Paris Central School
2014 Toronto Trip
Purpose of the Trip
Since Paris Central expanded to include Grade 7 and 8s, we have been offering a multi-day year-end trip. The purpose of this trip is
two-fold. First, we wish to provide our students with meaningful connections to the curriculum covered in school classes. We visit
museums, historic sites, monuments, and a host of other experiences that help make class content more meaningful for students.
Secondly, our students spend 10 years in our school. At the end of Grade 8 it is important to provide them with one last memorable
bonding experience before they leave for high school.
In the past, we have had a lot of fun on our trips, and the students come home with memories that they carry with them for years to
come.
Itinerary
Day 1
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Departure from Paris Central School:
We will depart from Paris Central School at 7:30 AM. Students are asked to arrive at 7:15 to load the bus and get prepared. We
will be travelling by school bus, and the bus will take us to the Ontario Science Centre and then to the residence. We will not
have a bus for the remainder of the trip until we are picked up on Day 3.
Arrival at Ontario Science Centre
10:00 – 12:00
Forty years after it was established as one of the world’s first interactive science
museums, the Ontario Science Centre is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Created as a
Centennial project – our official name is the “Centennial Centre of Science and
Technology” – the Ontario Science Centre was a pioneer in creating experiences that
made science accessible. Since its opening September 26, 1969, the Science Centre has
attracted over 40 million visitors from around the world and is one of Canada’s most
visited attractions. Check out some of our accomplishments from over the past 40 years.
Lunch
Students will purchase their own lunch from the Science Centre cafeteria. A maximum of
$10 will be needed for this meal.
Check in at St. Michael’s College
1:00
St. Michael’s College Residence is made up of three traditional student residence
halls. Being one of seven colleges that make up the University of Toronto, St. Michaels’
architecture, with its brave and bold façade marks it as one of the most distinctive
buildings on the University of Toronto campus – winner of numerous awards!
1:30-3:00
Guided tour of Queen’s Park
Paris Central School
PHONE
WEB
(519) 442-4163
www.sites.google.com/site/mrwalkersgrade8s
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The Ontario Legislative Building is often referred to as Queen's Park, though the name
actually refers to the grounds. The sandstone structure, erected 1886-92, has served as
the meeting place for Ontario's Parliament for more than a century. The Legislative
Chamber has undergone a colour change from red and blue to green, reflecting more
traditional parliamentary colours. Exhibits from community museums across Ontario line
the first floor hallways of the building, showcasing the province's history.
Return to Residence to Get Ready
Dinner
The Ghosts of the University of
Toronto- Walking Tour
6:30-7:30
8:00-9:30
A little education can be a ghastly business! The University of Toronto, a center for
academics and higher learning, has more than its own share of urban legends. The
architecture and environment of the University certainly lend themselves to some ghostly
storytelling. The grounds of the University of Toronto can be spooky indeed. Hear the
famous Toronto story about two stonemasons, partners in their craft, but bloodthirsty
competitors in love. There's also the tale of the famous Canadian author who vowed to
return from the grave to haunt Massey College, and of the biscuit maker who locked his
mistress inside a secret chamber.
Return to residence
Once at the residence, students will be given time to get ready for bed and spend some
social time. Lights out will be between 11:00 and 11:30, at which time students will be in
their own rooms. U of T provides nighttime security on the floor at all times.
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Day 2
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Day 2 will be a very physical day. We will begin by taking the streetcar towards the Lake Ontario, and will walk for the rest of the
day. Students will need comfortable walking shoes. Walking is an excellent way to experience Toronto, and in the past many
students found that after walking the downtown area for 3 days, they felt comfortable navigating around the neighbourhoods.
Breakfast at residence
Streetcar to Front St
Great Lakes Schooner “A Sail
through Time”
Lunch at the Olde Spaghetti Factory
8:00
The breakfast is a buffet style. Options include: eggs, bacon, sausages, cereal, yogurt,
fruit and assorted pastries. Students will eat at 8:00, and then return to their rooms to
get ready for the day.
9:15
The Toronto streetcar system dates back to the 19th century and is the largest streetcar
system in the Americas both in terms of ridership and number of cars. Riding the
streetcar is an excellent way to move around the city, especially for students who have no
transit system to rely on at home. Using public transit gives students a glimpse into life in
the big city.
9:00-10:30
Students will hear about Maritime, Toronto Harbourfront, and Great Lakes History. They
will assist the crew in sailing the ship as they work together raising and lowering sails, and
help the Captain at the wheel.
11:00-12:00
The Olde Spaghetti Factory has been open since 1970 and provides a wide variety of
options for individuals as well as large groups.
Toronto Blue Jays Game
1:00-3:30
The Jays will be playing the Twins at the Rogers Center. We will be sitting on field level
on one of the base lines. Go Jays, Go!
Hockey Hall of Fame
3:30-5:00
The Hockey Hall of Fame was established in 1958 and has been in its current location
since 1993 and offers programmes for individuals and schools to learn more about
Canada’s favourite pastime. There is memorabilia, multimedia, and a host of interactive
activities for children and adults to enjoy. Even students who are not hockey fans are
sure to enjoy the exhibits.
5:30-6:30
Dinner at Wayne Gretzky’s
Restaurant
CN Tower
Welcome to Wayne Gretzky’s! For 18 years Wayne Gretzky’s Toronto has strived to
provide great food and great, friendly service. Their latest menu combines their
experience in delivering quality food with the latest trends in dining and healthy eating.
Also, some of Wayne’s personal favourites are indicated so you can try them too.
7:00-8:30
In 1995, the CN Tower was classified as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World
by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The World’s Tallest Tower shares this
designation with the Itaipu Dam on the Brazil/Paraguay border, the Golden Gate Bridge in
San Francisco, the Panama Canal, the Chunnel under the English Channel, the North Sea
Protection Works off the European coast, and the Empire State Building.
We will go up the tower, walk on the class floor, tour the observation deck, and
experience the feature at the 4D theatre.
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Return to Residence
9:30
The students will be given time to get ready for bed and to socialize. There is a TV and kitchenette in the common area.
Day 3
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Breakfast at the Residence
8:00
The breakfast is a buffet style. Options include: eggs, bacon, sausages, cereal, yogurt, fruit and assorted pastries. Students will
eat at 8:00, and then return to their rooms to get ready for the day.
After breakfast, we will pack our belongings and put our luggage into storage by the residence front desk.
Walk to the Royal Ontario Museum
9:30-11:30
The Royal Ontario Museum is among the world’s leading museums of natural history, and
of world cultures. Indeed, in combining a universal museum of cultures with that of
natural history, the ROM offers an unusual breadth of experience to visitors and scholars
from around the world.
Shopping at the Eatons Centre
12:00-2:30
No trip to Toronto is complete without shopping. The students will travel around the
Eaton Centre in small groups and visit retail outlets of their choosing. We will be eating at
the mall food court, and students are responsible for purchasing their own lunch. It is
recommended that students not bring large sums of money for shopping.
Walk back to residence
We will walk back to the residence through Toronto’s Chinatown. The markets, shops and
general business of the area is always of interest to students. We will get our luggage
from storage, use the residence restrooms and board the bus at approximately 3:00.
4:15 – 5:45
Laser Quest is a family entertainment venue located in Mississauga combining the
classic games of hide-and-seek and tag with a high tech twist. The multi-level arenas
have specialty lighting, swirling fog and energetic music. Students will go in groups into
the laser maze. This activity was one of the highlights of the Ottawa trip last year. We
will have a pizza dinner delivered to the venue
Laser Quest
Return to Paris Central
6:45 – 7:00
The timing of our return will depend upon traffic. Students typically call or text message
their parents when the bus is passing through Hamilton.
Payment Schedule:
Payments will be expected as follows:
Total Cost of Trip:
January 31, 2014-
$50.00 deposit (non-refundable)
February 28, 2014-
$100.00
March 31, 2014-
$100.00
May 25, 2012-
$70.00
$320.00