the class they are assigned to teach. The children change classes and will see you when they take your class. We have a full team of security volunteers who help escort the kids to their different classes.

Can I bring my younger children?

While younger siblings are invited to attend the picnic lunch, we do not have the space for them to participate in other activities of the day. Because this is a special day for KCD students, we do request that parents make other arrangements for younger siblings while volunteering.

Do I have to volunteer?

With approximately 350 students in almost 30 classes taught across an 85-acre campus, it takes about 150 parent volunteers to pull this off! The children do look forward to having at least one parent somewhere on campus on Exploremore Day. Every bit of help is appreciated, and it’s fun!

Do I bring my own picnic?

Lunch for KCD students will be provided by the Exploremore Committee. Box lunches can be ordered for nonstudents (order forms will be included in the March take home packet). Of course, you are always welcome to bring your own lunches. Be sure to bring chairs and/or a tarp or blanket!

What do we wear?

Things can get really messy on Exploremore Day, so t-shirts and athletic shorts are best. Each year, the Exploremore Committee works hard to come up with a festive theme and design for the day. T-shirts and sack packs (to carry towels, clothes, and crafts) with the year’s design can be purchased for both students and volunteers. The order form will be sent home in the spring.

How is Exploremore funded?

The sales of the t-shirts, sack packs, and box lunches pay for the bulk of the expenses. but funds are raised in several ways. The Parent Association hosts various fund-raising events, such as the Father-Daughter Dance, to support Exploremore. We are grateful to a number of generous donors such as Najla’s Cookies, who sponsor specific classes. Najla’s Carpool Cookie Program (cookies sold in carpool line on the last Friday of each month) also helps to pay for some of the many wonderful activities presented. Please see the list of these great companies who helped to make Exploremore 2009 a huge success.

Why is this day so special?

Exploremore is special for many reasons. First and foremost is the community created by so many parents on campus. The children absolutely love to have their parents at school, even if they are not with them the entire day. Parents get to meet other parents and they get to meet other students and see them in action! Exploremore is a day of learning “outside the box” for all lower school students. The activities offered give the kids a chance to try something new or look at something “old” in a “new” way! It is also a celebration for the fourth grade students who will be moving on to Middle School. The day begins with an assembly to fire up the kids and to honor the “seniors” of the Lower School. The assembly usually includes some cute competitions between students and teachers as well as video and special song performed by the fourth grade class. Fourth grade parents will not want to miss the assembly.

When does this all happen?

Exploremore will be held on Friday, May 14, 2010. Your child will receive a packet in early March. Together, you and your child will fill out the course request form and you will fill out the volunteer vorm. The t-shirt and box lunch order form will also come home at that time. All forms should be returned to the teacher by the date listed. Volunteers will receive their assignments two weeks prior to Exploremore. T-shirts are delivered the day before Exploremore, and student schedules are distributed the day of Exploremore. Mark your calendars now and get ready to spend a wonderful and wacky day with your student(s) at KCD!