Welcome to CSS! Whether this is your family’s first CSS summer or hundredth, here is a cheat sheet of this summer’s activities for you to preview. Mark your calendars and prepare to get the full Science School experience.
June 29 and 30: Unpacking the School
Session A/AB teachers and all assistants will be setting up the schoolhouse for opening day. If this is your first summer, please feel free to stop by between 1pm and 3pm on 6/30 for a brief visit to introduce yourself to Kate Schafer, CSS Director.
July 3rd: First Day of Classes (Sessions A and AB)
Make sure to send your child wearing closed toed shoes which can get wet, with sunscreen applied. A hat and a water bottle are optional but helpful. At the beginning of each class, Kate will address all families in the schoolyard. Parents will get important information such as parking, pick up and drop off. Plan ahead — parking is not available on School Street. Please walk to the schoolyard if you can. Otherwise, park at a metered spot to gather in the schoolyard.
July 4, Noon: Woods Hole Fourth of July Parade
No classes today. Come cheer on the 2023 CSS Assistants as they march in the parade! It is always a fun surprise to see how they’ve dressed up to celebrate and the humor of the local laboratory participants is an added bonus!
July 5th, 6-7pm: Back to School Night (Session A)
This is a chance for parents and families to meet their child’s teacher and teaching assistants in the classroom, hear about what your child will learn in class and the fun activities and field trips they will experience. The hour is broken up into four 15-minute periods (8:30am classes will meet 6:00-6:10pm, 10:30am classes will meet 6:15-6:25pm, 12:30pm classes will meet 6:30-6:40pm and 2:30pm classes meet 6:45-6:55pm). There are light refreshments served in the schoolyard courtesy of the CSS Hospitality Committee. Kids and families can socialize in the schoolyard. The CSS Store is open if you’d like to purchase a CSS t-shirt, bag, mug, rain jacket, artwork or other CSS items! WHOI opens up their School Street Parking Lot to CSS for this event.
July 19, 7-8pm: Open Board Meeting
Come to the schoolhouse to meet the Board and offer any thoughts or ideas you may have. All are welcome!
July ??: CSS Volunteer Party
Time and location to be announced. CSS is a remarkable success story relying on close to 100 volunteers to create the fun summer experience for our kids each year. If you have volunteered or sign up to volunteer for this summer’s session, you will be invited to this party to kick back and relax.
July 21: Session A Open House
Parents, please come by for the last 15 minutes of each class, to view classroom aquaria, art projects, and experiments. Parking is not available on School Street. Please plan accordingly.
July 24: Session B Begins
July 25, 6-7pm: Back to School Night (Session B)
This is a chance for parents and families to meet your child’s teacher and science assistants in the classroom, and hear about what your child will learn in class and the fun activities and field trips they will experience. The hour is broken up into four periods (8:30am classes will meet 6:00-6:10pm, 10:30am classes will meet 6:15-6:25pm, 12:30pm classes will meet 6:30-6:40pm and 2:30pm classes meet 6:45-6:55pm). There are light refreshments served in the schoolyard courtesy of the CSS Hospitality Committee. Kids and families can socialize in the schoolyard. WHOI opens up their School Street Parking Lot to CSS for this event.
July 27, 5:00-7:00pm: CSS Annual Picnic
Held at Woods Hole Taft Ball Park off of Millfield Street. The Assistants are the hosts for this event. Bring your own picnic dinner, relax and have fun as the Assistants organize games for the kids. Brownies and watermelon are provided. It is a fun evening of fresh air, games and fun! You will find out what “uca uca limulus” really means. WHOI opens up their School Street Parking Lot to CSS for this event.
August 7, 7:30-9pm: CSS Annual Meeting
At a location to be confirmed. As much a celebration as a meeting, this is a special evening. Featuring reports from CSS committees, recognition of our teachers, assistants and student lifer awards, end of year slide show and lots and lots of refreshments. The children are welcome and this is a great opportunity for them to see the full spectrum of Science School offerings in one night.
August 9, 5-6:30pm: Open House (Session B and AB)
Parents and families are invited to the school to view classroom aquaria, art projects and experiments. The hour is broken up into four periods (8:30am classes will meet 5:10-5:25pm, 10:30am classes will meet 5:30-5:45pm, 12:30pm classes will meet 5:50-6:05pm and 2:30pm classes meet 6:10-6:25pm). There are light refreshments served in the schoolyard courtesy of the CSS Hospitality Committee. Kids and families can socialize in the schoolyard. Last sale day of the season for the CSS Store! WHOI opens up their School Street Parking Lot to CSS for this event.
August 10 and 11: Packing the School
Session B/AB teachers and all assistants will be cleaning and packing the school, starting from the final bell after the last classes on August 10th. See you in 2024!