We are heading to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum to extend our social studies mini-unit about immigration, where we come from, and the diversity of cultures in our community.  Through our field trip, we’ll reinforce ideas about immigration “then and now,” we’ll analyze maps that show immigration patterns, and the students will learn about a historical NYC landmark.  One of the exciting parts of this trip is the ferry ride from Battery Park to Ellis Island.  Along the way, we will pass the Statue of Liberty and we will see Manhattan island from a different perspective on the water.

When: Thursday, November 4th; We will leave school at 8:50 am in order to make our 10:00 ferry.  We will return to school by 2:00-2:30.  

Transportation: We will take the subway (the 1 train to South Ferry) and then walk to the ferry in Battery Park.  We will take the Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Ferry operated by Statue Cruises. The ferry ride to Ellis Island takes about 45 minutes.  We aim to take the 1:30 return ferry.  The return ferry ride from Ellis Island takes about 10 minutes.  

Cost: Student tickets cost $5.  Please send the money with your child with the permission slip.  Adult chaperone tickets cost $12.  We realize that this is a more expensive trip.  Please speak to your child’s teacher if the cost is prohibitive and you need alternate arrangements.

Chaperones: We welcome parent chaperones for the trip. To maintain an appropriate ratio, we’ve allotted 3 parent chaperones for 1-217 and 4 parent chaperones for 1/2-344.  If you are interested in attending the trip as a chaperone, please check off the appropriate box on the permission slip. If we receive more offers to help, we will select chaperones alphabetically by last name, proceeding through the alphabet for subsequent trips.  Thank you for your understanding.  We will contact you next week to confirm if you will be chaperoning, at which time we would appreciate it if you would send in payment for your adult ticket.    

Lunch: Students may bring their own bagged lunches.  Please don’t include glass bottles.  
Check the box on the permission slip if you want your child to receive a school bagged lunch.  

Permission slips are due by Friday, October 22. Please let us know if you have any questions. We’re looking forward to this exciting trip!