Topics covered in this post:
Happy Hanukkah!
JICS Family Festival of Lights - Dec 17
Re-enrollment for 2021-2022
Apple Financial
Donations to Diana Rankin Muncaster Tuition Support Fund
JICS Endowment Fund
Parent Education - Parenting Series with Ellie Lathrop
Food Drive Letter from the Grade 6s
Neighbour Complaint
We want to Hear from You
Upcoming December Events
Photos!
1. Happy Hanukkah!
May your home be filled with love and light, making each day bright!
2. JICS Family Festival of Lights – Dec 17
Next week on Thursday December 17 at 7:00pm we will be live streaming our annual JICS Family Festival of Lights! We hope everyone will tune in for approximately 40 minutes to celebrate the many festivals that focus on bringing light into the darkness.
To watch the live stream, click on the link below to view it from the JICS YouTube page: https://youtu.be/OuK0injw7SE
We recommend setting up a device prior to 7pm with external speakers or by connecting it to a TV if possible to ensure everyone in your family can hear and see the entirety of this event. This will not be something you want to miss! Lyrics will be shown during the songs and we hope that you and your family will sing along!
3. Re-enrollment for 2021-2022
Re-enrollment forms will be emailed today for the 2021-2022 school year. The form and the non-refundable $5000 deposit are due in the office by Wednesday, January 20, 2021. We are happy to report that the tuition represents the usual 3% increase despite the significant new costs that are necessary for the health and safety of all. Please take the time to review the JICS principles, values, and purpose listed in today’s reenrollment email before making your decision to reenroll. We look forward to continuing our relationship with you.
4. Apple Financial
Families who have applied to Apple Financial for 2021-2022 financial support will be notified shortly of their assessment results.
5. Donations to Diana Rankin Muncaster Tuition Support Fund
Thank you for your financial donations to the JICS Tuition Support Fund. We are excitedly waiting to hear from UofT Advancement regarding our new total!
We are planning an online event in the Spring to raise the additional funds required to meet the financial needs of current JICS families and increase our economic diversity. If you have an item that we could include in our Spring online auction, please contact Richard Messina, chair of this year’s TS fundraiser.
Examples include:
Artwork
Case of wine
Cottage week/travel package
Canoe/Bicycle/Tesla
Service/personal assistance
Signed memorabilia
Dining/catering
Behind-the-scene tour
“Priceless” experience
6. JICS Endowment Fund
The generosity of our JICS community is nothing short of remarkable. We want to thank the Sweeney Tiplady Family for donating $50,000 toward the JICS Endowment Fund. We also want to thank JICS grandparents, Mrs. Mary Davie and the late Mr. James Davie for their donation of $200,000. These gifts will generate enormous benefits for the Lab School allowing JICS to expand its reach and deepen its impact, making a difference in the lives of children, families, and communities.
The newly established JICS Endowment fund will allow us to take a long-term view in strengthening the school and supporting our mission. The purpose of the JICS Endowment Fund is to increase our:
economic diversity by offering support in the early and primary years
work in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Report
research and understanding of student mental health
understanding and dissemination of the benefits of environmental education
7. Parent Education - Parenting Series with Ellie Lathrop
Register here for Ellie’s next presentation and Parent Q&A: “Parenting in the Digital Age: Supporting your relationship with your kids and their tech” on Tuesday, December 15th 12:30-1:30
8. Food Drive Letter from the Grade 6s
Dear JICS community,
We, the Grade 6 class have been working to raise money and food for the Daily Bread Food Bank. The Daily Bread Food Bank is a food bank based in Toronto that helps people with food insecurity. Food insecurity is when you’re not sure if you can get enough food to feed yourself or your family. A food bank is a place where people can get food for free if they cannot afford it.
Due to COVID-19, the food issue is worse than ever. Lots of people lost their jobs, and many started to face food insecurity. There was a 51% increase in food bank visits during COVID-19. We need to lower that number now. Please help us help our community.
Please donate any non-perishable items, and we have a list below of the most needed items to help you!
Peanut butter
Tomato sauce
Pasta
Canned fruit
Canned soup
Rice
Oatmeal
Canned stew, chili, etc.
Baby food and formula
Beans (lentils, chick pea water)
Canned vegetables (tomatoes, corn, peas, etc.)
Any other non-perishable food item is completely welcome too! There is a decorated box in your children’s classroom for the food.
Watch out for an email from Grade 6 students specifically for your child’s class! That will come soon, but you are welcome and encouraged to bring in food early, as we only have a week until winter break.
Thank you,
The Grade 6 class
9. Neighbour Complaint
We pride ourselves on our positive relationships with our neighbours on Walmer Road. Unfortunately, some caregivers (perhaps grandparents) have been parking in front of the driveway of our neighbour to the north. When asked to move their car, it has been reported that responses have been unkind and aggressive.
Parents: If you have given others the responsibility to pick up your child, PLEASE ensure that they are aware NOT TO PARK in front of driveways to the north or south of the school. We thank you for your support.
10. We Want to Hear from You
If you have questions or comments about the information provided in the weekly post or about any aspect of JICS, please email or join Chriss and Richard on zoom any Friday.
This Friday, the time will be 12:30-1:00.
Zoom link: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/82065545911 Password: jicsfamily
11. Upcoming December Events
Thurs 10 – Hanukkah begins at sunset (Hanukkah Dec 10-18)
Thurs 10 – Last Day of Block 1 MA teacher-candidate practicum (JK to Gr 6)
Fri 11 – Friday Parent Information Post Talks NEW TIME: 12:30-1:00 (Zoom link)
Tues 15 – Parent Education Event: Parenting Workshop Series on Parenting in the Digital Age RSVP
Mon 14 to Fri 18 – Midterm Report Card mailed home (Nursery to Gr 6)
Thurs 17 – (TBC) "Festivals of Light" Holiday Sing-along 7:00pm
Fri 18 – Last Day of Fall Term. School ends at noon. Daycare open until 6:00pm
Fri 18 – Friday Parent Information Post Talks 9:30-10:00am (Zoom link)
Mon 21 – Winter Holidays begin (Dec 21 to Jan 3) School and Daycare closed.
Fri 25 – Christmas Day
Sat 26 – Kwanzaa begins (Dec 26 to Jan 1)
Mon January 4 – Winter term begins. Arrival starts at 8:30am (Daycare opens at 8:00am)
