This will be our second year of combining Experiential Days in the Lower School, Breakaway in the Middle School, and Winterim in the Upper School into one Catlin Gabel Experiential Week. We are committed to this schedule for the following reasons:

* Backing it up to spring break means that students in grades 5-12 can be involved in national and international trips missing fewer, if any classes. Flight costs will also be lower with departures the week before spring break.
* Better weather allows for more local experiential opportunities (the Upper School Winterim used to be in February).
* Sets the stage for cross-age connections among divisions.
* Opens up student leadership opportunities (such as US students helping to lead groups for LS and MS students).
* Good timing for students – there is a natural “pause” in studies during spring break already.

Isn't it a little early to start talking about Winterim, Breakaway, and Experiential Days?
In an effort to coordinate transportation and limit our carbon footprint, we are mindful of the need for early planning so that various groups can share transportation.
 
Will regular bus service be offered during these four days?
No. Our regular bus service will be suspended March 16–19 so that all of our school buses and drivers are available for trips. We know from experience that bus ridership on our regular routes falls off sharply during experiential learning periods.
 
I have kids in all three divisions -- what about paying for three offerings all at once?
If you find your children are signing up for offerings that stretch your budget, the business office is happy to create a payment plan that works for you. Financial aid applications are provided with experiential course catalogs.

What about sports for my Upper School student?
Preseason practices for track & field, tennis, golf, and baseball are concurrent with Winterim. We expect students who have committed to spring athletics teams to sign up for experiential offerings in town. We are making a special effort to offer interesting in-town options. Please note that there will be no conflict for Middle School athletes.

How can parents support this week of experiential learning?
We truly appreciate parent help. We will ask for parent volunteers to assist with some courses. Additionally, in an effort to keep costs down, we will look within our community for lodging possibilities in areas where we are planning experiential trips. If you can help in this capacity, your donation qualifies for a tax deduction. Thanks to the generosity of many parents, we have been able to cut costs significantly.
 
As a family, we were thinking of having our child miss the four days before spring break to take a two-week trip on our own -- how will this work? Or could we leave a day or two early to extend our spring break?
Students are expected to participate in all four days. Learning by doing is integral to a Catlin Gabel education. Experiential Days, Breakaway, and Winterim are core components of the curriculum and are a high point of the year for students.
 
Wouldn't this be a good time for me to take my Upper School student for a college visit?
Please see above. We ask that you not use these four days for college visits.
 
Will Before- and After-School Care still be available for students in preschool through grade 8?
Yes. Beginning School is still in session so Extended Day Care will be uninterrupted. Many of the Lower School and Middle School offerings occur on campus and are held during regular school hours, so students can still arrive as early as 7:15 a.m. and stay until 6 p.m. in After-School Care.