Plants and High Park’s Early Settlers
Pre-Visit Information for Teachers
For your convenience, a partially completed 511C form is provided (pdf format).
To ensure a successful day, it is essential to review BOTH the Program Specific Information below AND the General Guidelines!
NOTE: This program best suits students in grade 3. Grade 2/3 split classes are NOT recommended.
We strongly recommend combining split classes to only bring grade 3 students. Please let your TUSC staff know if you are planning to bring a split grade class.
Program Specific Information
Before coming, remind students:
- the program is not "an outing", it is a "work day"
- lots of energy is needed -- eat breakfast!
- the program takes place outdoors in a naturalized area; students must protect themselves against mosquitoes, ultraviolet rays, and poison ivy by wearing light coloured breathable clothing that covers arms and legs (no shorts); hats/caps are recommended; wear closed toed shoes (no sandals)
- the class needs to bring insect repellent with no more than 10% DEET and sunscreen - these products should NOT be applied before coming to the program, TUSC staff will instruct the students on how to apply them correctly. Students are to apply insect repellant only under adult supervision.
- all program materials, including pencils and clipboards, are provided
- bring a packed lunch and a drink -- water only please; sweet drinks such as juice or soda pop dehydrate children and attract bees, wasps and other insects
- TUSC is a Platinum EcoSchool - Waste-free Lunches are expected!
- have students bring an extra bottle of water, especially if the day is warm (there are few drinking fountains in the park)
Program Location and Travel Instructions:
High Park is located in Toronto’s west end (bounded to the north by Bloor Street West, to the south by The Queensway, to the east by Parkside Drive and to the west by Grenadier Pond).
by TTC:
Go to the High Park Subway Station and exit east to High Park Avenue. Walk south on High Park Avenue to the main entrance to High Park (south side of Bloor Street West at High Park Avenue). The TUSC staff meets you on the grassy area at the main entrance.
The program day ends at Colborne Lodge. You can walk south (5 minutes) to the Queen streetcar or north (15-20 minutes) to the Bloor-Danforth subway line.
by School Bus:
drop off: Busses enter High Park via the main entrance on the south side of Bloor Street West at High Park Avenue and proceed to the first roadside parking area just south of the entrance. After leaving the bus, walk to the grassy area at the main entrance to meet the TUSC staff.
pick-up: At the end of the day, busses pick students up at Colborne Lodge, located on Colborne Lodge Drive. NOTE: Colborne Lodge Drive runs north off The Queensway and Lake Shore Boulevard; you cannot access Colborne Lodge by driving south from the Bloor Street West entrance.