Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools

Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools

EcoJustice Outdoor Classroom

Student Application

Name:

School:

Dear parents/Guardians,

Your child received some information regarding an exciting grade 8 outdoor education program in our school division. The EcoJustice Program housed out of St. Edward School focuses on environmental, cultural and spiritual education. This letter is to inform you about the program and to invite you to attend a parent information evening to learn more about the program and to ask questions about your child’s prospective involvement.

The mission of the St. Edward EcoJustice Program is to challenge students to reach their full intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual potential by participating in an exciting and integrated experiential curriculum. The program will deliver the provincial curriculum by purposefully orchestrating learning activities that involve the natural environment and the classroom. The St. Edward EcoJustice Program is a classroom without borders!

The parent meeting will take place at the St. Edward School Gymnasium on Thursday, April 26th@ 6:30 p.m. At this meeting, the program teachers, Dustin Kasun & Todd Knihnitski will provide information regarding the foundations of the program, programming, the application process and program resources. As well, there will be an opportunity to answer any questions that you may have regarding the program.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline DoepkerDustin KasunTodd Knihnitski

PrincipalTeacher and Teacher and

St. Edward SchoolProgram FacilitatorProgram Facilitator

Personal Information

Full Name: / Male:______Female:______
Address: / Postal Code:
Phone: / Date of Birth:
Mother’s Name: / Father’s Name:
Address: / Address:
Place of Employment: / Place of Employment:
Home Phone: / Home Phone:
Work Phone: / Work Phone:
Parent Email(s): / Student Email:

References

Teacher (*must be your present teacher): / Outside reference name:
Subject: / Relationship (coach, volunteer, etc.):
School: / Phone:

Reflection

Seldom / Always
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
1. I work hard at school and complete my work on time.
2. I willingly accept the direction of teachers.
3. I work well with other students.
4. I am able to maintain a positive attitude in the face of stressful and/or challenging physical, mental, social challenges.
5. I am able to work with people I do not like and willingly volunteer to do group work.
6. I am able to work independently without supervision.
7. I do not blame others when things don’t go well.
8. I am honest and trustworthy.
9. I recognize when work needs to be done.
10. I enjoy being in the outdoors.
11. I like putting in extra effort regardless of the outcome.
12. My religious faith is extremely important to me.
13. I enjoy being around others who share my faith.
14. I consider myself active in my faith or church.
15. I look to my faith as providing meaning and purpose in my life.
16. I like to volunteer at community functions.
17. I am supportive of initiatives within the community.
18. I promote a “green” lifestyle.
19. I am able to recognize and act upon environmental and social issues.
20. I absolutely love to learn in any environment.
21. I enjoy daily physical fitness and physical challenge.
22. I’m willing to make sacrifices for my education.
23. I challenge myself physically and am not afraid to push to my limits/extremes.
24. I challenge myself academically.
25. I consistently complete all homework/ schoolwork.
26. I challenge myself socially.
Are you capable of daily rigorous physical activity?
Circle one: Yes No
I am not afraid to go outside of my comfort zone if it benefits me and/or others and our education
Circle one: Yes No
Are you capable of riding a bike?
Circle one: Yes No

Costs

The cost of this program will be $150.00 for the whole year. This final total is a reflection of the costs throughout a Gr. 8 year. It includes such things as transportation and camping. There will be additional fundraising that will require student time.Acceptance into this course is not based upon finances!

Application

1)ECOJUSTICE & YOU
Please provide a one-page letter of application that:
a) Explains why you want to be part of the EcoJustice program.
b) Details how you deal with adversity (challenging situations).
c) Details your strengths, challenges, interests, attributes, extra-curricular, etc.
Application forms must be submitted to the office at St. Edward School by Friday, May 4, 2018 however can be submitted anytime throughout the school year. The selection process occurs in May, and notification will occur through mailby mid-June.
2)CHANGING SCHEDULE
Due to the nature of this course our daily beginning and ending times fluctuate often, we will at all times be diligent on communicating changes. Moreover, on days that we are late we will call the school and parents notifying of any changes.
3)TRANSIT TO AND FROM ST. ED’S
One of the mandates in this class is to reduce, reuse, and recycle. In terms of transportation, commitment to car-pooling, public transportation, and active transportation (walking, cycling, longboarding, etc.) is mandatory!

Signatures

Student: / Parent/Guardian:
Date: / Parent/Guardian:

EcoJustice is a smoke/alcohol/drug free program.

CURRENT TeacherReferral Form(REQUIRED)

Student’s Name:Teacher’s Name:

Eligibility – please read:

Due to the integrated nature of the EcoJustice program students must have previously demonstrated a significant level of dependability, responsibility and independence. Throughout the program students are kept very busy with many overlapping responsibilities and assignments. Students will work independently on various work and/or research projects. The student will also be traveling to and working in a number of settings ranging from urban to wilderness, regular classroom to independent outdoor field work. The success and safety of the program and its individuals depend on appropriate individual actions. Because there are only a certain number of positions each year, every effort must be made to make the selection process as fair as possible. This reference is an attempt to verify that the student and the program are a suitable match.

Please rank the student on the following. Please circle the appropriate number:

Rating Scale: 1 (Seldom)2345 (Always)

1. Completes work on time:

123 4 5

2. Able to work with many types of people:

1 2 3 4 5

3. Able to work independently with minimal supervision:

1 2 3 4 5

4. Interested in learning and shows initiative:

1 2 3 4 5

5. Has good attendance and punctuality:

1 2 3 4 5

6. Is a good judge of appropriate and respectful behaviour:

1 2 3 4 5

7. Is capable of physically vigorous activity:

1 2 3 4 5

8. Is able to work in a team setting:

12345

9. Shows commitment in trying circumstances:

12345

**Overall suitable for the EcoJustice Program:

1 (Not recommended) 2 3 4 5 (Highly recommended)

Please provide a brief comment in the space below. We need your honest feedback concerning their character, perseverance levels, social thresholds and academic abilities. (Please us the backside of the sheet if necessary):

This form is confidential. It will not be shown to the student unless you do so. Please put in a sealed envelope. Thank you for taking the time to complete this form.

Regards,

Mr. Dustin Kasun Mr. Mel Sysing

Extra Adult Referral Form(optional)

Student’s Name:Teacher’s Name:

Eligibility – please read:

Due to the integrated nature of the EcoJustice program students must have previously demonstrated a significant level of dependability, responsibility and independence. Throughout the program students are kept very busy with many overlapping responsibilities and assignments. Students will work independently on various work and/or research projects. The student will also be traveling to and working in a number of settings ranging from urban to wilderness, regular classroom to independent outdoor field work. The success and safety of the program and its individuals depend on appropriate individual actions. Because there are only a certain number of positions each year, every effort must be made to make the selection process as fair as possible. This reference is an attempt to verify that the student and the program are a suitable match.

Please rank the student on the following. Please circle the appropriate number:

Rating Scale: 1 (Seldom)2345 (Always)

1. Completes work on time:

123 4 5

2. Able to work with many types of people:

1 2 3 4 5

3. Able to work independently with minimal supervision:

1 2 3 4 5

4. Interested in learning and shows initiative:

1 2 3 4 5

5. Has good attendance and punctuality:

1 2 3 4 5

6. Is a good judge of appropriate and respectful behaviour:

1 2 3 4 5

7. Is capable of physically vigorous activity:

1 2 3 4 5

8. Is able to work in a team setting:

12345

9. Shows commitment in trying circumstances:

12345

**Overall suitable for the EcoJustice Program:

1 (Not recommended) 2 3 4 5 (Highly recommended)

Please provide a brief comment in the space below. We need your honest feedback concerning their character, perseverance levels, social thresholds and academic abilities. (Please us the backside of the sheet if necessary):

This form is confidential. It will not be shown to the student unless you do so. Please put in a sealed envelope. Thank you for taking the time to complete this form.

Regards,

Mr. Dustin Kasun Mr. Mel Sysing