Staffing Update, Auction Item Pick-Up, Events
- JICS Office
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 13 hours ago
JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
Pick-up your prizes from the Gala Auction in reception TODAY 3:00-4:00 PM
Check out the Events Page and Register for Upcoming Events:
JICS Movie Night - Fri May 30
Parents of BIPOC Children Meeting - Fri May 30 | Rm 120 | 3:35pm
Hot Dog Night - Wed June 4 (tickets on sale now)
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Sign up here
Drop off old toys until June 4 to be used for Toy Hacking during Hot Dog Night
Make a contribution to retirement gifts for Zoe, Robin, and Suzanne by June 4: e-transfer Carol at carol.stephenson@utoronto.ca
Register for the Daycare June Camp (Deadline June 9)
Topics covered in this post:
(Click to navigate straight to a section)
Gut Yom Tov!
1. Staffing Update
We are absolutely thrilled to share that Erika Stein will be the Grade 1 teacher starting this September. Erika is already a beloved and familiar face to our Grade 1 students and families, having taught the class in the fall and returned this spring to co-teach alongside Jessica. Throughout the year, Erika has also supported students across Grades 2-6, demonstrating her versatility, dedication, and deep understanding of our school’s philosophy. We are fortunate to have such an outstanding educator—one who brings a rich expertise in child development and pedagogy, as well as a heartfelt commitment to nurturing each child’s growth. Erika’s deep knowledge of JICS, coupled with her warmth, creativity, and professionalism, make her the ideal person to lead our Grade 1 classroom. We know our students will continue to thrive under her guidance, and we couldn’t be more excited for all that lies ahead.
We are also delighted to welcome Bailey Grineage as our new Early Years Music Teacher. Bailey is a talented music educator and pianist who holds a Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of Toronto. She brings a deep passion for fostering young children’s development through music that is joyful, engaging, and developmentally appropriate.
Bailey’s approach is informed by a range of pedagogies, including Kodály, Orff, Suzuki Piano, and Smart Start, reflecting her commitment to integrating diverse methods to meet the needs of all learners. Bailey is also on faculty at the esteemed Oscar Peterson School of Music. From our first meeting, it was clear that she possesses both the expertise and heartfelt dedication to early childhood music education that align beautifully with our school’s values. We look forward to the joyful musical experiences she will bring to our youngest learners.
Finally, we are pleased to share that Simone Serafini will be joining the administrative team as our new Administrative Assistant. Simone made a strong impression as a Grade 3 intern this year, and we are excited to have her bring her enthusiasm, organizational skills, and firsthand classroom experience into this new role. Simone will support the coordination of supply teachers, UofT work-study students, schedules, and more. She will also serve as our in-house supply teacher as needed—a wonderful addition to our team.
At the end of this school year, we will bid a fond farewell to Ellie Lathrop, JICS Social Worker, who will be dedicating herself full-time to her private practice, providing therapy for children, families, and adults. Ellie has been an invaluable member of our community, supporting individual students, small groups, and whole classes, leading Parent Education “Lunch & Learns,” bringing the “Roots of Empathy” program to JICS, and contributing in countless meaningful ways. Ellie’s warmth, insight, and expertise have made a lasting impact on students, staff, and families alike. While we are deeply sad to see her go, we are grateful for her many contributions and look forward to staying connected—whether inviting her back to JICS or recommending her services to families. Ellie, thank you for everything—you will be greatly missed.
2. Gala Auction Prize Pick-Up - TODAY!
Thank you to all the parents who generously donated and those who placed winning bids at our Centennial Gala and Auction. Your prizes are available for pick-up at the reception desk today Thursday, May 29 from 3:00-4:00PM. Parents will be asked to show proof of payment at pick-up.
If this time does not work for you, please reach out to Richard (richard.messina@utoronto.ca).
3. JICS Movie Night in Celebration of Asian Heritage Month
Friday, May 30
Join us in celebrating Asian Heritage Month in Canada with a special Movie Night on May 30th at 3:30 PM! We're screening Raya and the Last Dragon, a vibrant Disney animated film inspired by Southeast Asian cultures, including Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Set in the enchanting world of Kumandra, the movie weaves themes of unity, trust, and acceptance—core values of Southeast Asian traditions. Snacks will be provided for children before the film begins. Come enjoy this cultural celebration with us!
Children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver (children in daycare can attend with daycare staff). We welcome all family members to attend! Reusable water bottles encouraged. A timeline of the event is below:
3:30 pm: Caregivers pick-up children from school
3:30-4:00 pm: Families welcomed into the servery area for a nut-free snack
4:00 pm: Movie begins in the gymnasium
5:50pm: Movie ends
Registration required.
4. Meeting of Parents of BIPOC Children
Friday, May 30 | 3:35pm | JICS Rm 120
Created by JICS parents for JICS parents, this meeting is designed for conversation and advocacy for families at JICS with BIPOC children. All parents of a BIPOC student at JICS are welcome.
The intention of this meeting is to gain a greater understanding of the issues facing our BIPOC children at school, so that we may support them during their time at JICS. As well as discuss how the JICS BIPOC parents can support the teachers and help with the school's cultural celebrations.
*Children of those in the meeting are welcome to attend JICS Movie Night, accompanied by a JICS staff member. Please ensure you register your child (above).
5. Games Day
Tuesday, June 3
We are delighted to be able to organize our annual JK to Gr 6 Games Day on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 3 (rain date is afternoon of Friday, June 6). Information will arrive home soon about “team colours.” Pairs of children from each class are grouped in multi-age teams and together they rotate through a series of fun challenges run by JICS staff such as limbo, Pictionary, bean bag toss, etc., in the school yard. Snacks and drinks are kindly provided by the Parents’ Association. If you are able to be a parent-volunteer at the snack stand, please email Lisa at ltaharally@yahoo.com.
6. JICS Hot Dog Night
Wednesday, June 4 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Volunteers Needed!
The beloved Hot Dog Night is upon us and the grade one class is amped for a fun-filled night of music, food, entertainment and VOLUNTEERS! (See what we did there?!) We’re looking for 40 parent volunteers to work 1 x 30 minute shift each at any of our many booths. Please help us make the evening one to remember!
(Anyone having trouble with the link can email Annie directly at annmariewilliams@gmail.com)
A couple of notes for Hot Dog Night enthusiasts:
Get your tickets early for the best deal! Tickets purchased in advance will be $20 per adult, $10 per kid, or $60 for a family pack. At the door, adult tickets will increase to $25 each. Kid tickets will still be $10.
On the day, please remember to bring water bottles to support our eco-friendly planning, and loonies and toonies for student club fundraisers.
Event Info:
Join us for our annual Hot Dog Night! 🌭 We will be serving both hot dogs and pizza, and will celebrate with food, fun, activities, and an opportunity for our school community to connect!
About the event:
What: a community gathering with food and fun
When: Wednesday, June 4th, 6-8pm.
Tickets:
Adult Ticket: $20
Child Ticket: $10
Family Bundle $60 (for single families where total ticket costs would exceed $60 - includes 2 adult tickets and 3+ child tickets)
JICS Teacher/Staff Ticket (free)
Raffle Tickets: $5 each, 5 for $20, or 12 for $50
Prizes:
2 Opening Night tickets to TIFF
One year supply of ginger shots from Greenhouse Juice Co.
Murdoch Mysteries behind the scenes set tour
Pizza lunch for the class that has a person who wins
50,000 Marriott points
How can this community help?
We would greatly appreciate donations of games, food or snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages to make the night even better. If you have the ability to contribute, please contact Lucia Remedios at lucia@analoguegallery.com or call (416) 505-4970.
7. Toy Drive for Hot Dog Night
One of the Hot Dog Night activities this year is a Toy Hacking Station - where kids will be able to take apart old toys to make new creations - and the Hot Dog Night Committee needs your help!
We will be collection toy donations in the lobby by Paige’s desk until June 4.
The best donations are toys soon destined for the landfill (heavily used, missing pieces, plastic, broken, scribbled on, etc.), and generally items the size of a cantaloupe or smaller.
Use this as an opportunity to clear out some unwanted items from your home this spring, while helping unleash the creativity of JICS kids.
Donations can be dropped off in the boxes by Paige’s desk starting today until June 4.
8. Retirement Gifts for Robin, Suzanne, and Zoe
As many of you know, we will be saying goodbye this June to three cherished educators: Robin Shaw and Zoe Donoahue, long-standing Classroom Teachers, and Suzanne Schwenger, our dedicated Early Years Music Teacher. Together, they have contributed over 75 years of exceptional service to the JICS community.
To recognize their remarkable impact, we are inviting families to make one donation toward individual retirement gifts for each teacher.
If you would like to participate, please send an e-transfer to Carol at carol.stephenson@utoronto.ca by June 4.
Thank you for helping us honour these wonderful educators as they embark on their next adventures.
9. Doors Open Toronto
We were thrilled to showcase the Sara Jackman Playground at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study as part of Doors Open Toronto last Saturday. The event drew many curious and enthusiastic visitors who came to hear Chriss, Richard, and Lisa Rapoport—Partner at PLANT Architect Inc.—share the vision behind the playground and the remarkable outcomes of its thoughtful design.
Here’s what the Doors Open Toronto website had to say:
The playground at the University of Toronto’s Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS), now called the Sara Jackman Playground, has been reimagined by PLANT Architect Inc. This bright, multi-level play environment enhances accessibility and supports JICS’s goal of fostering creative play to promote mental and physical development while strengthening connections to nature.
Join the Toronto Society of Architects (TSA) and PLANT for a guided tour led by the design team, covering the story behind the playground’s transformation, the lessons learned, and the principles of designing for risk, creativity, and social impact. This is one of three TSA-led tours at Doors Open Toronto 2025 focused on playground design.
We are proud to be part of a city-wide event that celebrates architecture, design, and community engagement—and to share how play, learning, and thoughtful design come together at JICS.
10. Camp Registration is Still Open!
Whether you're looking for one week of camp or more, we've got you covered.
1) JICS Daycare June Camp
*Run by the JICS Daycare and open only to JICS students*
Week 1: June 16-20
Week 2: June 23-27
Time: 7:45 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: JICS Lab School
COST: $350/week
Register:
(indicate week 1, 2, or both)
Deadline: June 9
More information:
2) JICS Summer Lab Camp
*Run by a team of educators and open to the public*
Week 1: July 7-11
Week 2: July 14-18
Week 3: July 21-25
Week 4: July 28-31
Time: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (aftercare available until 6:00 PM)
Location: JICS Lab School
COST: $450/week
Register:
11. Would you like to learn (Mohawk) this summer?
After some very positive feedback from Natural Curiosity's winter course, instructor Tahnee Bennet is back! Tahnee is Mohawk, Turtle Clan from Six Nations who is a 3-year Onkwawenna Kentyohkwa Mohawk Immersion graduate.
This course offers an introduction to Kanyen’kéha (the Mohawk language), with a focus on the Ohsweken:’a (Grand River dialect), traditionally spoken across what is now Ontario, Quebec, and New York.
Open to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners, with an invitation for non-Indigenous learners to reflect on their role in supporting Indigenous language learning.
The Early Bird discount closes May 30th, 2025.
Photos from the Week
Gr 1 to 6 Music Night
(Pictures from Early Years Music Morning were shared in last week's Post)
Gr 6s at Camp Arowhon
Upcoming May Events
Asian Heritage Month
Fri 30 – JICS Movie Night. 3:30pm. Register.
Fri 30 – Meeting of Parents of BIPOC Children. 3:35pm. Register.
Upcoming June Events
Canada's National Indigenous History Month & World Pride Month
Mon 2 – Shavuot
Tues 3 – Games Day
Wed 4 – Hot Dog Night. Get tickets.
Fri 6 – Eid al-Adha (begins at sunset)
Thur 12 – Grade 6 Graduation Ceremony 1:30pm. Guests: JK to Gr 5 students and Gr 6 parents.
Fri 13 – Last day of school. Noon dismissal. “Graduates Clap-Out.” Daycare until 6:00pm.
Fri 20 – Report Cards posted online
Mon 16 to Fri 27 – Daycare Camp. Register.
Mon 30 – Building closed. President’s Day-UofT
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