- What program elements are included with the cost of the program?
Our program fees include the following features:
- Teacher Training and/or Material Pick-Up date
- Volunteer Orientation
- Pre-visit classroom curriculum
- Curriculum aligned to MO & KS state standards
- Lessons designed with research-based instructional strategies
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- EarthWorks is so great! How can you afford such an awesome program and include all of these features?
The program fees cover only half of the true cost it takes to run our program. The other half is covered by grants, sponsorships and donations. Program costs include purchase of raw materials, student materials, technology, animal care, building costs such as rent and utilities, as well as the salaries of the certified teaching staff.
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- Can you accommodate a special needs student? What jobs would you recommend for a student with special needs?
Yes. EarthWorks is wheelchair accessible, and the program welcomes children with various needs, as well as their support staff. Although all jobs are looked at with equal status, some students with specific needs may work better in certain jobs. Please contact your EarthWorks program staff for recommendations.
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- We are a school that may need help with funding. Are grants or scholarships available? What are some fundraising ideas so that I can bring my class?
Because we are a field experience with an educational curriculum -- not just a “field trip” – funds can be requested from your school’s curriculum budget. PTO’s or PTA’s are also good sources of funding. Many districts have an Educational Foundation. A partial list of educational grant opportunities can be found at http://www.grantsalert.com/. Another option would be to contact local merchants in your area for funding.
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- Can you give my school a discount?
Because EarthWorks is run by a non-profit organization, the per-student fee that we charge schools actually covers less than half of the cost that it takes to run our educational programs. The rest of the money to cover our costs comes from the Cody Foundation underwriting, grants, sponsors, and donations. However, we do offer 10% off for schools who attend both Exchange City and EarthWorks and 5% off for early enrolllment (enrollment received before March 31st for the following school year).
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- When are the trainings?
Teacher Trainings are held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Material Pick-Up dates are scheduled once a month. Volunteer Orientations are held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on specified Tuesday evenings. You can attend a Teacher Training/Material Pick-Up date or Volunteer Orientation at any time during the school year regardless of when your visit is scheduled.
Trainings for both teachers and volunteers can be found under training schedules. To sign up for a Teacher Training/Material Pick-Up date go to the teacher section of our site and click on Teacher Training Confirmation. Teachers need to make reservations for their school volunteers for Volunteer Orientation.Go to the teacher section of our site and click on Volunteer Orientation Reservation. It is advised to include all volunteers on one form.
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- I am a teacher that is new to the EarthWorks program. Do I need to attend training?
Yes. All participants, both teachers and volunteers, are required to be trained in our program. All new EarthWorks teachers need to attend a three hour teacher training session that will include introduction to the EarthWorks classroom curriculum, preparation details for your school’s visit, tour of the site, and introduction of experiential methods.
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- I am a teacher who came to training last year. Is it necessary for me to come to training this year?
Perhaps. If a teacher feels they need a refresher course on the curriculum, they may attend a new Teacher Training session to highlight current curriculum enhancements and review curriculum changes even if they are already familiar with the Exchange City program. Material Pick-Up dates are also scheduled once a month for returning teachers to pick up student materials.
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- How soon can I register for next year to ensure I get the date I want?
Right now. Registration for next year is already available. Please submit the electronic enrollment application online and specify the year for which you are enrolling.
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- How do I enroll?
Click on the "Teacher Information" button on the EarthWorks page of the website.
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- How do I send in my student assignment list?
Via the website. Click on the "Teacher Information" button on the EarthWorks page of the website or fax it to 816-454-0557.
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- How do I get the password to download the curriculum?
Teachers are given their passwords during Teacher Trainings and/or Material Pick-ups.
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- When can I pick up my student materials?
Student materials are available for pick up during Teacher Trainings and/or Material Pick-ups.
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- Are refunds available for returned materials or for students who are absent the day of our scheduled visit?
No. Billing is based on the number of materials received by a school; therefore, refunds are not available for absent students or for returned unused materials.
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- What if my school needs to arrive at a time different than the normal 9:30 am - 2:30 pm day?
Some schools may need to adapt their visit schedule to accommodate their bus schedule. Typically, students partake in most planned sections of the day with minimal time alterations. We try to schedule a full five hours into your EarthWorks day. However, there may be necessary modifications to the schedule. We will work to insure that each school has the best EarthWorks experience possible. It is important, however, to coordinate arrival and departures time with your shared school(s). Be sure to confirm your school’s arrival and departure times with EarthWorks staff so that we can be prepared for your school’s visit.
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- What if we can not get enough volunteers?
Volunteers play an essential role in our programs, and we require the indicated number of volunteers for each program. We suggest contacting student family members such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles. We also suggest using other school staff members such as librarians, secretaries, and paraprofessionals. Some schools recruit volunteers from the local senior high schools. Be sure to select quality volunteers who can attend Volunteer Orientation as well as the EarthWorks visit.
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- We are a school who has been attending for the past 10 years. Why do we have to share a day?
There is an optimum number of students to not only make it cost productive but to ensure the optimal experience. Sharing the day provides a wonderful opportunity for real world situations and solutions.
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- Do you have a microwave I can use for my lunch the day we visit?
We do have a microwave on site but is for staff use. We strongly suggest bringing lunches that do not need microwaving. We recommend bringing an ecological lunch just as the students do.
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- What do you get when you decide to sponsor an animal?
An adoption notice will be placed on the animal’s cage. A certificate of appreciation, a picture of the animal and information about the animal will go to the sponsor.
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