Topics covered in this post:
1. Happy Holidays and January Return Date
We wish everyone a holiday that is just the right balance between festive merriment and quiet relaxation. The Fall Term ends Tuesday, December 20 at 3:30pm (6:00pm for daycare). The JICS building is closed during the holidays.
Hanukkah Sameach! Shabe Yalda Mobarak! Happy Winter Solstice! Merry Christmas!
Happy Kwanzaa! Happy New Year!
We look forward to seeing everyone on Monday, January 9, 2023.
2. Festivals of Lights – JICS Holiday Sing-along
Tuesday, December 20, 9:00-10:00am
We hope to see parents/caregivers on Tuesday morning for our Holiday Sing-along in the auditorium. While this is not a student performance or concert, it is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to sing songs of the diverse celebrations (Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa) that take place during this time of year. Thank you, Music Teachers, Suzanne and Russell for your leadership.
3. JICS Book Fair; Message from Krista
Thank you to those of you who have purchased books through our ‘Another Story Book Shop’ fundraiser for the JICS Library!
We have until the end of Dec. 18th to make purchases from Another Story, and the books (in stock) will be delivered to the school before we leave for the holidays!
EXTENDED: The fund-raiser will remain open over the new year, with additional shipments being made in January.
If you go to the store in person, just mention the fundraiser and school name to ensure we get credit for your purchases.
Use the following link and code JICS22 in the promo box so that we will receive 20% of your order to purchase new books for our Library.
4. Message from Zoe’s Grade 4/5 Class
Hello JICS Families,
Zoe’s grade 4/5 class
would like to remind you that we are collecting items for the Christie Refugee Welcome Centre. We can accept donations until Monday. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far!
Here is what the centre is in need of:
Toys for toddlers and babies
Toys for children over the age of 12
Diapers size 4-6
New winter gear
New books
Grocery store gift cards
Thank you for your generosity!
Zoe’s grade 4/5 class
5. Health and Safety Information
With the many student absences that occurred this week, we feel it is valuable to share (again) the following information:
a. From Ontario College of Family Physicians
The Ontario College of Family Physicians has created a poster to help parents decide when to seek care for respiratory illness (colds, influenza, RSV, COVID-19) and how to support your child at home. CLICK HERE for poster.
b. From Toronto Public Health
Please read the letter from Toronto Public Health explaining the importance of vaccination, masking, daily symptom checking and sanitization. CLICK HERE for letter.
The Government of Ontario’s School and Child Care Screening Tool has been updated to align with recent recommendations from the Chief Medical Officer of Health. We have been asked to share this tool to help parents. At this time, the JICS Lab School is NOT requiring parents to submit the results of the screening.
6. New Director of the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study
Dear OISE Community
I am delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Jennifer Jenkins of the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development as Director of the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS) for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2023.
Professor Jenkins received her PhD in Psychology from the University of London's Institute of Child Health in 1987 and joined the University of Toronto as an Assistant Professor in 1991, appointed at first to the Institute of Child Study. In 1996 she received tenure and joined APHD, and was promoted to Professor in 2001. Since 2010, she has held the prestigious Atkinson Chair in Early Child Development and Education.
Professor Jenkins is an internationally recognized scholar and leader in the generation and dissemination of scientific knowledge in the field of child development mental health. With a focus on the cognitive and social-emotional development of preschool and school-aged children, she has conducted longitudinal cohort studies examining the interplay between biological vulnerability and high-risk environments and has connected her research to policy and practice. Her publication record includes 5 books and over 100 refereed articles. Her extensive funding record includes support from SSHRC, CIHR, CFI, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Atkinson Charitable Foundation, the Lawson Foundation, and the McCain Family Foundation. She is also a dedicated teacher who has supervised more than 40 graduate theses to completion, and was the 2006 recipient of the David E. Hunt Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching.
Professor Jenkins’ extensive administrative experience includes service as Associate Chair of APHD (1996-98), Director of the Laidlaw Centre (2000-01), Program Chair of the Developmental Psychology and Education graduate program (2001-04; 2018-21), Director of Academic Programs at the Fraser Mustard Institute of Human Development (2015-16), Director of the Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development (2010-present).
Thank you,
Normand Labrie, Ph.D., FRSC
Professor and Interim Dean
We at the Lab School are looking forward to working with Dr. Jenkins as Director of the Institute (Lab School, MA CSE Teacher Education Program & Ed D Program, and Laidlaw Research Department) beginning July 1, 2023. We are also very grateful for the leadership of the current JICS Director Dr. Pyle.
7. JICS Skate Swap
The JICS Skate Swap is now accepting donations for the 2023 Winter Skating Season.
The JICS Phys Ed teacher, Mike Martins, has arranged skating times for our students in SK to Grade 6 at Bill Bolton Arena this Winter. Your classroom teacher will be sharing the dates and times with you in the New Year. Students are required to have properly fitted skates (there are no rentals available at the arena) and a CSA approved helmet in order to participate and safely enjoy this experience.
In the past, we have helped families to equip their children with skates and helmets by setting up a skate swap at the school. If you have skates or helmets to donate, please bring them to the reception area of the Lab School. Parents who are looking to borrow may bring their children to try on donated items in the reception area.
8. Photos of the Week at JICS
9. Upcoming December Events
Sun 18 – Hannukah begins (Dec 18 to 26)
Mon 19 to Fri 23 – Term 1 Report Card distribution (Nursery to Grade 6)
Tues 20 – Last day of Fall Term. School ends at 3:30pm. Daycare open until 6:00pm Tues 20 – “Festivals of Light” Holiday Sing-along with parents. 9am - 10am.
Wed 21 – University of Toronto closed. School and Daycare closed. Winter Holidays begin. Wed 21 – Yaldā Night
Sun 25 – Christmas Day
Mon 26 – Kwanzaa begins (Dec 26 to Jan 1)
10. Upcoming January Events
Mon 9 – Winter Term begins. Daycare opens at 8:00. School opens at 8:45. Wed 18 – Re-enrolment form and non-refundable deposit due for 2023-2024
Wed 18 – Information Session for invited Nursery applicants
Tues 24 – Meeting for Parents of BIPOC Children at JICS (registration info coming soon)
Fri 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Comments