February News

JICS Office
Feb 3, 2019
3 min read

African Heritage Month

Each year in February, Canadians are invited to participate in African Heritage Month festivities and events that honour the legacy and achievements of Black Canadians, past and present. At JICS, we learn about and celebrate African Heritage Month developmentally through the grades and at whole-school events such as assemblies with guest artists and members of the community. We also integrate the learning and celebrations into our Library, Music, and Visual Arts Specialty Classes. We invite parents to suggest ways to help our students gain insight into the experiences of Black Canadians and their vital role in the community. Please be in touch with your child’s teacher with ideas.

Join us at our next Parent Evening on Tuesday, February 12th!

Parent Association Meeting 6:00-7:00pm Room 363

JICS Parents' Association meetings are a great way to meet other parents, get to know what is going on at the school, ask questions, and share your ideas!

Parent Education Event: JICS Alumni Panel Q&A 7:00-8:30pm Room 363

Do you ever wonder…

From time to time parents tell us that even in the early grades at Jackman ICS, they are already wondering where their child will go to school after Jackman ICS graduation.

If you have ever thought about life after Jackman ICS for your child, please join us on February 12, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, for a special evening where we will hear in their own words and voices from a panel of our graduates who are now in high school and are able to reflect on their elementary experience here, how the schools they have chosen fit their needs, and what they would recommend families think about in making school decisions as students move forward into the rest of their lives.

The evening is planned by the Parent Education Committee and follows the Parents' Association meeting at 6:00pm in Room 363. The panel will include students from public, alternative, and independent schools. We know it may be of special interest to parents with a Grade 5 or Grade 6 student, but in the past we have heard from parents across the school that this was one of their favourite evenings.

In order to ensure we focus the discussion on the topics that are most relevant to the current parent community, we would like to ask that you send any potential topics, questions, and apprehensions that you have related to the transition and "Life after Jackman ICS" in advance so we can use the material to structure the session. Please email your questions to Richard Messina.

Free babysitting will be available from 6-8:30. Please RSVP HERE for babysitting by February 8th.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Nursery 2019-2020 Intake

Currently, Richard and Norah are enjoying meeting with the new families who will be joining our school in Nursery in September. Many tell us they know about the school because of their connections to current parents and the wonderful accounts they are told. We thank you for being such positive ambassadors of the school!

Outdoor Play

With the change in weather this week, the playground is bound to be wet and messy on some days. Our intention is for children to be outside playing during each recess. Please make sure that your child has the right clothing and gear to be comfortable at school, including:

Snow jacket and snow pants
Hat, mittens, or gloves
Boots
Indoor shoes
Changes of socks
Change of clothing on wet days

Kiss and Drive

There is absolutely no parking allowed in front of the school from 8:30-9:00am. Parking even for a few minutes compromises the safety of children being dropped off at school. This is especially important during the winter months with large banks of snow blocking visibility. As well, please remind all caregivers who drop off your child/ren to not park in the Institute driveway or block the driveway of our neighbours. Thank you for your respect of these important safety rules.

Upcoming Dates to Note

February African Heritage Month

February 4-8: Lunar New Year Week

Tuesday, February 12: 6:00 PA Meeting. 7:00 Alumni Panel RSVP

Friday, February 15: Midterm Holiday, school closed and Daycare open Monday, February 18: Family Day, school and Daycare closed

Wednesday, February 20: Parent Education morning - cancelled.

For more important dates, please refer to our School Calendar