Topics covered in this post:
1. Shanah Tovah Umetukah
On September 15 to 17, the Jewish members of the JICS family will be celebrating the New Year. Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days. Customs include sounding the shofar (a cleaned-out ram’s horn). Raise some noise! Wishing everyone a sweet new year. We are asking for parent volunteers to help us celebrate and learn. Please contact your child’s teacher.
2. All Weather Play
Children play outside in all-weather at JICS (including light rain, snowy days, and cold conditions). Please send your child with outdoor clothing appropriate to weather conditions. “There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing!”
Please also send your child with indoor shoes so that we are not tracking mud and dust into the classroom spaces and the carpets they lay on.
3. Photo Day - Say Cheese!
On Monday (Sept. 18), individual and class photos will be taken and to capture those wonderful smiles, we suggest that children come dressed in bright and vibrant colors.Every child will receive a unique online code which parents can use to view their child's photos and place orders. Once the orders are placed, the photos will be conveniently distributed to the children right here at school when they arrive.
4. September Social
Tuesday, Sept. 19
6:00 pm - School Gym
Free babysitting for JICS students
Entrance from 45 Walmer Road
We are excited about our first school year event to kickstart our journey towards building our vibrant community. Thank you to those who have registered and to the PA Exec for your thoughtful planning.
5. Terry Fox Run
Friday, Sept. 22
Next week, Marcia and the Grade 3 students are organizing a school assembly and an opportunity for each class (JK to Grade 6) to participate in the Terry Fox Run at Jean Sibelius Park on Kendal Avenue. The run will take place with a departure from the school at approximately 9:15am and we invite all parents to take part to cheer us on. Huge thanks to Grade 3 parent volunteers for helping with supervision along the route.
Each year, we ask everyone to bring “a toonie for Terry” or more to donate to cancer research. You can also donate directly to the Terry Fox Foundation “The Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study” Donation Page.
6. Curriculum Night
Wednesday, Sept 27
6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Why Curriculum Night?
Curriculum Night is the most important parent education event of the year, and we expect that all parents attend. Teachers thoughtfully and carefully plan for this opportunity to share what your child’s class will be experiencing and accomplishing this year. Questions you may have about what is taught and how we teach will be addressed. Although it is not an interview about your child (Parent/Teacher Interviews will take place on November 15 & 22), Curriculum Night gives you the fullest picture of the year your child is in, the teachers your child is with, and the expectations and plans for learning at your child's grade level.
What is the schedule of the evening?
For Curriculum Night 2023, entry to the school will be from 45 Walmer Road (only) at 5:45 pm. Please see the schedule below. If your child is in Nursery to Gr 1, please note that the presentation by the classroom teachers will begin in the classrooms promptly at 6:00pm.
6:00 pm (sharp) - 6:45 pm (sharp)
Curriculum Presentations for Nursery, JK, SK, Gr 1 and 2 parents
6:50 pm - 7:05 pm
ALL PARENTS AND CLASSROOM AND SPECIALTY TEACHERS gather in School Gym for Welcome & Introductions
7:10 pm (sharp) - 7:55 pm (sharp)
Curriculum Presentations for Gr 3, 4, 5, and 6 parents
Time | Presentation | Grades | Location |
6:00 PM (sharp) - 6:45 PM (sharp) | Individual Grade Curriculum | Nursery, JK, SK, Grade 1, Grade 2 | Classrooms of: Nursery, JK, SK, Grade 1, Grade 2 |
6:50 PM - 7:05 PM | Welcome, Introductions of Staff | All Grades | GYM |
7:10 PM (sharp) - 7:55 PM (sharp) | Individual Grade Curriculum | Grade 3, Grade 4/5 Robin, Grade 4/5 Zoe, Grade 6 | Classrooms of: Grade 3, Grade 4/5 Robin, Grade 4/5 Zoe, Grade 6 |
How will we learn about the Specialty Classes (French, Visual Arts, Drama, Phys Ed, Special Ed, Library, Music)?
We have produced short documentaries about each specialty subject. The specialty teachers have described their program and you will be able to glimpse into their classrooms. A link to these videos will be sent out soon. All specialty teachers will be introduced in the gym at 6:50pm on Curriculum Night.
Is there babysitting?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide babysitting.
7. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
We will be honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this year on Friday, September 29. More information will be shared in next week’s POST.
If you are thinking of purchasing an orange shirt for this day, please ensure that your money goes toward Indigenous businesses and artists.
The Cedar Basket Gift Shop, located just south of the school at the Native Canadian Center of Toronto, at 16 Spadina Road, has an online shop where orders can be placed. They have youth and adult sizes of the ‘Every Child Matters’ T-shirts. Visit their website here.
We also recommend purchasing from our friend, Brianna Olsen Pittawanakwet (who conducted a beading workshop with the JICS staff in 2018). Her Kensington Market shop is located at 151 Augusta Avenue and is open 1:00 to 5:00pm, September 17 and September 24. Proceeds go to Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction.
We look forward to seeing a sea of Orange on September 29, honouring the truth and supporting residential school survivors and their families.
8. Toronto Public Health Letter to Parents
Please find letter from Toronto Public Health below.
9. Our Public Purpose: Hosting Visitors
Last week, professors and students from the Faculty of Psychology and Child Education at Baika Women’s University, Osaka, Japan learned about the JICS teaching philosophy and pedagogy and toured the Lab School with Chriss and Richard. They were excited about our child-centred approach, the collaborative room designs, and the high quality of the learning resources.
Next week we are looking forward to hosting Dr. Aki Sakuma from Keio University, Tokyo and Dr. Mariko Yang-Yoshihara, Stanford University, California. Both are visiting scholars to the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy.
10. Mini Parent Ed Supporting Back to School - Today
Parents and caregivers of Nursery to Grade 2 children attended a mini-parent education in-person chat with JICS social worker Ellie Lathrop this morning. Stay tuned for more information about parent education events “with Ellie” coming soon.
11. Lice Check - Today
The Lice Squad conducted a lice check to each child and staff member today. This screening is possible thanks to donations to the JICS Parents’ Association!
12. Photos from Grade 6 Fall Trip to Muskoka Woods
Our Grade 6 class had such a wonderful time on our first overnight trip of the year! Please enjoy some photos of our time at Muskoka Woods below. Check out our Instagram page here for more.
13. Upcoming Events
Thur 14 – School-wide lice check. Thank you to the Parents’ Association!
Fri 15 – Rosh Hashanah (begins at sunset)
Mon 18 – Photo Day
Tues 19 – JICS PA “All Parents & Teachers” September Social in gym, 6:00-8:00 PM - Register here
Fri 22 – Terry Fox Run JK to Gr 6
Mon 25 – Yom Kippur
Wed 27 – Rowan’s Law Day (Concussion Awareness)
Wed 27 – Curriculum Night 6:00-9:00pm
Fri 29 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Assembly
