EXCURSION INFORMATION FORM
Excursion Name
Transportation Details Date and Time
Grade 4 Trip to Humber Arboretum
Monday, May 29th, 2023
Depart School: 9 am
Return prior to 3:15 for regular dismissal at Junior School Group Involved
Group Leader and any other Staff Involved
Destination Address
Activity Description and Educational Rationale
4A & 4B (Approximately 43 students, 4 adults)
Mary Hudson, Suzanne MacMaster, Elvy Tseng, other York School faculty as needed
205 Humber College Blvd, Etobicoke, ON M9W 5L7
The students participate in activities related to their current unit of inquiry - animal habitats
The students will immerse themselves in the ever changing habitats and communities right here in the city! With ponds, a meadow, a forest, and the Humber River at our doorstep, the exploration of a wide range of plants and animals is possible in a short time They will learn about the four basic needs of all living things and how those needs can be satisfied by the plants and animals living in an urban greenspace. The students will engage in activities designed to reveal ecological processes and deepen student understanding of the environment on a local and global scale
Service Providers
Humber Arboretum is a joint venture between Humber College, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and the City of Metropolitan Toronto Premier Coach will provide transportation.
Emergency Contact Information
Humber Arboretum: 416-675-5009
The York School: 416-926-1325
Mary Hudson: mhudson@yorkschool com
Suzanne MacMaster: smacmaster@yorkschool com
Elvynia Tseng: etseng@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,
$50-$70
Cost includes: Humber Arboretum programme and staffing, Premier Coach Transportation
Costs will be levied to student accounts after the excursion
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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.
Return Level II VO Form via YorkNet by Friday, May 12th, 2023
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.
What to Bring:
1. WATER BOTTLE: All students need to bring a water bottle
2 LUNCH/SNACKS: Snacks (Sandwiches can be provided by The York School cafeteria for lunch or students can bring their own lunch. Please let their teacher know ahead of time of your preference.)
3. CLOTHING: We will be outdoors for most of the day Please have your child dressed for the weather so that they are warm and dry
● Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, etc )
● Weather appropriate shoes and outer gear
● Layers for cold/wet weather
Please bring any personal medication (such as personal epipen, puffer, etc).
Activities to be undertaken by students: Travelling to and from the site by coach bus. Students will partake in a nature walk to explore the natural environment including ponds, a meadow, a forest, and the Humber River to learn more about a wide range of plants and animal habitats The students will engage in a number of nature-based games and activities designed to reveal ecological processes and deepen student understanding of the environment on a local and global scale
Student preparation for excursion: Discussion about how the environment supports life around it and what it would mean if this environment is damaged or misused We will also discuss the particular ecosystem that is found in this area
Follow-up: Students will write a journal reflection to highlight key learnings from the trip Students will create a diorama based on one of the habitats explored at the arboretum Students will research ways to ensure we protect our green spaces
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 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.
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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:
Etobicoke General Hospital, 101 Humber College Blvd, Etobicoke, ON M9V 1R8
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
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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 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 Humber Arboretum on Monday, May 29th 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 coach bus. Students will partake in a nature walk to explore the natural environment including ponds, a meadow, a forest, and the Humber River to learn more about a wide range of plants and animal habitats The students will engage in a number of nature-based games and activities designed to reveal ecological processes and deepen student understanding of the environment on a local and global scale
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
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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.
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