Happy March Break. March Break is from Monday, March 13th to Friday, March 17th. School is closed to staff and students. We are digitally unavailable until March 20th.

Today Island Public/Natural Science School will pivot to Online Learning since buses are cancelled. Staff will communicate learning expectations for the day via their online communications platforms including Google Classroom & Zoom.

About The Caring, Safe and Accepting School Committee (Excerpted) https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/Caring-Safe-Schools/Caring-Safe-School-Committee

Our Safe, Caring and Accepting School Committee is responsible for fostering a safe, inclusive, and accepting school climate. 

We are committed to ensuring a positive and peaceful school. All schools have a Safe Schools Plan that includes prevention strategies and peaceful problem solving. Schools work with community partners to attract students into positive activities. 

Meeting 2 on Tuesday, February 21, 11:45-12:45 pm in the Main Office Conference Room, and by Zoom. The Zoom link will be shared prior to the meeting for individuals participating virtually.

Discussion Items on the Agenda
• PR 695 Threats to School Safety
• PR 697 Promoting A Positive School Climate
• Updates from January 31 Meeting Minutes
• Volunteers in the School
• Discussion
• Other Business

Meeting 1 on Tuesday, January 31, 11:45 am - 12:45 pm. The Zoom link will be shared prior to the meeting for individuals participating virtually.

Discussion Items on the Agenda
• Welcome and Introductions
• Purpose/Mandate of Caring, Safe and Accepting Schools Committee
• Frequency of Meetings (4 Meetings for 2022-2023)
• Current Initiatives and Possibilities
• Discussion – Feedback, Suggestions and/or Concerns
• Next Steps
• Adjournment
• January 31 Meeting Minutes

A safe, accepting and welcoming school climate is an individual, shared, and collective responsibility by each and every member of the school community. We continue to convene school assemblies, curate daily announcements, and utilize our various communication platforms to share expectations and practices for appropriate behaviour in the classroom, at recesses, on the bus commute, and boat commute to foster school and student safety. It is important that we continue to embed these expectations in all areas of school life. The Board Code of Conduct is applicable to all including staff, students, families, volunteers, visitors, vendors and community partners.

• Board Code of Conduct
• Progressive Discipline and Promoting Positive Student Behaviour
• Bullying Prevention and Intervention | Anti-Bullying Awareness
• School Bus Safety & Behaviour on Buses | Riding the Bus Safely
• Caring and Safe Schools
• Consequences of Inappropriate Student Behaviour
• Online Code of Conduct | Social Media and Online Content
• Combatting Hate and Racism Student Learning Strategy
• Student Attendance, Safe Arrival and Safe Departure Policy (P085)

Registration for all TDSB English Kindergarten programs begins in February. Families have the option of registering their child online at www.tdsb.on.ca/kindergarten or in-person at the school. With both options, families will be invited to come to the school to validate registration information and participate in a Welcome to Kindergarten event hosted by the school. Please encourage families of potential JK/SK students in our school’s boundary catchment to register early.

The theme of Black Joy was selected this year by the African Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee. This academic school year, "Joy" is one of TDSB's two overarching priorities. The first priority being the importance of joy, engagement and belonging in our schools as a foundation for academic achievement and student success; and the second priority being the elimination of disproportionate outcomes for students. Black Joy emulates how Black People have been able to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally as a People and as a Community, despite the systemic barriers and oppression faced.

To kick off African Heritage month at the TDSB, we are excited to extend an invitation to all students, staff, and the TDSB community to join us in marking this significant month with entertainment, and noteworthy speakers. Announcements about several educational opportunities that are being planned throughout the month of February and beyond will also be shared at the African Heritage Month Virtual Launch.

African Heritage Month Virtual Launch

Date: Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

Time: 10:00 am - 10:45 am

Zoom Webinar Link: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/97398652590

TDSB Approved Fundraising and Fun Fair Vendors' Directory. Check out the list of approved vendors that can support school events

Please see details in email that was sent to your email inbox through SchoolMessenger.

Gary

Gary Pieters

Principal

Island Public/Natural Science School

Island Public/Natural Science School Morning Drop Off For City-Side Kindergarten Students With Older Siblings Commuting on the 8:15 am Ferry Plan of Action - Including Staff Roles and Responsibilities

At City-Side Ferry Docks

• Greet students, begin to take attendance and line up siblings in a line on the right side of the ferry gate.  These will be the LAST students to board.
• confirm attendance numbers prior to ferry leaving
• supervise students while riding the ferry
• students remain in their sibling cohort and are seated in the left side ferry cabin

Once at Island Ferry Docks

• confirm student attendance numbers prior to disembarking by having students stand in the line
• supervise students while disembarking the ferry
• supervise students as they walk with siblings to school bus #4
• remain in their sibling cohort and are seated together on bus
• board school bus to assist/supervise seating of students
• confirm attendance numbers (city-side and Islanders) prior to the school bus leaving the ferry docks

Once at School

• supervise students disembarking from the school bus; prior to leaving the school bus area confirm attendance numbers
• supervise students in the outdoor classroom

Note: This is for morning drop off only, afternoon pick up remains the same.   Parents, please ensure that you drop off your children on time as the ferry departs at 8:15 AM sharp.

This year we are also going to be having a table set up to sell wrapping paper made by the students.  More information will be coming soon from your child's teacher and from the office.

Island Public/Natural Science School Remembrance Day Assembly

Friday, October 28, 2022

Thursday October 13, 2022

Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,

This morning we were informed by Toronto Hydro that there is a planned power outage on Thursday, October 13^th from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday, October 14^th.

This outage cannot be delayed and is required for Toronto Hydro to complete necessary work in the area.

We are aware that this directly impacts the programs taking place at the Island Public/Natural Science School, however we have set up the necessary provisions for students and staff to ensure the programing continues.

Arrangements have been made for a mobile power generator to be transported and installed at the Island Public/Natural Science School to

Toronto Hydro will also be providing the generator with power from its main switch, which will give the school full power. We will also have an electrician on site all night until hydro has completed their work.

Your patience and understanding are appreciated as we continue to monitor the situation.

Please be sure to check out school’s website and Twitter for updates.

As always, please contact me by email, or by phone at 416-393-1910 or on my school cell phone should you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Gary Pieters

Principal

Please see the Winter Ferry Schedule and Bus Transportation Drop Off and Pick Up schedule which begins on Tuesday, October 11.

As of Tuesday, October 11, the ferry will be operating on Winter Schedule into Easter Weekend 2023. Only one ferry, the Ongiara will be operating to Wards Island only.

Grades 1-6 students (and their Kindergarten siblings - optional) will commute from the city-side with the 8:15 am ferry, and Kindergarten students will commute from the city-side with the 9:00 am ferry.

Kindergarten - Grade 6 students from the city-side will commute to the city with 3:45 PM ferry from Wards Island.

Any questions, please contact us by email or by phone at the main office at 416-393-1910.

 

Welcome to the Island Public Natural Science School, located on Centre Island!

Presently our school serves approximately 210 Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 students who are from Toronto's Ward and Algonquin Islands (Island-side), and the Harbourfront Community (City-side).  We are an inclusive education 'Community of Learners'. We strive to build a school community that centres fairness, diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging. Our school will ensure that the curriculum, teaching, learning and extended learning experiences amplify the voices of our students for their roles as active, thoughtful, socially responsible citizens now and into the future. We focus on academic excellence by providing our students with the learning skills and work habits that they will use throughout schooling and adult life. We will achieve this by collaborating and working together with students, staff, school district central-office staff, parents and community partners to create an inclusive, caring, safe, relationship-based environment where students learn to value one another and build the skills necessary to self-regulate their learning through inquiry.  Creating the conditions for an equitable and inclusive school environment that reflect a relationship-based approach, IPS is able to continue to focus on student and staff well-being, safety and achievement.  We endeavour to provide exemplary programming for our students by instilling critical thinking and inquiry, self-regulation  a love of learning, and 21st century technology-enabled learning tools that align with the digital environment in which they live and learn. It will be our collective efficacy that allows all children to learn successfully and attain high levels of academic and social success.

Regards,
Gary Pieters
Principal