JICS Centennial Merchandise, Festival of Lights, Winter Daycare Enrichment Programs, 2026-2027 Re-Enrolment Info & More!
- JICS Office
- 34 minutes ago
- 6 min read
JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
Festival of Lights Celebration - December 19, 9:00-10:00am
2026-2027 Re-Enrolment information!
Food Drive for Avenue Road Food Bank!
An announcement from Natural Curiosity
Winter Daycare Enrichment Programs information!
More exciting JICS news from this week!
Moments from this week!
Topics covered in this post:
(Click to navigate straight to a section)
1. Last Day of School
The Fall Term ends Friday, December 19 at 12:00pm (6:00pm for registered daycare users). There is no hot lunch program. The JICS building is closed during the holidays.
2. Happy Holidays!
Hanukkah Sameach! Shabe Yalda Mobarak! Happy Winter Solstice! Merry Christmas!
Happy Kwanzaa! Happy New Year!
We wish everyone a holiday that is just the right balance between festive merriment and quiet relaxation. We look forward to seeing everyone on Monday, January 5, 2026.
3. JICS Centennial Merchandise
Great news! The JICS Centennial merchandise ordered is ready for pick-up in the school office. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To help us locate your items quickly, please bring the order number found in the subject line of the email you received from Paperback Post.
4. Festivals of Lights - JICS Holiday Sing-Along - December 19, 9:00-10:00am
Join us for a luminous celebration at the JICS Holiday Sing-along on December 19th, from 9:00 to 10:00 am! As we bid farewell to the Fall Term, we are crafting a special morning where parents/caregivers are invited to join us in the school auditorium. Led by our music teachers, Bailey and Russell, with song lyrics provided, this communal singing experience invites children, parents, and teachers alike to revel in togetherness. From Diwali and Hanukkah to Christmas, Yaldā Night, Winter Solstice, and Kwanzaa, we will unite in song to honour the diverse festivities that brighten this season.
Here is an overview of the songs parents and children will sing together:
Winter Wonderland
I Have a Little Dreidel
Hanukkah
Vive le Vent/ Jingle Bells
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Umoja
Auld Lang Syne
One Small Candle
Go Now in Peace
5. Re-Enrolement for 2026-2027
Re-enrolment forms for the 2026–2027 school year were emailed out last week. To secure your child's place, please submit the completed form along with the non-refundable $5,000 deposit to the office by January 14, 2026. Before deciding to re-enrol, we encourage you to review the JICS values, philosophy, and mission.
Please note that beginning January 15, 2025, the Admissions Team will offer any unclaimed spots to new applicants.
6. Daycare News: Winter Daycare Enrichment Programs
The Daycare is excited to introduce our new winter enrichment programs beginning the week of January 5, 2026!
Tuesdays – Chess Canada
Starting January 6, from 3:45–4:45 p.m.Children from SK and up are invited to participate in our engaging chess program. Students will learn strategy, practice problem-solving, and enjoy friendly matches with their peers. Our instructor will guide children step-by-step—making learning both fun and challenging.
Wednesdays – Light-Up Plushies Workshop (Grades 1-3)
Starting January 7, from 4:00–5:00 p.m.In this hands-on electronics project, children will explore the basics of electricity and circuits. Participants will create their very own light-up felt plush toy by sewing with supervision and adding electroluminescent wire and simple electronic components.
Thursdays – Sports Day (Grades 1–3)
Starting January 8, from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Our popular sports program returns with a mix of floor hockey and soccer. Children will take part in weekly games that promote teamwork, skill development, and an understanding of basic sports rules.
Fridays – Sports Day (Grades 4–6)
Starting January 9th from 4:00-5:00
Students in Grades 4–6 can look forward to an active and energetic sports session filled with team play, skill-building, and lots of fun.
SPOTS ARE LIMITED. PLEASE SIGN UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE:
ICS.AFTER.SCHOOL.DAYCARE@GMAIL.COM indicating which day your child will participate.
7. Food Drive for Avenue Road Food Bank
Help support our school-wide initiative during this holiday season. Please bring in non-perishable food items to contribute to the Avenue Road Food Bank. All donations can be left in the cardboard boxes in the front reception.
Thank you JICS!
8. JICS at the Movies
Join us for an unforgettable evening of cinema, conversation, and community as we continue to celebrate the JICS Centennial with an exclusive screening of Steal Away, which recently captivated audiences at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Monday, January 12, 2026
🕡 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. 📍 Innis College Theatre
2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto, ON M5S 1J5
General Admission – $50
Includes the film screening, wine reception, Q&A, and light refreshments.
A $25 tax receipt will be issued per ticket.
About the Film
Director Clement Virgo returns with a bold, mesmerizing, and erotically charged new film — a sociopolitical and psychosexual fairytale-like adventure that takes viewers on a shadowy, treacherous, and thrilling ride.
Written by Tamara Faith Berger and produced by JICS’s very own Damon D’Oliveira, Steal Away is a daring exploration of desire, power, and survival that captivates the senses and challenges perception.
Content advisory: coarse language, horror, mature themes, nudity, sexually suggestive scenes, violence
Pre-Screening Reception 6:30 – 7:15 p.m.
The magic begins before the movie! Our exclusive Centennial Wine Reception, generously sponsored by Halpern Enterprises, is the perfect way to start the evening. Sip, savor, and socialize with delicious bites and fellow supporters as we raise a toast to 100 extraordinary years!
Screening + Exclusive Q&A 7:15 – 9:45 p.m.
The film experience doesn't end with the credits! Stay for a rare opportunity to hear directly from the powerhouse trio who brought Steal Away to life—director Clement Virgo, screenwriter Tamara Faith Berger, and producer Damon D'Oliveira as they reveal insights into their creative process and bold storytelling vision!
All proceeds from this special Centennial event support the JICS Endowment Fund, ensuring that future generations of students continue to benefit from the innovative, inclusive education and research that defines the JICS Lab School.
Your ticket purchase will have a profound impact on supporting economic diversity, which ensures that students from all financial backgrounds have equal access to JICS — Canada's #1 independent Lab School with a public purpose.
We are excited for you all to experience this evening of memorable cinema while greatly contributing to the Lab School’s mission to create a diverse and rich learning environment for the next 100 years!
Save the date, spread the word, and let’s make this event a resounding success!
9. Toronto Public Health: Respiratory Viruses Layers of Protection
As respiratory illness season gets underway ahead of the holidays, Toronto Public Health is recommending all eligible residents to get vaccinated against influenza (flu), and COVID-19. Vaccination is an important step residents can take to reduce infections that can lead to severe illness.
In addition to vaccination, there are simple steps everyone can take to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.
10. Learn Indigenous Languages with Natural Curiosity this Winter!
In partnership with the Outdoor Learning School, join us this winter for 3 Indigenous Language courses — Mohawk, Ojibway, and Cree. Each course offers 8 engaging sessions designed for everyone, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants.
Your Contribution:
FREE for Indigenous participants, with an optional 75% discounted rate
Non-Indigenous participants: $200 ($25/session)
Early Bird Pricing until December 14th: $160 (20/session)
✨ Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and support language revitalization!
These courses are supported by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and the Peterborough KM Hunter Charitable Foundation.
11. Parent Volunteer Opportunities at JICS!
There is now an easier way to volunteer at JICS! Simply visit the JICS Parent Volunteer Opportunities page on the JICSfamily website. The entire year of volunteer opportunities is listed along with dates so you can schedule these opportunities into your calendar well in advance of the event. You will then receive a reminder and instructions three days prior to the event. Plans change? No problem, just email and let us know and we will take you off the list.
Thank you in advance for your gift of time to the school. Please email Casey at Casey.dabiet@gmail.com with any questions.
Upcoming December Events
Mon 15 – Hanukkah begins
Fri 19 – 9:00am Holiday Singalong “Festivals of Light”
Fri 19 – Last Day of Fall Term Dismissal at 12:00 (Daycare open for registered users)
Mon 22 – Winter Holidays begin
Sun 21 – Winter Solstice & Yalda Night
Thur 25 – Christmas
Fri 26 – Kwanzaa begins
Upcoming January Events
Mon 5 – Start of Winter Term. School and Daycare open.
Wed 7 – Feast of the Nativity (Orthodox)
Mon 12 – 6:30PM JICS at the Movies “Steal Away”, Innis College, UofT
Wed 14 – Re-enrolment form and deposit due date
Tues 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day