To further explain this program, please see the following details:
1. 24-HOUR EMERGENCY STUDENT LINE
ISGC will be available to assist students, parents, educational consultants, school administration, teachers, advisors and residence teams with the following emergencies:
- injury or critical illness, hospital visits
- loss of passport
- suspension / expulsion
- family emergencies & emergency travel
- detainment by immigration or law enforcement
Our team-based approach means that we are never unavailable, never on vacation, and never sick. Emergency situations require constant vigilance and attention and that is what we provide.
The ISGC Emergency phone is 1-647-338-4232. Please ensure that your child has this number at all times.
2. NOTARIZED CUSTODIANSHIP DECLARATION: (courier fees additional)
ISGC uses the official recognized custodianship declaration document provided by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). ISGC is required to notarize page 1 and provide a copy to natural parents. Natural parents are required to notarize page 2 and provide a copy to ISGC. Parents are provided with an original copy of the Custodianship Declaration via courierin the first year. A scan is provided each subsequent year.
The Notarized Custodianship Declaration (CDec):
- is a required document for Canadian Study Permit and Canadian Visa (TRV) application
- allows ISGC to act in legal, medical, immigration and school emergencies
- allows ISGC to assist with immigration issues when students enter/exit Canada (as required)
- allows ISGC to complete school permission forms (for low risk activities)
For more information from IRCC, please visit: www.cic.gc.ca/English/pdf/pub/custodian-parent.pdf
Note: Courier fees are additional
3. STUDENT WELCOME MEETING IN SEPTEMBER
ISGC staff will be in attendance at school in September to welcome new students. This is a wonderful timeto meet our team and understand how our program works. If parents are on campus during the Welcome Meeting, we would be pleased to have them attend.
4. GUARANTEED COORDINATION OF HOMESTAY, TRIPS, AND TRANSPORTATION
ISGC guarantees the availability and coordination of short term homestay, long weekend trips or an appropriate equivalent for school holidays (Thanksgiving, November Break, Family Day Weekend, Easter Weekend, and May Break) and transportation for students under our guardianship program. These school break programs and transportation services are available upon request for long weekends, travel, suspensions, and airport arrivals and departures.
Accommodation, trip, and transfer service fees will apply. Parents and students must notify ISGC of their homestay needs two (2) weeks prior to any requested homestay dates.
Short Term Homestay
- Students stay with vetted Canadian host families
- Includes: 3 meals per day, proper supervision, English-speaking environment, wifi, private room, access to local amenities via public transportation, and transfer coordination to and from school
ISGC Trips
- Fully chaperoned by ISGC staff and a structured itinerary
- Students make friends from many other private schools
- Trip Examples: Toronto, Montreal, winter resort, New York, Chicago, Walt Disney World, Canadian Camp Experience
Transportation
We are available to coordinate either individual or group transportation for your child any time.
- Private airport transfers (‘Meet & Greet’ and full check-in services included)
- Unaccompanied minor (UM) service, by request
- Bus, train & airline bookings
5. PERMISSION FORMS & LEAVE APPROVALS
Schools regularly require signed permission forms for activities outside the normal curriculum or off campus. Boarding schools also require approval for weekend leave requests. Your child’s ISGC guardian will provide approvals for activities and events that seem reasonable and do not come with unusual risks.
Your child’s ISGC guardian will also approve leave requests for students provided that a certain criteria are fulfilled. For example, students must provide ISGC with addresses, phones numbers and information regarding adult supervision in order for a request to be approved. When in doubt, ISGC will contact the natural parents to discuss the outing or provide reasoning why a leave request was approved or denied.
6. IMMIGRATION DOCUMENT EXPIRATION MONITORING
Students must maintain legal status in Canada at all times. While under ISGC’s guardianship (September to June), ISGC will monitor Canadian Study Permit and Canadian Visa (TRV) expiries and notify students of these upcoming dates.
Through our experienced and registered immigration consultant, ISGC offers a full suite of immigration support services for initial and renewal applications which can be discussed at any time.
Students and parents must provide copies of their child’s immigration documents to ISGC upon arrival to Canada ensure accurate monitoring and file-keeping.
ISGC is available to assist with the arrangement of tutoring or academic assistance during the school year. Students and parents with concerns about academic progress or questions about resources for improving academic performance can contact ISGC to discuss available solutions and approaches to academic excellence at any time.
7. ACADEMIC REPORTING TO AGENTS & PARENTS
ISGC maintains regular contact with your child’s school. As we receive updates and information regarding your child’s progress in school we will ensure they are passed on to parents and/or agents. Parents with questions or concerns can always reach out to ISGC and we will contact school administrators and teachers to advocate on a student’s behalf.
8. IMMUNIZATION FOLLOW-UP
Canada’s provincial governments require that all international students maintain up-to-date immunizations at all times. Students that do not have the required immunizations will be suspended from school. ISGC and your child’s school health department will work together to facilitate the updating of immunization records for the protection of your child and the entire school.
Student immunization records (in English) must be provided to the school or ISGC before or upon arrival to Canada.
9. DISCIPLINARY MONITORING AND SUPPORT
If a disciplinary issue occurs at school, such as a suspension or expulsion, ISGC will support your child in a number of different ways, from attending disciplinary meetings as needed to managing the practical issues resulting from a school’s disciplinary action (ie. coordinating alternative accommodation or transportation).
ISGC will coordinate short term homestay arrangements for suspended or expelled students. When students are required to leave both campus and their residence due to a disciplinary issue and require ISGC homestay service, parents are required to cover the costs of the homestay service as well as transportation to and from school.
10. SCHOOL VISITS & CHECK-INS
ISGC staff will be on-campus for student meetings at least once per school term. We find these meetings helpful for students to disclose any challenges they are having. While we frequently visit your child’s school for a variety of reasons, our most important function is regular check-ins via email or phone to ensure students have everything they need to succeed at school and to follow up on upcoming plans and events, such as school breaks or immigration support.
When it comes to overall well-being and physical or mental health, students and parents should never hesitate to contact us if they have any concerns or questions.
11. ATTENDANCE AT GRADUATION & CLOSING CEREMONIES IN JUNE
High school graduation is an important time but it is not always feasible for international parents to attend. ISGC staff attend the graduation ceremonies of all students within our private boarding guardianship program. It is a wonderful moment and we always try to capture a few pictures before students run off to celebrate!
12. LANGUAGE SUPPORT TO PARENTS & STUDENTS
ISGC maintains a number of languages on staff and through our partners including English, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, German, Japanese, and French to help us communicate with parents and students when needed.
INCLUDED ONLY IN THE FULL GUARDIANSHIP PACKAGE:
13. PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS
ISGC staff will attend two (2) Parent-Teacher Interviews at the school on your behalf to meet with your friend child’s teachers. Meeting directly with teachers offers us insight into how your child is doing and if improvement is needed. We will provide you with a detailed report in English of each class. If, by chance, the teacher is not available to meet in person, we will contact them separately to obtain a written report.
14. CO-VALIDATION OF TRANSCRIPTS
ISGC will ensure a copy of your child’s final report card is received and properly Authenticated by the Government of Canada through the JLAC – Authentication Services Section in Ottawa. Once the document is signed, sealed and returned to ISGC via courier, our team will then visit the Consulate General for the specified country to legalize (co-validate) your child’s transcripts and report cards. The documents will then be scanned to you via email and couriered to your home directly.
Note: Consulate fees & couriers are additional
If you have any questions about the ISGC Guardianship Program, please contact ISGC at 1-416-792-3585 or info@isguardianshipcanada.com.
