Wednesday Afternoon Program (WAP)
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.
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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.
2025-2026 Overview
The Wednesday Program begins on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 and ends on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, totalling 36 sessions, split into 3 terms.
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Students are automatically enrolled in the WAP, unless parents choose to opt-out via the WAP Questionnaire on your Parent Portal.​ OPT-OUT DEADLINE for Term 2: Friday, November 28, 2025.
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There is no fee for the WAP.
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For enquiries about the Wednesday Program, please email WAP Director, Victoria Sandic:
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No additional cost – The program is fully funded by the school budget.
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No sign-up required – Participation is automatic.
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​​Opting out – Families may choose to use Wednesday afternoons for private lessons or family time. Children not participating will be dismissed at 12:45pm, following lunch. Please note: there is no reimbursement for opting out. Parents may choose to opt out at the beginning of each term via the WAP Questionnaire in their parent portal.
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Program:
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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.
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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.
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Activities – A detailed list of activities for each grade and term is listed below. Each activity is designed to give students meaningful opportunities to explore creative, physical, and social interests in a relaxed and engaging environment.
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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.
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Location – Activities are held in the JICS Lab School, unless otherwise noted.
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Schedule – The year is divided into three terms:
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Term 1: September 10 to November 26
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Term 2: December 3 to March 4 (With the exception of Dec 24 & Dec 31)
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Term 3: March 25 to June 10
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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.
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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.
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Early Pick-Ups – If your child (who has not opted out) needs to be picked up early from WAP or will be leaving at the 12:45 pm dismissal time, please notify both:
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The School Office: labschooloffice@utoronto.ca​
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The WAP Director: victoria.sandic@utoronto.ca
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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.
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The deadline to opt-out for Term 2 is Friday, November 28, 2025. Please see the Wednesday Afternoon Program Term 1 Opt-Out form in your Parent Portal.
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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.
Programs Offered
All enquiries should be directed to Victoria Sandic at victoria.sandic@utoronto.ca
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The Wednesday Program offers a variety of arts, sports, and introductory skills classes to students in Grades 1 – 6. We welcome enquiries from accredited instructors and teacher candidates.
2025-2026 Primary Programs (Grades 1-3)
Action Potential Lab
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!
Tiny Tales in Motion
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.
Make & Create
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.
Fibre Makers Studio
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.
Dance Mix: Jazz, Ballet & Hip-hop
Learn 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!
Sock Puppet Theatre
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.
2025-2026 Junior Programs (Grades 4-6)
Filmmaking: The Art Behind Visual Storytelling
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.
Fictional Characters & Fantasy Art
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.
Cooking with Vegetables
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!
Cartooning & Animation
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.
Game Changers: Multi-Sport & Inclusive Play
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.
The Music Connection: Fostering community, confidence and creativity in every child.
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?
Term 2
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 - Wednesday, Mar 4, 2026
Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 |
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Fibre Makers Studio | Sock Puppet Theatre | Make & Create |
Tiny Tales in Motion | Dance Mix: Jazz, Ballet, & Hip-Hop | Action Potential Lab |
Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 |
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Filmmaking: The Art Behind Visual Storytelling | Cooking with Vegetables | Fictional Characters & Fantasy Art |
The Music Connection | Cartooning & Animation | Game Changers: Multi-Sport & Inclusive Play |