Topics covered in this post:
School Forms Online
JICS Family Website & Weekly Posts
Parent Handbook
Afghanistan
Tuition Balance Payment Schedule
Summer Gardening
Dear JICS Families
Thank you for your encouraging responses to the 2021-2022 JICS Parent Handbook and the new information shared in last week’s Parent Information Post. The Parent Handbook is a living document and it will be updated to include the evolving nature of COVID-19, the Ministry of Education mandates, and requirements from Public Health.
Thank you also for your support in accommodating our new start date of Thursday, September 9, 2021.
1. School Forms Online
The School Forms Online (SFO Forms) provide us with necessary information to ensure a safe learning environment for your child/ren. As you may remember, we asked you to complete some of the SFO forms in June. Thank you to the families who completed the forms before the June 28 deadline. Unfortunately, there was a programming error with the SFO forms and we require ALL JICS FAMILIES (new and current) to complete them again. We apologize for this mistake and thank you for your understanding. Some of these forms have also been updated with improvements. We have also added a new form specifically regarding the 2021-2022 Parent Handbook, indicating that you have read this important document and agree to it.
All SFO forms must be completed by Monday, August 30, 2021, for your child to attend school. It is extremely important that we have the information in the SFO forms by Monday because we prepare the emergency binders for every classroom with this important information.
Use the link below to complete online forms for new, current, and returning students:
(Or copy and paste the entire URL below into your browser's address bar:
https://sfo.inresonance.com/oise-utoronto/index.php#na=a9063e56db51a9bd1483d4636f32ffbf)
There are 2 components to the online forms: School Forms Online (SFO) and Family Access Module (FAM). Once logged in, you can access the Family Access Module (FAM) by clicking it at the top of your screen. FAM allows you to update your information, access the staff & school directory, and view your child’s attendance (once published). Please see our SFO page of the JICS Family Website for more information regarding these online forms. IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING TORONTO PUBLIC HEALTH ONLINE REGISTRATION SYSTEM. Under the School Forms tab of our website you will see a link to Toronto Public Health (TPH). TPH has online registration and TPH requires all current families at JICS and new families joining JICS to register, update, and/or complete the necessary online family information for TPH. If you have previously accessed TPH online system you will be able to see what was reported for your family, and submit any updated immunization as needed. Families may print a copy of your child’s immunization history at your convenience. Click this link: www.toronto.ca/studentvaccines and follow the simple steps. We kindly ask that you comply with TPH procedures as this is a mandatory step before your child begins school. Reporting your child's vaccine record online is fast and easy if you live in Toronto. Send an email to immunization@toronto.ca if you encounter difficulties or have questions.
2. JICS Family Website and Weekly Posts
The JICS Family website has information about the school and an archive of Weekly posts from the 2020-2021 school year. This is the place for all school communication.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Lab School Office directly if you have any questions. Thank you.
Lab School Office at: labschooloffice@utoronto.ca
3. Parent Handbook
The health, safety, and wellbeing of students and teachers/staff is a top priority as we plan to reopen for the 2021/22 school year. While we must follow Public Health safety guidelines, we assure you that the JICS children will continue to learn collaboratively through play and inquiry as much as possible.
As the Science Table COVID-19 Advisory for Ontario reported in July, 2021:
“In-person learning is essential for the learning and overall well-being of children and youth. Therefore, barring catastrophic circumstances, schools should remain open for in-person learning.”
With your help and cooperation, our aim is to keep students at school all day every day as
much as possible for the duration of this academic year. As the Science Table advises,
“In-person learning is optimal for the vast majority of students because it enables access to a wide range of academic and social-emotional learning opportunities, promotes play, positive peer relationships, physical activity, and positive mental health.”
In-person learning remains our priority, although we are prepared to move to remote learning when required.
We want to take this opportunity to remind you of 3 main points of the JICS Parent Handbook COVID safety measures:
Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate All JICS Lab School teachers/staff are required to be vaccinated, subject to medical/religious exemption. Parents are highly encouraged to do the same. Once a safe vaccine is available to our students, we will publish our student policy. Vaccination is our number one protection against COVID-19.
Prevent, prevent, prevent We have a number of measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus. No one measure will do the job, but by adopting the layered approach described in the JICS Parent Handbook and with your support and understanding, we minimize risk.
Keep COVID-19 out of our building By screening teachers/staff and students and completing the JICS Daily Screening Form before 8:00am each day and by restricting access into the building, we can ensure that symptomatic people stay home until they are well.
We hope that very soon these health and safety protocols will no longer be necessary.
Certainly, as public health guidance changes, our protocols will change as well. In the
meantime, we are counting on everyone in our community to cooperate so that we can
keep each other safe.
4. Afghanistan
Like many of you, I have been watching the devastating events in Afghanistan with a heavy heart. During these difficult times, I want to express my sincere condolences to those in our community who are personally impacted by this crisis. We encourage families to reach out to let us know how we can help.
5. Tuition Balance Payment Schedule
In keeping with COVID-19 social distancing requirements and minimizing adults in the school reception, we require that the tuition balance cheque payment be delivered to the school office at 45 Walmer Road from Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm, up to and including Wednesday, September 8. Parents must wear a mask when they enter the building. Thank you for your cooperation.
Please introduce yourself to our new office administrator, Shama Joshi! Tory and Nancy (mentoring Shama) will be there as well. Please see the email and information post from Friday, August 20 for tuition balance amounts.
6. Summer Gardening
A special thanks goes out to our watering volunteers who signed up for weekly watering of the vegetable and herb planters over the summer!
Wishing you a lovely week.
All the best,
Richard
Richard Messina | Principal
Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education | University of Toronto
416-934-4509 | richard.messina@utoronto.ca
