SCHOOL ORGANIZATION

The Island School provides a combination of family groupings and straight grades where all students have the opportunity to be successful. A competent, caring staff work as a team in partnership with parents to ensure that the individual needs of the children are met. Students are made to feel welcome and are given every opportunity to strive for excellence.

We ensure a balanced curriculum where activity based learning opportunities are provided throughout the grades. We aim for the highest standards of achievement and ensure that all students reach their full potential.

The Island School values the worth of each child and respects individual differences, strengths and needs. While nuturing self-concept and self esteem, we promote mutual respect and develop a sense of responsibilityin students.
A good relationship between parents and teacher can ensure the success of the program and the individual student.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do the children get to school?

    City students take a ferry and school bus to get to the school. The students are met at the ferry docks by our boat/bus supervisors prior to the 8:30 a.m. departure. They are escorted on the ferry and the school bus.

Island students take the school bus from Ward's Island at 8:30 and Algonquin Island students are picked up at approximately 8:35. This bus is unsupervised.

City students arrive back in the city at 4:25. Island students are dropped off at 3:50. Please download a pdf letter about bus and boat supervision (Oct 21, 2005)

2. Does the ferry operate in the winter?

    Yes, the ferry does run year round. If the ferry is out of commission, the students are picked up at the ferry docks by our school buses. They are then transported to the school via the Island Airport. Return at the end of the school day is also by school bus. The children are dropped off at the ferry docks. There may be some delays due to the Island Airport ferry crossing.

3. Who supplies the boat tickets?

    The Toronto District School Board supplies the boat tickets for the city students. The students receive their tickets for the week on Monday. If the tickets are misplaced then it is the parents responsibility to replace the ferry tickets.

4. What do I do if my child is sick at school?

    The school will contact you if your child is sick. If your child has to go home then parents of children in kindergarten to grade 3 come over on the ferry and meet their child at the island side dock. Students in grades 4 to 6 may travel on the ferry by themselves. Parents must meet them at the city side dock.

In extreme cases emergency services would arrange transportation.

5. What do I do if my child will not be coming to school?

     If your child will be absent from school, parents must call the school and leave a message. Please provide the name of your child and the child's class.

6. Do kindergarten children sign in with the boat             supervisor?

    No, parents may approach the boat supervisor at the ferry docks inside the compound and inform her that they have arrived.

7. Are parents allowed to escort their child onto the boat?

    It is not encouraged. However, if parents wish to escort their child onto the ferry they must purchase an adult ticket first. The ferry captain will not wait for parents to disembark before departure.

8. Are children allowed out on the deck of the boat?

    No. All children are seated inside the cabins until escorted out by the boat supervisors. More answers to ferry questions (pdf).