Topics covered in this post:
1. Hot Dog Night
Tuesday, June 7 | 6:00-8:00pm
We’d like to give a big thank you to General Assembly Pizza for their generous donation!
Thank you, Ali Khan Lalani!
Volunteers are needed! Please sign up: https://signup.com/go/zKbdWAH
Purchase your tickets now on our Events page: https://www.jicsfamily.com/events
2. Parent Education
Lunch & Learn with Ellie & the Spec Ed Team
TODAY | 12:30-1:30pm
“Where’s my water bottle?”: a discussion about Executive Function, what it means, and what it looks like
Executive functioning skills, or our ability to plan organize and manage activities, are essential to all of us. Join Judith, Nick and Ellie for the last lunch and learn of this year and discuss how to understand and support your child with these skills. There will be a 30 min recorded presentation followed by 30 min of (non-recorded) discussion.
Dismantling Anti-Asian Racism: Beyond Performativity, Checklists, and Hashtags with Dr. Mary Reid
May 30th | 6:30-8:30pm
Since the onset of the pandemic, acts of anti-Asian violence and hate have increased significantly. Anti-Asian racism has deep political, social, and economic roots in Canadian history. The contemporary manifestation of anti-Asian hate continues to impact Asian communities, affecting their health, well being and safety. This session aims to educate participants on recognizing and addressing anti-Asian racism, and how to discuss these critical issues with children. The workshop will also delve into actions that support the dismantling of institutionalized oppression and colonization, through cross racial solidarity and ally-ship.
This workshop with not be recorded. We strongly encourage all Lab School parents to join us live for this vital opportunity to learn from Dr. Reid.
Presenter Bio: Dr. Mary Reid is an Assistant Professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). Mary is a first generation Canadian of Hakka Chinese descent and is a settler on Turtle Island. As an executive member of the Asian Canadian Educators Network (ACENet), she leads the research committee which primarily focuses on examining Asian educators’ and students’ experiences. Her scholarship centers on the model minority myth and its impact on Asian students in STEM classrooms. In March of 2021, she was featured in a CBC article about Anti-Asian Racism. As an integral member of OISE, she recently won the 2022 Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership for her outstanding service in combatting anti-Asian racism, and in 2018, Mary was the recipient of the teaching excellence award.
3. JICS Playground Redesign
On Tuesday, April 26, the team from PLANT Architects Inc presented their stunning plans for the redesign of JICS playground which is planned to begin construction immediately after the end of this school year. Partner and Senior Landscape Architect Eric Klaver, Founding Partner and Architect Lisa Rapoport, and Landscape Designer Thevishka Kanishkan, shared their design plans and answered parent questions. If you missed this presentation, please see the recording here. Once the start date for the renovation is confirmed, Chriss and Richard will visit classes to share the new playground design plans with the children.
4. Games Day
June 1 (June 3 rain date)
We are delighted to bring back our annual, year-end “Games Day” for the JK to Gr 6 children on June 1 (rain date: June 3). Information for JICS families will be sent soon.
We need 5-6 parent volunteers from 9:00-12:00 on June 1 to assist with refreshments and snacks. In the event of rain on June 1, we need 5-6 parent volunteers from 1:15-3:15pm on June 3. Please be in touch with François francoistr@gmail.com and/or Sanaz sanaz@sanazmazinani.com
5. Read-A-Thon Update
We are excited to announce the official total from our Read-A-Thon fundraiser. Thank you JICS community for helping us raise a grand total of $6,485.03!! A special congratulations to our top earners, Eve, Auggie, and Solmon! And to our Grade 6 class for winning a pizza party as the class with the most participation! Thank you!
6. Art at JICS
Grade 4: Collage Inspired by the Painting Style of Alma Woodsey Thomas
The students gained insight into the world of abstract art as they analyzed some of the more famous paintings of Alma Woodsey Thomas, and generated the ways each title connected with the artwork. They examined the distinctive brushstroke patterns, which formed lines and shapes, and how the bold colours were arranged. They learned more about her life through the storybook Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas. They then connected the brushstroke shapes with collage shapes, and generated their own unique ideas and titles for their own work. Inspiration for this project was taken from Walker's work with the last year's Grade 4 students.
7. COVID-19 Update
Rapid Testing
We thank you for continuing to test each Wednesday and Sunday. There have been 6 positive cases reported to the school since our last Parent Info POST (Thursday, May 12). Please continue to indicate in the JICS Daily Screening that the most recent (Wed/Sun) test has been completed, and inform the school office of any positive results.
8. Photos - Grade 3
The Grade 3 students took a walk over to Robarts Library to see the Cherry Blossoms in bloom!
9. Upcoming May Events
May is Asian Heritage Month
Thurs 19 – Lunch and Learn with Ellie & Spec Ed Team | 12:30-1:30pm | RSVP
Mon 23 – Victoria Day Holiday. School and daycare closed.
Fri 27 – Music Day | details coming soon
Mon 30 – Dismantling Anti-Asian Racism with Dr. Mary Reid | 6:30-8:30pm | RSVP
10. Upcoming June Events
Canada's National Indigenous History Month & World Pride Month
Wed 1 – JK to Gr 6 Games Day (rain date: June 3) | details coming soon
Tues 7 – Hot Dog Night (rain date June 8) | 6:00-8:00pm | Tickets
Thurs 16 – Grade 6 graduation
Fri 17 – Last day of school | Noon dismissal
Fri 24 – Report Cards mailed home
