Ferry Beach Ecology School 8 Morris Ave. Building 1, Saco, Maine ~ ~ Letter to Parents/Guardians

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1 Letter to Parents/Guardians Dear Parents/Guardians, We are excited to welcome your child to the residential Ferry Beach Ecology School program. Below are some important areas of FBES policy & procedure to be aware of: Packing & Equipment Please pay careful attention to the FBES packing list. Packing the right items can make a big difference to your child s comfort during his/her stay at Ferry Beach. Keep in mind that you don t need to go out and buy lots of new equipment for this trip. Since students sometimes get a little bit muddy or wet during lessons, pack older, more comfortable clothes that you won t mind your child getting dirty. Lots of layers (including waterproof clothing) are the most important things to send along with your child. While Ferry Beach Ecology School provides a safe learning and living environment, FBES is not responsible for any student property that is lost or stolen. Communication with Your Child Parents are encouraged to send their child mail during the week. Send your letters (perhaps a week in advance to assure they arrive in time!) to: Name of Your Child (Name of Child s School) c/o Ferry Beach Ecology School 8 Morris Avenue, Building One Saco, ME Unless there is an emergency or arrangements have been made with the classroom teachers and/or FBES, students are not permitted to use the phone at Ferry Beach Ecology School. Students are not permitted to have cell phones while participating in FBES programs. Health & Medications It is important to note that in order to attend FBES residential programs, all students must have filled out and returned a FBES Student Health Form that indicates all relevant medical information and a FBES Registration and Permission Form. As noted on the Student Health Form, the Ferry Beach Ecology School nurse dispenses all medications. We provide basic over-the-counter medicines (such as cough drops, antacids and pain relievers) only with permission. In addition to providing any prescription medications your child is taking, parents are required to provide any specialized over the counter medications. We request that parents not take their children off any medications that they take on a regular basis. No student medications will be dispensed unless properly labeled and in their original containers with specific dispensing instructions clearly noted. Please do not pack medications in your child s luggage. All medications should be given to the classroom teachers before leaving the school. Supervision of Students All students participating in the Ferry Beach Ecology School program have 24 hour supervision. FBES staff are in charge of lessons, classroom teachers oversee the recreation fields and the dormitories at night, and the FBES staff and classroom teachers share the supervision of students during meal times. Any removal of students from the FBES program (due to appointments, illness, family emergency, etc.) must be arranged in advance with the classroom teachers and FBES. Without the express permission of custodial parents/guardians, students are not allowed to leave the Ferry Beach program. Thank you! Drew Dumsch Executive Director Alexandra Grindle Residential Program Director

2 Packing List Below is a suggested packing list, designed for a 4-5 day stay at Ferry Beach Ecology School. Please adjust accordingly if your program is for fewer days. We recommend labeling items with student s name or initials. Remember, students will be outside most of the time and the weather can change quickly on the ocean. Come prepared to stay dry and warm, maybe get a little dirty and have fun learning! Overnight Necessities sleeping bag or sheets and blanket pillow 1-2 towels 1 washcloth/hand towel toothbrush & toothpaste soap shampoo hairbrush/comb chapstick sun block laundry bag or trash bag for wet/dirty clothes Basics water bottle underwear pajamas socks (extras are great to have!) Clothing 3-4 pairs long pants (required for lessons) t-shirts long sleeve shirts sweatshirts/sweaters/fleece layer warm/windproof jacket rain proof layer Having plenty of layers to mix and match is a great way to ensure students are comfortable while they are outside learning. Footwear (at least two pairs recommended) sturdy shoes/boots for hiking/walking waterproof boots (if you have them) or shoes that can get wet Suggested Items sunglasses hat with a brim a book/games for indoor/rainy/quiet times a clearly labeled camera slippers for dorm letter writing materials (paper, envelopes, stamps) small backpack for lessons flip flops for showers Seasonal gloves warm hat thermal underwear/sweatpants mosquito repellent (no aerosol please) shorts for free time (long pants required on lessons) Items not allowed at FBES cell phones electronics (such as handheld games, ipods/mp3 players, portable DVD players) alarm clock flashlights scented body sprays/colognes (such as Axe) food, candy, gum, soda etc. money/jewelry/expensive items knives/weapons Ferry Beach Ecology School provides a safe living and learning environment. However, FBES is not responsible for any property that is lost or stolen.

3 Registration & Permission Form By signing below, I give permission for my child to participate in the Ferry Beach Ecology School residential education program. I have read and understand the Parent/Guardian Letter that details some key FBES policies regarding equipment, communication, medication and supervision and the Packing List. I understand it is my responsibility to provide FBES with all relevant medical information and have read, understand, filled out and returned all pertinent FBES health forms. I understand that by agreeing to allow my child to participate in the Ferry Beach Ecology School program s/he will be eating meals in the FBES dining facilities, staying overnight in FBES dorms, spending time outside and participating in outdoor lessons. In addition to exploring onsite ecosystems, the program may include bus trips off site to explore areas such as tide pools, all of which can be physically challenging activities. I further understand that in order to participate in the FBES program, proper behavior is expected of my child and inappropriate behavior could potentially lead to my child being sent home. * Name of Child: * His/Her School: * Parent/Guardian Signature: * Date: * Parent/Guardian Printed Name: * Phone: Street Address: City, State, Zip: address: * denotes required field I do not wish to receive information on summer camps, newsletters or other information about FBES. Please do not include my name on the FBES mailing list. Photo and Video Exclusion I understand that Ferry Beach Ecology School occasionally photographs/videos scenes of school life, including students, teachers and staff. I understand these photographs and/or videos may be used for brochures, online media, presentations and for other public relations purposes. Students names are not used by FBES without further permission from parents/guardians. I DO NOT wish my child s likeness to be used by Ferry Beach Ecology School in any way. Ferry Beach Ecology School fosters stewardship for the Earth by teaching the science of ecology and practice of sustainability. Ferry Beach Ecology School is an independent, non-profit educational corporation.

4 FERRY BEACH ECOLOGY SCHOOL 8 Morris Avenue, Building One ~ Saco, Maine ~ (207) ~ Student Health Form Dear Parents/Guardians: Please provide to us below a complete record of your child s health history and current health status so that we can care for your child s health and safety in our residential school program setting. If your child, due to health reasons, must self-carry an Epi-Pen or Inhaler please contact your child s classroom teacher for a release form to sign. We also require a duplicate Inhaler or Epi-Pen on site to be kept in the Nurse s office while your child is a student at FBES. If your child has a medical condition, additional health information may be required. If need be, please contact your school nurse or the FBES on-site nurse to discuss your child s needs. Please fill out this form completely including signatures. All information is confidential. Student s Name School Name Teacher s Name Gender: M F Date of Birth Height Weight Address City State Zip Code Parent/Guardian Names Home Phone(s) Father s Employer Phone Number Cell Phone Mother s Employer Phone Number Cell Phone Emergency Contact if above not available: Name/Relation Contact Number(s) Student s Physician Phone Number Health Insurance Provider Policy Number Date of Student s last Tetanus Booster Will your child take medication while at FBES? Yes No MEDICATIONS: Please list all medications student will take at FBES. All medications must be sent with teachers. DO NOT PACK WITH STUDENT. MEDICATIONS MUST BE IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER CLEARLY LABELED BY PHARMACY WITH CORRECT DOSAGE AND TIME FOR ADMINISTRATION. Medication Name Dose Time(s) Reason for taking Please fill out page 2

5 FBES Student Health Form, page 2 Student s Name Please list any known allergies and describe reaction that occurs: Medications: Food: Bees/Insects: Other: Check all applicable health conditions of student and explain below: Asthma Recent orthopedic injury Bathroom issues Recent surgery Epilepsy or Seizures ADD or ADHD Fainting Diabetic Panic attacks Special Education Behavior issues Recent illness Psychiatric conditions Skin problems Recent trauma in home/family Sleepwalking, bedwetting Eating disorder Does your child require aid in Ever been hospitalized? classroom? Headaches/Migraines Heart condition Nose bleeds Please explain All items checked above: Religious beliefs associated with medical intervention OTHER Occasionally, it is necessary to administer non-prescription (over-the-counter) medication to students while at FBES (for headaches, sore throats, stomachaches, etc.). These medications can only be administered with parent/guardian permission. Please sign here to give permission for your child to receive over-the-counter medications if needed at FBES. Signature: Date: Treatment Permission In the event of a medical emergency, I, (print parent/guardian name), grant permission for FBES staff, Student s school staff, or an ambulance to transport my child and I grant permission for any doctor, clinic, or hospital to perform emergency treatment as deemed necessary for my child. I further authorize FBES Nurse to administer medications listed above to my child as scheduled. Signature: Date: