Email Communications archived in this post:
JICS Registration Forms, and Coffee & Convo with Admin - June 19/20
Black Lives Matter at JICS - June 28/20
JICS on CBC News and Radio - June 30/20
Preparing for our Back to School Re-Entry - July 10/20
JICS Community Q & A - July 13/20
Parent Q&A Recording - July 16/20
The JICS Lab School's Response to the Ministry of Education's Announcement (July 30) - Aug 5/20
JICS Parent Handbook, Mandatory Questionnaire, First Week of School - Aug 17/20
JICS Daycare Welcome & Registration - Aug 19/20
Mandatory Questionnaire & Parent Q&A Zoom - Aug 20/20
Daycare FAQs and Registration Deadline - Aug 26/20
1. JICS Registration Forms, and Coffee & Convo with Admin
June 19th, 2020
TO ALL CURRENT & NEW FAMILIES – School Registration Forms: Dear New & Current JICS Families, We are happy to let you know that our online school registration forms for 2020-21 are now available at our JICS Family website. These are conveniently called “School Forms Online (SFO)”! For new families an account has been created for you. Please log in and choose a password to complete the account creation process. Once created, you can log in to complete the registration forms for the 2020-21 school year. Please complete the registration by June 30, 2020. Use the link below to complete online forms for new, current, and returning students: SchoolForms Online (Or copy and paste the entire URL below into your browser's address bar: https://sfo.inresonance.com/oise-utoronto/index.php#na=a9063e56db51a9bd1483d4636f32ffbf) There are 2 components to the online forms: School Forms Online (SFO) and Family Access Module (FAM). Once logged in, you can access the Family Access Module (FAM) by clicking it at the top of your screen. FAM allows you to update your information, access the staff & school directory, and view your child’s attendance (once published). Please see our JICS family website for more information regarding these online forms. IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING TORONTO PUBLIC HEALTH ONLINE REGISTRATION SYSTEM. Under the “School Forms tab” of our website you will see a link to Toronto Public Health (TPH). TPH has online registration and TPH requires all current families at JICS and new families joining JICS to register, update, and/or complete the necessary online family information for TPH. If you have previously accessed TPH online system you will be able to see what was reported for your family, and submit any updated immunization as needed. Families may print a copy of your child’s immunization history at your convenience. Click this link: www.toronto.ca/studentvaccines and follow the simple steps. We kindly ask that you comply with TPH procedures as this is a mandatory step before your child begins school. Reporting your child's vaccine record online is fast and easy if you live in Toronto. Send an email to immunization@toronto.ca if you encounter difficulties or have questions. The JICS family website has information about the school and an archive of weekly posts from the 2019-2020 school year. This the place for all school communication. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions. Thank you. Nancy Boudreau, School Office Administrator 416 934-4517 or nancy.boudreau@utoronto.ca Class of 2020 Thank you, JICS families for attending last week’s Grade 6 Graduation Ceremony. To our graduates--we are so proud of you and we miss you already. Learn more about this amazing group of students from their yearbook profiles. These Grad Profiles and past JICS Newsletters live on the website under "News & Events" and "JICS Newsletter". To enter this password protected page, please enter the password provided to you in this email. TO ALL NEW FAMILIES: We invite you to a “Coffee and Conversation with Chriss (Vice Principal) and Richard (Principal)” Parent Info Zoom Meeting, an informal opportunity to check-in, ask questions, and meet each other. JICS Parents’ Association President, Deepta and Vice President, François will also be on hand. When: Wednesday, June 24 at 10:00am Where: The comfort of your own home How: (Zoom link and password provided in email) Don't forget to have a cup of coffee or tea and join us. We look forward to 'seeing' you! We ask that you view the recording of our "Coffee and Conversation” Zoom meeting which took place on June 10. Richard and Chriss shared information about planning for the 2020-2021 school year and what September may look like. They will host a “Parent Information Evening” in July and/or early August as they are still waiting on essential information from the Ministry of Education and Ontario Public Health. They invite parent emails with questions throughout the summer: Richard Messina richard.messina@utoronto.ca Christine Bogert chriss.bogert@utoronto.ca
2. Black Lives Matter at JICS
June 28th, 2020
Dear JICS Families,
This email is to inform the JICS community that the 2-sided Black Lives Matter solidarity signs made by the Grade 6 students, on display outside the school, were vandalised on Friday evening with black spray paint on one side. The signs were turned around to display the non-vandalized side, and were then re-vandalized with white paint sometime over Saturday night. UofT Campus Police were notified each time, are investigating these incidents, and will continue to closely monitor the property.
The defacing of these signs is reprehensible and JICS remains committed to the fight against racism. This vandalism reveals the racism that exists right here in our community, literally on our doorstep. You will see that the defaced signs have been taken down for now while the Lab School is having new signs reprinted, but this does not mean that we are any less committed. In fact, this just strengthens our resolve to honour the work of our students showing solidarity with Black Lives Matter protests, and to be part of the Anti-Black Racism movement working towards a more just and equitable society. We will put fresh signs on display on school property as soon as they are ready.
To our Grade 6 Students, whose work it was that was vandalized, please know that we will stand up for you and the messages that you sent so beautifully with your posters. It might be surprising, scary, or upsetting to know that someone would do this to your work, but we want to assure you that the ideas that you expressed are supported by everyone at JICS, and by the vast, vast majority of people in our community. We have already heard so many messages from people who are disgusted and appalled by what happened to your posters, and this event just shows how much more we need to do to resist racism in our society. You showed amazing leadership right up to your final days at JICS, and we will be sure to pick up the example that you set for all of us.
JICS Lab School Faculty and Staff
Photos of the original signs:
3. JICS on CBC News and Radio
June 30th, 2020
Dear JICS Parents,
We are writing to let you know that, in response to the events of the weekend (defacing of our Grade 6 Black Lives Matter solidarity posters), CBC has decided to cover the story. Organized by JICS parents, several Grade 6 students were interviewed on a number of occasions to convey their reactions, and made us proud with their thoughtful and articulate responses.
They will notably be featured on CBC TV News at 6:00 today (June 30), and on CBC Radio’s Metro Morning on Thursday, July 2, at 7:40am.
Members of the school administration, faculty, and Parents’ Association were also invited to speak in support of the students, in light of our steadfast and ongoing commitment to anti-Black racism and our students’ commendable initiatives in this regard.
Sincerely yours,
Richard Messina
JICS Principal
François Tanguay-Renaud
VP, JICS Parents’ Association
4. Preparing for our Back to School Re-Entry
July 10th, 2020
The Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Lab School is committed to providing a safe, healthy and supportive environment to our students. At this time, and having reviewed the Ministry of Education reopening plan (updated July 2, 2020), we anticipate that JICS will re-open in September onsite and face-to-face with protocols and policies in place to safeguard the health and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and families.
Our plans will continue to remain flexible and ready to pivot in anticipation of new developments in the COVID-19 pandemic, including the possibility of easing or tightening of safety restrictions throughout the school year.
Please review the attached document regarding important information for the re-entry to JICS in September.
5. JICS Community Q & A
July 13th, 2020
Dear Families,
We would like to remind you of the JICS Community Q & A happening tomorrow over Zoom. Please find all of the information below and we encourage you to send questions in advance to Richard at richard.messina@utoronto.ca
Attached again is the document we sent out last week, "Preparing for our Back to School Re-Entry", for you to review prior to the Q & A.
JICS Community Q & A
Date: Tuesday, July 14th
Time: 7:00pm
Zoom Link: (link, password and meeting ID provided in email)
6. Parent Q&A Recording
July 16th, 2020
For those of you who missed the Parent Q & A on Tuesday evening, an audio recording is available for you to listen to or you can watch the video recording.
7. The JICS Lab School's Response to the Ministry of Education's Announcement (July 30)
August 5th, 2020
On July 30, the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, announced new information about the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. Our Re-Entry Task Force continues to work on our planning and an updated “JICS Re-Entry Plan” will be communicated ASAP. What I would like our JICS Community to know in the meantime is the following:
We will be bringing all of our JICS students back to school, 5 days a week (mornings on Wednesdays) in September as stated in our July 20 Preparing for our Back-to-School Re-Entry 2020-2021 Plan. (PDF attached)
Each grade will be divided into two cohorts. In addition to each JICS grade “Home Room Teacher”, we have hired a “Team Teacher” for each grade (JK to 6) who has experience working in our school, is well-versed in our philosophy, and follows the same teaching approach. The two teachers will collaborate to provide the learning experiences for the two half-group cohorts. Each half-group grade cohort of children will have equal time with the Home Room Teacher and the Team Teacher.
NEW: The two half-group grade cohorts will join together for outdoor recess.
NEW: Students in Grade 4 - 6 will be required to wear non-medical or cloth masks while in school with exception for those with a medical condition.
NEW: Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be encouraged but not required to wear masks in common areas.
Students in Nursery are not encouraged to wear masks.
NEW: Teachers and staff who are regularly in close contact with students will be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE): medical masks and face shields.
NEW: Our licensed Daycare will operate before school and after school, including on Wednesdays beginning at 12:00. Occasional care will not be possible. Parents must choose between a 3-day or 5-day per week morning care and/or afternoon care commitment. The registration package will be sent out in August.
Parents/guardians will continue to have the option to enroll their child(ren) in remote delivery.
Included with the Education Minister’s announcement were a number of directions and requirements that school boards need to incorporate as they finalize their school reopening plans. We are also working closely with our partners at Public Health to ensure all the necessary precautions and protocols are in place. I would like to thank everyone for your ongoing patience and understanding as we carefully plan for a safe reopening of our schools. Vigilance to health and safety measures, a thoughtful schedule, cohorting and reasonable distancing is still at the forefront of our planning. For more information on the Ministry’s announcement, refer to the Government’s news release and the updated Guidance for School Reopening from Sick Kids hospital can be found here. Warmest wishes to you all, Richard
8. JICS Parent Handbook, Mandatory Questionnaire, First Week of School
August 17th, 2020
Dear Parents Today we are proud to share with you the JICS Parent Handbook (https://www.jicsfamily.com/parenthandbook) which outlines our plans for the 2020-2021 school year. This is a living document and it needs to be responsive to the evolving nature of COVID-19, the Ministry of Education mandates, and requirements from Public Health. As a school and a community, we must be flexible and adaptable to the inevitable shifts coming our way but at the same time I want you to know that we are confident of the preparation work we have done for the school’s reopening. We have taken a multi-layered approach to health & safety measures following guidance from the Ontario Ministry, Toronto Public Health & Sick Kids Hospital. The Parent Handbook is filled with valuable information (new arrival and dismissal locations and times; the teacher teams; changes to the late, snack, and visitor policies; COVID-19 health and safety protocols; etc.) and we require all parents to read it and agree to it. We will host a follow-up Parent Q & A on Thursday, August 20 7:00-8:00pm. Please submit your questions in advance to me to ensure they are answered. A zoom link and password will be emailed to you on Thursday morning. There is no doubt that there are significant changes this year but what remains constant is our commitment to providing exemplary education to the students of JICS. We will continue to provide a nurturing environment that promotes child security for every student, based in relationships of trust, caring, and compassion between teachers and students, learning opportunities anchored in inquiry, developmental readiness, and emerging research. In short, a school where children love learning! In this email, I want to draw your attention to the following details regarding new forms in SFO, the first week of school, tuition balance payment schedule, and mandatory in-school/distance education questionnaire. New Forms in SFO Please log into your account on SFO (click here) prior to the start of the school year and complete the two new mandatory forms:
Parent/Guardian Daily COVID-19 Screening
Parent Handbook Agreement (Please read the Parent Handbook first)
Your signature on these forms is required before your child(ren) can enter the school building. The First Week of School In order to warmly welcome and provide a safe orientation to each child, we will begin the year with only Cohort A of each grade (JK to Gr 6) on TUESDAY, September 8, 8:30-12:00. On WEDNESDAY, September 9, 8:30-12:00, we welcome only Cohort B of each grade (JK to Gr 6). Both Cohort B and Cohort A of each grade will have their first full day of school on THURSDAY, September 10, 8:30-3:00. Daycare begins on Thursday, September 10 for registered users. Nursery children have a staggered entry for their first day the following week and have been notified of their start date by their teachers. We will send you information about the (JK to Gr 6) cohort groups by September 1. We recognize that some families with multiple children at JICS may have a child start on September 8 and that child will remain home on September 9 when a sibling may have their first day. We thank you in advance for your understanding that this inconvenience is for the safety and wellbeing of the children and to enable us to use September 8 and 9 to fine tune some of the new procedures, working with only half the students at a time. Thank you again, for your flexibility. Tuition Balance Payment Schedule In keeping with COVID-19 social distancing requirements and minimizing adults in the school reception, we require that the tuition balance cheque payment be delivered to Nancy Boudreau, school office administrator between Monday, August 24 to Thursday, September 3, 9:00am to 4:00pm at 45 Walmer Road. We ask that parents wear a mask when they enter the building and queue 2 metres apart. Thank you for your cooperation. Please contact Nancy if you have any questions 416-934-4517. MANDATORY In-School/Distance Education Questionnaire We understand that for some parents, the risks associated with in-school learning are too significant for their family due to a medical situation or family circumstances that make returning to school imprudent. For those children we will offer remote learning accommodations. In order to plan for distance education, we ask that parents complete this short questionnaire (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5XWNZWC) confirming the children who will require distance-education so that we can better prepare for September. Please complete the survey by Wednesday, August 19, 4:00pm.
Thank you! We, the staff and faculty of JICS, are incredibly excited to see you on your first day (either Sept 8 or Sept 9) and we want to offer a very warm welcome to the new students and families joining us this year. We hope your final weeks of summer are filled with joyful family moments and lots and lots of fun. All the best, Richard
9. JICS Daycare Welcome & Registration
August 19th, 2020
Dear JICS Families, We would like to take this opportunity to welcome new and returning families to the Daycare. All information on the website has been updated and 2020-2021 registration forms are now available. In preparation for the upcoming school year, there has been extensive planning underway to ensure a safe and engaging childcare experience at the ICS After School Daycare. All plans have been developed in close partnership with the Lab School and in adherence with Public Health and Ministry guidelines. This has resulted in several changes to the programs and childcare options. Please see the attached letter from the Daycare team containing all of this important information. Sincerely, ICS Afterschool Daycare
10. Mandatory Questionnaire & Parent Q&A Zoom
August 20th, 2020
Mandatory In-School/Distance Education Questionnaire Yesterday at 4pm was the deadline to complete the mandatory in-school/distance education questionnaire (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5XWNZWC). If you have not done so, please complete this by 12:00pm today. This information is vital to our preparations for re-opening. Parent Q&A Zoom Session Please join Richard and Chriss this evening, 7pm - 8pm for a Parent Q&A as a follow-up to the release of our Parent Handbook. Please email Richard (richard.messina@utoronto.ca) with questions beforehand to ensure they are answered. Zoom link: *included in email* Meeting ID: *included in email* Password: *included in email*
11. Daycare FAQs & Registration Deadline
August 26th, 2020
Dear JICS Families,
Please review the Daycare Frequently Asked Questions webpage (https://www.jicsfamily.com/daycare-faqs) prepared for the 2020 – 2021 school year. Here you will find comprehensive information on how the Daycare will operate during this school year. In addition to changes to the childcare options available to families, there are many changes to how children can arrive to and depart from the Daycare, health and infection prevention processes, and communication with the Daycare.
The Daycare has worked collaboratively with the Lab School in ensuring a safe and smooth transition from the school day to after school care. All procedures were developed in partnership with the Lab School, and adhere to Public Health and Ministry guidelines.
Families are encouraged to register for Daycare by Monday August 31st to aid in planning and ensuring adequate staffing. Registration links, program information and fees are available online: https://www.jicsfamily.com/icsafterschooldaycare
Should you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Enjoy these last weeks of summer and we very much looking forward to seeing you!
Anne Marie Bartoli
Daycare Supervisor
