Grade 2 High Park Nature Centre EXCURSION

VENTURING OUT PACKAGE –

Grade 2 High Park Nature Centre EXCURSION May 2023

Dear Parents,

Re: Grade 2 High Park Nature Centre Excursion

The Grade 2 classes will travel to High Park Nature Centre on Tuesday, June 6th 2023 to learn about how the High Park Nature reserve is maintained and protected This trip is in relation to Grade 2’s current unit on Environmental Organizations which explores how organisations conserve and preserve natural spaces We will be departing from school at 12:00 pm and returning to the school 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 Thursday, May 31st 2023 at 4:00 pm.

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.

EXCURSION INFORMATION FORM

Excursion Name

Transportation Details

Date and Time

Group Involved

Group Leader and any other Staff Involved

Destination Address

Activity Description and Educational Rationale

Grade 2 Trip to High Park Nature Centre

Tuesday, June 6th 2023

Depart: 12:00 p.m. Return: 3:15 p.m.

Grade 2A and 2B 40 students and 4 faculty There will also be parent volunteers attending

Mary Moffat Johannson, Maria Sheriff, Sarah Harling, Kristy Purcell, Tia Chambers, any other York School faculty as needed, and on-site staff

375 Colborne Lodge Drive

Students will discover the important role that groups like Friends of High Park and other environmental organisations play in protecting and preserving our natural spaces They will learn about the ways in which High Park has managed to stay a green oasis in the middle of the city and how environmental stewardship can make a difference

Service Providers High Park Nature Reserve

Emergency Contact Information

High Park Nature Centre: (416) 392-1748

The York School: 416-926-1325

Maria Sheriff: msheriff@yorkschool com

Mary Moffat Johansson: mmjohansson@yorkschool com

Sarah Harling: sharling@yorkschool com

Kristy Purcell: kpurcell@yorkschool com

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.

$30-$50

Cost includes: High Park Nature Centre programme and staffing, Coach CanadaTransportation

Costs will be levied to student accounts after the excursion

Return Level II VO Form via YorkNet by Thursday, May 31st 2023

What to Bring

Sun Protection: Where a trip involves your child being outside

What to Bring:

1 WATER BOTTLE: All students need to bring a water bottle

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.

2. LUNCH: We will be leaving after the scheduled school lunch period. Students are welcome to bring extra snacks. 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

3 CLOTHING: Please check the projected weather forecast for the day. When packing, please follow these 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 student, and to facilitate loading on the bus

ITEMS TO BRING/WEAR:

Warm Layers

Rain gear

Water bottle

Rubber boots

Insulated jacket

Mitts or gloves

Sunglasses

Splash pants

Extra pair of socks

Any personal medication (such as personal epipen, puffer, etc.)

Activities to be undertaken by students: Travelling to and from site by school bus. Students will delve into the history of the Black Oak Savannah and discover its legacy as a product of Indigenous stewardship They will also become stewards of the park themselves by planting seeds or seedlings in the beautiful Savannah, contributing to the important diversity that it protects Student preparation for excursion: Students will be introduced to different organisations that aim to conserve and protect animals, the environment and our climate. Students will inquire into the purpose and structure of these organisations through research.

Follow-up: Students will write a journal reflection

Specific Risks Identified:

Risk Assessment

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 Students are at risk of temperature-related injuries from physical activity outdoors. While on this excursion, students are at risk of 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 a 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 Teachers will carry a cell phone, medical and contact information for their groups, and first aid kits Students will be paired in a buddy system At a minimum, a 1:10 staff-to-student 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:

St Joseph’s Health Centre, 30 The Queensway, Toronto, ON

Arrangements to be made to transport person/group to EMS: 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 need not wear the school uniform Students are representing The York School and casual wear rules will be in effect: clothing must be neat, clean, and should not display objectionable words, phrases, pictures or symbols Students must wear shoes or boots that are suitable for extended periods of walking.

Personal Electronic Equipment: Students are not permitted to use any personal electronic equipment during the trip to the High Park Nature Centre If a student chooses to bring a personal electronic device to school, the device must stay in their personal bag/backpack at all times The York School will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items

Participation: Student participation in activities is mandatory and they must be on time

General: No gum or junk food is allowed on site or on the bus Valuables, such as money and pocket knives are not required

What to Bring:

PACKING LIST

1. WATER BOTTLE: All students need to bring a water bottle.

2. LUNCH: We will be leaving after the scheduled school lunch period. Students are welcome to bring extra snacks.

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

3 CLOTHING: Please check the projected weather forecast for the day When packing, please follow these 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 student, and to facilitate loading on the bus

ITEMS TO BRING/WEAR:

Warm Layers

Rain gear

Water bottle

Rubber boots

Insulated jacket

Mitts or gloves

Sunglasses

Splash Pants

Extra pair of socks

Any personal medication (such as personal epipen, puffer, etc)

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 the Director of Citizenship, Sarah Charley, at scharley@yorkschool.com (416-926-1325 Ext. 1616).

I/We understand, as the parent or guardian of the student named above, that students on The 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 High Park Nature Centre on Tuesday, June 6th 2023.

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: Travelling to and from site by school bus. Students will delve into the history of the Black Oak Savannah and discover its legacy as a product of Indigenous stewardship They will also become stewards of the park themselves by planting seeds or seedlings in the beautiful Savannah, contributing to the important diversity that it protects

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, and falls from heights Students are at risk of temperature-related injuries from physical activity outdoors While on this excursion, students are at risk of 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 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 The 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.