Need help writing a letter?

Question

Last year I wrote a letter asking our local fire department for permission for my preschool class to tour the fire department. Unfortuately, I was turned down by the Chief.

I need help writing a more pervasive letter.

Any ideas of what I can put in my letter would be extremely helpful.

Thanks

Answer 1

In many states you can't take groups of children under 3rd grade to tour a fire-station unless there are less than 4 of them (thats how it is in Massachusetts and Virginia at least.)

Answer 2

I suggest calling rather than writing a letter. It is easier to be persuasive and get answer to your questions by phone.

I would call and ask to speak to the Chief. Tell him how disappointed you are that he turned down your request and, very respectfully, ask what his reasons were.  If they are something you can set his mind at ease about, then let him know that. If there are regulations that prevent it, then you will be aware of them.

You might ask if a firefighter would be willing to visit your school instead. In our city, sometimes the firefighter will bring equipment and even drive a truck over to show the children. They might find that just as exciting and it would also be a good learning experience.

If he won't agree to even that, perhaps you could borrow some equipment to show to the children yourself.

Answer 3

I would think it is odd that the chief would turn down a class tour of his station, maybe it is the age of the kids, I'm not sure how many kids you're talking about but maybe let them know you will have other adult helpers with you, in case they are worried about a mob of 4 year olds running through their station... Make sure to be polite and sincere in the letter, if you know the chief's name use it in your letter (Dear Chief Smith).  Also tell them you are doing a lesson on fire safety and the kids would love to see a real fireman. Maybe you can get one of the men to come with all his equipment to your class instead of taking the kids to the firehouse, this may be a compromise that the chief will accept. Good Luck and congrats on attempting to make your preschool a good learning experience for the kids and not just play time!

Answer 4

What I would do is write a letter explaining that you are planning on doing a unit on fire safety and asking if the fire department does any educational work with children the age you teach.  In the letter, tell them you are very interested in a tour of the fire station, but welcome other ideas as well.

You might not get a tour of the fire station, but you might get something equally as educational and interactive.

Matt

Answer 5

At the start put dear sir or madam

and at the end put yours faithfully

and make sure you put sorry to trouble you ( makes it sound polite)

and make sure you used comma's ... fulls stops etc

Good luck x

Answer 6

say how a lot of your kids wish they were firemen and women and they will never get the oppertunity  to do something like this. say how many of your former students came back and said that they still wish they would have been able to see it

and mention how he turned you down last time and how half your class started crying when they found out. and how one kid threw something at you and you got a black eye.

haha not exactly all of that but you get the picture

good luck!!

PS i wish i would have been able to see that

Answer 7

start the letter or Sir Chief____ or Madam Chief____  or to whom I may concern.  skip the dear___.  Stress how it would be great educational and productive Field trip.  or Try making a call making a call.  I know the city I live gladly gives kids a tour.  If that station is turning you down try goining to a station at a neighboring town

Answer 8

I've had the fire department come to our school to do a demonstration of what they do and they give a tour of the fire engine. I would guess the reason they turned you down was because they would not want a flock of preschoolers around in case there was an emergency they had to attend to while you were visiting. Instead of asking to visit the station, ask if they would be willing to come to your school instead. When they visited us they showed us all of the protective clothes they had to wear, they let some of the kids try them on, and then brought us outside and have a "tour" of the fire engine. The kids all loved it and there was no danger of a fire station going crazy if someone called 911 and their services were needed. Try this approach and I'm sure the learning experience for the kids will be just as great!