GTA6 Field Experience - Tues 9/22

Focusing on the Nine Weeks Concept of FOUNDATIONS, GTA6 students are investigating the human foundations represented by various and diverse religious and cultural traditions to nurture mutual understanding, empathy, cultural awareness, and tolerance. Students are making connections, noting the common foundations of human culture and various traditions while striving to understand differences they observe as well.

On Tuesday 9/22, students will visit the Islamic Da'wah Center and eat lunch at Market Square in Houston. While on this field experience, students will add to their notes and complete assignments specially designed by the GTA6 Teaching Team to capitalize on this experiential investigation.

Please complete, sign, and return permission slips by Friday, September 18th. Please verify with your child that he/she turned his in. If there is ANY doubt, it is better to be safe than sorry and complete the permission slip below.

WHERE TO REPORT WHEN RELEASED TO CLASS

BUS # and GROUP #

For the most part, students will be in the same groups, with the same teachers, on the same bus. Just a few will be shuffled dependent only upon which parents sign up as chaperones. The REVISED list will be communicated at school and sent in a forthcoming newsletter.

WHAT TO BRING

• a completely disposable sack lunch.
• a string backpack or small bag for school materials.
• pencils and/or pens with which to write.
• a clipboard or notebook to provide a firm surface for taking notes on the notes page.
• Note: The GTA6 teachers will provide the note-taking page.

Students should leave their computers at home; they are not needed on this day.

WHAT TO WEAR
Students should wear the GTA6 shirt. Shirts will be distributed on MONDAY, SEPTEMPER 21st! If you have NOT paid GTA6 dues, do so NOW--student shirts are issued AFTER dues are paid.
Students should wear pants (no skirts or shorts on this field experience).

Students should wear closed-toe shoes.
Students must otherwise dress in accordance with FBISD dress code.

Students MAY dress in culturally appropriate clothing such as one would normally wear to the Islamic Da'wah Center if they so desire. If dressed in a traditionally accepted manner, their "shirt" does NOT have to be blue.

EXPECTATIONS
Students are expected to be respectful and listen to chaperones, teachers, and site representatives.
Students are expected to WALK on site and keep their hands and belongings to themselves.

Students are expected to stay seated on the buses and use level 1 indoor voices.

Students are expected to clean up after themselves at all locations.

Students are expected to focus on and work on their note-taking page and to be thoughtful and complete when taking notes.

Students are expected to ask questions, engage, and learn!

As an extension of GTA6 students learning about the refugee experience, GTA6 students will participate in a community service project to benefit refugee families living in Houston, TX.

From now through October 28th, students and their families are invited to donate by choosing from the list of products featured on our SignUp Genius (see link below).

Our donation drive will culminate with an on-campus packing event scheduled for Monday, November 2nd wherein students will create greeting cards and assemble hygiene baskets that will be donated to Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston (IMGH)—one of the largest refugee resettlement agencies in the city. You can learn more about IMGH at the link provided below.

The plan is as follows:
1. Please donate by signing up at the link below.
2. Bring donations to Mr. Bernhart’s office, Room 327, between September 14th and October 28th. If Mr. Bernhart’s office is closed, students should bring donations to their advisory teacher’s room.
3. Baskets will be assembled Monday, November 2nd and delivered to IMGH with the help of parent volunteers.

Hosted by Doreen Lee, GTA7 Team Leader and QVMS COGS (Champion of Gifted Services), this will be a meeting providing an overview how GT services are provided in FBISD. All parents of GT-identified students are encouraged to attend.

Joseph Bernhart

Academy Coordinator

Gifted and Talented Academy

Quail Valley Middle School

(281) 634-6687

joseph.bernhart@fortbendisd.gov