EXCURSION INFORMATION FORM
Grade 6 Challenge Week
Depart:Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 at 7:30am from 11 Redway Road
Return: Friday, May 5th, 2023 at 3:30pm arrival 11 Redway Road
Group Involved (Include approximate number) Grade 6 students (47 students)
Group Leader and any other Staff Involved
DestinationAddress
Activity Description and Educational Rationale
Teresa MacDonald (Trip Lead), Jesse Grosman, Sherry Pielsticker, Derek Lam, Cindy Scott, Jen Robertson, Katie Simco,
May 2-5: Hotel - Central Ottawa -TBD
May 1: School Based Programming
This trip gives students the opportunity to learn about science, humanities and French in a fun, exciting and hands-on way. The objective of this trip is to enable students to participate in experiential learning activities and experience community and being a part of a group while touring in Ottawa Students will explore connections among the three subject areas through interactive tours and actitivies, walks and hikes, as well as discussions presented by various providers The Challenge week experience will help students create a culminating year-end project.
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 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.
EFTours www.eftours.ca
Barb Prevedello (inToronto) 416 926 1320 ext 1439
Cell Number 416 209 9905
$1350-$1550*
Cost includes:
- hotel accommodation (and specific hotel security)
- transportation
- EF Tours director
- entrance fees
- programming fees
Meals included in cost: breakfast and dinner daily is provided
Cost does not include:
Daily lunches:Tuesday through Friday and any additional snacks (recommendation for students to bring $20-$25 daily for lunch and snacks). It is also suggested that students bring nut-free snacks for the bus on Tuesday (Day 1). Students can bring their lunch on Tuesday to save the cost of one lunch.
Total Costs and Payments
Anon refundable deposit by EFTof $1000 is required on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
The remainder of the cost will be levied to the student’s account at the completion of the trip
Insurance and Extenuating Circumstances
*EFToursTravel Insurance will be added to this cost (unless you OPT OUTwhen submitting forms).The tour company will add a Global Travel Protection Plan (at a cost of $80), underwritten by Chubb Insurance of Canada that covers illness
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Return Level II VO Form viaYorkNet by
Log on to yourYorkNet account at https://yorkschool myschoolapp com/ app#login to complete your child’s VO Package and give consent for their participation in this excursion.
What to Bring
Sun Protection: Where a trip involves your child being outside between 11:00AM 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.
and accident coverage, baggge and property coverage, and tour cancellation and interruption coverage. 24-hour EmergencyAssistance. Please find the details of the policy here:
https://www.eftours.ca/eliterature/coveragechubb_policy-9908-9942.pdf If you would like to opt out of this plan, please submit EF Tours supplemental form (to be provided).
Without insurance, there will be no refunds for any missed trips
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Packing List included below
Activities to be undertaken by students: Students will take part in moderate walking in urban areas including walking tours, visits to the Parliament Buildings, Ottawa museums and galleries, and local attractions. Students will also explore local natural attractions on foot including parks and nature reserves. Students will also take part in interactive activities at various museums and view visual presentations, participate in bowling, and eat meals at restaurants The group will travel by chartered bus around the area
Student preparation for excursion:
Students will participate in a pre-trip itinerary information sessions with teachers which will also outline safety and expectations Teachers will prepare students in class through the curriculum
Follow-up:
In the weeks following challenge week students will be working on an in-class project.The project will focus on concepts learned during Challenge Week
RiskAssessment
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 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, 1:8 staff to student ratio will be maintained
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Everyone will exercise precautions to avoid sun burns 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:
Students will dress for the weather and outside of extreme temperatures many of the activities will run as scheduled Some walking tours may be altered to bus transport if necessary Depending on the nature of the interruption the route and itinerary will be altered In the event an activity cannot take place, the itinerary and programme goals would be adjusted according to the situation. Should we encounter hazardous road conditions on route, we will pull off at a restaurant or public convenience until conditions improve Parents and the school will be contacted in the event of a later than anticipated return toToronto
Location of nearest Emergency Medical Service:
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
401 Smyth Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1H 8L1
(613)-737-7600 / 911
Arrangements to be made to transport person/group to EMS (including route to be taken):
In the event of a student with an injury, an adult would stay with the injured students and apply any necessary first aid. Asecond adult would ensure the rest of the group is safe and stable. However, if there is a major accident requiring EMS, aYork School staff would accompany any student who would need to be taken to hospital Teachers will keep in contact withTheYork School and parents will be kept updated on the incident
Additional Information:
Monday: the grade 6 classes will be spend the day participating in school based programming
- Students should travel with a photocopy of their health card and parents are encouraged to keep the original at home
- At times the students will be split up into smaller groups and supervised byYorkTeachers as well as EFTour guides Teachers will have cell communication between one another
- Students will be given the opportunity to submit room requests and teachers will create appropriate room assignments of 3-4 per room. Students will share a double/queen bed.
- Cell phones will be collected upon arrival by teachers and redistributed on the return trip The trip is to allow students the opportunity for face to face interaction, exploration and engagement without the use of technology as a distraction In the event you should require contact with your child, you are asked to contact your child’s Home Room teacher by email
Tentative Draft Itinerary
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
7:00 am Motor coach to arrive at the Redway Loblaws, 11 Redway Road / load luggage on board
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7:30 am Depart for Ottawa / rest and meal stops are made en route
2:30 pm Welcome to Ottawa!
Tour Director Led Sightseeing of Ottawa
4:00pm Check in to your hotel accommodations – downtown central hotel
5:30pm Dinner
7:00am Haunted Walk of Ottawa
8:30pm Return to your hotel accommodations
9:30 pm Lights out and night supervision on duty
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
8:00am Breakfast at the hotel
9:30am Scavenger Hunt on Parliament Hill
10:30am Parliament Hill – guided tour
12:00pm Students will have free choice for lunch in the Byward Market and be required to be in groups of 4
1:30pm Vanier Museopark – In Search of Occupations in New France
3:00pm Canada Science and Technology Museum – Workshop
Student to explore Museum following the workshop
5:30pm Dinner
7:00pm Fun Haven: rock climbing, lazer tag, ballocity, bumper cars
8:30pm Return to your hotel accommodations
9:30 pm Lights out and night supervision on duty
Thursday, May 4, 2023
8:00am Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Board your motor coach and depart for Gatineau
9:30am Guided Nature Tour of Gatineau Park
11:00am Board your motor coach and return to Ottawa
11:30am Own arrangements for lunch in the food court of the Rideau Centre
1:00pm Canadian Museum of History – workshop
Students to explore the Museum following the workshop
3:30pm Indigenous Experiences at Madahòkì Farm: Interactive Workshop & Traditional Dance
5:30pm Indigenous Experiences at Madahòkì Farm: Dinner
7:00am Bowling at Merivale Bowling (2 games)
8:30pm Return to your hotel accommodations
9:30 pm Lights out and night supervision on duty
Friday, May 5, 2023
7:30am Breakfast at the hotel
8:30am Check out of your hotel accommodation
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9:00am Board your motor coach and depart for Toronto / rest and meal stops are made en route
3:30pm Approximate time of arrival at the Redway Loblaws, 11 Redway Road
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. You 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.
Curfew: Students are required to be in their own rooms by 9:00 p m, or when directed by staff
Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Equipment: Students are not permitted to bring personal electronic equipment such as mini DVD players, laptops, and pocket video games Student cell phones will be permitted on the bus to and from Ottawa Cell phones will be collected upon arrival by teachers and redistributed on the return trip. The trip is to allow students the opportunity for face to face interaction, exploration and engagement without the use of technology as a distraction In the event you should require contact with your child, you are asked to contact your child’s Home Room teacher through email
Rooms: Room arrangements will be assigned by supervising teachers There will be 3 or 4 students to a room. Students are required to keep their personal belongings neat and tidy. Students may not enter another student’s room without permission. At no time are students to visit rooms of the opposite gender
Independent/Free Time: Students must stay within prescribed boundaries during free time, always travel with a buddy and communicate with a teacher their whereabouts Each person will be partnered for safety In trips of odd numbers, there will be one group of three students Students will be responsible for the whereabouts of their buddy and for informing teacher leaders if the buddy is late or ill etc .Independent time protocols will be followed and will only take place in areas deemed safe in advance 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
Participation: Student participation in activities is mandatory and they must be on time and prepared.
General: It is imperative that students listen and comply with the expectations set out by the supervising teachers In order to maximize the potential of the excursion everyone needs to be working together to ensure the group is safe Student’s will be courteous, respectful and polite when dealing with the community
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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, Barb Prevedello, at bprevedello@yorkschool com (416-926-1325 Ext 1439) 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 Principal, result in appropriate disciplinary action including suspension from subsequent trips.
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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 Ottawa, Ontario on Tuesday, May 2nd to Friday, May 5th, 2023 and school based programming on Monday, May 1st, 2023.
Details concerning this event, including activities, travel, supervision, location and safety precautions have been communicated to me/us and are understood In particular, I/we am/are aware that students will be engaged in the following activities: Students will take part in moderate walking in urban areas including walking tours, visits to the Parliament Buildings, Ottawa museums and galleries, and local attractions. Students will also explore local natural attractions on foot including parks and nature reserves. Students will also take part in interactive activities at various museums and view visual presentations, participate in bowling, and eat meals at restaurants The group will travel by chartered bus around the area
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 theTrip Plan and are aware that this excursion may expose my/our child to the following risks:
Being separated from the group, Highway and street safety: traffic concerns while on the chartered buses
Activities in busy urban areas: tripping, falling, fatigue, sprains, strains, getting separated from group
Walking and hiking injuries: slips, trips, falls, scrapes, bruises, broken bones Traffic accident (coach bus): collisions, road closures, re-routes
Risks associated with being close to water: eg falls, drowning
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 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
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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 Principal, 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 yourYorkNet 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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