Happy Easter! Parent Teacher Interviews, Centennial Music Day, Hot Dog Night, JICS Centennial Golf Tournament, & More!
- 7 hours ago
- 10 min read
JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
Reminder - The school is closed Friday April 3 and Monday April 6 - Happy Easter!
Parent Teacher Interviews - Register Now
JICS Centennial Golf Tournament - Register
Vice Principal Chriss Bogert featured in the Neighbours of Yorkville and The Annex Magazine.
"All Parents" Meeting - Wednesday April 15 at 7:00pm (Zoom) - Register
An announcement from Natural Curiosity
Topics covered in this post:
(Click to navigate straight to a section)
1. Happy Easter!
Easter is a major Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus three days after his crucifixion. In 2026, it falls on April 5, marking a season of new life celebrated with church services, family gatherings, and traditions. The School and Daycare will be closed tomorrow, Friday, April 3 (Good Friday) and Monday, April 6 (Easter Monday).
May the blessings of Easter fill your heart with peace and joy!
Easter Egg Decorating in Grade 4/5A
2. School Closed - Friday, April 17
On Friday, April 17, the school is closed as the JICS teachers and staff will engage in Parent-Teacher Interviews.
The Daycare will be open (8:00am to 6:00pm). Please contact Anne Marie, Daycare Director if you are interested in registering your child: ics.after.school.daycare@gmail.com
3. Parent Teacher Interviews: April 15, 17
We are excited to invite you to our Spring Parent-Teacher Interviews, where you will have the opportunity to engage in a conversation with your child's teachers. During these discussions, teachers will share their observations concerning your child's academic progress and social-emotional development. We encourage you to ask any questions you may have about your child's learning journey at school and to provide any information that can help us gain a deeper understanding of your child's needs and enhance their school experience.
Our interviews with Grade Teachers are designed to be concise, typically lasting 20 minutes, and are conducted in person. In addition to your child’s teacher, your interview may include one or more of the following individuals: teacher-candidate/intern, Inclusive Education (iED) teacher (formerly referred to as Special Education), or Chriss or Richard. At the JICS Lab School, we take a collaborative approach, with our classroom teachers working closely with the administrative team, specialty teachers, interns, and iEd teachers. We meet regularly to discuss each child's progress and needs. It is important to note that students do not need to be formally identified on the iEd caseload to benefit from this collective effort. Our iEd teachers are actively involved in the classroom, providing support to all students and offering a long-term, multi-year perspective on their development and progress.
Our Specialty Teachers will be available for Parent-Teacher Interviews for parents of children in JK to Grade 6 at select times. To ensure a detailed discussion of your child’s progress, we kindly ask that you schedule your meeting in advance, allowing the teacher time to prepare. Drop-ins are discouraged to ensure each family receives the attention they deserve.
Please be aware that all interviews are meant to be an in-person, adult-only experience to ensure open and candid discussions about your child's development.
To sign up for your Spring interview with your child's teachers, please use the links provided below. The designated interview dates are Wednesday, April 15 and Friday, April 17. Some classroom teachers have also provided additional dates. If these dates do not align with your availability, do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher to make alternative arrangements. Your participation in your child's education is highly valued, and we look forward to these discussions.
Classroom Teachers
Nursery - https://signup.com/go/oWTsaRy
Grade 1 - https://signup.com/go/RLKQANv
Grade 2 - https://signup.com/go/kpoqmCH
Grade 3 - https://signup.com/go/JKpbXHH
Grade 4/5A - https://signup.com/go/GohafRY
Grade 4/5R - https://signup.com/go/zrqgnuJ
Grade 6 - https://signup.com/go/YQzgJNB
Specialties
Grade 1-6 Music (Russell) - https://signup.com/go/BzKwgxV
Nursery, JK, SK Music (Bailey) - https://signup.com/go/CTdRJzP
Visual Arts (Tara) - https://signup.com/go/JLWgVZr
Phys Ed (Luke) - https://signup.com/go/nZZSECq
Library (Krista) - https://signup.com/go/PKKQNXa
JK - Grade 2 French (Tania) - https://signup.com/go/zPzAMdc
Grade 3-6 French (Christel) - https://signup.com/go/txNkWuV
Drama (Sarah) - https://signup.com/go/KwOBqnc
4. JICS Centennial Golf Tournament
We’re excited to share that registration is now officially open for the JICS Centennial Golf Championship — Fore the Future!
On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, we will gather at Angus Glen Golf Club to celebrate 100 years of the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study transforming not only individual lives, but the broader landscape of education.
From pioneering research that shapes classrooms across Canada to generations of graduates who've become educational leaders nationwide — JICS hasn't just educated children, it's revolutionized how we think about learning itself.
What awaits you:
Championship golf on the exclusive South Course at Angus Glen
Curated gourmet food and beverage experiences throughout the day
Premium contests, prizes, and friendly competition
Evening reception, awards presentation, and celebration
Networking with fellow changemakers
That electric JICS community energy
Tickets Now Available:
Foursome – $2,000 A full day of championship golf for four, including shared carts, curated on course food and beverage stations, and evening reception tickets for each golfer.
(Player names may be submitted at a later date.)
Individual Golfer – $600 A full day of championship golf, including a shared cart, curated on course food and beverage stations, and evening reception ticket.
(Individual golfers will be paired for a competitive and enjoyable round.)
Evening Reception – $100 Join us starting 6:00 PM for cocktail hour, followed by reception, awards, and celebration.
All skill levels are welcome — whether you're ready to show off your swing or picking up clubs for the first time, this day is about coming together as a community!
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Sponsorship offers a unique opportunity to elevate your brand, host clients or colleagues, engage your team, and align your organization with a century-long legacy of educational excellence.
Ideal for companies looking to build relationships, reward teams, fufill
social responsibility goals and demonstrate community leadership.
Hole Sponsorship — $3,000
Foursome included for 18 holes of championship golf
Logo signage displayed at your sponsored hole
Opportunity to host your own on-course activation or contest
Recognition on event signage, website, and social media
Advertisement in the souvenir program
Specialty Hole Sponsorship — $3,500
(Hole-in-One, Longest Drive, Closest to the Keg, Putting Contest, etc.)
Foursome included for 18 holes of championship golf
Exclusive branding at a high-engagement specialty hole
Opportunity to run a signature contest or activation
Recognition on event signage, website, and social media
Prominent advertisement in the souvenir program
For organizations seeking elevated visibility or multiple foursomes, premier sponsorship packages range from $7,500–$15,000, including Title, Gold, Cart, Beverage sponsorships and experiential activations.
For customized partnerships, corporate matching, or sponsorship inquiries, please contact reesa.barkhouse@utoronto.ca.
Your Impact Matters:
Your participation supports the JICS Endowment Fund for economic diversity – making a profound difference for families who would not otherwise be able to send their child to the Lab School. At JICS, diversity is not an aspiration, it is a moral imperative and an essential component of a meaningful education.
As a laboratory school committed to improving public education through research and knowledge mobilization, having a student population that reflects a broad range of lived experiences is critical to the integrity and impact of our work.
Your participation directly strengthens that mission.
5. Second 2026-2027 Tuition Payment Date
The second tuition payment is due on April 20, 2026. This payment is non-refundable and representing 50% of the balance tuition balance ($13,915). Please make your cheque payable to the University of Toronto.
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 20.
The final tuition payment is due September 1, 2026.
6. Parents' Association "All Parents" Meeting - Wednesday, April 15 at 7:00pm (Zoom)
Please mark your calendars for our upcoming “All Parents” Parents’ Association meeting. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn how our school community has been enriched through parent involvement, both through volunteer efforts and through initiatives supported by your contributions and donations to the PA.
We will also share details about upcoming events, including Grandpals Day and Hot Dog Night, and provide information about PA Executive positions that will be open for the coming year.
7. Centennial Music Day - Wednesday, May 20
We are delighted to invite parents and friends to our annual Centennial Music Day on Wednesday, May 20, a special celebration marking 100 years of our community.
Our Nursery, JK, and SK students will perform for families in the morning at 9:00 a.m., while students in Grades 1–6 will take the stage in the evening at 6:00 p.m. for a special showcase. Additional details will be shared as the date approaches.
We are pleased to share a tentative lineup of songs for the evening performance:
Jump In The Line by Harry Belafonte
We are Going To Be Friends by Jack White
You’ve Got A Friend by Carley Simon
Fearless and Free by Russell Sprout
Waving Flag by K’naan
Cuban percussion ensemble by Francisco Sánchez Avila
Fix You by Cold Play
Memories by Maroon 5
Ode’min Giizis (Strawberry Moon) by Tara Williamson
In addition to these pieces, students will also present original class movement compositions and creative works developed throughout the term.
We hope this Centennial Music Day will be a joyful celebration of music, creativity, and community, honouring our past while bringing us together in the present.
Music Night - 2025
8. Save the Date - Hot Dog Night 2026
Dear JICS families,Please save the date and come celebrate the JICS Centennial Hot Dog Night on June 3, 6-8 pm.Did you know that JICS and the Toronto hot dog scene were both newly emerging in the 1920s? To celebrate this cultural and culinary serendipity and all of the joy it has brought over the last 100 years, lettuce come together to ketchup with friends, relish great food, and mustard up the courage to explore this year’s hot dog night surprises! And there are quite a few good ones…How can you help make hotdog night special?
Donations of food, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, raffle prizes or games would be greatly appreciated. If you’d like to contribute, please email Naram Mansour at naram@carlylecommunities.com.
Message brought to you by the Grade 1 Hot Dog Committee, loving hot dogs since 1926.
9. JICS in the News
Chriss Bogert was recently featured in the latest edition of Neighbours of Yorkville and The Annex Magazine. In the article, Chriss reflects on her family and life in The Annex, her lifelong commitment to education, her advocacy for children’s rights and mental health, and her meaningful involvement in the addiction recovery community.
The JICS Lab School is fortunate to have such a dedicated and knowledgeable Vice Principal whose passion and experience enrich our entire community.
10. From the PA - Letter to Mark Carney Re: Social Media for Children
Dear JICS Community,
You've likely heard about the Australian government's decision to ban social media for children under 16 years old. Canadians are looking to follow their path! Below is an open letter circulating that calls for a social media age minimum of 16 in Canada - and it's picking up steam. The topic is now on the Liberal convention agenda (April 9–11), and both major parties are engaged.
In the Fall Term, the PA hosted a Parent Education Event alongside psychologist Dr. Zia Lakdawalla and Unplugged Canada - a parent-led movement helping kids thrive through local pledges to delay smartphone and social media access for children. You can watch the recording of this Parent Ed session on the Parent Education section of the JICSFamily Website. The letter to Mark Carney highlights youth wellbeing and safety, and calls upon law makers and social media companies to help protect young people.
The letter already has support from people across many fields (health, education, tech, faith communities, non-profits, students, and more) and the goal is to demonstrate to lawmakers that this isn't a fringe position. It reflects what most Canadians want.
If you're interested, please take a moment to:
Sign the Letter to Mark Carney - HERE!
Pass it along to anyone in your network who might want to add their voice!
11. JICS Winter Newsletter - Feedback!
Just before March Break, we distributed the Winter Edition of the JICS Newsletter in hard copy. We hope you and your child had a chance to read and enjoy it, with highlights from each classroom and articles written by members of the Student Newsletter Club.
The Newsletter is published each term. While it is typically shared electronically, we piloted a printed edition this term. If you have misplaced your copy, you may request another from Paige or access the archived online version here. The password can be found in the most recent POST email.
We would greatly appreciate your feedback. Please take a moment to complete our brief survey.
12. The Natural Curiosity Program
Join Natural Curiosity for an online Ojibwe language course. This initiative stems from our commitment towards reconciliation and to foster and promote Indigenous perspectives and intercultural understanding within our educational community.
This course is open to everyone – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants who wish to learn to uplift language revitalization. Learning sessions start April 14th, 2026, and the EARLY Bird pricing is available until March 31, 2026.
Unable to commit to the course but want to help make Indigenous language learning more accessible? Your donation to Natural Curiosity directly supports language revitalization, ensuring more learners can access these vital programs.
Upcoming April Events
Passover (April 1 to 9)
Fri 3 – Good Friday. School and Daycare closed.
Mon 6 – Easter Monday. School and Daycare closed.
Fri 10 – International Day of Pink
Fri 10 – Holy Friday (Orthodox)
Mon 13 to Fri 17 – La Semaine de la Francophonie (JK to Gr 6)
Tues 14 – Vaisakhi
Wed 15 – Parent/Teacher Interview Afternoon
Wed 15 – 7:00pm JICS Parent's Association "All Parent" Meeting (zoom)
Fri 17 – Parent/Teacher Interview Day. School closed. Daycare open.
Mon 20 – Due date for 2nd tuition payment (50% of balance)
Mon 20 to Fri 24 – International Association of Lab Schools Conference, Finland: Richard, Chriss, Jessica, Judith.
Wed 22 – Earth Day
Tues 28 to Fri May 1 – Grade 6 trip to Camp Wanakita