LEVEL II VENTURING OUT PACKAGE – Middle School Canada’s Wonderland Trip 2022 May, 2022 Dear Parents, Re: Middle School Canada’s Wonderland Trip Wednesday June 15 2022 The Middle School will travel to Canada’s Wonderland as a community building year-end excursion. Students will meet at Loblaws parking lot (11 Redway Rd, Toronto) at 8:45am, and be dismissed from Loblaws parking lot (11 Redway Rd, Toronto) at 3:30pm. 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 26th. 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
Middle School Canada’s Wonderland Trip
Transportation Details Date(s) and Times
Departure: 8:45am from Loblaws parking lot (11 Redway Rd, Toronto) Dismissal: Approximately 3:30pm from Loblaws parking lot (11 Redway Rd, Toronto) Grade 6, 7 and 8 students (approximately 170 students) Middle School Faculty members. 1:10 staff to student ratio will be maintained Canada’s Wonderland 9740 Jane Street, Vaughan ON, L6A 1S6 The objective of this excursion is to provide a positive and fulfilling closure to the end of the school year. This is one event in a final week of community bonding and celebrations for the school year. Students will have the opportunity to travel in small groups and enjoy the rides and attractions inside the park with their peers. Canada’s Wonderland https://www.canadaswonderland.com/ Premier Coach The York School 416 926 1325 Teacher contact information will be provided closer to the trip $70-$90
Group Involved Group Leader and any other Staff Involved Destination Address Activity Description and Educational Rationale
Service Provider(s)
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 by Mon. May 30th, 2022 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.
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
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This includes bussing and entry fee but NOT lunch and snacks. NOTE: If your child has a season’s pass, you will be asked to indicate this on the online VO form and you will only be charged the transportation fee. Students will need to bring approx. $30-$40 to buy lunch and snacks inside the park. Costs will be levied to student accounts after the excursion.
Thursday, May 26th, 2022 Clothing: Dress for the weather! Appropriate clothing, watch, hat and sunscreen (sunscreen is very important as students will be outside all day), rain jacket if necessary. No Food: Plastic water bottles only *please note NO food items can be brought into the park*. Students will need to bring approx. $30-$40 to buy lunch and snacks inside the park. NOTE ON CASHLESS PAYMENTS ONLY: Please note that Canada’s Wonderland has moved to all cashless 2
UV-A and UV-B rays are also recommended.
payments throughout the park. Students will have to swipe or tap a credit card, debit card, or smart device with Apple Pay or Google Pay where you would normally use cash. If your child doesn’t have a card, they can use the Cash-to-Card Kiosks. This is where you can convert your cash into a prepaid debit card that you can use anywhere not just inside the park. There are no fees to convert your cash to a prepaid card and no fees to use the card in or outside the park. As long as the card is used regularly, no monthly fees will apply. After 13 months of no transaction activity, however, a $3.95 fee will be charged each month thereafter. For more details please refer to Canada’s Wonderland’s Cashless page. Cellphones: Students may bring their cellphones but it is their responsibility to safeguard them during the day. Other: A small bag (like a knapsack) is optional. Masks (we will follow current Covid protocols set out by The York School). Any personal medication needed (eg. epipen, puffer, etc).
Activities to be undertaken by students: - Traveling by bus to and from the site - Walking around Canada’s Wonderland - Purchasing and eating lunch and snacks - Playing theme park games - Riding roller coasters and other rides Student preparation for excursion: Teachers will review the packing list, special rules, and schedule for the day prior to the trip. 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. Exposure to food allergens. 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. Boundaries and out-of-bound areas will also be described. Students will be briefed on the safety procedure of the park and will adhere to all park safety rules. Students and teachers will bring sunscreen and sun protection. Students will be required to travel in small groups and never travel alone. We will also brief the students on what to do and where to meet if they get separated from their group. During independent time, students will be provided with a map of the area and geographic limits will be identified for students. When partially supervised, students must be with their buddies, and 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 2021 | 2022
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and time. Students will have cell phone contact numbers for teachers. Students will be made aware of the risks and will discuss the importance of being aware and vigilant. Teachers will carry a cell phone, medical and contact information for their groups, and first aid kits. Each teacher is trained in first aid. At minimum, 1:10 staff to student ratio will be maintained. 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: In terms of Covid precautions, we will follow the school’s policy at the time of the excursion. Further information will be shared prior to the excursion. Contingency plan for bad weather/trip interruption: This trip is weather dependent and may be called off due to extreme weather such as high winds or thunderstorms. 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: North York General Hospital 4001 Leslie St, North York, ON M2K 1E1 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, ifthereisamajoraccident requiring EMS,aYorkSchoolstaffwouldaccompanyany studentwhowould needtobetakentohospital. Teachers will keep in contact with The York School and parents will be kept updated on the incident.
Additional Information: Students are expected to follow the school’s code of conduct as representatives of The York School. The code of conduct can be found on Yorknet under signed Files and Forms. Special Rules/ Information: - The water park is out of bounds. - Students must dress in appropriate clothing for the activity. Be mindful of sun exposure and ability to comfortably move and participate in activities. - Students are required to stay in their groups and report back to checkpoints on time. - We cannot facilitate a student purchasing a season pass before they enter the park.
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 are representing The York School and casual wear rules will be in effect: clothing must be neat, 2021 | 2022
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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. Personal Electronic Equipment: Students can bring their own cell phone but they are responsible for their care and should bring at their own risk. There is always the possibility of cell phones being lost, damaged, or broken on an excursion. 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 be made aware of the risks and will discuss the importance of being aware and vigilant.
PACKING LIST 1. Clothing: Dress for the weather! Appropriate clothing, watch, hat and sunscreen (sunscreen is very important as students will be outside all day), rain jacket if necessary.
2. No Food: Plastic water bottles only *please note NO food items can be brought into the park*. Students will need to bring approx. $30-$40 to buy lunch and snacks inside the park. NOTE ON CASHLESS PAYMENTS ONLY: Please note that Canada’s Wonderland has moved to all cashless payments throughout the park. Students will have to swipe or tap a credit card, debit card, or smart device with Apple Pay or Google Pay where you would normally use cash. If your child doesn’t have a card they can use the Cash-to-Card Kiosks. This is where you can convert your cash into a prepaid debit card that you can use anywhere - not just inside the park. For more details please refer to Canada’s Wonderland’s Cashless page.
3. Cell phones: Students may bring their cell phones but it is their responsibility to safeguard it during the day.
4. Other: A small bag (like a knapsack) is optional. Masks (we will follow current covid protocols set out by The York School). Any personal medication needed (eg. epi pen, 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 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 2021 | 2022
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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 Canada’s Wonderland on June 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: -
Traveling by bus to and from the site Walking around Canada’s Wonderland Purchasing and eating lunch and snacks Playing theme park games Riding roller coasters and other rides
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: 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. Exposure to food allergens. 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 2021 | 2022
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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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