School Closures, JICS Centennial Collection Merchandise, JICS Kids Who Care Club Announcements, School-Wide Clothing Swap, A Parent Education Workshop & More!

JICS Office
1 hour ago
7 min read

JICS at a Glance

We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:

School Closed - Friday November 7 & Monday November 10
Our first Parent Education Workshop of the School Year - Wednesday, November 12th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Help the JICS students celebrate Hindu Heritage Month
JICS Merchandise on sale until November 14 - HERE!
Halloween Pictures!
More exciting JICS news from this week!

Fun at JICS!

Topics covered in this post:

(Click to navigate straight to a section)

School Closed - Friday November 7 & Monday November 10
Celebrating Hindu Heritage Month
Remembrance Day at JICS
Parent Education Workshop - Wednesday November 12, 5:30-7:30pm
Staffing News - Art
JICS Centennial Collection Merchandise
The JICS Kids Who Care Club honour World Children's Day with a Drive for the Christie Welcome Centre
School Wide Clothing Swap
Digital Cameras Needed!
Teacher Professional Development
Learn Mohawk with Natural Curiosity: A Journey of Reconciliation
Parent Volunteer Opportunities at JICS
Happy Halloween!
Upcoming November Events

1. School Closed - Friday, November 7 & Monday, November 10

On Friday, November 7, the JICS teachers and staff will engage in Parent-Teacher Interviews. We hope everyone enjoys the Midterm Holiday on Monday, November 10.

The Daycare will be open on November 7 and 10 (7:45am to 6:00pm). The cost is $80/day and includes activities such as arts and crafts and sports. 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 2025-2026 can be found on the JICSfamily website.

2. Celebrating Hindu Heritage Month

November is Hindu Heritage Month in Canada, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich contributions of Canadians of Hindu faith to our communities, and to honor the values of compassion, mutual respect, and inclusion. At the JICS Lab School, we are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive learning environment. To deepen our understanding, we invite parents to share aspects of your Hindu heritage with us, this month and throughout the year. If interested, please contact your child’s teacher.

3. Remembrance Day at JICS

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. Our staff and students will honour the fallen, the war veterans, and those in active service with a Remembrance Day ceremony on Tuesday, November 11. 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.

4. Parent Education Night: Caregiving in the Era of Smartphones and Social Media

BABYSITTING!

5. Staffing News - Art

Our Art Teacher, Tara, is currently away. While we are exploring our options for the coming weeks, Saul Feinstein, an OCT-certified teacher, graduate of the MA Child Study and Education Program, and a valued member of our supply teaching team, has been teaching the Art classes.

Saul knows the JICS community well and has been ensuring that the Art program continues to offer our students meaningful, creative experiences. We are grateful for his care and flexibility during this time. We will keep you informed as we know more. Thank you for your understanding.

6. JICS Centennial Collection Merchandise

Our exclusive JICS Centennial Collection, created in collaboration with an alumni-owned business, is on sale now. Every purchase supports the JICS Lab School Endowment Fund, which provides tuition support to help ensure that JICS remains a diverse and inclusive community where every child can thrive.

What’s Available: Adult and youth t-shirts and sweatshirts, tote bags, baseball caps, and kids’ toques—something for everyone in the family!

Order Deadline: Friday, November 14 at 11:59 PM

All items are made-to-order. Please allow 2–3 weeks after the deadline for processing and school pick-up.

See Before You Buy!

Samples will be on display in the reception this week—perfect timing to check out sizing during your parent-teacher meeting.

Shop the Collection: https://paperbackpost.com/pages/jics-centennial

Learn more about the Endowment Fund: Read here

Don’t miss out—grab your JICS Centennial gear and wear your school pride while supporting our community’s future!

7. The JICS Kids Who Care Club honours World Children's Day with a Drive for the Christie Welcome Centre

Dear JICS Lab School Community:

Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that all children have the right to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate for their age. In honour of World Children’s Day on November 20, the United Nations’ annual day of action for children by children, for the second year, the JICS Kids Who Care Club is launching a Fun Drive for children aged 0-18 who are guests at the Christie Refugee Welcome Centre.

Here is a list of items that the Christie Welcome Centre staff have told us their guests would appreciate. We invite you to bring donations to the reception area in the school. Please note that they are requesting new, unused items only.

Plush toys/stuffed animals for babies (with embroidered eyes)
Early learning toys
Dolls
Soccer and basket balls
Musical instrument toys
Bracelet makers
Pretend play sets
Building blocks
Cozy blankets or slippers for teen girls

The drive will continue until November 28, when all donated items will be delivered to the Centre. This deadline is firm as the staff will be wrapping them up and giving the gifts to their clients during a holiday celebration.

Thank you!

The Grade 6 leaders of the Kids Who Care Club, Community Branch

8. School-Wide Children Clothing Swap - Friday, November 21

As the weather cools, join us in making wardrobes more sustainable! The Parents' Association is excited to host our third annual clothing swap on Friday, November 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Room 120 near reception.

How to Participate: Drop off gently used child-sized clothing and winter gear with Paige at reception anytime through November 20th.
During the Swap: Come to JICS any time between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on November 21st in Room 120 and browse the selection of gently-used clothing for anything your child may need
After the Swap: All remaining items will be donated to local families in need.

9. Digital Cameras Needed!

We have a favour to ask our JICS families. In the era of smartphone cameras, we know many of you have older, digital point and shoot cameras gathering dust in cupboards or drawers. Our art program is looking to build a class set of cameras for the school. We would love to build this collection by early November for an upcoming photography project. If you have a camera to donate, please drop it off at the school office with Shama next week. We would love your chargers and memory cards as well, but even cameras that are missing these accessories will be useful.

Thank you in advance!

10. Teacher Professional Development

Our commitment to providing exceptional learning experiences for the 200 children at JICS and to mentoring the next generation of educators remains strong. Through both self-directed learning and collective professional initiatives, our teachers continue to deepen their expertise in child development and pedagogy.

On Saturday, October 25, JICS teachers Audrey and Krista joined our Indigenous education advisor, Doug Anderson, at the Akinomaage Gathering hosted by Natural Curiosity at the Askaagamigokwewigamig (Mother Earth Learning Lodge), University of Toronto (20 Willcox Street).

The gathering brought together Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators, Indigenous youth land stewards, and community members from the Toronto urban area. The group explored ways to support Indigenous youth in their work on the land and reflected on educators’ shared responsibilities in building and sustaining respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities.

11. Learn Mohawk with Natural Curiosity: A Journey of Reconciliation

Natural Curiosity is pleased to offer an Introductory Online Kanyen’keha (Mohawk) Language Course this winter, fostering Indigenous perspectives and intercultural understanding within our community.

Our Winter 2026 Course is open to everyone – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants who wish to learn to uplift language revitalization. Online learning sessions begin January 6th to March 3rd.

Unable to commit to the course but want to help make Indigenous language learning more accessible? Your donation to Natural Curiosity directly supports language revitalization, ensuring more learners can access these vital programs.

12. 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.

Volunteer Opportunities at JICS!

13. Happy Halloween!

Enjoy the photos of our spooky day. The day was filled with goblins, ghosts, and other excitements. Thanks to our Grade 6 students and to teachers, Bailey and Christel for leading us in Halloween songs at our assembly and to Paige in reception for transforming the school’s entrance.