Apr 2, 2020

School Closure Update, Tuition and Financial Support

Topics covered in this post:

School Closure Update
Richard’s March 31 Video
April Tuition Payment
Applications to Apple Financial
Diana Rankin Muncaster Tuition Support Fund
Wednesday Afternoon Program
Parent Teacher Interviews
Read-a-Thon Forms
Advice from Occupational Therapist
COVID-19 Picture Book
Long-Distance Photos
Upcoming April Events

1. School Closure Update

Premier Ford and Education Minister Lecce, announced that Ontario public schools will remain closed until May 4, 2020. Please read the official News Release here. You will read in the release that at this time, Private Schools are still closed until April 13th. This is because we fall under the Declaration of Emergency, which "only allows closures to be extended for one 14-day period at a time". Since the announcement of school closures in early March, we have stated that we would follow the directives provided by our Government Officials to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of our students, families, faculty, and staff. As such, JICS will align with the directive from the Government and extend our school closure until at least May 4, 2020. Ultimately, we will not return to school until it is deemed safe to do so.

2. March 31 Video Message from Richard

Inspired by the courage of the JICS teachers as they innovate, take-risks, and learn as they navigate long-distance learning, Richard emailed out an imperfect video message on March 31. It is here if you haven’t seen it.

3. April Tuition Payment

COVID-19 isn’t only causing health fears — many JICS families have informed us that the crisis is also creating financial stress. Many are concerned about the April 30 tuition payment consisting of 50% of the tuition balance for 2020-2021 school year. Families who are unable to meet this requirement have been in touch with Richard and a new schedule has been co-created. We invite any other families with this need to reach out. For families who are able to make this 2nd payment, please mail your cheque, payable to University of Toronto, to:

JICS Lab School

45 Walmer Rd

Toronto, Ont.

M5R 2X2

Attention: Nancy Boudreau

4. Apple Financial

Each year, financial support is available to current JICS families through the JICS Diana Rankin Muncaster Family Tuition Support Fund. Application and assessment of financial need is made through an arms-length, confidential application to Apple Financial Services (AFS). Families who have applied to AFS will receive notification next week about the result of their assessment. For JICS families who have experienced income loss due to COVID-19 and are concerned about the 2020-2021 tuition fees, we have re-opened the application process with AFS and will consider families with children in all grades (Nursery to Grade 6). AFS has requested that families wait until May 1, 2020 to apply.

5. Diana Rankin Muncaster Tuition Support Fund

As the impact from COVID-19 deepens, we anticipate an increase in requests for financial support. If you have the means to help, we strongly encourage donations. The Diana Rankin Muncaster Tuition Support Fund is an expendable fund. Available funds have not enabled us to financially support a child in an earlier grade through to graduation. Our goal is to retain every child (Nursery to Grade 6) by providing support for any current family whose changed financial circumstances due to COVID-19 may jeopardize, in the short term, their ability to keep their children enrolled at Jackman ICS. We can do this with your help!

6. Wednesday Afternoon Program

The Wednesday Afternoon Program is cancelled for Spring 2020. All paid fees will be applied to Fall 2020 programming. Parents of Grade 6 students will receive a full refund. We thank you for your understanding.

7. Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews scheduled for April have been postponed. New dates will be announced ASAP.

8. Read-a-Thon Forms

Thank you for participating in the 26th Annual Read-a-Thon! This year, we will be accepting online submissions of Read-a-Thon results. These are due on Thursday, April 9. Please submit one form per student.

Submit your Read-a-Thon form and/or see the options to send in any money raised here!

9. Advice from Occupational Therapist

Events like the current pandemic disrupt occupations and pose a risk to health. Enjoy the following article which offers practices that will help each of us to maintain function, health and well-being while staying at home. Thanks to JICS parent, Shone for sharing this resource! Skye Barbic and Catherine Backman: Staying happy while staying home: Lessons from occupational therapy

10. COVID-19 Picture Book

Social isolation, being off school, and uncertainty about what all this means for their friends and family are just a few of the concerns young children may have at this time. The picture book “Hello” by Manuela Molina is designed for children age 7 and younger and is “an invitation for families to discuss the full range of emotions arising from the current situation.” Thank you, to JICS Social Worker, Ellie Lathrop for recommending this.

11. Long-Distance Photos!

Enjoy these photos of children engaging in learning at home. Keep them coming for future posts! Send photos to Tory: tory.mccracken@utoronto.ca