Outreach programs - FAQ
What grade levels will get the most out of outreach programs?
These programs are designed especially for elementary and middle school students.
How many students can participate in an outreach visit?
Outreach visits work best with classes with ten to thirty students.
How long does a program last?
Programs last from 45 to 60 minutes.
Who conducts the program in the classroom?
Each program is presented by trained outreach educators.
How do I make a reservation for an outreach presentation?
The most efficient method is to fill out the
online form, or contact an outreach educator by email: outreach@vahistorical.org.
You may call 804-342-9652, but you should expect a delayed response due to the fact that there are
many teachers requesting our programs and few convenient hours to reach them on school days.
Do I need to confirm my reservation with the VHS?
Once you and the outreach coordinator have established a date for an outreach visit you will receive
a confirmation letter in the mail within a week. If you have not received a confirmation in writing you DO NOT have
a permanent reservation and the date discussed is subject to change or cancellation. The outreach educator will contact
you a week or two in advance of the visit to establish a verbal confirmation and to clarify your expectations
and needs regarding the program scheduled.
What equipment will I be expected to provide the outreach educator during his/her visit?
Typically, all that the outreach educator will need is a table or several desk tops at the front of the classroom
and some space on the chalk/white board. A classroom map of the state of Virginia or U.S. is helpful, but not necessary.
Is it necessary for the teacher to remain in the classroom during the outreach educator's visit?
Yes. Teachers are encouraged to remain in the classroom and contribute to the presentation in order to establish a
connection between the course studies and the outreach information. This is also important as the outreach educator is a guest and
should not be expected to handle disciplinary or emergency situations should they occur.
Who arranges the schedule for the outreach educator's visit?
The schedule should be set up by you and your teachers/team. It is recommended to schedule in one
hour blocks. The educator is available as early as 8:30 in the morning and can do up to 4 classroom presentations
in one day. The schedule should include times, the classroom numbers and teachers' names. The schedule should be made
available to the outreach educator when he/she checks in at the office. It is not necessary to know the entire schedule when
you make a reservation, just an estimated start time for the first class, as our educators will be arriving 15-30 minutes early.
Is there any additional information for the teachers that relate to the programs requested?
Yes. On the day of the presentation, each teacher will receive a packet of information related to the history topic being presented in the classroom.
There are also materials related to the VHS and other programs that may suit your professional and personal interests.
Do I send a payment to the VHS once I've made a reservation?
No. The school will be billed AFTER the presenter has been to your school. This is to provide for last minute changes
or cancellations. Alternate arrangements can be made should there be a need.
What is the cost for these programs?
The cost of one classroom presentation is $75 (4 presentations / $300). There are no additional fees or taxes.
Is it possible to reschedule an outreach visit to our school?
Typically, no. We are usually completely booked for the school year by October with a waiting list for
possible school cancellations. The educators travel the entire state of Virginia and it is not always
possible to fill a canceled spot. (If the educator has a cancellation in Bristol, for example, it would be difficult to fill
that day with a program in Arlington.) It is recommended to check your calendar with the school calendar to avoild
internal scheduling conflicts. If there is inclement weather that results in the cancellation or delay of school openings, a week
in March or April 2005 will be set aside for rescheduling. If your school has a weather hotline,
it would be helpful to share that number with the coordinator if you are making a reservation
during the winter months.
Who is my contact at the VHS should I have further questions or concerns?
You can reach the VHS education office at 804-342-9652. If you need to contact the coordinator at any point
during the school year, it will be more to your advantage to contact us via email at:
outreach@vahistorical.org. This is in large part
due to the fact that outreach educators work on the road instead of the office during
the school year.
| 
