Topics covered in this post:
Teacher Professional Development: "As We Rise"
1. Remembrance Day at JICS
Friday, November 11
Each year the JICS community pays tribute to the generations of brave Canadians who have put their lives on the line for peace and freedom. This year will be no different as staff and students prepare to honour the fallen, the war veterans, and those in active service with a Remembrance Day ceremony tomorrow, led by the Grade 6 students.
Organized by Gr 6 teacher, Nadia and JK teacher, Marcia, the ceremony will include songs of peace, readings, and a minute of silence.
Remembrance Day is not only a time to remember, but also a time to be thankful that we live in a country that does not take peace for granted and honours the sacrifice of those who lost their lives so that we may continue to live in peace in a world overcome with so much conflict.
2. School Closed – Monday, Nov 14
We hope everyone enjoys the Midterm Holiday on Monday. The Lab School is closed, and the Daycare is open. Please contact Anne Marie for more information about daycare.
3. Blocking our Neighbour’s Driveway
We take pride in being good neighbours. Unfortunately, parents/caregivers are blocking the driveway of the residence north of the school on Walmer and when asked to move, our neighbours are reporting that they are confronted with abusive and offensive comments.
PLEASE NEVER BLOCK DRIVEWAYS.
It is the responsibility of parents to share the Kiss and Drive Protocols from the Parent Handbook with all caregivers dropping off or picking up their child/ren. We thank you for your support.
4. JICS at the Movies: Women Talking and Brother
This year’s fundraising focus is the Diana Rankin Muncaster Family (DRMF) Tuition Support Fund. The Fund offers needs-based support that will both enable to increase diversity and retain current JICS families in financial need. Our goal is to raise $150,000 through multiple planned events this year.
We are delighted to share two very exciting fundraising opportunity to and for our community!
Tomorrow, Friday, November 11 (6:30-9:30pm), we will screen the film Women Talking, written and directed by Sarah Polley based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Miriam Toews. The 2022 film will be released theatrically in December and has been screened at the Telluride Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, New York Film Festival, and AFI Fest. There will be a Q&A with Sarah Polley following the film.
Purchase tickets for Women Talking >> CLICK HERE
On Sunday, November 20 (7:30-10:30pm) we will screen the film Brother, an adaptation of David Chariandy’s award-winning novel, Brother, directed by Clement Virgo and produced by Damon D’Oliveira. The film premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and has also screened at FIN Atlantic Film Festival and BFI London Film Festival. Damon D’Oliveira, David Chariandy and Clement Virgo will join us for a Q and A following the screening.
Purchase tickets for Brother >> CLICK HERE
Thank you for supporting diversity at the JICS Lab School, Canada’s independent lab school with a public purpose.
5. Parent Teacher Interviews
November 16 and November 23
Below are the links to sign up for your Fall interview with your child’s/children’s teachers. More information about parent teacher interviews can be found in last week’s Parent Information POST.
Nursery >> Click Here
JK >> Click Here
SK >> Click Here
Grade 1 >> Click Here
Grade 2 >> Complete
Grade 3 >> Click Here
Grade 4/5 Ben >> Click Here
Grade 4/5 Zoe >> Click Here
Grade 6 >> Click Here
6. SickKids Hospital – Information and Resources
SickKids Paediatric Virtual Urgent Care Program
If your child (under the age of 18) is experiencing a non-emergency situation we are encouraging our school community members to utilize the SickKids Virtual Urgent Care Program SickKids Urgent Care Program website. As the SickKids Emergency Department continues to see incredibly high volumes, we have attached a helpful tool for parents to use when deciding which level of care is required for their child.
SickKids Vaccination Centre for Children with Special Needs/Medical Complexities/Needle Phobia
The SickKids COVID-19 Vaccination Centre offers vaccines for select populations including children with special needs, anxiety, and needle phobia. Vaccine appointments are available for the various age groups from 6 months to 12+. To make an appointment please email mobile.vaccination@sickkids.ca
Vaccine Consult Service (VCS)
The VCS is a by-appointment phone service that provides a safe, judgment-free space to have an open conversation about the COVID-19 vaccine for children, youth, and those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to conceive. If you have any questions in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine, please feel free to book an appointment with our SickKids COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service (VCS)! Visit sickkids.ca/vaccineconsults to book online or call 437-881-3505 (toll free 1-888-304-6558) to book over the phone.
7. Siblings on JICS Lab School Waitlist
We are delighted to have 5 siblings of current JICS students attending Nursery next year. The balance of the Nursery spots will be filled from the application waitlist as will spots up the grades that become available after the re-enrolment deadline in January 2023.
If you have a child you would like to attend JICS, please confirm with Shama that we have their information in the database.
8. Teacher Professional Development: "As We Rise"
Lab School teachers and staff were provided with a curatorial tour by Dr. Kenneth Montague (JICS Parent) of the exhibit “As We Rise: Photography from the Black Atlantic” at University of Toronto Art Centre. The exceptional selection from the Wedge Collection was brought to life for the teachers by understanding Dr. Montague’s personal connection to it as a collector, a collector who is championing the work of Black artists and showcasing the myriad forms of Black life – “a recognition of the complex strength, beauty, vulnerability, and irreducibility of Black life” (Elliot Ramsey).
"As We Rise" runs until November 19. We encourage everyone to visit if you are able.
Thank you Kenneth for the fantastic tour of your incredible collection!
9. Lunch & Learn with Ellie and Christel
Tuesday, November 22, 12:30-1:30
Lunch & Learn Series with JICS Social Worker Ellie Lathrop and French Teacher Christel Durand
Join Christel and Ellie for an interactive discussion of how rest (and sometimes the deficit of rest) impacts mental health for children. We will look at the intersection of rest with other core capacities including noticing, reflecting and empathizing. We will discuss the importance of intentionally protecting and creating time for rest in our very busy digital age.
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
12:30 – 1:30 pm (Zoom)
10. School Photos
a. Photos from the Week at JICS
Grade 4/5B Field Trip to U of T's Department of Physics
Special thanks to Professor Ania Harlick at U of T Dept of Physics for such an amazing educational experience!
A collection of photos
Junior Grade Electives: Baking, Nature Observation/Haiku, Wooly Creations, and Survival Skills
SK Inquiry
Using the light table as a backdrop, the children recreated fresh green maple leaves first, then predicted what colours they thought the leaves might turn. Parents will have the chance to read their accompanying hypotheses and see the follow-up leaf experiments when they visit the class for Parent-Teacher interviews!
11. Upcoming November Events
All Month – Hindu Heritage Month
Thur 10 – Due date for applications to Apple Financial for 2023-2024 tuition support
Fri 11 – Remembrance Day Assembly (JK to Gr 6)
Fri 11 – JICS at the Movies: screening of film Women Talking at Innis College Theatre
Mon 14 – Midterm Holiday. School closed. Daycare open.
Wed 16 – Parent Teacher Interview Day
Sun 20 – JICS at the Movies: screening of film Brother at Innis College Theatre
Tues 22 – Parent Education: Lunch and Learn with Ellie and Christel. 12:30-1:30pm
Wed 23 – Parent Teacher Interview Day
