JICS in the News, Grandpals Day Registration, JICS Bike Parade, Hot Dog Night Announcement, Parents of BIPOC Children Meeting, JICS Golf Tournament, & More!
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience
Grandpals Day Grade 1-6, LAST CALL TO REGISTER: Here
Register for the 2nd Annual JICS Bike Parade - Thursday, May 14
Parent Consent Required - Longitudinal Research Study
Save the date & buy tickets for Hot Dog Night!
Kids Who Care Club - Book Drive & Childhood Cancer Research Fundraiser
Topics covered in this post:
(Click to navigate straight to a section)
Grade 1-6 Grandpals Day at JICS - Friday, May 8, 3:30pm - LAST CALL FOR REGISTRATION: MAY 1
Early Years (Nursery, JK, SK) Grandpals Day - Wednesday, May 20
Kids Who Care Club - Children's Health Issues Branch Fundraiser
Parent Consent Requested for Longitudinal Research "BRIDGE" Study at the JICS Lab School: Building Research on Inquiry, Growth and Development in Education
1. JICS in the News
We are proud to share that JICS is featured in the Spring 2026 issue of University of Toronto Magazine, in an article titled Where Childhood Comes First.
The piece highlights the nearly 100-year legacy of the Institute of Child Study as a leader in rethinking education, from its early, ground breaking commitment to play-based learning and careful observation, to its continued role today as a hub for research, teacher education, and innovation in schools.
The article explores how our work continues to centre the whole child, prioritizing curiosity, relationships, and deep understanding over narrow measures of success. It also reflects our thoughtful approach to technology and AI: embracing their potential while ensuring that children first develop strong foundations through hands-on, social, and meaningful learning experiences.
At its core, the feature captures what has always defined JICS: a commitment to understanding what children need to learn and thrive, now and into the future.
We invite you to read the full article below:
2. Head Lice Reminder
Each term, we conduct a school-wide head lice check. Following this term’s screening, we have identified several cases over the past few weeks. Preventing the spread of lice is a shared responsibility within our community.
We kindly ask that parents/guardians:
Check your child’s hair regularly.
Report any cases of head lice to the school promptly.
If your child has been treated for lice, continue to check daily for nits for at least three weeks, as this is recommended to prevent recurrence.
As a reminder, JICS Lab School maintains a “no nits” policy for the benefit of all students. This means that children may not attend school if lice or nits are present in their hair.
A Head Lice Fact Sheet from Toronto Public Health is attached. Additional information can be found here:
Thank you for your cooperation in helping keep our community healthy.
3. Grade 1-6 Grandpals Day at JICS - Friday, May 8, 3:30pm - LAST CALL FOR REGISTRATION: MAY 1
We deeply appreciate the important role that grandparents and special family friends play in the lives of JICS children, and we are delighted to host a special afternoon in their honour for those who are interested. Visitors will join us at the end of the school day for a brief, meaningful visit.
Children will be dismissed directly to their grandparent or designated visitor at the start time noted above.
To ensure your child’s guest receives all event details directly (and to avoid any missed communication), please provide their name and email address using this link. We will send all information to them directly.
This is an optional event. Children who are not taking part will be dismissed at their regular time for pick-up.
If you would like your child to attend Afterschool Daycare after the event, please ensure you coordinate this with Anne-Marie: ics.after.school.daycare@gmail.com
4. Early Years (Nursery, JK, SK) Grandpals Day - Wednesday, May 20
Grandpals Day for our Nursery, JK, and SK students will take place on Wednesday, May 20. We are pleased to invite grandparents and special family friends to join us for a joyful morning at JICS.
Guests are welcome to arrive at 8:30 a.m. to spend time in the classroom, followed by our Music Day performance at 9:00 a.m. in the gym, where all Early Years classes will be performing.
To ensure your child’s guest receives all event details directly (and to avoid any missed communication), please provide their name and email address using this link. We will send all information to them directly.
5. Parents of BIPOC Children Virtual Meeting - Monday, May 4
Who we are: Created by JICS parents for JICS parents, the BIPOC Group welcomes all parents of a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous or Person of Colour) student at JICS.
Why: Foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the JICS community.
What: Through sharing safe space, collective/collaborative action, and celebrating differences that bring everyone together, we support and uplift the JICS parents of BIPOC children and their families.
How: Virtual and in-person meetings, socials, social media group (WhatsApp), and connecting with the Teacher’s Equity and Inclusion Committee. Potential activities include advocacy, coordination for cultural celebrations, and fundraising for special causes and campaigns. In everything, we create a safe space to enjoy community, identify issues, support one another, and celebrate differences.
When: Upcoming events - Save the Dates!
Monday, May 4 from 7:30-8:30pm (virtual meeting - holding space, check-in)
Monday, May 25 evening (restaurant TBC, or virtual)
June Potluck Picnic in Sibelius Park (e.g. later in the afternoon on Thursday or Friday)
Please kindly reach out to Adrienne Chan (Adrienne.chan@sunnybrook.ca) our Group WhatsApp and Technical Administrator, or Carissa Wong (647-882-7017) our Group Chair, if you have any questions, comments, or would like to be added to the Parents of JICS BIPOC Kids WhatsApp Group.
6. Kids Who Care Club - Children's Health Issues Branch Fundraiser
A message from the Kids Who Care Club: Children's Health Issues Branch
Dear JICS Families,
The Children’s Health Issues Branch (CHI) of the Kids Who Care Club is fundraising for Childhood Cancer Canada. We are fundraising for cancer research and to make sure that no childhood is lost to cancer. Every day, children are facing the unimaginable, which is why even a bit of money for research, or to put a smile on a kid's face, is worth it. We have set up an online fundraiser that is available to donate. It is open now and will end on June 3rd at 8:00 PM which is the date and time of our school event Hot Dog Night’s ending. We will have a booth set up at Hot Dog Night too. Please scan the QR code, or click below to access the fundraiser:
Thank you for your support of this important cause!
Bea, Arwen, Sam, and Tasha, leaders of CHI
7. Parent Consent Requested for Longitudinal Research "BRIDGE" Study at the JICS Lab School: Building Research on Inquiry, Growth and Development in Education
We are incredibly grateful for JICS parent support of Lab School research and for your ongoing partnership.
On Monday April 13, JICS parents were sent a link to a Parent Information Letter and Consent Form for your child/ren to participate in this new longitudinal study. If you have not yet done so, please carefully review the Letter and complete the Consent Form as soon as possible.
If you did not receive the email about the BRiDGE study, please let the school office know labschooloffice@utoronto.ca
Please note, parents with more than one child in the school, will need to complete a separate consent form for each child.
This Spring, we will begin with a soft launch of the study, piloting the use of various measures. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have about the study.
8. 2nd Annual JICS Bike Parade - Thursday, May 14
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 second JICS Bike Parade! Join us Thursday, May 14 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.
AND, you will be joined by cyclists Luke, Audrey, Jessica, Chriss, Richard and many more teachers!
The Route:
→ Starting at North West corner of 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 — 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?
So we know who's riding!
Let’s fill the streets with bikes, smiles, and JICS spirit! See you at the start line! 🚴♀️🚴🚴♂️
9. JICS Centennial Golf Tournament
New Date Announcement – Friday, October 2, 2026!
The JICS Centennial Golf Championship — Fore the Future has been rescheduled to Friday, October 2, 2026 at Angus Glen Golf Club. All previously reserved tickets and sponsorships will be honoured for the new date.
The new fall date opens the door to broader participation from our JICS family, alumni, and partner community because a centennial only comes once, and we want as many of you on the course as possible!
Join us for a full day of championship golf on the renowned South Course, featuring curated food and beverage experiences, premium contests (including Beat the Pro and Closest to the Keg), and an evening reception as we celebrate 100 years of impact from the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study.
Tickets:
• Foursome – $2,000 (Early Bird: save 10% when booked by June 15)
• Individual Golfer – $600
• Evening Reception – $100
All skill levels are welcome.
🏆 Winning foursome picks ONE grade to receive a pizza party with a very special guest 🍕 plus bragging rights to lead the school in an assembly activity of their imagination!
🎓 If Grade 6 wins, they get a special reunion pizza party back at JICS this fall.
👉 Register today or explore sponsorship opportunities
We look forward to seeing you on the course!
10. Save the Date - Hot Dog Night 2026!
HOT DOG NIGHT IS COMING!
Come celebrate JICS’s Centennial Year Hot Dog Night on June 3, 6-8pm! Join the JICS community for an evening of friendship, fun, food, games and a raffle!
Here’s how you can help:
Buy Early Bird Tickets (Prices increase on May 20)!
Individual Adult: $20
Individual Child: $10
Family Max: $60
Early Bird Tickets go a long way in helping to plan Hot Dog Night, and we’d be grateful for your support. To celebrate early-birds and their efforts, we’re having:
An Early Bird Ticket Competition: The class that buys the most early-bird tickets (before May 20) will win a pizza party!
A Surprise Raffle: All early bird ticket purchasers will be entered into a surprise raffle. Who knows what you could win?!?
Get a limited edition Centennial Hot Dog Night T-shirt!
Pre-order yours until May 12 to receive your t-shirt(s) on Hot Dog Night
Children’s XS-L: $20
Adult (Unisex) S-XXL: $25
BOGO Savings: Buy one, get one $5 off
Visit JICSHotDogNight.com to order your tickets and merch today.
How can you help make Hot Dog Night special?
Donations of food, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, or games would be greatly appreciated. If you’d like to contribute, please email Naram Mansour at naram@carlylecommunities.com
Got questions?
Should you have any questions, please contact Rouzhin Mansour (Rouzhin.mansour@gmail.com)
Thanks for your help and looking forward to celebrating with you there!
Message brought to you by the JICS Hot Dog Committee, Loving Hot Dogs Since 1926
11. The Natural Curiosity Program
We are excited to share that Natural Curiosity's educator awards for teaching excellence in environmental education are now open.
Edward Burtynsky Award for Teaching Excellence in Environmental Education
For in-service teachers and ECEs across Canada
Dr. David Suzuki Fellowship for Pre-Service Environmental Education
For pre-service teachers and ECEs across Canada graduating in 2026
Submissions are accepted now through May 13th! For eligibility, prize information, and to apply, visit: http://www.naturalcuriosity.ca/awards
Upcoming April Events
Tues 28 to Fri May 1 – Grade 6 trip to Camp Wanakita
Upcoming May Events
Asian Heritage Month
Mon 4 – BIPOC Parent Meeting 7:30-8:30pm
Fri 8 – Grade 1-6 Grandpals afterschool visit
Thur 14 – Bike Parade. 8:00am Meet at Christie Pits and ride to JICS
Fri 15 – School & Daycare closed. UofT Presidential Day
Mon 18 – School & Daycare closed. Victoria Day
Wed 20 – Music Day. 9:00am performance for Nursery/JK/SK. 6:00pm performance for Grades 1-6.
Thur 21 – Shavuot (begins at sunset)
Tues 26 – Games Day
Tues 26 – Eid al-Adha (begins at sunset)
Upcoming June Events
Canada's National Indigenous History Month & World Pride Month
Wed 3 – Hot Dog Night 6:00-8:00pm
Thur 11 - Grade 6 Graduation Ceremony 1:30pm. Guests: JK to Gr 5 students and Gr 6 parents.
Fri 12 – Last day of school. Noon dismissal. “Graduates Clap-Out.” Daycare until 6:00pm.
Fri 19 – Report Cards posted online
Mon 15 to Fri 26 – Daycare June Camp
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