LEVELII VENTURING OUTPACKAGE -
GRADE 9 CHALLENGE WEEKLOCALADVENTURES
February, 2023
Re: LocalAdventures May 1 - May 5, 2023
As you are aware, your child will be participating in the Local Adventures Challenge Week excursion from Monday May 1st to May 5th 2023 The group will meet daily at The York School and participate in onsite and offsite activities directly relating to the ICE curriculum
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 and provides us with the authority to incur expenses on your child's behalf (please read details with respect to your responsibility for expenses and conditions relating to cancellations set out in the form)
This excursion plays an important part in the overall educational plan for your child, is curriculum focused and supports our mission. Therefore there will be no alternative programming during that week, as the entire Senior School Faculty are involved Please read through this package to ensure that you, the parent or guardian, feel comfortable with the activities and potential risks associated with this trip As this Challenge Week group meets in the upcoming weeks, the activities planned will take shape, based on their interests and educational goals A detailed itinerary will follow closer to the date
Once you have satisfied yourself as to the suitability of this trip for your child, please complete the online Venturing Out Form by Friday, March 3, 2023 including Parent Acknowledgement, Consent, Release Form and Code of Conduct Any applicable waivers related to activities undertaken by students will be forthcoming as these details are finalized
As well as completing the online form above, please submit the following by Friday, March 3, 2023:
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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 toYorkNet.
Thank you,
Barb Prevedello Experiential Educator bprevedello@yorkschool com Ext 1439 Deposit of $500 (by electronic funds transfer toTheYork School)2022 | 2023 1
EXCURSION INFORMATION FORM
Excursion Name
Transportation Details Date(s) and Times
Group Involved (Include approximate number)
LocalAdventures! Challenge Week
Students will travel by bus/TTC/taxi to the various service locations
Monday May 1 – Friday May 5, 2023 daytime (unless otherwise indicated)
Agroup of Grade 9 students
Group Leader and any other Staff Involved Rob Burkett, Cathy Campbell
DestinationAddress
Students will be moving throughout the week to various locations around the city of Toronto including the school Please see the attached Itinerary for a sample of specific locations.
The trip carries out the school’s philosophy of having students learning through experience, a philosophy also inherent in both the MYP and Ministry of Education curricula Specifically, this trip enriches the students’ English-History-Geography (ICE) and Healthy Active Living courses. As part of their culminating activity for English, Geography and History, students will conduct research into the interaction between human and natural systems of the area, and eventually produce a piece of media that explores the distinct identity of this unique region of Canada Service Provider(s) Example of Various locations that include: Ontario Place, the Toronto Portlands, Queen Street West and Kensington Market, City Hall, TIFF Lightbox, AGO, Brickworks and ravines, the Scarborough Bluffs
Activity Description and Educational Rationale
Emergency Contact Information Barb Prevedello 416 209 9905 (InToronto)
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.
$500-$700
Anon refundable deposit by EFTof $500 is required on March 3rd.
Cost includes: any entrance fees or instructional fees as well as transportation for the week, specialists costs and programmes
Cost does not include: Lunches - students must pack a lunch or bring money to purchase their own lunch.
The remainder of the cost will be levied to student’s account at the end of the excursion
Return Level II VO Form via YorkNet by Friday, March 3, 2023
What to Bring
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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-Aand UV-B rays are also recommended.
Activities to be undertaken by students: Travel by public transit and taxi. Participation in various site visits where students will have opportunities to speak with experts and learn about the city’s sustainability, growth and government Visits to local cultural centres and environmental sites Students will spend a great portion of the day, travelling on foot as they explore various neighbourhoods
Student preparation for excursion:
Students will have monthly preparatory meetings in January, February, March, and April In the weeks leading up to the trip, students will learn how to operate the technical equipment involved in producing a media piece In addition, students will read, discuss, write about the literature short stories, poetry, non-fiction of the region, just as journalists would do background research to prepare to go on assignment
Follow-up:
Towards the end of the academic year, the ICE community will come together to showcase student work which, when brought together, will reflect the distinct ways that Canada’s diverse regions contribute to a rich and complex Canadian identity. The weeks following Challenge Week and preceding the showcase will see students preparing their final products and reflections We look forward to celebrating Canada and our students with you at the end of the year
RiskAssessment
Specific Risks Identified:
1- Weather: Cold, rain, storms, lightning, sunburn, dehydration
2- Road Safety: traffic accident en route
3- Walking around sites and attractions: Cuts, scrapes, broken bones, bruising, sprains, becoming separated from the group
4-Allergies: food, insect, plant
Precautions to be taken to reduce or eliminate risks:
The teachers are trained in first aid and will carry a first aid kit to all sites The group will travel and stay together for each site visit Teachers will monitor weather to modify outdoor activity in the event of adverse conditions.
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.
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Location of nearest Emergency Medical Service:
In Downtown Centre:
The Hospital for Sick Children
555 UniversityAve,Toronto
In EastToronto
Michael Garron Hospital
825 Lower CoxwellAve, EastYork
Arrangements to be made to transport person/group to EMS: In the event EMS is activated an ambulance will be used Astaff member will accompany the injured student to the hospital
Additional Information and Specific Instructions for Students:
- Students will meet at the school every morning between 8:00-9:00 as indicated by the itinerary, which will be determined in the coming weeks
- Dress for the week should be appropriate for the programme. Casual clothing is acceptable; uniform is not required.
- Students will be dismissed from the school or aTTC stop at the end of each day. Dismissal details will be clear on the finalized itinerary.
- Students must bring/purchase their own lunch
EXAMPLE ITINERARY
As this is an example of an itinerary, locations and timing will change A final itinerary will be sent prior to the trip
Date Plan
Monday May 4 Visit theAGO, Queen West and Kensington Market. Explore elements of cultural sustainability as neighborhoods experience higher density living and economic growth
Tuesday May 5 Visit the Toronto Portlands
Meet with a developer from CreateTO to understand the plans for Toronto’s Donlands, exploring questions of environmental sustainability and urban planning.
Potential Evening Programming
Visit theTIFF Lightbox to see a film related to area of study
Wednesday May 6 Visit the Brickworks
Meet with programmer from the Brickworks to understand how community is supported and connected through local outreach. Hike the local ravine system and explore how watershed is impacted by
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urban growth and how our parks system serves the city.
Thursday May 7 Visit to Ontario Place
Consider the tensions between economic opportunities, cultural and environmental sustainability
Friday May 8 Fun Day
Choose an activity to cap the week.
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.
Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Equipment: Students are permitted to bring their cell phones as long as they are used appropriately
Independent/Free Time: Independent time, which will only occur in safe areas of the city, will be either entirely or partially supervised – students will be with the group for the whole time. Students will recieve maps and will walk the perimeter of the specific geographic limits of the area. When given the opportunity to venture away from the group, they must remain within those specific geographic limits and will check in periodically with a teacher at a specific place and time. They will carry the phone number of the staff members. Students will have limited independent time in the schedule.
Participation: Student participation in activities is mandatory and they must be on time.
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 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) inTheYork School trip to LocalAdventures! Challenge Week, to attractions around the GTAon Monday, May 1st to Friday, May 5th, 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:
Travel by public transit and taxi. Participation in various site visits where students will have opportunities to speak with experts and learn about the city’s sustainability, growth and government. Visits to local cultural
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centres and environmental sites. Students will spend a great portion of the day, travelling on foot as they explore various neighbourhoods.
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:
1. Weather: Cold, rain, storms, lightning, sunburn, dehydration
2. Road Safety: traffic accident en route
3. Walking around sites and attractions: Cuts, scrapes, broken bones, bruising, sprains, becoming separated from the group
4. Allergies: food, insect, plant
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 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 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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