Trip to Fiera Foods Company.

Trip to Fiera Foods Company.

Last summer, one of the students asked a curious question about how Bagels are produced. She was an eleven-year-old year old. And the class joined her in demanding answers on how their various snacks are produced. The question sent us thinking, and as discussed with a few of our colleagues, an idea came up. To take the children to one of the factories producing Bagels and a number of their favorite snacks around the school. We had first to decide on the specific company, location, the number of students to attend, means of transport. Besides, my colleagues advised on safety measures that will be maintained prior, during, and after the trip. The opportunity offered the children an excellent opportunity to learn about food production and processing of the typical snacks as well as an insightful career path they could pursue. Since most of the children were between ages eleven and twelve, such a trip was regarded to be highly educational and developmental.

After having a lengthy discussion, we settled on Fiera Foods Company. The company is located 50 Marmora Street, North York, ON M9M 2X5, Canada. Fiera Foods started operations in 1987 as a private company with dedicated and active leaders. Among the products that it produces through innovation include Sandwich Carriers, Artisan Breads, Bagels, Rolls, Puff Pastries, Croissants, and Danish Pastries. The company boast of a global presence with its products reaching Africa, Asia, North America, Europe and dominate the local markets. It has partnered with many like-minded companies leading to double digits’ growth, eighteen years in a row. Currently, Fiera Foods is undergoing a massive expansion to increase its truckload warehouse to seven hundred and fifty full truck sizes as well as developing a giant stone wall oven across North America. So the students had a lot to learn apart from the bakery that was the center of focus.

Before the trip, several safety measures should be taken into account and some of the just procedural. First, the group will research Fiera Food Company to understand if it will meet the overall curriculum needs of the students aged between 11 and 12 years. On whether the trip provides learning opportunities that students may not be able to obtain in class. The extent to which it complements learning in class and mental development to be sure that Fiera Foods is necessary and not any other company. The group will also make sure that the company is safe for the age group we selected, and decide on the means of transport, which places to walk and where to use a bus. Restrooms, emergency phones, and shelter locations for students would also be identified (Frost et al., 2008).

It is also essential to get the consent of the parents by sending them some formal information. The information would contain the name and location of the trip, cost, date, and time as well as the transport plan in place. The group would also make plans to care for the members of the class who are denied the opportunity to go for the trip by parents or guardians. Signed consent forms should also be returned by students whose parents agree. Besides, the group would collect any fees that are deemed necessary, such as bus fares or entry fees where appropriate.

Moreover, the group would maintain an excellent student to teacher ratio. The group approximated about forty students and would need five teachers so that student to teacher ratio is eight to one. Having additional adults, such as volunteering parents, would enhance safety and security for the kids (Marotz 2014). The group would also ensure that at least one volunteer has up to date first aid knowledge as well as CPR certification. When making travel plans, the group will consider travel policies available and make prior arrangements for buses. The buses should have restraints for child safety.

While packing for the trip, as a group we would ensure, there are maps, drinking water, first-aid kit, cell phones, accurate roster, care for special need children and their medication, list of contacts for emergency, families’ emergency contacts, copy of the registration details for children, wipes or hand sanitizers, emergency plans, and documented transport policy. Since the trip would be just for one day, arrangements for milk would be made from the factory, and snacks would be obtained from Fiera Foods Company, and proper hygiene maintained by students at all times and wash hands frequently.

The students and staff would also be provided with matching t-shirts during the trip on the day of the trip. This will enable us to identify the students and teachers as well as volunteers quickly. The students will also be made aware of safety measures and understand the regulations. The rules would be reviewed and practiced. Children should also be made aware of what to do if one gets separated from the larger group (. A day before the trip, parents, and guardians would be reminded of the trip, and on the day, the group would place a poster on the door indicating where we are going and when we would come back.

During the trip, we would maintain an accurate roster, and it would be used to count the number of children before we leave Fiera Foods Company, on the bus and, whenever possible. Upon returning to school, we shall also use the roster to count. Besides, it is essential for us to as a group to match the face to the name as we use the list.  We would assign specific children to specific adults and make sure teachers and volunteers know when to count and at all times.

The group will also teach the children safe skills of traveling, should we walk near traffic during the trip, they would only be allowed to cross at corners, only pass when traffic lights indicate it is safe to do so, look left, right again to the left before crossing the road. Where there are crosswalks and sidewalks, we shall always use them and assist the children in identifying traffic signals and what they indicate. If we would be granted a chance to use the school bus, then safety inspection must be performed on it before traveling, ensure each child has put on the safety belt. The children would only be allowed to get into the bus from the sidewalks and be supervised by teachers and volunteers while on the bus. A vital security measure will never leave any child alone, no matter the reason on the bus. We shall have at least one cell phone in case we may need emergency assistance. The group would also not allow any child to go to a public restroom alone or leaving any child alone with an adult. The safety of the children comes first. At Fiera Food Company, they are given clipboards to take notes or draw pictures and color their favorites snacks as they see them, take notes on preparations, and any other places within the company visited. The group shall also talk to the children. We sing songs as well as playing appropriate games within the company.

This trip is both developmental and education regarding snack preparation and even career dreams; some of them would like to pursue. From here, others would like to continue a course in bakery, accounting, become drivers and salespeople, or even the policemen and women maintaining the proper flow of traffic. Having the cost per child at two hundred and fifty dollars, it would be able to accommodate all our needs for transport and food. The group is looking forward to realizing this trip. Children could also get additional knowledge such as food safety, logistics, warehousing, marketing, and field support, which are not only educational but developmental too.

References

Frost, J. L., Wortham, S. C., & Reifel, R. S. (2008). Play and child development. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.

Marotz, L. R. (2014). Health, safety, and nutrition for the young child. Nelson Education.

Wyver, S., Bundy, A., Naughton, G., Tranter, P., Sandseter, E. B., & Ragan, J. (2010). Safe outdoor play for young children: Paradoxes and consequences. Paper code, 2071.

Fiera Foods Company -. (2020). https://www.fierafoods.com/MenuOptions/ShowOption/3