Topics covered in this post:
Happy Thanksgiving
Parent Education Events
UNICEF
Harry Potter Day at JICS with Principal-for-the-Day, Sarah
Financial Support
Diwali Celebrations
Cultural Celebrations
Trash Team Tip of the Week
UofT Arbor Awards
JICS Running Club – Cross-Country Team
Upcoming October Events
1. Happy Thanksgiving
School and Daycare closed on Monday, October 14. Enjoy the long weekend.
2. Parent Education Events
On Monday, October 28, 7:00-8:30 pm (following the Parents’ Association Meeting at 6:00pm) the PA Parent Education Committee has organized a presentation for parents on “Student Well-Being” with JICS French and Wellness teacher, Christel Durand and JICS Social Worker, Laura Gordin explaining:
The difference between mental health and mindfulness
What is offered at JICS by Christel, by Laura, and by others at the school
How we can improve our mental health
What children are telling us.
Common trends in mental health that we see now
Anxiety explained Parent’s role as helpers (tips and tools)
We invite parents to submit questions for Christel or Laura in advance here.
We would like to thank the PA for organizing this evening, providing babysitting, and for funding the social worker position (every Monday) at JICS. This is an example of how your PA fees are working to improve the JICS Lab School.
The Mabin School has informed us of a parent education event they are hosting on October 17 and they invite JICS parents to attend.
3. Unicef
Hello Parents,
This year the Grade 6 students are leading our school’s annual fundraising effort for UNICEF. We would like for everyone to work with us and help raise as much money as we can for UNICEF this month!
In class we have learned about some of the struggles that face children around the world . Kids around the world are in poverty, some don’t get proper nutrition or the education they deserve. We need to help them because no matter where they come from, their race, their identity, or what they believe in, we need to help because they are human beings.
As a school we have a lot of privileges that other people, especially kids, do not have. That is why we are even more motivated to help. We need donations to help kids around the world through UNICEF to make people's lives better.
You can donate online using this website:
or you can send cash with your child to be collected in a box in each classroom.
We will be collecting money from now until Halloween. We will also be going around to classes to inform all students about this campaign. Please support us through this mission.
Below you can see some of what our donations could do:
$20 can provide basic school essentials like pencils and exercise books.
$50 can provide bed nets to protect children from malaria infected mosquito bites.
$100 can provide 212 children with enough clean and safe water for drinking, bathing and household use
$250 can provide measles vaccines for 250 children to be protected from this highly contagious and preventable disease.
Let's come together as a community and contribute to helping children around the world. The school’s goal is $1500. We hope you’re able to help! Together we can reach our goal.
Thank you!
The Grade 6 Class
4. Harry Potter Day at JICS with Principal-for-the-Day, Sarah
Dear Parents,
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Sarah and I am in Grade 2. I will be the JICS principal on Tuesday, October 22, 2019. That’s right, I will be in charge and I have decided to make October 22 “Harry Potter Day” at JICS. JICS will be transformed into Hogwarts. See the poster for more information. Come dressed as your favourite Harry Potter character or in the colours of your favourite house!
Sincerely yours,
Sarah
In preparation for Harry Potter Day, students will have the option to make magic wands in Art class over the next week. Please collect a stick and bring it to school with you!
5. Financial Support
Support is available to current JICS families who require needs-based financial assistance for expenses such as educational assessments, tutoring, Daycare, Wednesday Program and hot lunch. Requests for these types of support should be submitted through the principal, Richard Messina.
Jackman ICS is committed to needs-based financial support that will both enable increased diversity and retain current Lab School families. Tuition support is available to current students entering Grades 3-6 in the 2020-2021 school year. The deadline for applications is November 10.
All applications and requests are confidential.
If you are interested in donating to the JICS Diana Rankin Muncaster Family Tuition Support Fund or the newly created JICS Lab School Endowment Fund, please see here or speak with Richard Messina.
6. Diwali Celebrations
Sunday, October 27 is Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. We are asking for parent volunteers to help us celebrate at JICS on Thursday, October 24! If you are interested, please email your child’s teacher.
7. Cultural Celebrations
At the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Lab School, we celebrate our differences as well as our similarities. The idea that each individual brings a unique and valuable dimension to our shared experience drives the relationships in our community. To us, growing and learning among individuals who share widely divergent life stories, and appreciating their respective cultures, is an invaluable aspect of a true education. Nurturing a respectful and inclusive school culture means paying close attention to individual experiences, our curriculum, admission work, and our daily lives at the Lab School.
We partner with families to help children broaden their view of themselves and others by ensuring that they encounter mirrors of their own background and experience, as well as windows of difference.
Throughout the school year, we invite parents to enrich our learning by sharing their culture and identity with us. Parents work with classroom teachers to help us celebrate Jewish holidays, Lunar New Year, Diwali, Eid, Black History Month, Pride, and other festivities. If interested to help, please be in touch with your child’s teacher.
8. Trash Team Tip of the Week
Last week we suggested refusing to use single use plastics (cutlery, straws) by creating a zero-waste kit. To take it one step further, having a reusable container to take home leftovers from restaurants would help you refuse the styrofoam packaging as well.
9. UofT Arbor Awards
The President of the University, Professor Meric Gertler, confers awards on noted volunteers at the University each year. This evening, at the Arbor Awards Ceremony, we are fortunate to have 3 Lab School alumni parents recognized for their years of volunteer service to the Lab School. Join me in thanking:
Gillian E. Roberts who served as the JICS Parents’ Association President from 2011 to 2013 and as Past-President until 2015. Gillian was on hiring committees, organized annual events, volunteered to oversee constitutional change and statement of purpose issues for the PA. She gave of her time across 10+ years to the Lab School, and when she had a sabbatical, she used it to give more time to the school and daycare.
Valerie Gow was a JICS parent from 2011-2019. Each year, Valerie volunteered her time, energy, ideas, and resources for the school’s Library fundraisers, demonstrating a deep commitment to the literacy education of the Lab School students.
Kristen Thomson was a JICS parent from 2008 to 2019. During her time at JICS, she volunteered on many gala planning committees for both the JICS Art-Enriching Patrick Harvie Fund and the JICS Tuition Support Fund. Kristen contributed to the JICS Alumni newsletter “The Alumni Echo”.
9. JICS Running Club - Cross-Country Team
Congratulations to all of our runners! We are so proud of the effort and sportsmanship they all demonstrated last Friday at the TDSB Meet, Ashbridge’s Bay. Some children have advanced to the next TDSB meet on October 17.
The Cross-Country practice season is now over and we want to thank coaches: Nick, Judith and Nadia. The team will be participating in our annual “Fun Run” at Christie Pits Park. The Running Club will start up again in the Spring for Track and Field.
11. Upcoming October Events:
Fri 11 – Cross-Country Team “Fun Meet” at Christie Pits Park
Mon 14 – Thanksgiving. School and Daycare closed
Tues 15 – Grade 5 & 6 Parent Info Night regarding "Transitions to Grade 7" Register HERE
Tues 22 – Harry Potter Day at JICS with Principal-for-the-Day, Sarah
NEW DATE: Thurs 24 – Diwali celebrations at JICS (wear bright colours!)
Sun 27 – Diwali
Mon 28 – PA General Meeting 6:00-7:00pm & Parent Ed Presentation on Student Well-Being by JICS French and Wellness teacher, Christel Durand and JICS Social Worker, Laura Gordin 7:00-8:30pm. Babysitting provided, RVSP
Thurs 31 – Halloween (details coming soon) & last day of Block 1 Teacher-Candidate Practicum Placement in JK-Gr 6 classes
