Topics covered in this post:
1. Message from JICS Parents’ Association
Dear Parent Community,
All JICS parents are cordially invited to join the first general membership meeting of the Parents’ Association on Monday, October 17 from 7:00 to 8:00pm.
The meeting will be followed by a 30 minute talk with Doug Anderson from 8:00 to 8:30pm about his work with the children this year. Doug is an alumni parent, co-author of Natural Curiosity 2nd Edition, and a wonderful Indigenous scholar and educator who has been teaching the JICS students outside in the land over the last few years, in the school’s courtyard, on the UofT campus, and by the Humber River.
On the agenda for the meeting:
Introduction to the PA and goals for the year;
Overview of Parents Education events currently being planned for the year;
Overview of the budget and current financial situation of the PA;
Other updates from our principal, Richard;
Class reps reports on social happenings for their cohort;
Opportunities to volunteer.
The meeting will be held virtually. Please use this Zoom link to join: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/82835303425 The password was included in the email notice for this Parent Information POST (Subject: "Weekly Info" Sent on: Oct. 13, 2022).
Sincerely yours,
François Tanguay-Renaud (on behalf of the PA Executive)
2. Happy Diwali
Monday, October 24
Monday, October 24 is Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Our school community looks forward to this celebration each year and we thank parents for your support. We ask that all JICS children dress in colourful clothing, or saris and kurtas on this day. Or course, we encourage everyone to dress as they like each day of this wonderful festival.
In most of India, Diwali consists of a five-day celebration (Oct 21 - 25) that peaks on the third day with the main celebration of Diwali. We hope to decorate the school with colourful decorations, diyas, and a welcoming flower-petal rangolis.
We are so fortunate to have a beautifully diverse community at JICS who welcomes everyone into their celebrations!
3. In-person Meeting for Parents of BIPOC Children
Tuesday, October 25, 7:00pm-8:30pm
Created by JICS parents for JICS parents, this meeting is designed for conversation and advocacy for families at JICS with BIPOC children.
The first in-person meeting of the group will be on October 25, 7:00pm-8:30pm @ JICS and all parents of a BIPOC child are invited to attend.
The intention of this meeting is to gain a greater understanding of the issues facing our BIPOC children at school, and to create goals for our group so that we may support them during their time at JICS and beyond.
4. Halloween
Monday, October 31, 9:00am
We are pleased to invite you (all parents) to join us for our JK to Grade 6 Halloween costume parade at 9:00am on Monday, October 31. Nursery children have a full morning of activities planned in their classroom!
All children are invited to wear costumes and school doors will open regularly at 8:35am so that they can drop off school bags before the start of the parade. If they require help with their costume, that will be available. We will then proceed into the playground after attendance is taken. The children so enjoy an audience of their friends, parents, teachers, and staff. All classes will gather on or near the benches by the sandbox and we will call one class at a time to showcase their costumes.
There are many internet articles that provide helpful and culturally sensitive Halloween costume advice. Search: Halloween culturally insensitive costumes.
Following the costume showcase parade, students and teachers will head inside for our Halloween assembly, which will include songs with our Music Teachers, Suzanne Schwenger and Russell Hersen. Once all the classes are together, the space is filled to the “cauldron brim” with goblins, magical creatures, and other excitements, and we are sorry that we do not have room for parents at this assembly.
5. Halloween Candy
With Halloween and the winter holidays fast approaching, we want to share ways that can help make our school a safe and more inclusive place for students with food allergies. We prefer that students do not eat candy while at school.
We avoid sweet treats, preferring wholesome snacks whenever possible. However, there is a place for sweets in our diets and parents may choose to occasionally pack individual portions in student lunches or snacks from home. Students are not permitted to share candy, treats, or gum with others. In preparing your child’s lunch and snack, please be certain that all ingredients listed are free of nuts and nut warnings.
6. Financial Support
The JICS Lab School is committed to needs-based financial support that will both enable increased diversity and retain current Lab School families. Tuition support is available to current students entering Grades 3-6 in the 2023-2024 school year.
Application and assessment of financial need is made through an arms-length, confidential application to Apple Financial Services, and decisions are made by a sub-committee at the JICS Lab School. All applications and requests are confidential.
The deadline for applications to Apple Financial is November 10.
If you are interested in donating to the JICS Diana Rankin Muncaster Family Tuition Support Fund or the JICS Lab School Endowment Fund, please see here or speak with Richard Messina.
7. School Photos
a. Cross-Country Meet at Sunnybrook Park
On Tuesday, October 11 the JICS Cross Country Club travelled to Sunnybrook Park to take part in the TDSB South Regional Cross-Country Meet. Twenty-two runners from JICS took part in the race.
It was a huge success as the children finally had a chance to run in a large meet for the first time in years! The weather was fully cooperative and the energy was incredible.
We had a fantastic day overall and all of the runners should be very proud of how they ran and how they represented the school! Congrats to our runners! We will still plan to have practices on Friday Oct 14th, Monday Oct 17th, and Wednesday Oct 19th will be our last morning practice. Our running club season will culminate with our ‘Fun Run’ morning on Thursday Oct 20th at Christie Pits Park.
b. Highlights from the Week at JICS
SK Happenings
Junior Grades Electives: Baking Elective
A Medley of Other Pictures
8. Upcoming October Events
All Month – Islamic Heritage Month & LGBT History Month
Mon 17 – Parents’ Association “All Parent” Meeting 7:00-8:00pm. Zoom Link >> https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/82835303425 (Password was included in the email notice for this Parent Information POST [Subject: "Weekly Info" Sent on: Oct. 13, 2022]) Mon 24 – Diwali (Oct 21 to 25) Tue 25 - In-person Meeting for Parents of BIPOC Children. 7:00-8:30pm. Click here for event
Mon 31 – Halloween (9:00am, JK - Gr 6 Parade)
9. Upcoming November Events
Wed 9 – Due date for JICS sibling registration for Nursery 2023-2024 (email coming soon)
Thur 10 – Due date for applications to Apple Financial for 2023-2024 tuition support
Fri 11 – Remembrance Day Assembly (JK to Gr 6)
Mon 14 – Midterm Holiday. School closed. Daycare open.
Wed 16 – Parent Teacher Interview Day (sign up information coming soon)
Wed 23 – Parent Teacher Interview Day (sign up information coming soon)
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