JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
JICS Family Skate - Tuesday, April 2, Register Here
Parent Education- Friday, April 5, 5:30-7:30, Register Here & Register for Babysitting Here
Topics covered in this post:
1. Ramadan Kareem!
Wishing you all the blessings of the holy month.
2. Spring Term
The children returned following the Break with contagious energy and engagement. We are looking forward to the Spring Term! Stay tuned for announcements about annual student and community events that typically take place during this time of year.
Photos from Spring 2023
3. Happy Easter - School Closure
The School and Daycare will be closed tomorrow, Friday, March 29 (Good Friday) and Monday, April 1 (Easter Monday).
4. Parent Education - April 5, 5:30-7:30
Why evidence-based hope matters: Supporting children’s wellbeing and resilience in the face of the climate crisis
Recognizing the need to support our children and students in these uncertain times, the JICS Lab School Parents' Association is thrilled to welcome Dr. Elin Kelsey, a distinguished professor at the University of Victoria School of Environmental Studies and renowned author, to speak to parents and educators about nurturing children’s wellbeing and resilience in response to the climate crisis.
To serve the public purpose of the Lab School, this community event is open to all interested parents, guardians, caregivers, family members, educators, health and mental health professionals, preservice educators and faculty, school administrators, and any other adults who care for children.
Date: Apr 05, 2024
Community Social: 5:30pm
Keynote: 6:30pm
Location: JICS Lab School, 56 Spadina Road
Free babysitting provided for current JICS students
We acknowledge and apologize that this event coincides with the sacred month of Ramadan; however, our scheduling was constrained by Elin Kelsey's availability.
5. Second 2024-2025 Tuition Payment Due
The second tuition payment is due on April 19, 2024. This payment is non-refundable and representing 50% of the balance tuition balance. Please make your cheque payable to the University of Toronto.
Nursery 2024-2025 Tuition is $18,723
A non-refundable deposit of $5,000 was paid at the time of acceptance.
50% balance due April 19 = $6,861.50 (non-refundable)
Full Day (JK to Grade 6) 2024-2025 Tuition is $29,092
A non-refundable deposit of $5,000 was paid in January 2024 or at time of acceptance.
50% balance due April 19 = $12,046 (non-refundable)
Shama is available in the school office each school day, 8:00am to 4:00pm. She is happy to receive post-dated cheques in advance of April 19.
The final tuition payment is due September 1, 2024.
6. Final Days with Teacher Candidates
Beginning in September, we have Teacher Candidates from the OISE MA in Child Studies & Education (MA CSE) Program in our JK to Grade 6 classrooms. March 7 was the official last day for the Block 2 Teacher Candidates (1st year students) and we say good-bye to the Winter Interns (2nd year students) on Friday, April 5. We are grateful for their support in our classrooms and for learning alongside us about what is best for children. We wish them success as they continue their development as future teachers.
7. 30th Annual JICS Read-a-thon
March 1-April 12
Your donations will be used to replace lost and broken books, purchase new books, and to support authors, illustrators, and storytellers to visit with students.
We are so grateful to our supportive community! Donations of $25 or more will be rewarded with a personalized book plate placed in a new library book.
8. JICS Family Skate - Tuesday, April 2, 5:00-6:0
Lace up your skates, grab your family and friends, and join us at the inaugural JICS Family Skate Extravaganza at UofT’s Varsity Arena (299 Bloor Street W.), proudly presented by the JICS Parents Association.
9. Parents' Association Contributions to the Lab School
Your donations support the school in many ways. The PA funds our lice check (today), parent education events, socials, and learning/play material to enrich our programming. We are grateful for your support!
10. Information from the Ministry of Health - Measles
Acknowledging that there has been an increase of measles cases in Ontario, the Ministry of Health has shared the following information that you may find useful:
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks and can remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is through vaccination. The measles vaccine is a safe and extremely effective way to prevent measles. Please ensure your child’s immunizations are up to date, and to report immunization records using the Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) tool, accessed through their local public health unit’s website. Following vacation travel over March Break, parents and caregivers should also monitor for symptoms of measles and call their health care provider immediately if they suspect their child is infected or has been exposed to measles. Parents and caregivers should not bring their child to a health care facility or office without calling ahead first, if they have been exposed or have symptoms. For more information, visit ontario.ca/measles.
11. March Break Daycare Camp
Thirty-six lucky students participated in the Daycare March Break Camp. The Daycare will be providing a June Camp (June 17 – 28). Details coming.
12. Celebration of Life: Anne Cassidy
Former JICS Lab School educator, Anne Cassidy, passed away on February 21, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of dedication spanning 23 remarkable years. Anne embarked on her teaching journey at JICS in 1981, where she passionately imparted her love of learning to students in Grade 4 and 5/6. Known for her unwavering commitment, Anne forged deep connections with her students, extending well beyond their graduation. Her exceptional ability to tailor the curriculum to the unique interests of each cohort set her apart. Despite her seasoned experience, Anne approached each new academic year with a fresh perspective, infusing innovation into subjects like spelling, social studies, and science. Her ingenious methods extended to developing a daily "News" discussion, influencing educators far and wide. Her knowledge of junior grade novels was unparalleled. In mathematics, she made lessons authentic by having students graph revenue from UNICEF fundraising or calculate Sandbanks Trip expenses. She is the creator the long-standing “Special Friends” tradition of pairing a younger cohort with an older cohort. Anne's strong belief in social justice was interwoven into the curriculum, from having children make sandwiches for shelters to having Grade 5/6 students invited as guests on CBC News Sunday with Evan Solomon to speak about the plight of refugees.
Beyond her role as an educator, Anne was a cherished friend to the JICS staff and teacher-candidates fortunate enough to learn alongside her.
Anne's retirement in 2005 was anything but conventional. She worked as a teacher educator for the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) in The Gambia, Africa, imparting her unique teaching style. Struck by the scarcity of books, Anne sought assistance from the JICS community. The resulting "Booko Project," named after the Mandinka slang for books, successfully gathered and shipped nearly 1000 books to Anne, enriching educational opportunities in The Gambia and at JICS. Upon returning to Toronto, she became a highly sought-after tutor for numerous JICS students. She returned to 45 Walmer Road as an instructor with “Friendship in Action” and served as a board member of the ICS After School Daycare.
Her impact on the JICS community remains imprinted in its fabric, influencing it in countless ways.
Anne’s children, Michael, Katie, and Tom have organized a memorial to honor their beloved mother.
Celebration of Life for Anne Cassidy
Date: Sunday, June 9, 2024
Time: 2:00-5:00pm
Location: Faculty Club, 41 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON
Please consider sharing this invitation with anyone who may have been unintentionally overlooked but would like to join us in honoring Anne’s memory. All are sincerely welcome.
13. Upcoming March Events
Readathon Month
Thur 28 – School-wide lice check (Thank you, PA!)
Fri 29 – Good Friday (School and Daycare closed.)
14. Upcoming April Events
Mon 1 – Easter Monday (School and Daycare closed.)
Tues 2 – JICS Family Skate. 5:00-6:00pm at Varsity Arena. RSVP here.
Fri 5 – Parent Education, 5:30-7:30pm: Why Evidence-Based Hope Matters: Supporting our children's wellbeing and resilience in the face of the climate crisis with Dr. Elin Kelsey (babysitting available) More information coming soon
Mon 8 – Solar Eclipse – School dismissal at 12:00. After-school daycare cancelled.
Tues 9 – Eid al-Fitr (begins at sunset)
Wed 10 – International Day of Pink
Wed 10 – NEW: cancelled Parent Teacher Interviews due to Eid
Sat 13 – Vaisakhi
Mon 15 to Fri 19 - La Semaine De La Francophonie at JICS
Wed 17 – Parent Teacher Interviews
Fri 19 – Due date for 2nd JICS tuition payment
Mon 22 to Fri 26 – Earth Week at JICS
Mon 22 – Passover begins
Wed 24 to Fri 26 – International Association of Lab School Conference in Muncie, Indiana
Wed 24 – New Date for Parent Teacher Interviews
