Topics covered in this post:
School Forms Online (SFO)
Changes to the Parent Handbook
Tuition Payment
Professional Development Focus
1. School Forms Online (SFO)
Thank you to the parents who have completed the SFO forms. We have some who need to complete the June forms (due date was June 30).
In August we added two new mandatory forms:
Parent/Guardian Daily COVID-19 Screening
Parent Handbook Agreement (Please read the Parent Handbook first)
Today we have added two more additional forms:
Technology Form for Grades 1-6 families
Student & Parent Agreement For Borrowing a Device to Use at Home (ALL families)
Completion and signature on all forms is required before your child(ren) can enter the school building. Due date: Sunday, August 30, 2020.
Use link : SchoolForms Online (Or copy and paste the entire URL below into your browser's address bar: https://sfo.inresonance.com/oise-utoronto/index.php#na=a9063e56db51a9bd1483d4636f32ffbf)
Please fill out ALL outstanding forms in SFO.
2. Changes to the Parent Handbook
Thank you to the many parents who attended or watched the August 20 Parent Q & A. At the meeting, we explained that the Parent Handbook for 2020-2021 would be a “working document” as we respond to COVID-19. Here are two changes:
1. Screening App: Upon further research and consultation, we have decided not to use an online screening app. Instead, parents are required to use the Parent Daily COVID-19 Screening letter in SFO (see SFO section above) as a daily checklist. Students who answer yes to any of the questions must remain home.
2. Arrival (Gr 4-6 at Spadina): Kiss and Ride will not be offered at Spadina Road. Spadina is a no-stopping street. Parents who drive their Gr 4-6 child/ren to school are asked to find a safe parking spot off of Spadina and escort their child/ren or have their child/ren walk independently to the school entrance at 56 Spadina Road. A JICS staff member will be on the sidewalk greeting children.
Paid parking can be found at:
4 Spadina Road (north of Bloor, west side) – above ground
19 Spadina Road (north of Bloor, east side) – above ground
3. Tuition Payment
Thank you to parents who have mailed or delivered their tuition balance payment this week. In keeping with COVID-19 social distancing requirements and minimizing adults in the school reception, we require that the tuition balance cheque payment be delivered to Nancy Boudreau, school office administrator Monday, August 24 to Thursday, September 3, 9:00am to 4:00pm at 45 Walmer Road. We ask that parents wear a mask when they enter the building and queue 2 metres apart. Thank you for your cooperation. Please contact Nancy if you have any questions 416-934-4517.
4. Professional Development Focus
All JICS teachers and staff read the book How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi during the summer. We are using the text to ensure we have a shared vocabulary for the courageous conversations that are happening on staff and for the critical work we need to do with the community. We are committed to working towards change and we will hold each other accountable for taking a stand against individual and systemic acts of anti-Black racism. We will work together with parents to make a difference and fight against all forms of racism and hate as we strive to change the future in the lives of our community and beyond.
We are looking forward to working with the JICS Parents’ Association Parent Education Committee to engage in antiracist workshops that involve JICS parents and teachers/staff learning together.
Thank you to parents and teachers who have been in touch to inform us of their lived experiences and their child’s experience at JICS. Sharing perspectives and most importantly, building compassion and empathy through open and honest discourse, are important stepping stones toward taking action and effecting change within JICS and beyond. We want to encourage others to do the same. Please choose to contact any member of the admin team or teacher/staff team to share your feedback, critique, and suggestions.
