Below are some of the most common questions we get about Beaches Alternative School. We hope these are helpful to you, too!
- How long are the students outside every day?
Students in Kindergarten at Beaches have outdoor play time every day in the Kindie yard, and during lunch hour. Once a month, we do Nature Mornings for half the day where we learn outdoors. We are not an ‘outdoor kindergarten’ – our programming is not focused on outdoor learning. For grades 1-6, they participate in morning and afternoon recess with Kimberley Public School (we share a school site) and lunch recess. Once a month, classes participate in a Nature Morning at a local ravine where they spend time learning in nature. - Do you follow the Ontario Curriculum?
All our grades from Kindergarten to Grade 6 follow the Ontario Curriculum. We are a TDSB public school. Our Kindergarten program is play-based as per the Ontario Kindergarten Program document. - Do you do a lot of field trips?
Experiential learning outside of the school is a key part of the Beaches experience. Classes participate in an average of one field trip per month. In Kindergarten, we take time at the start of the year to build routines before we start to venture out on local trips nearby. Across the grades, classes learn outside of the classroom on various field trips connected to the curriculum. - Do you have a Kindergarten rest time?
In Kindergarten, when students return from outdoor play at lunch, they begin their afternoons in a quiet setting while resting on their individual mats, listening to calming music or stories. This lasts for 30 minutes and allows students to reset after a busy morning, lunch and outdoor play. - Do you use tech in the classroom?
In Kindergarten, we don’t use tech in the classroom. Chromebooks and tablets are introduced in the Grade 1/2 classroom and are used to support student learning through the grades. - What other classes do the students have?
Beaches students learn the majority of their subjects with their homeroom teacher. For Music, Library, Gym, and French, there are specialist teachers. The Music, Library, and Gym teachers are shared with Kimberley Public School, with whom we share a building. - When does French begin at TDSB schools and is Beaches a French Immersion school?
Beaches is not a French Immersion school. We introduce the Core French program in Grade 4, as per all English-stream TDSB public elementary schools. - I am really worried about my child’s anxiety as they start kindergarten. Do you have experience with students with these needs?
In the Kindergarten room, we have had a lot of experience with children who have anxiety, especially as this is a new setting and a new experience for many of our youngest learners. We work closely with families to facilitate this transition to full day learning in the kindergarten classroom. - Do you have a daycare?
Beaches and Kimberley do not have a daycare. Many families opt in to the Centre 55 before and aftercare program that runs out of our school site as well as Centre 55’s space across the street from the school. Application for that program is through Centre 55 and placement is not guaranteed. LeRoux Froebel is located nearby (72 Main st) and provides before and after care, with drop-offs in the morning and pick-ups after school. - Do you have bussing? How do kids get to school?
TDSB Elementary Alternative schools do not have bussing. While families from anywhere in Toronto can apply to our admissions lottery through the TDSB’s centralized application process, it is up to each family to arrange transportation for their child to attend our school.
Updated February 2024
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