School Wide Clothing Swap, Kids Who Care Club Initiatives, Wednesday Afternoon Program Updates, Book Fair, Book Night & more!
- JICS Office
- 12 minutes ago
- 8 min read
JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
School Wide Clothing Swap - Tomorrow!
Help the Kids Who Care Club with their giving back initiatives!
NEW: Wednesday Afternoon Program - Term 2 Schedule
Pictures from our thoughtful Remembrance Day Assembly
A learning opportunity from Natural Curiosity
More exciting JICS news from this week!
Moments from JICS!
Topics covered in this post:
(Click to navigate straight to a section)
1. 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.
2. The JICS Kids Who Care Club honours World Children's Day with a Drive for the Christie Welcome Centre
We are collecting the following (new, unused) items for the Christie Refugee Welcome Centre until November 28 (please bring to reception):
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
See last weeks POST for more information on the Kids Who Care Club Drive!
3. Wednesday Afternoon Program (WAP)
Gr 1 to 6 Term 1 - End on November 26
Gr 1 to 6 Term 2 - Begins on December 3
We are excited to share the Winter Term’s WAP offerings!
JK and SK children remain together in their full class cohorts and will have outdoor play at the end of the day. A developmentally appropriate play-based program has been designed.
For Grades 1 to 6, each class will participate in two new activities per term, ensuring that everyone experiences a variety of opportunities throughout the year.
Opting Out
Please assist us in ensuring all children are safe and accounted for.
If you do not wish for your child to participate in the WAP, kindly fill out the Opt-Out Questionnaire. Without this Questionnaire, your child will not be dismissed at 12:45 pm and will be added to the attendance list for the class program.
The deadline to opt-out for Term 1 is Friday, November 28, 2025. Please see the Wednesday Afternoon Program Term 2 Opt-Out form in your Parent Portal.
Each program is carefully curated for the children in the class and is designed to build on previous weeks as it spans over the 12-week term. Having a consistent group of students will ensure the instructors can carry out their program as intended, offering the students an engaging and enriched experience.
All WAP information can be found at https://www.jicsfamily.com/wednesdayprogram
Below are the activities for Term Two, December 3 to March 4 for Grades 1 to 6:
Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 |
Tiny Tales in Motion | Sock Puppet Theatre | Action Potential Lab | The Music Connection | Cartooning & Animation | Game Changers: Multi-Sport & Inclusive Play |
Fibre Makers Studio | Dance Mix: Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop | Make & Create | Filmmaking: The Art Behind Visual Storytelling | Cooking with Vegetables | Fictional Characters & Fantasy Art |
Primary Program Descriptions
Action Potential Lab
Dr. Kim Dority
Dr. Kimberly Dority is the owner and Lab Director of Action Potential Lab, a community space that promotes the integration of artistic practice and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education to foster creative and critical thinking. We work with our students to develop a sense of wonder in the world we inhabit and to cultivate the curiosity and confidence to understand it through experimental creative design projects based in STEAM!
Fibre Makers Studio
Sura Kamil & Izzy Cameron
In this program, students will explore the world of fibre arts through hands-on projects that spark creativity and imagination. They will learn basic techniques such as weaving, stitching, and fabric design while expressing their individuality through their creations. The program will encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and artistic exploration in a fun and supportive environment.
Tiny Tales in Motion
Carolina Arcos Noquez
This hands-on and creative program invites children to discover the magic of bringing their own stories to life through stop-motion animation. With clay, paper, LEGO, and everyday objects, they will design characters, build settings, in order to tell their stories frame by frame, turning ideas into mini movies they can proudly share.
Dance Mix: Jazz, Ballet & Hip-hop
Julia Gianfelice
This program will teach students the basics of Jazz, Ballet and Hip-hop dance through various exercises and exciting choreography! Classes will include a warm-up, stretches, technical dance skills, and creative movement. No previous experience needed, just come ready to dance and have fun!
Make & Create
Mekayla Wilson
Make & Create is a hands-on arts and crafts program where students can express their creativity and have fun in a supportive environment. From painting and sculpting to drawing and experimenting with different materials, every session encourages imagination, problem-solving, and joyful expression.
Sock Puppet Theatre
Georgia Noble Irwin
Through creativity and play, students will design their own sock puppets and bring them to life with unique personalities, backstories, and emotions. Each week, students will explore empathy, imagination, and storytelling through games, character-building, and interactive theatre activities. The program will culminate in a lively puppet show, where their characters take the stage together in an original performance.
Junior Programs Descriptions:
Filmmaking: The Art Behind Visual Storytelling
Julianna Notten
Students will learn about visual storytelling and the creative steps that go into movie-making through hands-on experience. Students will learn about directing, cinematography, production design, wardrobe and acting for camera. They will be placed into groups based on their interests and work together to adapt a scene from a well-known movie to make it their own, using the tools they'll learn along the way.
Cartooning & Animation
Anthony Harrison
Anthony Harrison is a cartoonist, illustrator and art educator. His art instruction includes work at the ROM Saturday Morning Club, the Toronto Board of Education, George Brown College and Centennial College. Combining cartooning and animation, this program offers children a variety of two dimensional character design and storytelling formats. We explore comics, cartoons, flip books and short animation. Children enjoy learning from Anthony in a calming and encouraging environment, where they are supported in sharing their work and trying new techniques.
Fictional Characters & Fantasy Art
Sabrina Simonetta
Children will bring their imaginations to life by designing original characters and creatures through drawing, painting, sculpture, and storytelling. Each week, they’ll explore new art techniques while inventing backstories, maps, and worlds for their
creations. Along the way, they’ll take inspiration from their favorite books, movies, video games, and TV shows.
Game Changers: Multi-Sport & Inclusive Play
Borna Anic-Matic
Game Changers introduces students to a variety of sports and activities, from lesser-known games to Paralympic-inspired play. Each week focuses on new skills while highlighting teamwork, sportsmanship, and inclusivity. Students will develop physical literacy, explore new ways to stay active, and gain confidence through fun, cooperative challenges.
Cooking with Vegetables
Juliette Berg
Join Juliette and her favourite veggies to explore spices, cultures, and recipes from around the world! With a passionate cook and sustainability advocate leading the way, this program will focus on working together to create delicious, animal-friendly meals. While harnessing our mixing, chopping, and measuring skills, we will challenge our taste buds and venture into vegan recipes, new and old!
The Music Connection: Fostering community, confidence and creativity in every child
Dan McCoy & Peter Seitz
A brand-new keyboard-based music program for students that makes learning music fun, instant, and accessible for everyone! With our revolutionary method that bypasses traditional notation, kids can start playing right away by using our new creative approaches. Led by Peter Seitz and Dan McCoy, students will get the chance to jam to their favourite songs, explore a wide variety of musical styles, and build friendships through shared creativity. This exciting program is all about joy, connection, and the magic of making music together. All keyboards supplied! So, what's your favourite song?
4. Book Fair and Book Night
Two beloved JICS community annual events return this year – the Book Fair and Book Night!
On Tuesday, December 2, and Wednesday, December 3, 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 3, 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.
5. 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, resilience, 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.
6. Learn Ojibwe with Natural Curiosity: A Journey of Reconciliation
Natural Curiosity is pleased to offer an Introductory Online Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) 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 February 24th.
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.
7. 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.
Upcoming November Events
Hindu Heritage Month
Fri 21 – Final day of Teacher-Candidate Internship
Fri 21 – JICS Children’s Clothing Swap
Fri 28 – Final Day of Drive for the Christie Welcome Centre
Upcoming December Events
Tues 2 – Giving Tuesday
Tues 2 & Wed 3 – JICS Book Fair
Wed 3 – Start of Term 2 of Wednesday Afternoon Program
Wed 3 – 6:00-7:00pm Book Night Pyjama Party – gym
Mon 15 – Hanukkah begins
Fri 19 – 9:00am Holiday Singalong “Festivals of Light”
Fri 19 – Last Day of Fall Term Dismissal at 12:00 (Daycare open for registered users)
Mon 22 – Winter Holidays begin
Sun 21 – Winter Solstice & Yalda Night
Thur 25 – Christmas
Fri 26 – Kwanzaa begins
Upcoming January Events
Mon 5 – Start of Winter Term. School and Daycare open.
Wed 7 – Feast of the Nativity (Orthodox)
Mon 12 – 6:00PM JICS at the Movies “Steal Away”, Innis College, UofT
Wed 14 – Reenrolment form and deposit due date
Tues 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day