Children's Zoo Trip Reminders

1. Children should come to the classroom at 8:40 AM. We need to find our partners, go to the bathroom, give out name tags, check lunches and review what is expected of the children and the chaperones at the zoo.

2. Pack a lunch in a paper bag and label it with your child's name. Make as much of it disposable as you can. No thermos bottles or lunch kits please.

3. Dress for the weather. If it is raining, children should wear a raincoat or a poncho. The program can be altered to include more indoor time, if needed. Children should also wear comfortable shoes as we will be doing a lot of walking. Chaperones are not to carry any children around the zoo.

4. Please do not give your child any spending money. The teachers will provide a souvenir for each child when we get back to school.

5. Please leave enough room in the Bus Area for our bus to unload safely when we return. The children should go to their classroom to be accounted for and to get their souvenir. Dismissal is around 2:00 PM.



1. Many hours are spent preparing for an educational and safe class trip. The children need to be supervised and we are depending on your help to be a chaperone. If you discover you cannot go, please call 610-534-1900 ext 1444 to alert your teacher so we can rearrange the groups/chaperones before the children arrive at 8:40 AM on the day of our trip.

2. School policy does not permit brothers or sisters to attend a class trip so please do not bring little ones along. School policy also does not permit smoking at any time while on a class trip. The Brandywine Zoo does not permit smoking at any time.

3. As you know, parking at Lakeview all day is a problem. If you plan to leave your car at school while you are at the zoo you may park in the lake parking lot or just around the corner on W. Ridley Avenue.

4. All Kdg children will ride on the bus. We will form carpools to drive the chaperones to the zoo. Parking at The Brandywine Zoo is free.

5. Chaperones who are driving other grownups to the zoo can park their vehicle along Constitution Avenue at 8:40am, making sure to leave room for the children to board the bus safely.

6. Pack a lunch in a paper bag and label it with your name. The chaperones may wish to bring a bag with handles to keep their group's lunches together. In the past we have been allowed to leave our lunches on the bus and did not have to carry them. After lunch we must carry our trash out with us. Chaperones may also wish to bring a camera.

7. Dress for the weather. If it is raining, children and chaperones should wear a raincoat or a poncho. Chaperones should also bring an umbrella. The program can be altered to include more indoor time, if needed. Wear comfortable shoes as we will be doing a lot of walking. Chaperones are not to carry their child during our visit to the zoo.

8. Come to the classroom at 8:40 AM with your child. We need to find our partners, give out name tags, check lunches and review what is expected of the children and chaperones at the zoo.

9. Before we board the bus we urge all children and chaperones to use the bathroom.

10. You are responsible for the children in your group. Show them how to listen and participate in the activities. Please help keep the children quiet when the zoo guides are speaking. Children may not climb over fences or barriers. Children are not to pick any flowers or harm any plants or animals. Children are not to run around the zoo and should be polite to other zoo visitors. Children are NEVER to go anywhere alone or without an adult. Be alert and let the teachers or aides know immediately if someone is missing!

11. All 3 classes will attend the educational program at 9:45 AM at the Education Building that lasts about an hour and a half. We will learn about "Zoo Animals and Me." Here's the program description: "Children will explore the magic of the five senses. Students will learn how some animal senses are like humans and some are very different. Fun activities and age appropriate discussion will make learning fun!"

12. All 3 classes will eat lunch after the educational program around 11:30 AM. There are 2 picnic areas. There is one near the river otters and also a large picnic area across the street from the zoo by the river. We need to wash our hands before we eat. There is a large restroom near the Gift Shop at the zoo entrance. For safety, mothers should take the boys in the Ladies Room. Do not send any children in the bathroom alone!

13. After lunch you will receive an Observation Packet to complete with your child/group. Please make your group's visit a learning experience by observing the river otters, ducks, and monkeys and completing the scavenger hunt in between. Chaperones should read several of the items you are looking for and let the children predict what animal might be the answer. Chaperones should read the signs out loud and encourage the children to read with you. Point to familiar words and look for answers together. Don’t worry if you cannot find all of the scavenger hunt answers. Teaching, predicting, talking, pointing, sharing, observing, etc are more important than getting all the blanks filled in.

14. In fairness to the rest of the groups, please do not buy refreshments or souvenirs for your child or group. Please do not give your child any spending money. The teachers will provide a small souvenir for each child when we get back to school.

15. We will all meet at the main entrance located near the Gift Shop and large bathroom to board the bus at 1:15 PM. The children will meet in the classroom when we arrive back at school to be accounted for and to get their souvenir. Dismissal is around 2:00 PM.

WE'RE HOPING FOR A DAY OF SUN AND FUN!!

Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Kane