Feb 18, 2021

Daily Screening, March Break, Parent Ed

Updated: Feb 24, 2021

Topics covered in this post:

Return to In-Person Learning
JICS Daily Online Screening (due by 8:00am)
March Break
Parent Education TONIGHT, Feb 18
PHOTOS: Lunar New Year celebrations
Upcoming February Events
Upcoming March Events

1. Return to In-Person Learning

It has been a delight to have the children return to the school this week. The building is a buzz with children’s voices engaged in learning and play, and their joy in being back is palpable. Here are some Grade 1 responses to “What is the best thing about being back in person?”:

Playing with my friends.
Doing the morning challenges.
Math! It was harder to do it online.
Seeing my friends in person.
Playing with friends at recess and not just having a zoom break.
Having fun joking with Richard!

2. JICS Daily Online Screening (due by 8:00am)

Thank you for your attention to yesterday’s urgent email regarding screening. This morning, 11 children arrived at school who had not submitted their online screening before 8:00am. The last thing we want for children is to begin the day at school in the isolation room.

We suggest you print the updated JICS HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION SUMMARY Poster and post by your front door, fridge, vehicle as a daily reminder and for quick access to the Daily Screening Form through our QR code. A hard copy will be sent home today.

3. March Break

Each decision we make at JICS is made carefully and thoughtfully. As you know, the Ministry has postponed March Break to the week of April 12 to 16 for public schools. We will announce our decision regarding the new Break dates by early next week.

Here is what we can tell you now:

The children are having an enriched year of learning. The cohort size, increased staffing, and lack of transition time to specialty rooms have all translated to deep learning opportunities that are ahead of schedule. No learning has been lost.
All the safety protocols that are in place have been intentionally designed so that the children can continue to work and play in the manner you have come to expect at JICS. The children have been working hard and it is important that they have the appropriate breaks.
The teachers have been doing an outstanding job in adhering to our understanding of how children learn best in the creation of their lessons both during distance-education and in-person education. Our goal is to secure their wellbeing, both physically and mentally, by providing them with the usual amount of time they receive each year to rest and recharge so that they will be healthy to continue until the end of the school year.
Once the JICS dates are shared, we want to remind everyone that families are discouraged from travel outside of the province during the break. Hybrid learning will not be provided to any child who is required to be absent due to travel.

4. Parent Education TONIGHT: Feb 18th, 7:00pm

Addressing Racism and Anti-Black Racism: Building Capacity and Understanding as a Parent

In this presentation, Dr. Belinda Longe will begin with a short review of the historical context of racism in Canada and continue with sharing definitions of racism, anti-Black racism, and privilege. She will also explore the intersectionality of these concepts and encourage parents and caregivers to think more deeply about these issues and reflect on their privilege, position, and identity in the context of racism. Dr. Longe will also share ways that parents and caregivers can discuss race, racism, and anti-Black racism through age-appropriate conversations with their children and encourage parents to think about how they can become allies in dismantling racism in their personal and professional contexts. The goal is to help members of the school community begin to build their own capacity in navigating racism and anti-Black racism.

Please submit questions in advance through your RSVP or directly to casey.dabiet@gmail.com. There will also be opportunities to ask questions through the chat during the talk.