5.1. ISB Home-Learning Philosophy 

We believe in a balanced-lifestyle approach to learning. Home learning tasks must be relevant and interesting, and be able  to be completed easily by the student. It is a practice of skills and of learning done at school, with an emphasis on consolidating skills and promoting reading at home. 

If you are finding that home learning is too challenging, not relevant, inappropriate for your child or too frustrating to  complete, please make a time to speak with the teacher. Home learning can be differentiated according to student and  family needs. 

Guidelines for home learning times are as follows: 

Grades 1 and 2: 20 minutes per day maximum 

Grades 3 and 4: 30 minutes per day maximum  

Grade 5: 45 minutes per day maximum 

The majority of these times are set for reading: independently or with a family member. 

5.2. Attendance Expectations  

If your child is not going to attend school, please contact the teacher or the Primary School office as soon as possible. Students who are  late (after 8:15am) must report to the Lower School office before joining the class.  

If you know your child is going to be absent ahead of time please notify the teacher as soon as possible. In these situations,  your child will have access to the various class websites and the home learning tasks, however they will not receive work to  complete during their absence.

Furthermore, we invite parents to use Moze to communicate with the school of a child's absence.   However, at this time, this is not a requirement for Primary parents.  

5.3. Absence and Tardiness 

Parents are asked to ensure that their children begin classes from the first day of school and attend regularly. We urge  parents to exercise discretion and avoid absences during regularly scheduled school days or on days adjacent to weekends  and school holidays. Parents should be aware that a written note, email, or phone call to the school does not excuse their  child from the attendance requirement. 

Excessive Absences 

Students are expected to attend school each day. Students who are absent from school for an excessive number of days,  regardless of the reason, may be placed on a conditional enrolment. In the Primary School, this will be dealt with on a case by-case basis. 

In the case of planned extended absence, the teacher is not expected to provide additional work for the student to complete,  however they will be able to access the online learning platform of Seesaw and other web-based resources. 

Late arrival to school 

Students who arrive after the 8:15am bell must report to the Primary School office.   At the primary students will receive a late slip from the Primary School secretary and walk to their classrooms independently.   For younger students (PK-Grade 1) parent may accompany them to their classrooms.  Students Grades 2-5 walk by themselves.   Children hand in the late slip to the teachers. 

Regularly arriving at school late means that the child is not able to establish self-management or organizational skills  needed for optimal learning. They also miss the first part of the day where the teacher is explaining the routines and  expectations for the day. Please help your child by making sure they are at school before 8:10am. 

Absences and lateness will be recorded on the students' written school reports.

Early departure / Pick Up

If your child needs to leave school early on a particular day, please inform the teacher or the Primary School office ahead of  time.     Parents or guardians picking up students in advance need to first sign in as they enter the school and come to the Primary School office.   Children meet their parents in the office, receive a slip from the secretary and leave the school showing the late slip to the guards as they sign out. 

No student may leave the campus unless the school has been informed.  

If your child becomes ill or is injured at school and needs to go home, you will be telephoned by the Primary School  office assistant, the doctor or nurse