2022 Jr. Speech Nationals Vancouver Level II VO Form

LEVEL II VENTURING OUT PACKAGE – EXCURSION Jr. Speech Nationals @ Mulgrave School, Vancouver May 6, 2022

Dear Parents, Re: Jr. Speech Nationals May 12-15, 2022, at Mulgrave School, North Vancouver This package outlines the details of our trip to compete at Junior Speech Nationals at Mulgrave School in North Vancouver, BC. Students will meet at Pearson International on the morning of May 12, and will return to Pearson the evening of May 15 where they should be met by a parent. The details of meeting time and place are located in the attached form.

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.

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, May 10, 2022.

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.

Yours truly,

Andrea Lossing Trip Coordinator alossing@yorkschool.com Ext. 1221

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EXCURSION INFORMATION FORM Excursion Name

Jr. Speech Nationals at Mulgrave School.

Transportation Details Date(s) and Times

Meet for departure: 6:30 AM at the Air Canada domestic departure area in Terminal 1, Pearson International Airport Flight details: Departure 8:00 AM – Toronto, Pearson Intl. YYZ Flight: AC 103 Arrival: 9:52 AM PDT Flight time: 4hr 52 min. direct.

Boeing 777-300 Meet upon return: Terminal 1 arrivals area at approx. 5:45 PM (please monitor our arrival time).

Flight details: Departure: 10:20 AM PDT – Vancouver YVR Flight: AC 112 Arrival 5:39 PM EDT Boeing 777-300 Transportation by bus to and from our hotel to Mulgrave has been arranged by Mulgrave School.

Transportation to and from the airport to Granville Island, Stanley Park, and our hotel will be a combination of public transportation and taxi/Uber. The mostly likely scenario is: May 12: Canada Line rapid train from YVR to Olympic Station, 6th avenue bus to Granville Island, ferry to Aquatic Centre station, walk/Uber to Stanley Park, Uber to Lonsdale Quay Hotel.

Group Involved (Include approximate number) Group Leader and any other Staff Involved Destination Address

May 15: Taxi/Uber/Hotel shuttle to YVR Three grade 9 debaters Rob Burkett and Effie Balomenos Lonsdale Quay Hotel 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver, BC Phone: (604) 986-6111

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Mulgrave School 2330 Cypress Bowl Ln, West Vancouver Activity Description and Educational Rationale

To compete in the Junior National Speech and Debate tournament.

Service Provider(s)

Please see the full invitation HERE (https://jhspeechnationals.weebly.com/), which includes the tournament, meals provided by Mulgrave, and information about each category the students will compete in.

N/A

Emergency Contact Information 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.

Rob Burkett: 416-820-9050 Flights: Booked on points by the parents Tournament registration: Paid for by the school Hotel: Approx. $600 to be charged to student account Transportation: Approx. $75 to be charged to the student account.

Activities: Should students wish to go into the Vancouver Aquarium when in Stanley Park (Thursday afternoon) or see a movie Friday night, Mr. Burkett will pay, and students will be charged back.

Meals not provided by Mulgrave: Thursday: 3 meals Friday: 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) Saturday: 1 meal (breakfast) Sunday: 2 meals (breakfast and lunch on the plane) Students should plan to bring at least $10 for each breakfast and lunch and $30-$40 for our group dinner Thursday night.

Total for meals: approx. $120 (students should carry cash or a debit/credit card.)

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Other costs: Students will be charged for their Coach’s hotel room (included in the hotel cost above) and all expenses (food and transportation) for one teacher.

Grand total: approx. $750-800 not including the plane tickets all students booked on points.

Return Level II VO Form via YorkNet by 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.

Tuesday, May 10 Photo ID for the airport – for most that will mean a passport; if a student does not have a passport their health card will suffice.

Health Card Interpretive reading text Clothing list was shared via e-mail. Students should pack in one carry-on sized back and ideally a backpack to make walking easier on Thursday. Luggage may be stored on Granville Island if necessary.

School winter uniform (incl. tie but no blazer) OR business dress (e.g., skirt/pants and blouse) must be worn when competing. Two sets of casual clothes and shoes good for walking is recommended, plus a water bottle and a book for the plane.

Students should consult the weather and bring appropriate outerwear.

Please pack as lightly as possible and wear all heavier items on the plane.

Students should bring their cell phones and charger to communicate with Mr. Burkett and students are free to contact parents at appropriate times.

Computers, electronics, and other valuables are permitted but not recommended. Students are responsible for their belongings (Mr. Burkett is happy to keep passports).

Activities to be undertaken by students: 2021 | 2022

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Thursday: Visit Granville Island and Stanley Park, including the Vancouver Aquarium if students are not too tired. If pouring rain, we may opt to visit the Vancouver Art Gallery instead. Walking tour along Denman and Robson streets is also possible if the students wish.

Friday and Saturday: Compete in the Junior National Public Speaking and Debate Championships, with an evening activity Friday near the hotel (walking tour, movie, etc.)

Sunday: Travel home Student preparation for excursion: Students have been preparing to compete for several months.

Follow-up: Students will de-brief the experience and results with Mr. Burkett and the debate captains.

Risk Assessment Specific Risks Identified: Risks associated with travelling by foot: Cuts, scrapes, burns, broken bones, bruising, sprains, becoming separated from the group, traffic accidents while walking as a pedestrian, exposure to COVID-19.

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. 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. Each teacher is trained in first aid. During excursions to Stanley Park, Granville Island, and at all times, students are given unsupervised time, the three students are to travel as a trio.

Everyone will exercise precautions to avoid sunburns and heat-related issues by applying sunscreen, wearing a hat and/or sunglasses, and monitoring time spent in direct sunlight.

Precautions to reduce exposure to COVID-19: i. Face masks are mandatory on domestic flights, and while optional in other settings, students are encouraged to wear them when on public transport, at the airport, and in other crowded indoor settings (e.g., movie theatre). ii. Hand hygiene: the teacher will have hand sanitizer and students will be regularly reminded to wash or sanitize their hands.

Contingency plan for bad weather/trip interruption: 2021 | 2022

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Sightseeing activities on Thursday are weather dependent and may be changed. In the event of a major change of plans, parents would be contacted.

Contingency if a student is sick and/or tests positive for COVID-19: In the event of illness, the student will be tested for COVID-19 using a rapid antigen test. If positive, the student would isolate in Ms. Balomenos’ hotel room and Ms. Balomenos would seek alternate accommodation. All public health rules will be followed and the student would be unable to fly home with the group. In this event, a parent would be required to fly to Vancouver to care for their child until such time as they are fit to travel. Parents would be responsible for all expenses related to this additional stay. If timing necessitates, one teacher would remain with the child until a parent arrived.

Location of nearest Emergency Medical Service: Lions Gate Hospital 231 15th St E., North Vancouver Arrangements to be made to transport person/group to EMS (including route to be taken): Mr. Burkett will accompany the student to the hospital by taxi or ambulance. Ms. Balomenos and/or the faculty at Mulgrave Academy (during tournament hours) will supervise the other two students.

SPECIFIC EXCURSION RULES In addition to the expectations set out in the Code of Conduct, the following rules will apply during this trip: Students should respect the boundaries provided for free time on Granville Island, be punctual, and check their cell phones for messages from Mr. Burkett.

General: Students are asked to strongly consider wearing a (K)N95 face mask on the plane, public transportation, and in any crowded indoor setting (e.g., a movie theatre).

Proper hand hygiene will be required.

Dress: Students must wear appropriate clothing for the activity, location, and weather.

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 dress respectably and never let their undergarments or midriffs show. Students must wear shoes or boots that are suitable for extended periods of walking.

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Personal Electronic Equipment: Students should bring their cell phones and charger to communicate with Mr. Burkett and students are free to contact parents at appropriate times.

Computers, electronics, and other valuables are permitted but not recommended.

Students are responsible for their belongings (Mr. Burkett is happy to keep passports).

Independent Time Protocol will be followed: Students will be paired with a buddy and must not venture out alone. During independent time, students will be provided with a map of the area and geographic limits will be identified for students. When given the opportunity to venture away from the group, they must remain within specific geographic limits and will check in periodically with a teacher at a specific place and time. Students will have cell phone contact numbers for both teachers and the hotel. Students will be made aware of the risks and will discuss the importance of being aware and vigilant.

Independent time protocols will be followed and will only take place in areas deemed safe in advance.

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 Trip Coordinator, 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 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 Vancouver, British Columbia on May 12-15, 2022.

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: independent time on Granville Island and when eating meals near our hotel, debating and public speaking, travel by plane, train, bus, taxi, ferry and Uber/Lyft.

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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: • • • • • •

Exposure to COVID-19 Highway and road safety (e.g., taxi rides, public bus): traffic concerns, road closures, construction, traffic accidents, extreme weather conditions Travel by air (flights): air accident, extreme weather conditions Walking in urban areas: traffic concerns, getting separated from the group Light hiking and walking on paths: strains, sprains and bruising, breaks, getting separated from the group, potential animal encounters Travel by water (Sea Bus, False Creek Ferry): hypothermia, drowning, serious injury

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 2021 | 2022

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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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