Parents of BIPOC Children Social, Upcoming Parent Education Events, Daycare Parent Survey, Book Fair & Book Night, An Announcement from Natural Curiosity & More!
JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
School Closed - Tomorrow, Friday November 13 & Monday, November 16
Thank you for celebrating Diwali with us at JICS!
Parents of BIPOC Children Social - November 20
Book Fair & Book Night - December 1 & 2
Education in the Age of AI - Now Available to Watch!
Upcoming Parent Education Events - Register below!
Moments from our Remembrance Day Assembly
Topics covered in this post:
(Click to navigate straight to a section)
School Closed - Tomorrow, Friday, November 13 & Monday, November 16
Parents of BIPOC Children Group: Family Social - November 20
Book Fair and Book Night - December 1 & 2
Learning for a Lifetime: Education in the Age of AI - Now Available to Watch
Growing Curiosity and Connection with Bridgeway Family Centre
1. School Closed - Tomorrow, Friday, November 13 & Monday, November 16
Tomorrow, on Friday, November 13, the JICS teachers and staff will engage in Parent-Teacher Interviews. We hope everyone enjoys the Midterm Holiday on Monday, November 16.
The Daycare will be open on November 13 and 16 (7:45am to 6:00pm). Please contact Anne Marie, Daycare Director if you are interested in registering your child: ics.after.school.daycare@gmail.com
Information about the school calendar for 2026-2027 can be found on the JICSfamily website.
2. Diwali
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made our Diwali assembly special with your presence and participation. We are especially grateful to parents Priya, Reena and Richa, to our talented student dancers and tabla musician, to our student Diwali experts, and to our dedicated JICS faculty members Raadiyah, Shama, Simone, and Victoria.
Some moments from our Diwali Assembly
3. Hindu Heritage Month
November is Hindu Heritage Month in Canada, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultural, spiritual, and intellectual contributions of Canadians of Hindu heritage, and to reflect on the values of compassion, mutual respect, and inclusion.
At JICS, we are marking the month through a variety of experiences designed to deepen students’ understanding and appreciation of Hindu culture and traditions. Our reception area features a display of meaningful cultural objects and a selection of books, each class will have an opportunity to participate in a yoga experience, and students will enjoy a taste of Indian cuisine with samosas! On Monday, we welcomed chef Ashvin Gehani of The Samosarie. We invite families to visit the reception throughout the month of November to view the display.
Ashvin presenting to our students
We are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive learning community in which children have opportunities to learn about and appreciate the diverse cultures and traditions that enrich our community. We warmly invite parents to share aspects of their Hindu heritage with our students, both this month and throughout the year. If you are interested in contributing, please contact one of our planning committee members: Simone, Raadiyah, Victoria, or Shama.
Parts of the Hindu Heritage Month display in reception
4. Parents of BIPOC Children Group: Family Social - November 20
Join us for a Family Social!
Date: Friday, November 20, 2026
Time: After school, approximately 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: A private residence, just a 10-minute walk from JICS. The address will be shared upon registration.
What: A casual potluck and playdate – an opportunity for parents to connect and for children to play and enjoy time together.
We look forward to bringing families together for an enjoyable evening of conversation, connection, food, and fun!
Our Mission
Through creating a safe and welcoming space, taking collective and collaborative action, and celebrating the differences that bring us together, the Parents of BIPOC Children Group seeks to support, connect, and uplift JICS parents of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) children and their families.
Questions? Please reach out to:
Adrienne Chan (adrienne.chan@sunnybrook.ca), Group WhatsApp and Technical Administrator
Abby Browne (abbybrowne@gmail.com), Co-Chair
Carissa Wong, Co-Chair
5. Upcoming Parent Education Events
November 18: The Four Goals of (Mis)behaviour and an Intro to Alyson’s Parenting Tool Kit
Join us for in-person parent ed event with Alyson Schafer at JICS with free onsite babysitting
Parent Social: 5:30-6:15pm
Alyson’s Presentation: 6:15-7:30pm
Where: JICS Lab School, 45 Walmer Road
November 25: "Ask Me Anything" with Alyson Schafer for JICS Families
When: 7:00-8:00pm
Where: Zoom
6. Book Fair and Book Night
Two beloved JICS community annual events return this year – the Book Fair and Book Night!
On Tuesday, December 1, and Wednesday, December 2, books will be available for sale in our foyer. The highly recommended bookshop, Another Story, will supply books for both children and adults, with 20% of the sales benefiting the JICS Library. Parents, please support our library while doing your holiday shopping!
Back by popular demand, we will host a "Book Night Pyjama Party" on Wednesday, December 2, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in our gym, designed for Nursery to Grade 6 children and their families. This evening will feature activities for all ages to enjoy.
7. Flu & COVID-19 Vaccinations
Toronto Public Health recommends that all students and staff receive their annual influenza (flu) and COVID-19 vaccinations. Vaccination helps protect individuals and reduces the spread of illness within our school community. Vaccines are available through local pharmacies and family physicians. We encourage families to consider vaccination as part of their efforts to keep our community healthy throughout the school year.
8. Wednesday Afternoon Program - Term 2
Term 1 for the Wednesday Afternoon Program will conclude on Wed Dec 2, with Term 2 beginning Wed Dec 9. A reminder that all parents can view their child/ren’s program registrations for all 3 terms by logging in to the Parent Portal and clicking on "Student Memberships”. Full term dates can be found on the JICSfamily website at https://www.jicsfamily.com/wednesdayprogram
If your child is:
Currently OPTED OUT of Term 2 and would like to join the program, OR
Currently enrolled and would like to opt-out for Term 2
Please email Victoria at victoria.sandic@utoronto.ca ASAP to make these arrangements.
9. Lebanese Heritage Month
Lebanese Canadians have, for generations, made significant social, economic, cultural, religious, military, philanthropic and political contributions to our social fabric and to the strength, resiliency, and diversity of our communities. Lebanese people around the world celebrate Lebanese Independence Day in commemoration of their nation gaining independence on November 22, 1943. We invite Lebanese Canadian members of our community to share your traditions and culture with us at JICS. Please contact your child’s teacher.
10. Learning for a Lifetime: Education in the Age of AI - Now Available to Watch
In October, JICS Principal Richard Messina joined fellow OISE educators and researchers for a University of Toronto Alumni panel discussion entitled Learning for a Lifetime: Education in the Age of AI.
The conversation explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping education and, perhaps more importantly, what this means for the future of learning. Panelists considered the opportunities and challenges AI presents for schools, teachers, and students, and the importance of ensuring that curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and meaningful human connections remain at the heart of education.
These are questions that are increasingly relevant to all of us as parents and educators. Families are encouraged to watch the recording and join the conversation about how we can prepare children not simply to use emerging technologies, but to think deeply, ask meaningful questions, and become lifelong learners.
11. Teacher Professional Development: Reading
On Tuesday, November 17, Erika (Grade 1), Jessica (Grade 2), Raadiyah (Grades 4/5), Simone (in-house supply teacher), and Richard (Principal) will attend Reading for All: Research, Practice, and Policy in Conversation, a literacy research forum co-hosted by OISE and Dyslexia Canada. Bringing together researchers and educators, the forum will explore evidence-based approaches to reading instruction, early screening and assessment, effective interventions, and teacher preparation. Building on the important work of the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read inquiry, the day will provide an opportunity to deepen our understanding of how research can inform classroom practice and help ensure that every student has the opportunity to become a successful reader. We look forward to bringing new insights and ideas back to the JICS community.
12. Last Call: Daycare Parent Survey
A friendly reminder to all JICS families: this is the last call to complete the Before and After School Daycare Parent Survey!
The Board is seeking input from all JICS families, whether or not your child currently attends the daycare. Your feedback will help us better understand families’ needs, explore opportunities for the program, and inform future planning. The survey is anonymous and takes only a few minutes to complete.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and help shape the future of our daycare program!
13. Growing Curiosity and Connection with Bridgeway Family Centre
Haley Higdon, Natural Curiosity Program Director, and Charlotte Henderson, Nursery Educator, recently facilitated an engaging virtual Natural Curiosity workshop with educators from Bridgeway Family Centre.
The two-hour online session introduced participants to the Natural Curiosity approach, exploring its four-branch pedagogical framework for environmental inquiry and the Indigenous lenses articulated by Doug Anderson (Métis/Bungee). Together, participants reflected on how educators can nurture children's curiosity, wonder, and connections with the natural world through meaningful relationships with children and the land.
The workshop offered opportunities to explore practical strategies, deepen understandings of inquiry-based learning, and consider how Indigenous perspectives can be thoughtfully introduced into diverse learning contexts in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation.
Bridgeway participants shared their appreciation for the interactive and inspiring session, highlighting the valuable ideas and approaches they could bring into their work with children. We are grateful to Bridgeway Family Centre for the opportunity to learn and grow together!
Upcoming November Events
Hindu Heritage Month
Fri 13 – School closed. Daycare open to registered users. Parent/Teacher Interview Day
Mon 16 – Midterm Holiday. School closed. Daycare open to registered users
Wed 18 – Parent Education Event with Alyson Schafer: The Four Goals of (Mis)behaviour and an Intro to Alyson’s Parenting Tool Kit, 5:30-7:30pm
Thur 19 – Last day of MA CSE Block 1 Teacher-Candidates in JK to Gr 2
Fri 20 – Parents of BIPOC Children Social
Wed 25 – Parent Education Event with Alyson Schafer: "Ask Me Anything" 7:00-8:00pm (Zoom)
Upcoming December Events
Tues 1 – Giving Tuesday (Make your donation here)
Tues 1 & Wed 2 – Book Fair
Wed 2 – 6:00-7:00pm (Nursery to Grade 6) Book Night Pyjama Party – gym
Fri 4 – Last day of Teacher-Candidate Internship (JK to Gr 6)
Fri 4 – Hanukkah (begins at sunset)
Wed 9 – Wednesday Afternoon Program – Term 2 begins
Fri 18 – Last day of Fall Term. Dismissal at 12:00pm (Daycare open for registered users)
Mon 21 – Winter Solstice & Yalda Night
Fri 25 – Christmas
Sat 26 – Kwanzaa begins
Upcoming January Events
Wed 6 – Start of Winter Term. School and Daycare open.
Thur 7 – Feast of the Nativity (Orthodox)
Wed 13 – Reenrolment form and deposit due date
Wed 20 – 7:00pm Parents’ Association “All Parents” Zoom Meeting
Wed 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day
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