JK Andrews Farm 2024 Level II VO

Dear JK Parents,

VENTURING OUT PACKAGE

JK Andrews Farm Field Trip

April 2024

Re: JK Andrews Farm

The JK classes will travel to Andrews Farm on Thursday, May 30th to further our understanding of the concepts in our Sharing the Planet unit of inquiry Our central idea is: Plants are a life sustaining resource on Earth and we are looking at how we use plants in our daily lives, caring for plants and how they contribute to our daily lives

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, May 15th

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.

EXCURSION INFORMATION FORM

Excursion Name

Transportation Details Date and Time

Group Involved

Group Leader and any other Staff Involved

Destination Address

Activity Description and Educational Rationale

Andrews Farm Milton

Depart: 9 a m

Arrival at Farm: 10 a m

Leaving the Farm: 2 p m

Returning for regular 3:15 pm dismissal

JKA & JKB

24 students and 10 adults

Ms Julie Selley, Ms Riviere Chan, Ms Mary Moffat and 7 parent volunteers

Andrews Farm Milton

9365 10 Side Rd, Milton, ON L9T 2X9 (905) 878-5807

We will be exploring 165 acres of fruit, vegetable and flower farming; picking and tasting fresh produce right from the field; connecting with nature and wildlife; visiting the farm animals; going for a tractor ride; and enjoying the playground all in connection with our current Sharing the Planet Unit of Inquiry Service Providers Andrews Farm, Premier Coach

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.

Farm: (905) 878-5807

The York School: 416-926-1325

Mary Moffat Johannson: mmoffatjohansson@yorkschool.com

Julie Selley: jselley@yorkschool.com

Riviere Chan: rchan@yorkschool.com

$85-$95

Cost includes: Farm Admission and Premier Coach Transportation as well as berry picking if available

Costs will be levied to student accounts after the excursion Return

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.

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 these 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 labeled 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.

ITEMS TO BRING/WEAR:

Warm Layers

Sun Hat

Sunscreen

Rain gear

Water bottle

Rubber boots or winter boots

Extra clothes

4 MEDICATION: Any personal medication (such as 2 personal epipens, puffer, etc)

Activities to be undertaken by students: Students will be traveling to and from site by coach bus. Students will visit Andrews Farm, they will be exploring 165 acres of fruit, vegetable and flower farming; picking and tasting fresh produce right from the field; connecting with nature and wildlife; visiting the farm animals; going for a tractor ride; and enjoying the playground

Student preparation for excursion:

In class we have been discussing how we share the planet with humans, animals and nature and the central idea of plants being a life-sustaining resource on Earth.

Follow-up:

JK will reflect on our day and what we observed at the farm as related to our Inquiry unit

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 exposed to farm animals and related allergens. 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 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 Students will be paired in a buddy system At minimum,1:5 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:

Brampton Civic Hospital

2100 Bovaird Drive East, Brampton, ON L6R 3J7

Phone: 905-494-2120

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, 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

PACKING LIST

What to Bring:

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

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: Students will wear their gym uniform (track suit or shorts if weather appropriate)

Please check the projected weather forecast for the day When packing, please follow these 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 labeled 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

ITEMS TO BRING/WEAR:

● Warm Layers

● Sun Hat

● Sunscreen

● Rain gear

● Water bottle

● Rubber boots or winter boots

● Extra clothes

4. MEDICATION: Any personal medication (such as 2 personal epipens, 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 Student Life and Belonging, Sarah Charley, at scharley@yorkschool.com (416-926-1325 Ext 1616) 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 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 Andrews Farm in Milton on Thursday, May 30th

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 traveling to and from site by coach bus Students will visit and they will be exploring 165 acres of fruit, vegetable and flower farming; picking and tasting fresh produce right from the field; connecting with nature and wildlife; visiting the farm animals; going for a tractor ride; and enjoying the playground The JK students will be learning about how we share the planet with humans, animals and nature and the central idea of plants being a life-sustaining resource on Earth. 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. Students are exposed to farm animals and related allergens. 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 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

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.