May 29, 2015

Dear Parents of Grade 8 Students:

As part of our Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education programs, FairviewSchool is planning a Grade 8 outdoor education experience for our year end trip. We wish to solicit your cooperation in allowing your children to accompany us to CypressHillsProvincialPark area for a two-dayeducational outing on June 18 & 19.

Activities include:

1) Nature/Cultural hikes conducted by trained naturalist

2) Investigation and study of geographical land formations of the Cypress Hills

4)Planning, tent set-up and care, assisting with meal preparation and clean-up.

5) Physical Education activities of various types. This would also include activities such as

Hashing Course,Mini-Golf, Canoeing/ Paddleboating, Geocache GPS hunting as well as Capture the

Flag.

All of these activities will be supervised by teachers, parent chaparones and/or qualified CypressPark staff.

Students will spend the night of June 18th in tents.....they are being instructed on supplying themselves with the proper gear. A menu has been planned and food is bought in bulk by teachers. All students will be travelling by vans driven by staff and supervisors.

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It is our intention to take all interested Grade 8 students on this trip. All Grade 8 students are welcome to be part of this trip as long as they have upheld their duties as a student throughout the school year (academically and behaviourally) and they have followed Fairview’s Beliefs and Guiding Principles. June is a month where students realize the end of the year is near and sometimes neglect their duties as a student academically and behaviourally For this reason if any student has any outstanding course work or the quality of their work declines in the opinion of their teacher(s), they will be required to remain at the school and complete / upgrade the required work. Also, students must continue to meet the behavioural expectations that we have of all Fairview students both inside and out of the classroom. I have spoken with the grade 8 students about these expectations as explained above on May 29th.

The cost for the trip will be $25 per student, which will cover the cost of food. The fees for transportation, lodging, guided hikes and canoeing/paddleboating will be covered by the school. The only other money necessary would be for the corner store, which we have had the opportunity to visit throughout the time we are at the park in years past.

If there are any parents who would be able to volunteer to come on this trip, please call the school to let me know.

Sincerely,

Travis Kelln,

Principal

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Please fill in the following permission slip and return to the school as soon as possible.

I give my child, ______, permission to participate in the Cypress Trip on June 18 & 19 as outlined in the attached itinerary.

Pertinent medical information:

______

______

(parent signature)
Outdoor Education Itinerary – Grade 8 Trip - 2015

Thursday June 18

7:30 a.m. - Leave for Cypress Hills

9:30 a.m.– Unload Gear and Set up camp (Hidden Valley Campsite)

11:00 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.– 2 groups of students:

Group A: Mini-Golf

Group B: Bald Butte Hike

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Lunch and complete setting up camp

(Sandwiches / Fruit / Veges)

2:00 p.m.– 3:30 p.m. –Two groups of 25 students:

Group A: Bald Butte Hike

Group B: Mini-Golf

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.– Two groups of 25 students:

Group A: Hashing Course

Group B: Canoe/ Paddle boating

6:00 - 7:00 p.m. – Two groups of 25 students:

Group A: Canoe/Paddle boating

Group B: Hashing Course

7:00 – 8:00 – Make and Eat Supper

(Hamburgers / Hot Dogs / Kraft Dinner / Fruit / Veges)

8:30 – 9:30 – Flags and Rags / Manhunt / Games

9:30 – 10:30 – Campfire

(Marshmellows / Smores / Hot Chocolate / Snacks etc)

Friday June 19

6:30 – Rise and Shine

7:00 – Cook Breakfast

(Pancakes / Scrambled Eggs / Ham / Toast / Fruit)

8:00 – Tents down and Pack Up

9:00- 10:30 - Group A and B – Contrasting Hills Nature Hike

10:30- Tents Down/Pack Up/Clean Up Campsite - continued

11:30 – 1:00 – Lunch and homeward bound

3:00 – Arrive back at school

Cypress Trip -- Grade 8

Individual Supplies – what you need to bring!

- sleeping bag and pillow

- pyjamas (remember that Cypress is cold at night)

-clothes for all weather

(shorts / pants / t-shirt / hoodie / warm jacket / toque / mitts)

- complete change of clothes in case yours get wet

(especially extra socks and shoes)

- rain gear

- a hat

- personal effects (toothbrush, comb, etc.)

- sunscreen

- mosquito repellent

- extra money for the store is optional

- each tent...... a flashlight

- be sure tent owners set up the tent at home to be sure you

have all parts

-snacks (will be some provided but . . . )

Do Not Bring:

- axes, knives

- curling irons, hairdryers......

We understand that we are living in a technological age and that it is almost impossible to disengage students from the use of these devices. Traditionally we have stated that no MP3 players or cel phones be allowed on the trip, which became almost impossible to enforce. This year we will allow these devices to be brought at each families discretion. However, these are the parameters that students must abide by:

  1. These devices are only to be used during down times, such as in the van on the way to and from Cypress and during times where there is free time. They are not to be used during formal activities such as hikes, etc.
  2. Cell phones must be turned completely off when it is time to be in individual tents for the night, and must remain off until morning.
  3. Students are responsible for these belongings and must take care of them so they do not get broken or stolen.