First Week Changes, Tuition & Questionnaire, Wednesday Afternoon Program, Hot Lunch Program
- JICS Office
- 2 days ago
- 11 min read
Updated: 16 hours ago
JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
First Week of School Changes:
Half Day - Tuesday September 2
Half Day - Wednesday September 3
Please ensure you have read and agreed to the JICS Parent Handbook
Tuition Balance deadline: Friday, August 29
Outstanding Questionnaires in your Parent Portal to be addressed without delay
Wednesday Afternoon Program details: (Begins: Wednesday, September 10)
Hot Lunch Program sign-up (Deadline: Friday, September 5 at noon)
Topics covered in this post:
(Click to navigate straight to a section)
1. Welcome Back!
We hope this message finds you in good health and enjoying the final days of summer. We are eagerly awaiting the return of our students and look forward to welcoming our new families into the JICS community.
2. Important Change to the First Week of School
Tuesday, September 2 (First Day of School & Daycare) – Classes will run from 8:45am–12:00pm. Families enrolled in Daycare may contact Anne Marie regarding care options for the afternoon.
NEW: Wednesday, September 3 – Due to unforeseen circumstances, the start of the Wednesday Afternoon Program (WAP) has been delayed. September 3 will be a half day, with dismissal at 12:00pm. We understand this may create challenges and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. If childcare is needed, our Daycare program is available. The WAP will now begin on Wednesday, September 10. Please contact Daycare Supervisor, Anne Marie Bartoli (416-934-4522) or visit ICS After School Daycare for arrangements.
Thursday, September 4 – Regular full-day schedule (8:45am–3:30pm) begins.
Please note: Nursery students will have a staggered entry, beginning on Tuesday, September 2. Specific details are outlined in the Parent Handbook, along with full arrival and dismissal procedures for all grades.
3. Parent Handbook
In June, we shared the JICS Parent Handbook, a comprehensive guide outlining our plans and policies for the 2025–2026 school year. This document contains important new information that all families should be familiar with. We have revised the sections pertaining to the School Food Policy, Class Breakfasts, the Wednesday Afternoon Program, and the services of our new in-house part-time child psychologist. We require that all JICS parents read and acknowledge the information in the Parent Handbook prior to the start of the school year, and refer to it throughout the year. The strength of the JICS community, which brings together both families and staff, stems from our shared commitment to education and our collective understanding of the school’s policies and procedures designed to support the holistic well-being of our cherished children.
Our pledge remains steadfast: delivering an unparalleled education, fostering an intentionally diverse and nurturing environment that prioritizes the sense of security of each child. This environment thrives on trust, care, and compassion between educators and students, bolstered by learning experiences rooted in inquiry, developmental readiness, and the latest educational research. In essence, the JICS Lab School is a place where a genuine love for learning is cultivated
4. Tuition Balance Payment Schedule
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, kindly be reminded of the tuition balance payment schedule. We request that you remit the tuition balance for the 2025-2026 academic year to Shama Joshi, our School Office Administrator. You can do so on any weekday from 9:00am to 4:00pm, with the deadline set for Friday, August 29. The designated location is the school office at 45 Walmer Road.
Nursery 2025-2026 Tuition: $20,127
• An initial deposit of $5,000 and the enrollment fee were submitted upon acceptance.
• 50% of the balance was fulfilled in April.
• Tuition balance remaining: $7,563.50
Full Day (JK to Grade 6) 2025-2026 Tuition: $ 31,874
• A deposit of $5,000 was submitted in January.
• 50% of the balance was fulfilled in April.
• Tuition balance remaining: $13,437
5. Questionnaires
Our sincere gratitude to JICS parents for your commitment to complete your annual Questionnaires. Any outstanding Questionnaires MUST be addressed without delay.
Please log into your Parent Portal to complete these forms: https://jics.msm.io/login. If you need help accessing your Parent Portal, please reach out to Shama in the school office at labschooloffice@utoronto.ca.
The information provided in these forms is crucial for the assembly of emergency binders for every classroom, contributing to a safe learning environment for your child/ren.
6. Staffing Update
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Trina Epstein, Psy.D., C.Psych., as the first in-house registered child psychologist at the JICS Lab School.
Dr. Epstein brings a wealth of academic and professional experience, along with a long-standing connection to the JICS community. In 2016, she presented to JICS parents on “Anxiety at School,” and since then, many of our students have benefited from her care through her private practice. With specialized training in school psychology and extensive clinical experience, Dr. Epstein has supported children with a broad range of mental health challenges, learning profiles, and developmental needs, both individually and in group settings.
A key focus of her therapeutic approach is psycho-education for both children and parents, helping to foster greater understanding and practical strategies for growth and well-being. She is also the co-author of a book with Dr. Ross Greene, a renowned expert and past guest speaker at our parent education events.
Teachers are eager to collaborate with Dr. Epstein, who will be at JICS on Mondays and Tuesdays. Please note that in her role as in-house psychologist, Trina will replace our former social worker position. While she will not be conducting psycho-educational assessments for JICS students, she will provide a level of expertise and support that is new and invaluable to our community.
Many thanks to the hiring committee: Chriss, Judith, and Richard (chair).
We warmly welcome Dr. Epstein to JICS!
7. Wednesday Afternoon Program
The Wednesday Afternoon Program (WAP) is an optional, non-academic extracurricular program offered to students from Junior Kindergarten (JK) to Grade 6 on Wednesday afternoons throughout the school year.
At the JICS Lab School, regular academic instruction does not take place on Wednesday afternoons. This time (Wednesday afternoons) is reserved for teachers, specialty educators, and administrators to engage in professional development, curriculum planning, and student-focused discussions — what we often call our “it takes a village” approach. These sessions allow us to align on curriculum, support each child’s well-being, and strengthen our shared vision as a faculty. By investing in this dedicated time together, we ensure that your child’s classroom experience is richer, more cohesive, and ultimately more beneficial.
WAP Details
No additional cost – The program is fully funded by the school budget.
No sign-up required – Participation is automatic. (See opting-out option below.)
Program
Students in Grades 1 to 6 rotate between two pre-assigned activities in half-groups. For example: half of Grade 1 begins with Program A, then switches to Program B after a 30-minute primary grades recess, while the other half follows the reverse order.
JK and SK children remain together in their full class cohorts and will have outdoor play at the end of the day. Developmentally appropriate play-based programming has been designed.
Activities – A detailed list of activities for each grade and term will be shared in the Parent Information Post at the start of each term. Each activity is designed to give students meaningful opportunities to explore creative, physical, and social interests in a relaxed and engaging environment.
Instructors – Activities are led by instructors and supported by teacher candidates ensuring safe supervision and engaging programming. We have staffed two adults for each group of students.
Location – Activities are held in the JICS Lab School, unless otherwise noted.
Schedule – The year is divided into three terms:
Term 1: September 10 to November 26
Term 2: December 3 to March 4 (With the exception of Dec. 24 & Dec 31.)
Term 3: March 25 to June 10
Each term, students in Grades 1 to 6 experience two different activities, taking place in small half-groups to ensure more focused participation. Engaging activities are planned for the whole JK class and the whole SK class.
Dismissal – Students attending WAP are dismissed at 3:30 pm. For JK and SK, we kindly ask that students are picked up before 3:25 pm.
Opting out – Families may choose to use Wednesday afternoons for private lessons or family time. Children not participating will be dismissed at 12:45, following lunch. Please note: there is no reimbursement for opting out. Parents may select their child/ren to participate for one, two, or all three terms, or opt out entirely, using the link below.
Program Director – Victoria Sandić oversees the program and is available in the school office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
While the specific programs included in Term 1 of the WAP are being finalized, we are excited to share a glimpse with you! Returning programs include:
Cartooning & Animation: This program offers children a variety of two- and three-dimensional character design and storytelling formats, including comics, flip books and stop-motion animation. Children enjoy learning from Anthony Harris in a calming and encouraging environment, where they are supported in sharing their work and trying new techniques.
Film-Making: Students will be learning about the different aspects of the filmmaking process and working towards making a short film by the end of the session! Julianna Notten is a film maker who believes in helping marginalized communities feel seen through film and storytelling.
Action Potential Lab: Integrating Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM), owner and Director of Action Potential Lab, Dr. Kim Dority uses her diverse background in education, academia, and arts-based research to create a wonderfully engaging and fun class for active and busy learners.
We have more exciting new programs in the works. Keep an eye out for the full programming announcement next week!
8. Summer Revitalizations
As the summer unfolds, so do our endeavours to enhance the learning environment for our students:
A new chapter begins in the Grade 1 classroom with the addition of a beautifully designed kitchenette.
The Junior Grades (4–6) Book Nook/Piazza has been beautifully reimagined as a versatile breakout space—for quiet reading, collaborative learning, club gatherings, and exploration of a curated collection of novels carefully chosen to support students’ growth and development.
A sneak peak at the new Book Nook/Piazza We had new a washing machine installed.
For our visitors, the reception restroom has been refreshed to provide a more welcoming and comfortable experience.
With these renovations, we look forward to enriched experiences as we welcome everyone back to a renewed and inspiring learning space.
9. Hot Lunch Program
The Lunch Mom (TLM) administers the elective hot lunch program at JICS, presenting a much-appreciated convenience for our parent community. This program is available each day of the week. Below is a message from TLM for your reference:
Dear JICS Community,
We are thrilled to announce that we will be continuing with our BUFFET STYLE hot lunch service at JICS in the Fall! The buffet style lunch service allows children to modify their meals to their taste (i.e. - no sauce, more meatballs, plain pasta etc.) and they can even come for seconds. Kindergarten and nursery students will have lunches delivered right to their classrooms.
Families can sign up for one to five days per week, and lunch days are sorted by food types to make it easy for parents of selective eaters. Each meal will be served with a daily raw fruit and vegetable in addition to the hot portion of the lunch. Our morning snack program (for Grades 1 to 6) is also available again this year. (Nursery, JK and SK students have snacks provided by the school which is served by their teachers).
Lunch ordering is completely online and done three times a year. Fall Term 1 is September 8 – November 29. The Fall menu is found on the site, right above the order entry section (and will be posted tomorrow.)
Our kitchen is completely pork, nut and seed free. Other allergies can be accommodated, as can vegetarian meals (or just a beef free option). Just make a note in the comments section of the order if your child has special requirements. Questions? Just email me at tricia@thelunchmom.com.
Order deadline is Friday, September 5 at noon and lunch starts MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th.
We look forward to feeding your kids again this Fall!
Regards,
The Lunch Mom Catering
Tricia Tait (aka "The Lunch Mom")
Ordering is online at www.thelunchmom.com, and you can find menus and other information on the site!
10. Snacks
Nursery, JK, and SK participate in a healthy and nutritious nut-free snack program, administered by the child’s teacher every morning, beginning September 2.
For Grades 1 to 6, students are invited to bring a healthy, nut-free, snack from home or order from The Lunch Mom https://www.thelunchmom.com which will begin their snack delivery service on Tuesday, September 9.
11. Daycare
Registration information for our licensed Day Care will be communicated through email on Friday, August 22. For more information, kindly contact the Daycare Supervisor, Anne Marie Bartoli, at 416-934-4522 or visit ICS After School Daycare.
12. Connecting
Your inquiries, clarifications, and suggestions are always welcomed. Additionally, our dedicated classroom teachers will be reaching out to you in the upcoming days.
13. Professional Development Week
As part of our ongoing commitment to learning, all teachers and staff will be actively participating in Professional Development Week, commencing August 25. For over 30 years, JICS has been the hub of the research work of Dr. Marlene Scardamalia and Dr. Carl Bereiter (OISE), co-founders of Knowledge Building pedagogy and Knowledge Forum technology. We are delighted that Dr. Scardamalia will share her latest research findings with us and explore ways the JICS Lab School can further deepen our approach to knowledge building.
Knowledge building theory and practice is inspired by studying how real knowledge-creating organizations operate—scientific think tanks, commercial design labs, networks of software engineers, artist collectives, and more. At its heart, knowledge building pedagogy is based on the premise that authentic, creative knowledge work can take place in the classroom starting with the youngest students. Summed up in one sentence: knowledge building is giving students collective responsibility for idea improvement.
In addition to Dr. Scardamalia’s session, we will:
Learn and reflect on new information about neurodiversity from our summer readings.
Meet in divisional groups to collaborate on planning.
Engage in dedicated time with the Special Education team and specialty teachers to align strategies and supports.
Prepare our classroom setups to create welcoming and inspiring learning environments.
We look forward to this rich week of collaboration, learning, and preparation as we launch into another exciting school year together.
14. JICS Family Website and Weekly Updates
Commencing today, a weekly email "post" containing current and important information will be dispatched to parents every Thursday. These posts will also be stored in the archives of the www.JICSFamily.com website. Notification emails for new postings will be sent through the school database. The JICS Family website serves as a valuable resource, housing comprehensive details about the school, along with an archive of weekly posts from preceding years. This repository offers a wealth of insights and historical context.
Thank you for your continued partnership in fostering an environment where every child thrives and belongs. We look forward to embarking on this academic journey together. May the remaining weeks of summer bring forth joyful moments and an abundance of laughter and enjoyment.
Upcoming August Events
Thur 28 – Open House for new students (JK to Grade 6)
Fri 29 – Deadline for tuition balance payment
Upcoming September Events
Mon 1 – Labour Day
Tues 2 – First Day of School (noon dismissal) and First Day of Daycare
Wed 3 – Half Day (noon dismissal) - Daycare Open
Fri 5 – (noon) Deadline for Hot Lunch Program registration
Mon 8 – Hot Lunch Program begins for registered students
Wed 10 – First day of Wednesday Afternoon Program (JK to Grade 6)
Fri 12 – School-wide lice check
Mon 15 to Fri 19 – JICS Safety Practice Week (fire drill, lock-down drill)
Wed 17 – Curriculum Night 6:00-9:00pm (details coming soon)
Fri 19 – Terry Fox Run. JK to Gr 6 (details coming soon)
Mon 22 – Fall Equinox
Mon 22 to Wed 24 – Rosh Hashanah
Wed 24 – Rowan’s Day (Concussion Awareness)
Thur 25 – JICS “All Parent & Teachers” September Social 6:00-8:00pm. Free babysitting. (details coming soon)
Mon 29 – Photo Day (details coming soon)
Mon 29 – Parents’ Association “All Parents” Meeting 7:00pm
Tues 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day. School assembly
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