EXCURSION INFORMATION FORM
Excursion Name
Transportation Details Date(s) and Times
Grade 1 Trip to The Kortright Centre for Conservation
Friday, October 13th, 2023 (Daily and Seasonal Changes
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)
Group Leader and any other Staff Involved
Grade 1A & Grade 1B (Approximately 40 students, 8 adults)
Mr. Rand, Ms. Cummings, Ms. Tabassum, Ms. Maria 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 daily and seasonal changes. Students will learn to explain and recognize daily and seasonal changes that occur in the world as a result of natural cycles, while hiking through various habitats Students will take part in active games, observe, investigate and discuss changes that may be expected daily and seasonally
Service Provider(s)
Emergency Contact Information
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority: Kortright Centre, Premier Coach
The Kortright Centre for Conservation: 416-667-6295
The York School: 416-926-1325
Sean Rand: srand@yorkschool com
Jacquelyn Cummings: jcummings@yorkschool com
Maham Tabasssum: mtabassum@yorkschool com
Maria Barnden: mbarden@yorkschool com
Sarah Charley scharley@yorkschool.com
Approximate Cost $50-$70
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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.
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.
Cost includes: Kortright Centre workshop programme and Premier Coach Transportation
Costs will be levied to student accounts after the excursion
Wednesday, October 4th, 2023
What to Bring:
1 Reusable water bottle
2. Hat
3. Jacket/coat
4. rain gear (weather dependent)
5. long sleeved shirt
6. Long, durable pants
7. Running or hiking shoes
8 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
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 student, and to facilitate loading on the bus
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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 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
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 some concepts around seasons, cycles and how they might affect our daily living
Follow-up:
The Grade 1 classes will reflect on what kinds of seasonal changes take place in Toronto and how these changes affect us - our transportation, clothing, food and activities. We will also explore how we adapt as a result of these changes We will also engage in a “roses, thorns and buds” reflection to see what the students liked, didn’t like and might hope for in a future field 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, 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 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
Arrangements to be made to transport person/group to EMS (including route to be taken):
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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 the Divisional Principal 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 Friday, October 13th, 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: 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, 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
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
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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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