Grandpals Day, Bike Parade, Wine Drop
- JICS Office
- Apr 17
- 9 min read
JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
The school is closed Thur April 17, Fri April 18, and Mon April 21
The second tuition payment is due TODAY April 17, 2025
Consider a wine donation for the JICS Centennial Gala silent auction
Register for Grandpals Day happening on Thur May 1
Register for the JICS Bike Parade happening on Thur May 8
Hot Dog Night is Wed June 4 from 5-8 PM
Topics covered in this post:
(Click to navigate straight to a section)
School Closed - Thursday April 17, Friday, April 18 & Monday, April 21
Happy Easter
1. Second 2025-2026 Tuition Payment Due Today
The second tuition payment is due April 17, 2025. This payment is non-refundable and representing 50% of the balance tuition balance. Please make your cheque payable to the University of Toronto.
Nursery 2025-2026 Tuition is $20,127
A non-refundable deposit of $5,000 was paid at the time of acceptance.
50% balance due April 17 = $7,563.50 (non-refundable)
Full Day (JK to Grade 6) 2025-2026 Tuition is $31,874
A non-refundable deposit of $5,000 was paid in January 2025 or at time of acceptance.
50% balance due April 17 = $13,437 (non-refundable)
Shama is available in the school office each school day, 8:00am to 4:00pm.
The final tuition payment is due September 1, 2025.
2. La Semaine de la Francophonie
Celebrating le Jour de la Francophonie in Canada is important as it promotes linguistic diversity and multiculturalism, core values in Canadian society.
By honoring French language and culture, JICS underscores the importance of embracing and respecting diverse languages and cultures, fostering inclusivity and belonging among students. Furthermore, celebrating Francophonie Day expands students’ understanding of the global Francophone community, exposing them to the cultural richness of French-speaking countries worldwide. This fosters intercultural awareness, language skills, critical thinking, and empathy, essential qualities for success in our interconnected world.
This week, we proudly celebrated La Semaine de la Francophonie. Although it was a short week, it was filled with joyful activities, games, songs, and even a treat.
The highlight for many of the students was a pretend trip to Paris, where the “visited” the Eiffel Tour, posed for a group photos and immersed themselves in the spirit of French language and culture.
The week truly brought the French language and culture to life in a fun and engaging way.
Thank you, JICS parents, for your donations to the Patrick Harvie Arts Fund in support of arts-based diversity-learning experiences for all students throughout the school year.
3. Happy Earth Day
Tuesday, April 22
For this special day, we are sharing the Thanksgiving Address, as told in the book: “Strong Stories Kanyen’keya:ka: The Thanksgiving Address” by Michelle Corneau, Kanyen’keya:ka (Mohawk). This book is available for purchase at the Native Canadian Center of Toronto Book Store, 16 Spadina Rd, or from GoodMinds publishing company, located at Six Nations.
The Thanksgiving Address is from the Haudenosaunee People.
This is a short version of a much longer address that can take hours or sometimes days to tell.
The Thanksgiving Address is used to begin important meetings or gatherings in the Longhouse.
We give thanks to our Mother, the Earth. Thank you for gifting us all that we need to live.
We give thanks to the water. Thank you to the streams, rivers, oceans, and rain for gifting us fresh water to drink.
We give thanks to all the fish. Thank you for the food and nutrients and for keeping the waters clean.
We give thanks to all the sacred plants, above all sage, cedar, sweetgrass, and tobacco. Thank you for helping us to feel better.
We give thanks to the insects, thank you for your hard work and dedication to keeping the earth healthy.
We give thanks to all the food plants, especially corn, beans, and squash. Thank you for gifting us yummy things to eat.
We give thanks to all the fruit plants, above all the strawberry. Thank you for representing the unity of the Six Nations.
We give thanks to the trees, above all, the maple. Thank you for gifting us sweet sap in the spring.
We give thanks to all the animals. Thank you for gifting us food and clothing and teaching us many important lessons.
We give thanks to the birds. Thank you for sharing your beautiful songs throughout the seasons.
We give thanks to the winds. Thank you for blowing and keeping us cool in the summer.
We give thanks to Grandmother Moon and the stars, thanks for giving us light in the night-time.
We give thanks to our Elder Brother the Sun, thank you for the light that makes things grow and for keeping us warm.
We offer our thanks and greetings to the Creator. Thank you, Creator.
4. Wine Drop!
Supporting Economic Diversity at JICS
Join us at drop off on Thursday April 24th to drop off bottles of wine for inclusion in the JICS Centennial Gala silent auction.
What We’re Looking For:
All bottles are welcome and appreciated! Spirits are also welcome!
Your donation will help raise funds for the JICS Endowment Fund that sustain JICS’s commitment to access, equity, and economic diversity — ensuring that every child can thrive within our community.
How to Contribute:
Drop off your wine during morning school drop-off on Thursday April 24th and parent volunteers will be there to receive it with care and appreciation!
Let us know if you would like to volunteer to collect wine at drop-off or create wine collections for the silent auction. Contact Elaine Lam at Elainek.lam@gmail.com
If you have donated a higher value bottle and you would like a charitable tax receipt for your wine donation, please email to oiseut.communications@utoronto.ca
5. Grandpals Day at JICS Lab School
Thursday, May 1 | JK & SK 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM | Grades 1-6 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM
We’re excited to announce a heartwarming afternoon: Grandpals Day on Thursday, May 1st!
Beginning at 3:00 PM for JK and SK students and 3:30 PM for Grades 1–6, Grandpals—or a special family friend or relative—are welcome to join us for this optional afterschool event at the JICS Lab School.
Guests will meet their grandchild(ren) in the school yard at dismissal, then enter the school together through the main entrance for a short visit.
Students will proudly guide their guest(s) through their classrooms and other learning spaces, finishing the visit with light refreshments and snacks in the school gym.
Please note: Participation in Grandpals Day is optional. Children who are not taking part will be dismissed at their regular time for pick-up.
To ensure a safe dismissal, we kindly ask that parents register their child’s/children’s Grandpals if your child will be participating.
We look forward to welcoming our Grandpals and celebrating the special connections that matter most!
6. 🚲 JICS Bike Parade 🚲
Thursday, May 8 | 8:00 AM
Meet at Christie Pits — Ride together, arrive in style!
Start your morning right… on two wheels!
We’re rolling out the red carpet (ok fine, it's asphalt) for the very first JICS Bike Parade! Join us Thursday, May 8 at 8:00 AM at Christie Pits for a joyful, police-escorted ride to school. Yes, you read that right — police escorts! It’s like the Tour de France… but with less spandex and more backpacks.
The Route:
→ Starting at Christie Pits
→ East along Barton Avenue
→ North on Brunswick
→ East on Wells Avenue
→ South on Kendal, around the roundabout, and straight to JICS!
Basically: short, sweet, super safe — and all about the vibes.
The Details:
→ Bikes only (no scooters or rollerblades this time — safety first!)
→ Parents must accompany their child or arrange to ride with friends
→ Led by our very own Luke a.k.a Captain Commuter
→ Parade ends at JICS — with glory, good vibes, snacks and probably a few helmet hair situations
Where to Meet:
→ Gather at the NORTH WEST CORNER of Christie Pits Park (before 8:00am)
→ The parade will depart from Christie Pits at 8:00am sharp
Why join?
It’s fun.
It’s safe.
It’s community.
And it’s a chance to practice bike safety and show off those biking skills (and that bell you insist on ringing every 3 seconds).
Interested? Sign up here so we know who’s riding:
Let’s fill the streets with bikes, smiles, and JICS spirit! See you at the start line 🚴♀️🚴🚴♂️
7. Get Ready for Hot Dog Night - Save the Date!
Dear JICS families, mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 4th, 5-8 PM as it promises to be a sizzlin' delight. We’ll grill, we’ll chill, we’ll laugh and cheer, for one of the kids’ most beloved events of the year!
How can this community help? We would greatly appreciate donations of games, food or snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages to make the night even better. If you have the ability to contribute, please contact Lucia Remedios at lucia@analoguegallery.com or call (416) 505-4970.
Please stay tuned for all the details. We hope that you are as excited about Hot Dog Night as we are!
Sincerely,
The Grade 1 Parents - Hot Dog Night Committee
8. JICS Summer Lab Camp Update
A huge thank you for the parents behind the scenes of the JICS Summer Lab Camp! Thanks to your generous work, many of our camps are now waitlisted! If you are still interested, we recommend you join the waitlists (things are always shifting), and/or look at the other programs with availabilities.
We could not have dreamed of a better staff! The Dream Team includes some very familiar names!
Marcia Bumbury (JICS JK Teacher)
Kenisha Peters (JICS JK ECE Teacher)
Myah Birrell (Graduate of the Master of Arts in Child Study program, Natural Curiosity Program Coordinator, TDSB teacher)
Molly O'Donnell (Current JICS Special Ed Assistant and Supply Teacher, Graduate of the Master of Arts in Child Study program)
Molly Crabtree (Graduating Master of Arts in Child Study student)
Kaitlin Sooknanan (Current Master of Arts in Child Study program student)
Naomi-Ruth Weerasooriya (Former Nursery ECE Teacher, current and long-time JICS Supply Teacher)
Zarfishan Qureshi (Graduating Master of Arts in Child Study Student)
Lisa Taharally (Former JICS Supply Teacher, Member of the Ontario College of Teachers, Wednesday Afternoon Program Coordinator, JICS Parent)
Katie Rockburn (Master of Teaching student at OISE)
Alicia Robillard (JICS Nursery ECE Teacher)
Mekayla Wilson (Incoming Master of Arts in Child Study Student)
You can check out the full details of the line-up here: https://www.jicssummerlab.com/team-4
All camp revenue supports the Endowment Fund and our community's efforts towards the economic-diversity of JICS. Almost all of our registrations have come through word-of-mouth referrals. Thank you for your continued support to spread the word and help us fill the remaining spots! If demand is large enough, we may be able to open other sessions.
9. Lunch & Learn with Ellie
If you missed last week’s Lunch & Learn with Ellie “Supporting Social Growth: How Parents Can Help Kids Build Positive Relationships”, you can view the recording and slides on our Parent Education page.
10. Lost and Found
We invite parents to visit our “Lost and Found” collection located in the large stairwell. Paige, at reception, is happy to provide you with directions. We thank Paige for sorting all the un-labelled material.
11. Natural Curiosity
The Natural Curiosity program plays a crucial role in advancing the Lab School’s public purpose by supporting educators with understanding the importance of Indigenous perspectives in environmental and all education.
Help Natural Curiosity support 30,000 educators in 2025 by donating just $20 today!
Every donation, no matter the size, helps educators bring environmental learning to life through Indigenous perspectives, empowering students to imagine a better world and take the steps necessary to make that world a reality.
As a 100% donor-funded program, your support is essential to providing free resources and expanding environmental education and Indigenous language programs for all.
Miigwetch/Hiy hiy/Nya:wen for considering a gift to Natural Curiosity.
Photos from the Week
Land-Based Learning with Krista
Wednesday Afternoon Program - Baking with Becky
If you're interested in some long weekend baking fun, here's Becky's recipe to modeling chocolate (used to decorate the Rice Krispie Squares):
Melt 12oz candy melts or any type of chocolate.
Stir in 3oz light corn syrup to the melted chocolate until the chocolate turns to the consistency of soft serve ice cream.
Fold the mixture onto plastic wrap, flatten, and wrap it up.
After a few hours, it will harden. Knead it until smooth, then you're ready to mold!
Upcoming April Events
Thur 17 – Due date for 2nd Tuition Payment
Thur 17 – School closed. Daycare open. Parent/Teacher interview Day.
Fri 18 – Good Friday (School and Daycare closed.)
Mon 21 – Easter Monday (School and Daycare closed.)
Tues 22 – Earth Day
Upcoming May Events
Asian Heritage Month
Thur 1 – Grandpals Visit 3:30pm
Thur 8 – Bike Parade 8:00am Christie Pits ride to JICS. Register your child.
Tues 13 – Centennial Gala and Auction. 6:00pm MOCA. Purchase tickets.
Fri 16 – School & Daycare closed. President’s Day-UofT
Mon 19 – School & Daycare closed. Victoria Day
Thur 22 – Nursery/JK/SK Music Morning 9:00am
Thur 22 – Grade 1 – 6 Music Night 6:00pm
Mon 26 to Thur 29 – Grade 6 trip to Camp Arowhon
Tues 27 – Writer’s Roost Centennial Edition. 5:30-7:00pm OISE Library
Upcoming June Events
Canada's National Indigenous History Month & World Pride Month
Mon 2 – Shavuot
Tues 3 – Games Day (details coming soon)
Wed 4 – Hot Dog Night (details coming soon)
Fri 6 – Eid al-Adha (begins at sunset)
Thur 12 – Grade 6 Graduation Ceremony 1:30pm. Guests: JK to Gr 5 students and Gr 6 parents.
Fri 13 – Last day of school. Noon dismissal. “Graduates Clap-Out.” Daycare until 6:00pm.
Fri 20 – Report Cards posted online
Mon 16 to Fri 27 – Daycare Camp
Mon 30 – Building closed. President’s Day-UofT
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