FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Administrative Assistant: Pam Leonard, pleonard@gisu.org

ABOUT THE SCHOOL DAY

​When does the school day begin?
Students may be dropped off from 7-7:45am, with before school care provided by staff.
Students will move to their classrooms at 7:45am and have access to breakfast in their classrooms until 8am.

Instructional Hours:
Our instructional hours are 8am-3pm. Students will be marked tardy if not present by 8am.
Please call the school office if your student will be absent.

Dismissal:
Students will be dismissed by classroom at 3pm and may be picked up outside of the school. Your child's teacher will ensure that your child remains safe and does not cross the parking lot without you.

Is there an After School Care Program?
Our After School program fills quickly every year. If you need after school care, please sign up here and you will be notified if there is space available.

What are the hours of the Grand Isle School Office?
Our Administrative Assistant is available between the hours of 7:30am and 3:30pm.
Please do not call after 2:55pm to make changes to a student's transportation plan. Buses leave the parking lot just after 3pm and we will not be able to make changes at this time.

CLOSURES & DELAYS

How will I be notified of closures and delays?Families will be notified by email and phone via Alma when there is a school closure or delay. These decisions are made by the superintendent at the district level.
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In the rare event that school needs to close early, the school office will contact parents by phone and email.

Please make sure the school has the most up to date contact information, including cell phones and email, so that we can reach you in a timely manner!

Notices are also posted on the Grand Isle School Facebook Page.

TRANSPORTATION

How do I find my bus route?
Bus routes will be emailed to families at the start of each school year.
Please allow for minor adjustments in timing during the first few days while drivers and riders are learning the routes.

Will my child be dropped at the bus stop if I'm not there?
The bus will not leave students in grades K-4 at their stop without a guardian present. Please be ready to receive your student; if a parent is not present, the bus will return the child to school.

How do I reach the bus driver outside of school hours?
Our bus drivers are employed by Mountain Transit, located in Milton, VT. Should you have a bus concern outside of school office hours, you can reach Mountain Transit at 802-893-1334. They will be able to assist you and contact their drivers if necessary.

How do I make changes to transportation plans? 
If your student will be riding a bus to a location other than home, they MUST have proof of parent permission. You may send in a written note to your child's teacher in the morning, or call the school office during the day up until 2:45pm for planned transportation changes.

We understand that emergencies happen and sometimes you will need to make a last-minute change. The latest we will be able to adjust transportation plans is 2:55pm. 

Students will not be released to non-guardians without guardian permission.
​Non-guardians must provide proof of identity and a copy will be kept on file at the school.

Traffic Flow for Parking Lot
Please see this map for an explanation of how to navigate our parking lot during busy times. 

GENERAL QUESTIONS

​Is there a staff directory?
A full staff directory can be found HERE. 

​What is the average class size?
Our class size can vary year to year. We follow the GISU district policy on class sizes within our school, using an average between grade bands for k-3, and 4-6. More information on this policy can be found HERE. 

How many students attend Grand Isle School?
Grand Isle School currently has a total of 143 students, with eight students participating in our CIUUSD School Choice program. If you live within the Champlain Islands Unified Union School District and are interested in attending the Grand Isle School campus, our CIUUSD Website has more information on this program.

What about middle and high school?
Grand Isle School has School Choice for grades 7-12. Families will select a school to attend in a neighboring district and file a proof of residency and a tuition voucher with the GISU district office annually. Our School Counselor Jill Everett is available to assist families in this process, as well as District Parent Liaison David Mills. More information can be found on the GISU Website. 

​How does the cafeteria work?
Our cafeteria is run by the The Abbey Food Group. Both breakfast and lunch are available to students. Each day there are hot and cold lunch options. Menus are posted on this website monthly, as well as available via App and in the classrooms/cafeteria. Students will select their options in their classrooms each morning to allow for staff to prepare appropriate amounts and eliminate excess waste.

Payment for the lunch program is now handled through TITAN Family Portal. You can access TITAN here, and find more information about TITAN here

How do I apply for free and reduced price meals?
The Federal Government has provided funding for free school food program through the 2021-2022 school year. However, this funding is set to run out in June 2022. It is important to complete your Free/Reduced Meals paperwork, as this will allow your student to continue to access meals. These applications are also used to determine funding needs for various other programs and services at a state and federal level and completing helps not only your family but our entire school! 

Can my child celebrate their birthday in the classroom? 
Many students enjoy celebrating their birthdays with their classmates. Please check with your child's teacher in advance to verify plans and any allergies. Some of our classrooms are peanut free.

My student is struggling academically, who do I talk to?
Your child’s teacher! Parent-Teacher conferences are held each trimester, but teachers are available all year. If your child is identified as a candidate for additional services you will be contacted, but if you are concerned and have not heard from the school about your student please reach out. We are dedicated to the success of every student!

My student is struggling socially, who do I talk to /how can the school help?
First, check in with your child’s teacher. They keep an eye on social dynamics and may be able to offer insight and advice. Additionally, our School Counselor Jill Everett is always available to both your student and you. She runs supportive peer small groups and clubs, and can help to support your student at school as well as refer to additional resources as needed.

Is there a student directory?
There is not a student directory available at this time. If this is something you are interested in, please let us know.