Wrapping Up Wonderful Wednesday

Good Morning Families,

With all of the night time activities, we were unable to update you on the night's events.

Groups 5-8 were able to complete some great invertebrate labs during the afternoon. They get to touch many different creatures. One that they do not get to touch, but look at, is the Mantis Shrimp. It has a specially designed cage to ensure its safety. What defense mechanism does this shrimp have? It can shoot its mandibles out at the same speed of a bullet, causing a sonic boom in the water. Needless to say, it is always a sixth grade favorite.

Groups 1-4 dazzled us with their biceps, triceps, and rock climbing skills. They were able to dance, laugh, and challenge themselves with many different levels of difficulty. One of the favorite songs that played was Bohemian Rhapsody.

After a great taco Wednesday dinner, the students from Groups 1-4 either went on a great nike hike, or a night snorkel. On the night snorkel, students say sting rays, round rays, craps, a scorpion fish, and the biolumenesnce. The students from groups 5-8 went to Marine mammal hall and learned about some interesting facts. Including some about constipated whales.

This morning, the students are going on a sunrise hike and will complete their last snorkel.

Until later, Boy oh Boy is CIMI fun!

Best,
Sixth Grade Team

Wonderful Wednesday Morning Update

Good Morning Families!

We woke up to a lovely sunrise, during which the students were able to write in their journals by the beach. Kid paradise. After a breakfast full of waffles, the students entered the water for their basic snorkel. Groups traveled to Garibaldi rock and saw many different creatures including a pregnant crab!

We are heading down to the beach right now for a delicious beach BBQ. Afterwards the students will get some free time to play Gaga ball. Later today, students will tackle the climbing wall and show off their rock climbing skills.

More to come later!

Best,
Sixth Grade Team

Terrific Tuesday Update #2

Good Evening Families,

     While on the night dive, the students had an incredible time. An octopus was seen, bioluminescence was enjoyed, and hot chocolate was had by all. The night hikers were able to see many great constellations due to the clear skies and the lack of light pollution here on Catalina Island.
     Groups 1-4 were able to enjoy a great night lab called the creatures of the night. They were able to do a beloved CIMI tradition: Long Division. Sadly, this does not involve any decimals, but we are not able to explain here in order to keep the secret alive. Ask your child about it when you seem them Friday.
     Tomorrow the weather looks sunny, warm, and inviting. All groups will start the day off with a lovely, clear dive. We hope to see many more animals.
      That is all for now. The students are all warm, happy, and sound asleep in bed. Until the next update!
      Boy oh boy, was today a great day!

Best,
6th Grade Team

Tubular Tuesday Weeeooow!

   Adventure abounds at CIMI on this wonderful Tuesday. As you probably know, the day began with rain. Did that stop us? No! The kids went on their first snorkel this morning. Cautious at first, they became comfortable in the water and did a great job managing slightly choppy water. The best news is that visibility was very good and the kids saw all kinds of fish. We had reports of several sightings of kelp bass and half moon. 

     Free time followed the dive and a delicious lunch followed that. This afternoon, our instructors at CIMI were thinking ahead and adjusted our schedule in case of thunder. For the afternoon program, our kids rotated through several labs. They were able to pet sharks and rays during Shark Lab and look at plankton through microscopes. Everyone seemed quite happy.

     This evening includes one of the most outstanding CIMI activities: the night dive. Half of our kids are able to choose this or an alternate activity and the other half will go tomorrow night. Bioluminescence, the light emitted from plankton, looks like thousands of stars in the dark of the water. Seeing this is, without question, an unforgettable experience. If your child chooses to participate, you will  surely hear about it.

     Boy oh boy, what a great day!

Marvelous Monday Mania

Good Evening Families,

Though we departed with cold weather, we arrived with the sun beating on our backs and excitement brewing inside us. After a quick tour of the campus, the students completed one of two great activities.

Study groups 1-4 went out into the open sea to complete exciting kayak challenges! Many were able to brave the cold water and jump in. While study groups 1-4 enjoyed the sea life, study groups 5-8 ventured into the mountains where an abundance of wild life was seen.

A delicious meal of meatballs, spaghetti, and garlic bread - a student favorite- was enjoyed by all. The students got a nice surprise of chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

During our evening program, the students learned about how different creatures adapt to living in the depths of the ocean or about the vast variety of marine mammals that exist in the wild. Students who participated in the Creatures of the Night activity were able to complete a long division activity that they can tell you about when they get home.

After a long day, the students are all safely in bed, warm and thinking about the adventures that await them tomorrow.

We appreciate all your patience with the slow internet, but just know that all the time we spent away from the blog is spent making this week memorable for all.

Boy Oh Boy did we have a great day! (Ask your kids about the Boy Oh Boy).

Best,
Sixth Grade Teachers

Pre-CIMI Information

On Monday, March 9, 2020, Eastshore's sixth grade students will journey to the Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) at Toyon Bay on Catalina Island.  Do you want to know what your child is doing and learning?  Then look at this site as updates will be posted throughout each day.  We're all looking forward to a wonderful learning experience.  We have dial-up internet on the island, so photos will be uploaded after we return.

Students' Schedule is as follows:

7:00 a.m.    Wake-up

7:20 a.m.    Homework

8:00 a.m.    Breakfast

9:00 a.m.    Morning Class Period

12:00 p.m. Afternoon Recreation Period

1:00 p.m.   Lunch

1:45 p.m.   Afternoon Class Period

4:45 p.m.   Evening Recreation Period

6:00 p.m.   Dinner

6:45 p.m.   Student Store

7:00 p.m.   Evening Class Period

8:30 p.m.   Ready for Bed

9:00 p.m.   Quiet Time in Bed

9:30 p.m.   Lights Out - No Talking

We depart on Monday, March 9, 2020, from Catalina Passenger Service at the Balboa Pavilion, 400 Main Street, Balboa, California 92661. Students must arrive by 7:30 a.m. and the boat leaves at 9:00 a.m.

CATALINA PASSENGER SERVICE

Balboa Pavilion

400 Main Street

Balboa, California  92661

          Take 405 freeway north toward Long Beach.  Exit on the 55 freeway toward Newport Beach.  The freeway becomes Newport Boulevard.  Newport Boulevard merges with Balboa Boulevard.  Continue on Balboa Boulevard.  Turn left on Main.  Main dead-ends into the Balboa Pavilion.  The Catalina Passenger Service is located on the boardwalk next to the fun zone and ferry.  There is ample parking if a right is made on Main Street.  Parents have been towed for parking in lots posted “for customers only” as well as ticketed for not paying the parking meter.

          The second way to get to Balboa is to take Jamboree to Balboa Island.  The street will change to Marine once you are on the island.  Turn left on Park and then turn left on Agate.  Take the ferry across the bay.  We meet next to where the ferry arrives, so you might want to park on Balboa Island and walk on the ferry.