LEVEL II VENTURING OUT PACKAGE Gr.2 Kortright Centre For Conservation - Holiday Lore

LEVEL II VENTURING OUT PACKAGE Grade 2 Kortright Centre For Conservation - Holiday Lore November 2023 Dear Parents and Caregivers, Re: Grade 2 Kortright Centre for Conservation Holiday Lore The Grade 2 classes will travel to Kortright Centre for Conservation on Tuesday, November 28th to participate in their Holiday Lore Workshop as part of our next Unit of Inquiry that explores Celebrations and Traditions. We will be departing from school at 9:00 am and returning prior to 3:15 pm for regular pick-up.

Enclosed with this letter you will find an Excursion Information Form that outlines the educational rationale for the trip, our activities, risks associated with the trip, important contact information, and financial information. Please read the information carefully as it forms the basis of your consent for your child’s participation. Families who elect to not send their children to attend this school excursion in-person should contact their child’s teacher as soon as possible, so they can plan accordingly.

Once you have satisfied yourself as to the suitability of this trip for your child, please fill out the following forms online via YorkNet by Tuesday, November 14th.

Parent Acknowledgement, Consent & Release Form Level II Code of Conduct Finally, please ensure that your child’s medical information and emergency contact information is up to date for this excursion. To confirm these details, log on to YorkNet.

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EXCURSION INFORMATION FORM Excursion Name

Grade 2 Trip to The Kortright Centre for Conservation

Transportation Details Date(s) and Times

Tuesday November 28th, 2023 (Holiday Lore Program: 10:00am - 12:00pm) Depart: 9:00 am Leave Kortright Centre for Conservation: 1:30 pm Return: Prior to 3:15 dismissal

Group Involved (Include approximate number)

Grade 2A & Grade 2B

Group Leader and any other Staff Involved

Ms. Purcell, Ms. Sheriff, Ms. Pearson, Ms. Meg and other York Staff and parent volunteers as needed

Destination Address

9550 Pine Valley Drive Woodbridge, Ontario Telephone: 416-667-6295

Activity Description and Educational Rationale

This program connects with our Unit of Inquiry about celebrations and traditions. Students will explore different holiday traditions during the months of November and December in an outdoor setting. Students will investigate and form connections between the changes in seasons and the traditions of different celebrations. Students will compare and contrast the similarities and differences between these celebrations.

Service Provider(s)

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority: Kortright Centre, Premier Coach

Emergency Contact Information

The Kortright Centre for Conservation: 416-667-6295

(Approximately 40 students, 8 adults)

The York School: 416-926-1325 The York School: 416-926-1325 Kristy Purcell: kpurcell@yorkschool.com Maria Sheriff: msheriff@yorkschool.com Molly Pearson: mpearson@yorkschool.com Sarah Charley scharley@yorkschool.com

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Approximate Cost Please note that once you have provided consent to have your child participate on the excursion you will be charged for the expenses incurred on your child's behalf for this excursion. Where, after you have provided your consent, notice is given that your child cannot attend the excursion, efforts will be taken to avoid incurring expenses on your child's behalf for the excursion, and you will be only charged those expenses that could not be recouped.

$60-70 Cost includes: Kortright Centre workshop programme and Premier Coach Transportation Costs will be levied to student accounts after the excursion.

Return Level II VO Form via YorkNet by

Tuesday, November 14th, 2023

What to Bring

What to Bring:

Sun Protection: Where a trip involves your child being outside between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM, or the UV rating is predicted to be 3 or greater, remind parents to provide children with the following: sunscreen, hat and water bottle.

Sunglasses that protect against UV-A and UV-B rays are also recommended.

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Reusable water bottle Hat Jacket/coat snow gear (weather dependent) long sleeved shirt Long, durable pants Winter boots Any personal medication (such as personal epipen, puffer, etc)

2. LUNCH: Sandwiches will be provided by The York School cafeteria for lunch, students are permitted to bring their own lunch if they choose to.

We ask that all students exercise caution when packing snacks for the bus and are aware that people in our community have serious allergies to foods. A NO NUT and NO PEANUT policy is in effect. Please refrain from bringing snacks that contain SESAME and MUSTARD due to allergies in the class.

3. CLOTHING: Please check the projected weather forecast for the day. When packing, please follow the guidelines on dressing for an Outdoor Education trip: In order to fully enjoy their day, students need to be properly attired. Especially with younger students, it is advisable to send a few extra clothing items in case they get wet. All clothing should be labelled with the student’s name and extra items should be packed into a single backpack for easy access by the 2023 | 2024

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student, and to facilitate loading on the bus.

Activities to be undertaken by students: Traveling to and from site by coach bus. Students will be hiking through various habitats and taking part in active games, observing, investigating and discussing celebrations that may be expected seasonally. Students will explore traditions and origins of each celebration. Students may also be walking on boardwalks and trails over and near streams, marshland and a lake.

Student preparation for excursion: This excursion is a provocation for our next unit of inquiry. Prior to departing, we will discuss expectations relating to behaviours on a field trip as well as what our focus will be on while we’re there. We will unpack our central idea: People use celebrations to preserve traditions and appreciate diversity. This relates directly to our investigations during our trip. We will have conversations about the distinction between celebrations and traditions.

Follow-up: The Grade 2 class will write a reflection about their field trip. Students will focus on similarities and differences between the traditions for the celebrations we investigated.

Risk Assessment Specific Risks Identified: Students may be exposed to a number of physical injuries including: cuts, scrapes, broken bones, bruising, sprains, head injury, concussions, and slips, trips, and falls from heights, and drowning. Students are at risk of temperature related injuries from physical activity outdoors.

While on this excursion, students are at risk of getting lost or separated from the group, as well as damage or loss of property. While on this excursion with other students and staff, students are also at risk of exposure to COVID-19. There is also the risk of a traffic accident when en route.

Precautions to be taken to reduce risks: Pre-trip preparation will include briefing on routes, boundaries, safety rules and emergency procedures, including contingency plans in case of separation. All trip equipment and gear will be checked by staff before departure. Students will be oriented to new sites. Boundaries and out-of-bound areas will also be described and students will be instructed to not be near the water. Teachers will carry a cell phone, medical and contact information for their groups and first aid kits. Each teacher is trained in first aid. Students will be paired in a buddy system. At minimum, 1:10 staff to student supervision ratio will be maintained.

Contingency plan for bad weather/trip interruption: This trip is weather dependent and may be called off due to serious rain, high winds, or cold. If there is a need to adapt plans while on the excursion, parents would be contacted for updates and further action plans. Programme goals would be adjusted according to the situation.

Location of nearest Emergency Medical Service: Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital 3200 Major Mackenzie Drive West Vaughan, Ontario L6A 4Z3

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Arrangements to be made to transport person/group to EMS (including route to be taken): Route to hospital: ● ● ● ● ●

Head east toward Pine Valley Dr/York Regional Rd 57 Turn left onto Pine Valley Dr/York Regional Rd 57 Turn right onto Major MacKenzie Dr./York Regional Rd 25 Turn left onto Wellness Wy Turn right at Vaughan Healthcare

In the event of a student with an injury, an adult would stay with the injured students and apply any necessary first aid. A second adult would ensure the rest of the group is safe and stable.

However, if​​there​​is​​a​​major​​accident requiring EMS,​​a​​York​​School​​staff​​would​​accompany​​any​ ​student​​who​​would need​​to​​be​​taken​​to​​hospital. Teachers will keep in contact with The York School and parents will be kept updated on the incident.

SPECIFIC EXCURSION RULES In addition to the expectations set out in the Code of Conduct, the following rules will apply during this trip: Dress: Students must wear appropriate clothing for the activity, location and weather. Students must wear shoes or boots that are suitable for extended periods of walking.

Independent Time Protocol will be followed: Students will be paired with a buddy and stay with the class. They must not venture out alone.

General: No gum or junk food is allowed on site or on the bus.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, CONSENT, AND RELEASE The following sets out statements to which, you, the parent(s), must agree by signing electronically below in order for your child to be permitted to participate in the intended trip.

Should you have questions regarding any of the statements below, you may contact Director of Student Life and Belonging, Sarah Charley, at scharley@yorkschool.com (416-926-1325 Ext. 1616) or Experiential Educator, Andrea Lossing, at alossing@yorkschool.com (416-926-1325 Ext. 1221). I/We understand, as the parent or guardian of the student named above, that students on York School trips are expected to participate fully in all activities undertaken during and in preparation for the trip, and that they must conduct themselves in a manner befitting of their role as ambassadors for the school community. I/We further understand that all students will be bound by The York School Code of Conduct and any additional rules and regulations listed in this information package and/or discussed and implemented while on the trip, and that any infraction of these rules may, at the discretion of the trip leader, result in the immediate return of the student to Toronto. Responsibility and payment for these arrangements will be borne by the parent/guardian. Any infraction of these rules may, at the discretion of the Division Head, result in appropriate disciplinary action including suspension from subsequent trips.

I/We have reviewed the contents of this information package and Code of Conduct expectations, rules and consequences with our child. I/We, the undersigned, consent to the participation of our child (as noted above) in The York School trip to The Kortright Centre for Conservation on Tuesday, November 28th.

Details concerning this event, including activities, travel, supervision, location and safety precautions have been communicated to us and are understood. In particular, we are aware that students will be engaged in the following activities: Traveling to and from site by coach bus. Students will be hiking through various habitats and taking part in active games, observing, investigating and discussing changes that may be expected daily and seasonally.

Students may also be walking on boardwalks and trails over and near streams, marshland and a lake.

Our emergency contact information is up to date. I/We agree to update the information with the trip leader if changes occur prior to the trip start date.

I/We have reviewed the Trip Plan and are aware that this excursion may expose my/our child to the following risks: cuts, scrapes, broken bones, bruising, sprains, head injury, concussions, and slips, trips, falls from heights, and drowning. Students are at risk of temperature related injuries from physical activity outdoors.

While on this excursion, students are at risk of getting lost or separated from the group, as well as damage or loss of property. While on this excursion with other students and staff, students are also at risk of exposure to COVID-19. There is also the risk of a traffic accident when en route.

I/We, the undersigned, grant the trip supervisors appointed by The York School permission to act on my/our behalf and to consent, to any medical, dental or surgical treatment, including pain relief and admission to hospital which may be required for my/our child, in the opinion of 2023 | 2024

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a qualified medical practitioner if, after reasonable attempts have been made to contact me/us at the phone numbers provided to the school, I/we cannot be reached. I/We do hereby release The York School, its directors, employees and its agents, from every manner of suit, claim or legal action which may arise as a result of an injury to, or the death of, my/our child sustained by reason of my/our child’s participation in this excursion. As parent(s) of the child above, I/we 1. acknowledge that I/we understand the statements made regarding the intended excursion with respect to expected behavior, consequences for misbehavior, and the details of the trip, including activities and risks, 2. consent to my/our child’s full participation in the trip, and to the school taking the measures set out above in response to any medical emergency that may arise, and 3. release the school from legal action arising from injury or death according to the terms set out above.

CODE OF CONDUCT I understand, as the parent or guardian of the student named above, that students on York School trips are expected to participate fully in all activities undertaken during and in preparation for the trip, and that they must conduct themselves in a manner befitting their role as ambassadors for the school community. We further understand that all students will be bound by The York School Code of Conduct and any additional rules and regulations listed in this information package and/or discussed and implemented while on the trip, and that any infraction of these rules may, at the discretion of the trip leader, result in the immediate return of the student to Toronto at the parent/guardian’s expense and that any infraction of these rules may, at the discretion of the Division Head, result in disciplinary action. We have reviewed the contents of this information package and Code of Conduct expectations, rules and consequences with our child.

Please Note: This copy of the Venturing Out Package is for reference only. Log on to your YorkNet account at https://yorkschool.myschoolapp.com/app#login to complete your child’s VO Package and give consent for their participation in this excursion.

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