Toronto

Trip Information
Tonight:

Please see Mrs. Phenix in the office to have a letter
notarized, stating that Paragon has permission to take
your child across the border. We have a form you can
use if you like.

If you have it with you, please give Mrs. Phenix your
childs birth certificate or passport. We want to get these
organized and filed appropriately for the border crossing.
If you are a parent chaperone, you can keep your
passport with you; we will collect your passport only as
we approach the border.

If you dont have your childs birth certificate with you,
please get it to Mrs. Phenix as soon as you are able.



Tonight:

If you need an update on how much you still owe for the
trip, please see Mrs. McDonald, or email her at
15.cmcdonald@nhaschools.com.

The last payment is due May 9
th
.

Ask questions if you have them!


Leaving
Students and their suitcases should be dropped off on the east side
of the Westwinds parking lot by 8:00 AM on Tuesday, May 27
th
.

Once students have received their bus assignment and loaded their
bags, they should walk over to the school and go to Mr. Fitchs
classroom.

Once in the classroom, they will check in, get their lanyard with their
ID/itinerary, receive their bus assignment, and meet up with their
chaperone.

Mr. Fitch will collect medication, if your student requires any.

Mrs. McDonald and Mr. Perfitt will be on hand to make sure all birth
certificates and passports are collected and organized.

All travelers will need a sack lunch for the bus ride. Please have that
packed in your backpack and with you at your seat.

Arrival
We should be back at Paragon at around 7:00 PM on
Friday the 30
th
. Of course, this could vary greatly based
on border traffic. We will keep you informed of our
progress the best we can.

Electronic Devices

Students may bring cell phones; however, it is important
to note that cell phones are only to be used for
communication before we leave the hotel in the morning,
and after we settle back at the hotel at night.

Phones can be used as cameras at our tourist stops,
and as mp3 players on the bus. The point of the trip is
that we fully enjoy every aspect of the Toronto
experienceand putting our cell phones away is part of
that. We are asking that students put their phones in
airplane mode during the day while we are out and
about.

If you need to get a hold of your child during the day, feel
free to contact Mrs. McDonald at 517-960-5680 or Mr.
Perfitt at 517-745-2480.

Electronic Devices, continued

Many cell phone plans carry heavy roaming charges when
someone crosses the border. Many plans also charge a lot for
international texting or data use. Please make sure that you
and your child know what the expectations are for
communication with their phone, including internet use,
texting, and calling. (This could save you hundreds!)

Students are responsible for their own items. Teachers and
adults will not be responsible if a student loses, breaks, or
misplaces an electronic device. Bring them at your own risk!

Electronic devices are only allowed on the bus rides-- students
are not to use these items in any of the museums or places we
are visiting.


Electronic Devices, continued

ipods must be kept as a respectable volume-- if we can
hear it, its too loud.

Students violating this policy will have their items
removed from their possession until Friday evening when
we return to school.

Chaperones can confiscate electronics, too! Students,
listen to your chaperones about electronic use, please.

Packing

Please remember we have to fit everyones luggage in
the storage compartment under the bus--dont overpack!
Each student may pack a carry-on for on the bus;
backpacks are good for this. Students are responsible for
carrying their own bag.
Students are advised to pack a light jacket or sweatshirt
in their carry-on.
Students are not required to wear Paragon dress code
clothing, however, their clothing should be clean, neat,
and appropriate. We are representing Paragon.

Packing, continued

Students and chaperones will get a Toronto t-shirt to
wear on the third day of the tripThursday.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Tennis shoes are
best. We will be doing a lot of walking on our trip

Please remember one nicer outfit for the theatre. It
doesnt have to be too fancy: clean, no jeans, no t-shirts.


Money
All of the meals are included in the cost of our trip.

You can send your child with a little spending money, either in
US currency or Canadian currency. Most Canadian
businesses accept American cash, or we can get it changed
once we cross the border.

Students, dont lend or borrow money. This usually doesnt go
well

Students, if we give you food money, use it for food, not
souvenirs.

Remember that there is a 13% tax on all goods and services.
Prices are expensive in Toronto. Students, budget carefully!



Groups
Students will be put into groups of 4-8 with 2 adults.

If one parent needs to use the restroom or leave the
group for any reason, the other parent is in charge of the
group. Students must listen to both adults, whether its
their chaperone or not.

You may not be with your best friend all day, every day.
Thats okay! Be friends with everyone.
Medical Issues
Although Canada is known for universal health care, it
isnt free for international travelers. Canadian hospitals
wont turn away Americans, but before they give
treatment, they will warn those who visit the ER that there
will be a cost attached to the visit.

In the unlikely event that we need to visit the ER with
your child, we will do everything we can to contact you
first.

Many insurance plans include travel insurance, or it can
be purchased cheaply. It might be worth looking into
before the trip.

Medications
All medication need to be in their original containers and
placed in a Ziploc bag with your childs name on it in
black marker. All dosage information should be clearly
marked, with any other information we will need.
A medication form needs to be filled out for each
medication. A copy is included in your packet. If you need
more copies of this form, please see the front office, or
you can download it from our trip website.
Please give your child any morning meds on Tuesday
morning before arriving at school.
Please make sure to include enough medication to last
all days of the trip, as well as one or two extra pills, just in
case.

Dos and Donts
DO stay with your chaperone at ALL times.

DO remember that you are an ambassador of our school.

DONT yell or scream-- especially inside the buildings.

DO be polite to your bus driver.

DO be courteous, kind, and respectful of your chaperone.
Please do as they say.

DO keep track of your own belongings.

DO avoid drama. Please. Give grace to others, and keep the
peace with your fellow travelers.
Dos and Donts
DONT take a ridiculous amount of food at breakfast and
then not eat it. DONT leave a mess after you.

DO be polite to servers, guides, and other Torontonians.

DO go to sleep when your chaperone tells you to.

DO consider the social contract we have at school as still
in effect. Respect and responsibility are the two
cornerstones of that.
Itinerary: Tuesday
8:30 Leave Paragon

12:00-ish Sack lunch on the bus

Estimated time of 3:00: Ferry to Toronto Island

4:00-5:45 Quadricycle rentals, exploringToronto Island

5:45 Ferry back to the city

6:00-8:00 Dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory

9:00 Hotel, room assignment and (if time), pool party

Itinerary: Wednesday
7:00-8:00 Breakfast, leave hotel
8:30 CN Tower
10:30 Pre-Show tour of Princess of Wales Theatre
12:15 Lunch at the Hard Rock Caf
1:15 Explore Dundas Square in day groups
3:00-4:45 Go to hotel to change for evening
5:15 Milestones Restaurant for dinner
7:30 Lion King Performance at the Princess of Wales
Theatre

Itinerary: Thursday
8:00-9:30 Breakfast at hotel, leave
10:00 Ontario Science Center
12:00 St. Laurence Market, explore and have lunch
2:00 Casa Loma mansion tour
4:00 Royal Ontario Museum
5:30 Harbourfront Centre (shopping and cultural district)
7:07 Blue Jays game, back to hotel following the game

Itinerary: Friday
7:00 Breakfast at hotel
8:00 Load bus with baggage
8:30 Toronto Zoo
11:00 Load bus, travel home
1:00 Lunch stop
7:00-8:00 arrival to Paragon (based on border traffic)