School's out early on Toronto Islands

Rising Lake Ontario water levels wreaking havoc on the Toronto Islands have now forced the early closure of the archipelago's only school.

Effective Thursday, Island Public School will be closed for the remainder of the school year.

Students will relocate and finish the term at Nelson Mandela Park Public School, in Regent Park.

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All teaching and support staff will be moved along with the students.

According to a statement from the Toronto District School Board, Island Public School is dry.

The problem is with flooding on the roadway leading from the ferry docks to the school.

"The key issue here is safety," said board trustee for Toronto Centre, Chris Moise.

240 students attendIsland Public School, but only 26 live on the islands. The remainder need to be transported from the ferry dock to the school.

"It's not safe," Moise said. "The water is still rising."

The Natural Science School on the island has also been forced to close. The school hosts students from other TDSB schools on class trips.

On Wednesday, a three-day trip was cut short due to flooding and 50 students were sent home early.

All other class trips to the Natural Science School have been cancelled for the rest of the school year, added Moise.