JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
Dismissal on Wednesday September 4 is at noon (no Wed Afternoon Program)
Parents' Association contributions are open
Hot Lunch Program sign-up (Deadline: Thur, Sept 5)
Wednesday Afternoon Program payment due by Friday, September 6 to complete registration
Topics covered in this post:
(Click to navigate straight to a section)
5 Keys to Smoother School Drop-Offs by JICS Social Worker, Ellie
Letter from Megan, President of the JICS Parents' Association
Our Purpose
Contributions to the PA
Lunch Program Update
Parent Social
Meet the Team
New Curriculum Programming for Grades 1-6
Music Program
Leaves and STEM
Promote Diversity through the Arts - Donate to the Patrick Harvey Arts Fund
1. The First Days of School
With just a handful of nights left, we stand on the cusp of an exciting new school year, beginning on Tuesday, September 3. The atmosphere is charged with enthusiasm and eagerness as we gear up to greet our students. Today, we extended a warm welcome to the new students joining us in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 during their visit. Our appreciation goes out to the exceptional JICS Parent Community and the dedicated Class Representatives for reaching out and fostering connections with these new families.
A gentle reminder: Dismissal on Wednesday, September 4 is at noon, owing to the upcoming launch of the Wednesday Afternoon Program on September 11. Should you have questions related to the afternoon of September 4 and you are a part of our Daycare program, Anne Marie is at your service to provide assistance. Full-day classes will be reinstated on Thursday and Friday. Guidelines for drop-off and pick-up procedures for each grade level can be accessed in the Parent Handbook.
2. 5 Keys to Smoother School Drop Offs by JICS Social Worker, Ellie
Share your calm. Give yourself extra time to take care of your own morning routine, so you are available and can focus on your child.
Let your child know the plan. In a calm moment, let your child know what the routine will be: "I'm going to drop you off, you will play/learn at school. Grandma will pick you up and then I will come home, and we will all have pizza together."
Validate their feelings to help soothe. "It makes sense that you are nervous." It is not our job as parents to "fix" their feelings but to accompany their upset with tenderness. Validating their feelings can be a pathway to calming.
Develop a short and sweet goodbye ritual. Generally, a quick goodbye is best and after one hug (or fist bump), turn around and leave. Don't go back or linger if your child is crying. You are communicating to your child that they are safe at school, you trust their teacher, and you have confidence in their ability to cope. Sneaking away when your child is not looking does not help as they need to know they can trust you.
Be kind to yourself. This is a new year, children have a range of responses to drop-off, and finding the right routine will take some practice. Reach out to your child's teacher, or the school or to me (elliel@jackmanics.onmicrosoft.com) if you need support. We are here.
3. Letter from Megan, President of the JICS Parents’ Association
Dear JICS Community,
It is hard to believe we are beginning another school year. I hope your summers have had restorative elements despite the busyness that comes with the season.
I am writing to welcome our returning community members back together, and with an especially warm welcome to the families who are new to our community; we are so happy you are joining us.
I am also writing with a few important things to note:
OUR PURPOSE
This year, through our evolving initiatives, community events, and our parent education programming, we will continue to focus on the alignment of our goals with those of the school. As the PA, it is our work to support JICS, its public purpose, and its teachers and staff in continuing to create a safe and thriving learning community for our children.
Our focus remains on:
Building a collaborative, responsive, and engaging community that is equitable and diverse
Our support of, and collaboration in diversity, equity, and inclusivity initiatives
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PA
Last year, we found great success as we piloted a new fundraising model, in an effort to further our equity, diversity, and inclusion work, and to better uphold our efforts to realize an economically diverse JICS community.
This year, we are pleased to be continuing with this financial model, as it acknowledges and accounts for the varying economic circumstances of our community members. It is through our financial contributions to the PA that we can enrich the school with purchases like school yard play equipment, musical instruments, software and electronics, parent education events, and babysitting services during school events.
To make your PA contributions, which are eligible for a tax receipt, please use the following link: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/103772
There will also be many other opportunities to contribute to our community again this year, which puts into practice the ways in which all members of our community can contribute meaningfully, when all definitions of wealth are valued.
We will reach out as opportunities arise. At present, please consider the following:
Being a class representative for: Nursery, JK, Grades 4/5, Grade 6
Answering our upcoming calls for volunteers for:
Photo Day (September 16th)
the Terry Fox Run (September 20th)
LUNCH PROGRAM UPDATE
Last year the PA, along with the school’s administrative and leadership teams, collected schoolwide feedback from parents, teachers and students with regard to the Hot Lunch program. We compiled the feedback and presented it to Tricia (the Lunch Mom). During our meeting with her, Tricia was extremely flexible and receptive to making some changes to the menu that we hope will address some of the concerns and suggestions we heard. Tricia’s approach is thoughtful and must be considerate of a wide range of factors that we cannot easily see from a user’s perspective.
Our ultimate goal is that the children eat. With this in mind, there are always fruit and vegetable options, and a beautiful flexibility for our community to pick and choose the days we wish to participate in the program, make a special request, and/or send supplementary food for our child(ren).
The Hot Lunch program menu for the first term is online and registration is open. Hot lunch begins Monday, September 9.
PARENT SOCIAL
Our annual September Social is scheduled for Thur, September 26*, from 6pm – 8pm.
*EDIT: Please note new date
Of note:
The event will be fully and beautifully catered
There will be one complementary drink ticket for each adult. A cash bar will also be available.
We are offering complimentary babysitting and dinner for current JICS children
MEET THE TEAM
A quick introduction, and a massive thank you to our “executive” team this year, without whom, many of the extras we enjoy would not be possible:
President: Megan Pearson
Past President: Francois Tanguay-Renaud
Vice-President: Andrea Russell
Treasurer: Allen Yi
Parent Ed Committee: Anne-Marie Williams, Kerry Thompson, Julianna Klein
Communications: Allison Chris
Volunteers Coordinator: Lisa Taharally
And, a special shout-out to the Classroom Representatives who have already volunteered: Karan, Karline, Nathalie, Sam, Lucia, Rajen, Jeffrey, Marco, and Ali. Thank you for your commitment to our community.
While we do have an “executive” team who works in close collaboration with the Lab School’s leadership team, we are all an equal part of the Parents’ Association. I am looking forward to another beautiful year together.
Welcome back and see you soon!
Sincerely,
Megan Pearson
JICS Parents’ Association President
4. New Curriculum Programming for Grades 1-6
At JICS, our motto, “All ideas are improvable,” inspires us to continuously seek ways to enrich our programming. We are excited to introduce the following new initiatives for our students:
Music Program
We are fortunate to have the award-winning children’s musician Russell Hersen, also known as “Russell Sprout,” leading our music program. Russell’s unique teaching approach combines full-body engagement with a deep understanding of musical notation. Through movement, students learn key musical principles such as rhythm, pitch, and melody. Singing remains a cornerstone of the program, complemented by opportunities to explore various percussion instruments and ukuleles.
This year, we are pleased to introduce an additional component to our music program. Jayda Lam, our administrative assistant, will offer Vocal Technique classes. These small-group sessions are designed to help students develop a strong foundation in vocal technique, focussing on aspects like pitch, diction, and breath control. The goals of these classes are to promote healthy singing practices and to foster peer connections through collaborative music-making.
Each grade cohort is divided into two half-groups. Students will rotate between Russell’s music sessions and Jayda’s vocal technique classes, ensuring a well-rounded musical education.
Leaves and STEM
Our Teacher Librarian, Krista Spence, is developing an innovative curriculum that brings students into our courtyard and closer to nature. Research highlights the many benefits of outdoor learning, including improved health and a deeper connection to the environment. Krista’s curriculum will incorporate Indigenous perspectives, encouraging students to explore our relationship with the natural world in new and meaningful ways.
In parallel, our Special Education teacher, Nick Song, will guide students through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. These sessions are designed to equip students with important transferable skills. STEM education at JICS promotes a holistic understanding of engineering design and innovation, encouraging students to apply concepts and processes from these disciplines to solve real-world problems.
Similar to the music program, each grade cohort will be divided into two half-groups. Students will alternate between Krista’s outdoor nature sessions and Nick’s STEM activities, ensuring a balanced exposure to both nature and technology.
We are thrilled to offer these new programs and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on our students.
5. Promote Diversity though the Arts – Donate to the Patrick Harvie Arts Fund
Our goal is to raise $10,000 to support our ambitious new line-up of artists for the 2024-2025 school year. With your help, we can continue to provide meaningful, school-wide arts experiences that celebrate our diversity for all students!
Donations can be made online at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/102060
or by cheque. Please make cheques payable to the JICS Parents’ Association (subject line: PHA Fund) and submit them at the front desk in reception. Tax receipts are issued for all donations.
Read more about our hopes for 2024-2025 and highlight from last year.
6. Our Public Purpose: Exciting Partnership Opportunities
Since our establishment in 1925, our school has consistently contributed to shaping elementary educational practices and enriching teacher education globally. Here are recent instances highlighting our efforts in knowledge dissemination:
In 2023-2024, Nick Song, Special Education and STEM teacher, collaborated with Paul Deitz and the Computer Science Department at the University of Toronto on an innovative pilot project aimed at enhancing STEM engagement. Together with JICS students, they explored the fascinating world of animatronics—a technology that combines motors, controls, and voice recordings to bring puppets to life. By merging technological skills with literacy, the students crafted their own unique creations, using storytelling to animate them. This pilot project focussed on making animatronics accessible and affordable for classrooms across Canada. The goal, as Deitz explains, is to teach students to use technology as a storytelling tool, challenging the traditional divide between the arts and sciences. Building on the success of the JICS pilot, Deitz aims to expand the program to schools nationwide, nurturing the next generation of creative innovators. For more information about the project, visit UofT News.
Krista Spence, teacher-librarian and land-based educator, contributed to a teacher tool created by BC educator Megan Zeni, whom she met at the ‘Take Me Outside’ Conference in Banff in 2023. Krista's work on the spiral model of documenting land-based learning was included in the tool and made available to educators in August. This teacher tool, found on the website ‘Outside Play’, is designed for elementary school teachers, offering insights and hands-on resources to facilitate outdoor play and learning. For direct access to her piece, visit this link: Emergent Learning Resources.
This summer, JK teacher, Marcia Bumbury taught the Kindergarten Part 1 Additional Qualification Course at Trent University, where she guided teachers through an in-depth exploration of early childhood education. Drawing on her extensive experience in early years education, Marcia provided valuable insights into the latest theories, research, and resources from the Ministry of Education. The course emphasized the importance of play-based, inquiry-driven learning, encouraging educators to adopt these approaches in their Kindergarten classrooms.
Russell Leon Hersen, music teacher was awarded a grant by the Toronto Musicians' Union to conduct a music workshop tour in the Ottawa Valley this past June. His tour focused on visiting five rural schools, none of which currently have music programs. Through this initiative, Russell sought to inspire and engage students with the power of music. He introduced rhythmic games, exposed the students to a diverse selection of global music, and guided them in exploring their vocal abilities with dynamic warm-up exercises. Each workshop culminated with the students coming together to sing an original "Russell Sprout" song that celebrates kindness and community.
7. Wednesday Afternoon Program (Gr 1-6)
For those who have registered, please note that cheques (payable to The University of Toronto. cheque memo: Wed Afternoon Program) are due to Shama, School Office Administrator, before Friday, September 6 to complete registration. A huge thank you to Lisa, WAP Director for her thoughtful planning and skillful coordination.
8. Upcoming September Events
Mon 2 – Labour Day
Tues 3 – First Day of School and First Day of Daycare
Fri 6 – Deadline for Wednesday Afternoon Program payment
Fri 6 – (noon) Deadline for Hot Lunch Program registration
Mon 9 – Hot Lunch Program begins for registered students
Wed 11 – Wednesday Afternoon Program (Gr 1-6) begins for registered students
Fri 13 – School-wide lice check. Thank you to the Parents’ Association!
Mon 16 – Photo Day (details coming soon)
Mon 16 to Fri 20 – JICS Safety Practice Week (fire drill, lock-down drill)
Wed 18 – Curriculum Night 6:00-9:00pm (details coming soon)
Fri 20 – Terry Fox Run. JK to Gr 6 (details coming soon)
Tues 24 to Fri 27 – Grade 6 Trip to Camp Arowhon (Alive Outdoors)
Wed 25 – Meeting of Parents of BIPOC Children
Wed 25 – Rowan’s Day (Concussion Awareness)
Mon 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day. School assembly.
Mon 30 – JICS “All Parents & Teachers” September Social in gym 6:00-7:30pm. RSVP
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