Great Canadian Outdoor Day: Skating at Ramsden Park

Dear Parents,

GREAT CANADIAN OUTDOOR DAY SKATING @ Ramsden Park Grade JK-2 VENTURING OUT PACKAGE

January 2023

Re: GREAT CANADIAN OUTDOOR DAY-

SKATING

@ Ramsden Park Grade JK-2

The Grade JK-2 students will be traveling by bus to Ramsden Park to skate on our Great Canadian Outdoor Day on Friday, February 10th Students will depart from 1639 Yonge Street at 12:45 pm and arrive at the park at approximately 1:00 pm. We will come off the ice at 2:30 and return to school at approximately 3 pm Hot chocolate and cookies will be served in the cafeteria upon our return.

Students need to come to school in their PHE uniform and bring appropriate warm clothes for the weather. Please note that there is no skate rental available at Ramsden Park. Students will need to bring skates and a proper CSA approved ski or hockey helmet is mandatory (NO bike helmets)

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 Wednesday, January 25th 2023:

Parent Acknowledgement & Assumption of Risk 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.

EXCURSION INFORMATION FORM

Excursion Name

Transportation Details Date and Time

Grades JK-2 Great Canadian Outdoor Day Skating at Ramsden Park

Friday, February 10th

Students will depart from 1639 Yonge Street at 12:45 pm and arrive at the park at approximately 1:00 pm

We will come off the ice at 2:30 and return to school at approximately 3 pm Group Involved Grades JK-2 Group Leader and any other Staff Involved Gillian Hickman and 18 teacher chaperones

other York faculty as needed, parent volunteers, and 3 on-site Parks & Rec skating instructors

Destination Address Ramsden Park 1020 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON

Activity Description and Educational Rationale

This trip is part of the outdoor physical education component of the Physical and Health and Education Programme It is designed to promote fitness in the outdoors, appreciation for the natural urban environment and to enjoy a Canadian recreational activity For some students this may be their first experience skating

Service Providers

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.

Parks and Recreation Toronto, bus provider to be confirmed

Call The York School at (416) 926-1325. Teachers will have cell phones with them and will contact the school in the case of an emergency

$20-$30

Cost includes: Park permit for access to two outdoor rinks, 3 on-site skating instructors & transportation by bus

Costs will be levied to student accounts after the excursion.

Return Level II VO Form via YorkNet by Wednesday, January 25, 2023

What to Wear & What to Bring

Students need to come to school in their PHE uniform and bring appropriate warm clothes for the weather Please note that there is no 2022 | 2023

skate rental available at Ramsden Park. Students will need to bring their own skates and a proper CSA approved ski or hockey helmet is mandatory (NO bike helmets)

What to Bring:

1 WATER BOTTLE: All students need to bring a water bottle

2 CLOTHING: Please check the projected weather forecast for the day ITEMS TO BRING/WEAR: PHE Uniform Skates

Proper CSA approved ski or hockey helmet Warm Layers Rain gear

Rubber boots or winter boots Insulated jacket Mitts or gloves Toque Neck warmer or scarf Any personal medication (such as personal epipen, puffer, etc)

Activities to be undertaken by students:

Students will be actively engaged in ice skating. Students will be travelling by bus to and from Ramsden Park If parents are leaving directly from Ramsden park with their child they must inform the homeroom teacher before they depart and before we board the buses to return to school.

Student preparation for excursion: In class, we will be going through the Ontario Physical Health and Association (OPHEA) safety guidelines with students as well as discussing the expectations outlined in the Code of Conduct

Once on site, students will be briefed on the specific objectives of the experience and additional on-site safety rules.

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 Frostbite is also possible if the students are not dressed properly While on this excursion, students are at risk of damage or loss of property. Students are at risk of becoming separated from the group. 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:

There will be 3 trained skating instructors out on the ice as well as faculty and parent chaperones.Students are required to wear helmets. Students will be supervised at all times when skating and during travel times to and from Ramsden Park by teachers. The homeroom teacher will have their Medical Information folder We will also have cell phones and first aid kits with us Assessment of situational risks will be ongoing

Contingency plan for bad weather/trip interruption:

If the weather is too warm or it is extremely cold, the skating will be cancelled and we will try

and reschedule for another day

If there is a need to adapt plans while on the excursion, parents would be contacted for updates and further action plans

Location of nearest Emergency Medical Service:

Hospital for Sick Kids, 555 University Avenue: main number:416-813-1500

Arrangements to be made to transport person/group to EMS (including route to be taken):

Head south on Yonge Street towards Pears Avenue Turn right onto Gerrard St W Take the 2nd left onto Elizabeth Street to the Emergency entrance If a student is injured, teachers will respond to treat minor injuries Parents and the school will be contacted If injuries are serious, EMS will be activated by dialing 911. One teacher will accompany the injured person to EMS while the remainder of the group will stay together with the remaining accompanying staff.

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 asked to wear their PE uniform

Personal Electronic Equipment: Students are not permitted to use any personal electronic equipment during the trip If a student chooses to bring a personal electronic device to school, the device must stay in their personal bag/backpack at all times. The York School will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items

Independent/Free Time: Students must stay within prescribed boundaries during any free time.

Participation: Student participation in activities is mandatory and they must be on time.

General: Students must wear shoes and proper clothing at all times No gum or junk food is allowed on site or on the bus. Valuables, such as money and pocket knives are not required.

Special Rules for Outdoor Education Activities:

Students shall remain with their group at all times Students shall not leave the established routes at any time Students shall follow instructions and shall:

Respect public space

Dress appropriately

PACKING LIST

1 WATER BOTTLE: All students need to bring a water bottle

2 CLOTHING: Please check the projected weather forecast for the day ITEMS TO BRING/WEAR:

PHE Uniform

Skates

Proper CSA approved ski or hockey helmet

Warm Layers Rain gear

Rubber boots or winter boots

Insulated jacket

Mitts or gloves

Toque

Neck warmer or scarf

Any personal medication (such as personal epipen, 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 Director of Citizenship, Sarah Charley, at scharley@yorkschool com (416-926-1325 Ext 1616).

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 Ramsden Park to Skate on Friday, February 10th 2023 2022 | 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:

Students will be actively engaged in ice skating Students will be travelling by coach bus to and from Ramsden Park If parents are leaving directly from Ramsden park with their child they must inform the homeroom teacher before they depart so we know

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 Frostbite is also possible if the students are not dressed properly While on this excursion, students are at risk of damage or loss of property. Students are at risk of becoming separated from the group 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 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 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.

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 2022 |