Topics covered in this post:
1. Welcome New JICS Families
With this edition of the weekly Parent Information Post, we welcome the newly enrolled Nursery families JICS in September 2023. You are now members of the JICS Parents' Association (PA), and we hope you will participate in upcoming community events. Please also consider volunteering for a PA position beginning September 2023. The open PA positions are:
1. Vice-President
2. Treasurer
3. Communications Officer
4. Volunteers Coordinators
5. Parent Education Coordinators
Parents can find information about the PA roles in the January 19 Post. In addition, interested parents can email PA President François and Vice President Megan. Both are happy to answer any questions.
Working with the PA Executive provides unique insights into the workings of the school, allows one to be part of conversations with the school administration about many aspects of its day-to-day life, and provides excellent opportunities to contribute to a thriving parent community.
2. Midterm Holiday
Friday, February 17 – Monday, February 20
The Lab School will be closed (Nursery to Grade 6) on Friday, February 17 and Monday, February 20 (Family Day). We wish everyone a well-earned mid-term holiday. The Daycare is open for registered users on Friday, February 17. Don't hesitate to contact Daycare Director Anne Marie for more information.
3. Info on Upcoming School Events
a. Valentine’s Day Treats
We love to celebrate special occasions such as Valentine’s Day at the school, but we must do this in a way that keeps everyone safe and healthy. This year we are asking that children do not bring candy or treats to distribute to their classmates. Instead, the school will provide a special nut-free treat for the children to have together. Classroom teachers will be in touch with families about their system for sharing Valentine’s cards this year, for children who wish to participate. We ask that any child bringing Valentine cards to school has enough for every student in the class so no one feels left out. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
b. French Plays (Grades 3 – 5)
Next week are the Junior French Plays! All parents in the class are invited to attend and their special friends will also be in attendance. The dates are:
Tuesday, February 14 – French Play; Grade 4/5B
Wednesday, February 15 – French Play; Grade 3
Thursday, February 16 – French Play; Grade 4/5Z
c. Animal Support Group: Call for Donations
The Animal Support Group (ASG) is a student created and student lead club. The ASG is collecting donations of the Toronto Humane Society. They have made toys to donate and are also asking for:
Blankets
Toys
Food/water bowls
Pet Carriers
Please bring all donations to Paige in Reception :)
4. Hiring New Wednesday Afternoon Program Director
We are grateful to JICS Drama teacher, Sarah Murray for running the beloved Wednesday Afternoon Program for the last 18 years. During this time, she has sourced and organized many interesting and fun extra-curricular classes. Sarah has decided to step down from this position at the end of this year and to focus on her work as the JICS drama teacher.
The Wednesday Program offers a variety of intentionally non-academic arts and sports-based classes following the noon dismissal each Wednesday to Grades 1 – 6 children.
JICS parents: let us know if you are interested in this paid position or if you have suggestions. Contact Richard for more information.
5. JICS Choir
The JICS Children Choir is back! The choir is lead by our Junior Music Teacher Russel Hersen. If your child is interested in joining, please see the poster for sign-up information, costs, and practice times.
There will be a Primary Choir for Grades 1, 2 & 3 on Tuesdays from 12:15–12:45.
Junior Choir for Grades 4, 5 & 6 will take place on Tuesdays from 10:30–11:00.
The cost is $60 for 12 rehearsals and is payable by e-transfer to rleonband@gmail.com.
Please remember to include you child's name and grade in the memo and make the password to the transfer "music".
Please reach out to Russel by email if you have any questions about Choir.
6. Parent Education – Parent2Parent Conference 2023
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 from 6:30pm – 9:00pm
at The Mabin School
On Wednesday, February 15, 6:30pm, The Mabin School, UTS, and the JICS Lab School have partnered to present “Hold on Tight: One Mother’s Journey Parenting Two Exceptional Children” with Jan Stewart. Stewart will describe the rollercoaster journey from hope to terror, and back again, of raising two children with mental illnesses as the children go to school and grow up to be young adults with jobs. Stewart offers invaluable advice, from the voice of deep experience, to parents of children with mental illnesses. The keynote will take place at The Mabin School, 50 Popular Plains Road.
7. Parent Education – JICS Research Night
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm
You’re invited to the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Lab School’s Annual RESEARCH NIGHT 2023 including (for the first time) a parent social!
What: Research Night is an opportunity for parents to learn more about Lab School Research. This year we are honoured to have Dr. Eunice Jang and her team presenting to us about their BALANCE AI Study.
Where: JICS Lab School room 363 (in the Robbie Case Room on the third floor)
When: Wednesday, March 1st, 2023
5:30-6:30pm: Parent Pizza Social
6:30-7:30pm: Research Presentation by Dr. Eunice Jang
(Onsite babysitting will be available for parents who register by Friday, February 24th, 2023)
Topic:
Unlocking the Black Box: Promoting Your Child’s Self-Organized Learning and Development
Do you often feel your child is a black box? Do you wonder how to help your child become a self-organizing learner? Eunice and her research team focus on students’ growth in cognition and metacognition through mediational support for their self-organized learning. In this talk, Eunice shares insights into how children’s minds work in various learning contexts based on research. Eunice will also encourage parents to be more aware of what our children perceive we want for them – to learn something new or to get better grades – as this impacts their reading ability and performance in school.
Bio: Dr. Eunice Jang is a Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development. Her research is largely situated in the areas of language assessment, educational measurement, and program evaluation. Dr. Jang and her research lab are actively involved in various research projects funded by federal, provincial, and other sources. For more information: https://www.oise.utoronto.ca/ejanglab/lab-members/eunice/
8. Natural Curiosity Webinars
Natural Curiosity is offering a series of Virtual Professional Learning Webinars from Natural Curiosity & JICS Lab School Educators.
In collaboration with OECM, Dell Technologies and Advanced Learning Partnerships (ALP), Natural Curiosity is excited to offer exclusive access to a portfolio of free, high-quality Professional Learning (PL) experiences.
To learn more about the sessions featuring Natural Curiosity and JICS Lab School:
February 6: Curiosité naturelle: L’importance du point de vue autochtone dans l’enquête dans l’environnment de l’enfant (Chantal)
February 23: Literature in Action: How Books that Centre Indigenous Voices Can Enact Change in the Classroom and Beyond (Krista, Norah and Ben)
March 6: Moving Beyond Land Acknowledgements: Upholding Responsibilities to Truth and Reconciliation Without Appropriation (Jade and Haley)
9. Photos of the Week at JICS
Joy Lapps: The Steelpan Experience
On Thursday, February 9, 2023, Joy Lapps and Roshane Wright visited JICS as a school wide experience as part of Black History Month. It was fantastic! The Steelpan Experience played incredible music, let students try instruments, and educated our community about the history of the steelpan instrument.
We learned about how the musical traditions and cultural practices that were the foundation of the steelpan was brought to the Caribbean by enslaved West Africans. The musical lineage of the Djembe, Tamboo Bamboo, and metal percussion instruments all lead to the creation of the steelpan in Trinidad and Tobago many years later. This musical history was one of resilience as these instruments were used as ways to communicate messages connected to freedom and liberation for enslaved West Africans in the Caribbean.
All JICS students got to hear phenomenal music, try the instruments themselves, and play an interactive "guess the song" game. A huge thanks to Joy Lapps and Roshane Wright for sharing their talents and knowledge with us. And also a special thanks to Marica, our JK teacher, who organized this experience for the school.
A medley of photos
"Anything but a bag day" in Grade 4/5Z
10. Upcoming February Events
Black History Month
Tues 14 – Valentine’s Day Tues 14 – French Play; 4/5B Wed 15 – French Play; 3 Thur 16 – French Play; 4/5Z
Wed 15 – Parent Education “Hold on Tight – One Mother’s Journey, Two Exceptional Children” The Mabin School (50 Popular Plains Rd.) 6:30-9:00pm RSVP here
Fri 17 – Mid-Term Holiday (School closed, Daycare open)
Mon 20 – Family Day Holiday (School & Daycare closed) Tues 21 – City Dance Corps workshop for students
Wed 22 – Pink Shirt Day (more info coming soon) Mon 27 – Capoeira workshop with Mestre Sérgio Xocolate & Suzanne Roberts Smith for students
