WHEREAS the English Language School Board Regulation “School Trips” (IJOA-R) states “All school trips will require a signed Participation, Release and Indemnification for Low-Risk Activities Form, or a Participation, Release and Indemnification Form.”, and

WHEREAS the above mentioned forms include the following Release and Indemnification Section “ RELEASE and INDEMNIFICATION – In consideration of the above- noted school allowing the student to participate in the activity described above, we hereby agree to release, and hold harmless, the School, the School Board, its employees, volunteers, agents, heirs, executors, and administrators from actions, causes of action, claims, suits and demands of whatever nature including negligence, except for gross negligence of the School or the Eastern School District and its employees, volunteers and agents. We understand that this release applies to any injury, loss or damages sustained while participating in or being transported to or from said activity.” and

WHEREAS parents/guardians are not adequately informed by the English Language School Board of the potential legal and monetary implications of signing said form, and

WHEREAS the reading skills of 30% of PEI adults are so limited that they can't deal with most printed material. An additional 35% of PEI adults need printed materials written in plain language*, and

WHEREAS among the adults that do not have difficulty reading, few can decipher legal jargon;

BE IT RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Home and School Federation request the English Language School Board to revise its Participation, Release and Indemnification Forms to be written in Plain Language to allow for all legal and monetary implications to be made apparent to parents/guardians.