Dear Parent(s) and/or Guardian(s):
On behalf of the Island Lake staff, we’d like to welcome you to the 2024/25 school year. We hope you have had a wonderful Summer. Our amazing custodians and maintenance staff have been busy all Summer making sure the school is clean and shiny. We are looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, September 4th. The school year calendar can be found here https://www.ugdsb.ca/schools/school-year-calendars/
Follow us on X (Twitter) @IslandLakePS for friendly reminders and ongoing events in the school.
As always, check our website and calendar at https://www.ugdsb.ca/islandlake/ for upcoming events.
PA Day - September 3rd, 2024
September 3 2024 PA Day Description Poster For Schools
UGDSB Back To School Information
https://www.ugdsb.ca/blog/welcome-to-the-2024-25-school-year-upper-grand/
First Day Procedures
When students arrive in the morning, there will be ‘grade’ signs placed around the yard and staff will have classlists to assist, if needed, by directing them to their location. See the map below for the designated areas.
In the case of inclement weather:
JK/SK will enter the kindergarten classrooms through the kindergarten yard
Grade 1-3 students will meet and line up in the gym
Grade 5 will enter the ecopac
Grade 6 students will go to the portables. Staff on duty will help guide them to their classroom
Grade 4, 7 & 8 will head to the upper level of the school
If you are driving your child to the school, please do not enter the school lot during the times posted on the sign at the entrance to the parking lot as buses will need access.
School Times
8:35am - Supervision starts on the yard
8:50am - School Starts
10:30-11:10 - Nutrition Break and Recess
12:50-1:30 - Nutrition Break and Recess
3:10pm - Dismissal
If your child is going to arrive late or will be absent, please call the office to let us know and have your child check in at the office upon arrival.
Bussing
Information for the 2024-2025 school year is available on the STWDSTS Parent Portal. https://findmyschool.ca Please check your child's route and stop time information each day as routes may change due to new student registrations. They advise that you are at your stop 10 mins before pick up as buses can run earlier. If you have concerns and/or questions about your child’s busing, please contact transportation directly.
Information from STWDSTS concerning registrations after August 21 for students without an OEN
PLEASE NOTE: STWDSTS would like to advise when adding a student to your parent account, you are now required to enter the Student ID number (OEN found on any Ontario report card). If your student has not received an OEN and registered at a school serviced by STWDSTS prior to August 21, 2024, information will be mailed to the main address on the student file. Students without an OEN registering at school after August 21st will have to call our call centre to receive information.
Parents can create their online account using a valid email address and password and can add students when you have received the information in your letter. If you have any questions or concerns, please call our call centre at 519-824-4119
For those with OEN’s, please be sure to check your child’s transportation details throughout the year by visiting www.findmyschool.ca
For instructions pertaining to Parent Portal creation and login procedures, please click HERE.
Re-organization
Schools have built class lists based on their tentative organizations. Changes may be necessary at your child(ren)’s school in order that our Board remains compliant with Ministry parameters (see below). Any changes would be implemented by Tuesday, September 17th. Principals do not have the option of changing the school organization that is set by the District Staffing Committee of the Board. If changes affect your child(ren), you will be informed by the school.
Staffing Message Regarding School Organizations September 2024
Life-Threatening Allergies
We have children in our school with potential life-threatening allergies (called anaphylaxis) to various foods and other materials. Anaphylaxis is a medical condition that can cause death within minutes. Some of these include: peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, sesame seeds, and kiwi. Although this may not affect your child’s class directly, we are letting you know so that you are aware that we aim to create an allergy safe environment at our school. Our school has procedures in place for the prevention and management of anaphylactic reactions. If your child has health concerns of any kind, please tell your child’s teacher or the office and we will take the necessary health protection steps. Thank you for your understanding in ensuring an allergy-safe environment for all of our students.
Updates to the Code of Conduct
It is the responsibility of all members of a school community to do their part in ensuring positive interactions and respectful relationships. Standards of behaviour must be followed by all staff, students, parents/guardians/caregivers, volunteers, trustees, community partners, community groups using board facilities, and all visitors on board property, in order to maintain a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning and working environment.
The UGDSB has information about standards of behaviour available on the board website, including information around provincial expectations regarding the use of mobile devices in schools. Parents/guardians are encouraged to review that information on the UGDSB website.
The province of Ontario also has information for parents/guardians available on its website, regarding the public education school system in Ontario.
Below is a snapshot of expectations noted for mobile device use:
Students will:
not use personal mobile devices during instructional time except under the following circumstances:
○ for educational purposes, as directed by an educator
○ for health and medical purpose
○ to support special education needs
Students in Grades 7-12
Personal mobile devices must be stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode during instructional time, except when their use is explicitly permitted by the educator.
Students in Grades 6 and below
Personal mobile devices must be stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode throughout the full instructional day, except when their use is explicitly permitted by the educator.
Parking Lot/Bus Loop:
Please avoid using the parking lot and bus loop from 8:15am-9am and again at 2:30pm-3:30pm. If your child rides a bike/scooter/skateboard to school please remind them to walk with their bike/scooter/skateboard when on school property using the sidewalk.
Pets:
If walking your pet to drop off/pick up your child, we ask that you do not bring your pet onto school property. If using the property after hours, kindly pick up after your pet so waste is not left on the field. Thank you.
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Parents and guardians are responsible for expenses related to student injuries on school premises or during school activities. Accidents can and do happen and the costs involved might not be fully covered by Provincial health care or employer group insurance plans.
The Upper Grand District School board is empowered under The Education Act to offer Accident and Life Insurance for students.
See the Upper Grand District School Board Director’s letter to families posted on our website containing information with respect to two Programs available for the purchase of Student Accident Insurance. The Insuremykids Program is offered through Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada and the Study Insured Program is underwritten by Certain Lloyds’s Underwriters through AON Insurance.
Each program offers a variety of options, including family rates at affordable prices. The cost must be paid by the parent or guardian. Paper copies of the application are no longer available. Purchase is done directly on line or by contacting the Provider:
or call toll free 1-800-463-5437
www.studyinsuredstudentaccident.com
or call toll free 1-833-560-0527
For today’s active children, especially those who participate in field trips, co-curricular and other school activities outside the school day, Student Accident Insurance is valuable.
September Communications Newsletter
The September Communications Newsletter is out! This is the monthly public-facing newsletter from the UGDSB communications department.
In this month's issue we have information about:
Important information to start the new school year
Information about the code of conduct, including use of mobile devices
Tips for creating having a healthy back to school
And some good news stories from around the UGDSB
https://www.ugdsb.ca/community/communications/communications-newsletter/
CYC Information
Please take a moment to read this letter regarding changes to the role of CYC (Child & youth Care Worker): Welcome to 2024-2025 school year
Threat Risk Assessment Protocol (VTRA)
Video Surveillance:
The purpose of video surveillance at UGDSB schools is to serve the safety and security
needs of the board and is not intended to infringe on anyone’s right to privacy. Please take some time to read the policy.
Osprey Wear
In need of some spirit wear? Check out our site for Osprey apparel. Orders can be delivered to the school. http://islandlake.deco-apparel.com/
School Cash Online:
Trips and meal days, etc will be happening throughout the school year. If you haven’t done so, please sign up on school cash online. Notifications will be sent via email to alert you of these items. https://ugdsb.schoolcashonline.com/
Helpful Links
Inclement weather days - https://stwdsts.ca/
Transportation Parent Portal - https://findmyschool.ca
Daily Screening Tool - School and Child Care Screening Tool
Osprey Spirit Wear - http://islandlake.deco-apparel.com/
School Cash Online - https://ugdsb.schoolcashonline.com/
Parent Council Playground Fundraiser - https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/30387?v1=true
Save The Date:
PA Day - Sept. 3rd
First Day of School - Sept. 4th
Terry Fox Run - Sept. 20th (tentative)
School Council Meeting - Sept. 17th
Purple Shirt Day (Rowan’s Law Day) - Sept. 27th
Meet the Staff Night BarBQ - Sept. 26th
Orange Shirt Day - Sept. 30th
Individual Photo Day - Oct. 4th
See you Wednesday, Ospreys!