Message from Richard, Lice Notice, Peace Poles

JICS at a Glance

We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:

Celebrate 100 years of JICS and help us raise money for the Endowment Fund at the Centennial Gala and Auction - Get your tickets! - Tues May 13
Register for Grandpals Day - Thur May 1
Register for the JICS Bike Parade - Thur May 8
Get your tickets for Hot Dog Night - Wed June 4

children participating in an Earth Week activity

Topics covered in this post:

(Click to navigate straight to a section)

A Message from Principal Richard Messina - Let's Celebrate Together
Lice Notice
Peace Poles Return to Our Front Yard
Grandpals Day at JICS Lab School - May 1
JICS Bike Parade - May 8
Asian Heritage Month
Hot Dog Night - June 4
JICS Celebrates Earth Day
Natural Curiosity
Photos from the Week
Upcoming May Events
Upcoming June Events

1. A Message from Principal Richard Messina - Let's Celebrate Together

Dear Parents,

One of the most special things about JICS is our deep commitment to diversity—not just in words, but in action. We’ve built a community where students, teachers, families, and researchers come together from all kinds of backgrounds to learn from one another. That richness of experience is something I truly believe is at the heart of great education.

But economic diversity remains a challenge. That’s why we’re working to grow our Endowment Fund, managed by the University of Toronto, so we can offer even more support—starting in Nursery—and open our doors wider. The Centennial Gala & Auction is one way we can make this happen.

We know the ticket price for the Gala is significant—but that’s because our goal is vitally important. Every dollar raised helps us create a more economically inclusive school community, which benefits all of our children. A diverse learning environment enriches the experience for every student, including your own.

By attending, you're directly supporting this goal. If you're unable to attend but would still like to support the event, consider making a donation or purchasing a ticket for someone else in our community who would love to join us. It's a wonderful way to help others take part in the celebration—and you’ll receive a full tax receipt for your generous gift.

There will also be a fantastic auction—with items at all price ranges and unique experiences designed by teachers — so everyone can take part and help us raise funds in a fun and meaningful way.

We haven’t had a gala since 2019, and this year—our centennial year—feels like the perfect time to come together, dance, and celebrate everything JICS stands for.

Here is more information about the Endowment Fund:

Purchase Tickets

Hope to see you there,

Richard

P.S. A big thank you to everyone who brought in a wine bottle today for the Gala! If you forgot, no worries—you can still drop it off tomorrow morning. We really appreciate your support!

parents posing at drop-off with wine bottles

2. Lice Notice

In recent weeks, JICS has been notified of or discovered 3 active cases of head lice. In each case the child was treated for lice before returning to school and classroom cohorts were notified. With an increase in lice cases, we are asking all JICS families to follow the guidance shared here.

Please be sure that you check your child’s head regularly and please report any cases to the school. Please note that daily checking for nits, for at least three weeks, is a recommended preventative.

This is a reminder that JICS Lab School has a “NO NITS POLICY” for everyone’s benefit. This means that your child cannot be in class if there are lice or nits in their hair. If a case is discovered your child will visit the office and a call will placed home so that they can be picked up and treated. Before returning to class, the child must be free of nits and must report to the school office to ensure their status. All parents are encouraged to keep a continual check at home and are required to report any case of lice or nits to the school office.

A Head Lice fact sheet from Toronto Public Health can be found below, and you can read more information about Head Lice here.

3. Peace Poles Return to Our Front Yard

A Peace Pole is a globally recognized symbol of hope, standing in silent prayer for peace on Earth. Each pole bears the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in multiple languages—typically displayed on four or six sides. First created in Japan, there are now over 250,000 Peace Poles installed around the world, each serving as a monument to unity and harmony.

On Wednesday, the two JICS Peace Poles were re-installed at the front of the school, following their temporary removal during the playground renovation. Now beautifully restored, they once again serve as a visual reminder of our shared commitment to peace.

The first pole was inspired by a Remembrance Day assembly in the early 2000s, after Principal Emerita Elizabeth Morley encountered Peace Poles during a visit to Japan. Her discovery sparked a strong interest among students to bring one to JICS. The second pole was added in 2012 in honour of Robin Farb, director of our capital campaign, and features an expanded array of languages.

We look forward to an official unveiling ceremony with the school community soon.

4. Grandpals Day at JICS Lab School

Thursday, May 1 | JK & SK 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM | Grades 1-6 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM

We’re excited to announce a heartwarming afternoon: Grandpals Day on Thursday, May 1st!

Beginning at 3:00 PM for JK and SK students and 3:30 PM for Grades 1–6, Grandpals—or a special family friend or relative—are welcome to join us for this optional afterschool event at the JICS Lab School.

Guests will meet their grandchild(ren) in the school yard at dismissal, then enter the school together through the main entrance for a short visit.

Students will proudly guide their guest(s) through their classrooms and other learning spaces, finishing the visit with light refreshments and snacks in the school gym.

Please note: Participation in Grandpals Day is optional. Children who are not taking part will be dismissed at their regular time for pick-up.

To ensure a safe dismissal, we kindly ask that parents register their child’s/children’s Grandpals if your child will be participating by Monday, April 28.

Grandpals Day 2025

May 1, 2025, 3:00–4:00 p.m.|JICS Lab School

We look forward to welcoming our Grandpals and celebrating the special connections that matter most!

5. 🚲 JICS Bike Parade 🚲

Thursday, May 8 | 8:00 AM

Meet at Christie Pits — Ride together, arrive in style!

Start your morning right… on two wheels!

We’re rolling out the red carpet (ok fine, it's asphalt) for the very first JICS Bike Parade! Join us Thursday, May 8 at 8:00 AM at Christie Pits for a joyful, group ride to school. It’s like the Tour de France… but with less spandex and more backpacks.

AND, you will be joined by cyclists Robin, Zoe, Judith, Chriss, Jessica, Walker and Richard!

The Route:

→ Starting at the North West corner of Christie Pits

→ East along Barton Avenue

→ North on Brunswick

→ East on Wells Avenue

→ South on Kendal, around the roundabout, and straight to JICS!

Basically: short, sweet, super safe — and all about the vibes.

The Details:

→ Bikes only (no scooters or rollerblades this time — safety first!)

→ Parents must accompany their child or arrange to ride with friends

→ Led by our very own Luke a.k.a Captain Commuter

→ Parade ends at JICS — with glory, good vibes, snacks and probably a few helmet hair situations

Where to Meet:

→ Gather at the NORTH WEST CORNER of Christie Pits Park (before 8:00am)

→ The parade will depart from Christie Pits at 8:00am sharp

Why join?

It’s fun.
It’s safe.
It’s community.
And it’s a chance to practice bike safety and show off those biking skills (and that bell you insist on ringing every 3 seconds).
Toronto police will be escorting the group to ensure it's a safe experience for all riders.

Interested? Sign up here so we know who’s riding:

JICS Bike Parade

May 8, 2025, 8:00–8:30 a.m.|Starting Point: Christie Pits Park

Let’s fill the streets with bikes, smiles, and JICS spirit! See you at the start line 🚴‍♀️🚴🚴‍♂️

6. Asian Heritage Month

The month of May is an opportunity for all to learn more about the many achievements of Canadians of Asian descent who, throughout our history, have contributed so much to Canada. Asian Heritage Month has been a focus of celebration in many communities across Canada since the 1990s. In December of 2001, Senator Vivienne Poy proposed a motion that was adopted by the Senate of Canada, designating May as Asian Heritage Month nationally. During May of 2002, the Government of Canada made this motion official by signing a declaration to designate May as Asian Heritage Month.

Who is of Asian Descent?

The definition of "Asian" may be inclusive and broad, and applies to people who come from or whose ancestors come from:

East Asia - China, Hong Kong S.A.R., Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan.
South Asia - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
Central Asia - Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
Southeast Asia - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.
Western Asia - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cyprus, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.

What Can We Learn?

Like all cultures, Asian heritage is a diverse and ever-changing concept that has varied meanings to the different communities and generations. During Asian Heritage Month we are invited:

To celebrate traditional as well as contemporary Asian-Canadian culture, which includes poetry, dances, sports, music and art;
To learn about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of the diverse Asian heritage that makes up our Canadian communities;
To understand the historical journeys and ongoing struggles of diverse Asian communities;
To recognize individual and institutional racism both past and present, that have impacted the lives of many groups; and
To engage with students through lessons and discussions of prominent past events, current issues of racism and discrimination that continue to impact the many Asian communities living in Canada and to bear witness to the resistance and resilience of such groups.

At JICS, growing and learning among individuals who share widely divergent life stories, and appreciating their respective cultures, is an invaluable aspect of a true education. Nurturing a respectful and inclusive school culture means paying close attention to individual experiences, our curriculum, admission work, and our daily lives at the Lab School. We partner with families to help children broaden their view of themselves and others by ensuring that they encounter mirrors of their own background and experience, as well as windows of difference. We invite parents to enrich our learning by sharing their culture and identity with us. If interested to help, please be in touch with your child’s teacher or a member of the JICS Asian Heritage Committee: Nick, Jayda, Victoria, or Richard. We have planned exciting learning opportunities which we will share with you soon.

It is important to recognize that Asian Canadian history is part of Canadian history and like Black History Month is not only highlighted during a particular month but integrated as much as possible throughout the school year. We thank parents for your support and for sharing your expertise to enrich out learning.

Asians in Canada have a long history in the labour movement. Asian migrants and Asian Canadians have faced discrimination, exploitation, and danger in many of Canada’s workplaces. Even today, many of our Asian communities experience racism and Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination on individual and institutional levels. Workers of Asian descent have demonstrated resilience and have organized in order to disrupt laws and practices that were racist and discriminated against certain minority groups.

Helpful Links to Resources:

Government of Canada—Important Events in Asian Canadian History
CBC website: Canada’s Asian Heritage Month - RCI celebrates and highlights the Canadian histories and issues pertinent to Asians in Canada. This Website includes an audio-clip of Vivienne Poy speaking about the origins of May as Asian Heritage month. This website also offers resources that focus on Japanese Canadian, Chinese Canadian and Vietnamese Canadian histories.
Canada's Asian Heritage Month - This website highlights how different Canadian provinces are acknowledging and celebrating Asian Canadian history during the month of May.
NFB Asian Content Films - NFB films that focus on Asian Canadian and Asian Diasporic content.
The Canadian Encyclopedia—Racial Segregation of Asian Canadians
Government of Canada - Asian Heritage Month website highlights resources such as posters and videoclips featuring histories and current content pertaining to Asian Heritage and Canadians of Asian descent.
Radio Canada International: Asian Heritage Month website provides information on Asian Heritage celebrations in major countries across Canada.

Thanks to The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario for the information above.

7. JICS Hot Dog Night

Wednesday, June 4 | 6:00-8:00 PM

Join us for our annual Hot Dog Night! 🌭 We will be serving both hot dogs and pizza, and will celebrate with food, fun, activities, and an opportunity for our school community to connect!

About the event:

What: a community gathering with food and fun

When: Wednesday, June 4th, 6-8pm.

Tickets:

Adult Ticket: $20
Child Ticket: $10
Family Bundle $60 (for single families where total ticket costs would exceed $60 - includes 2 adult tickets and 3+ child tickets)
JICS Teacher/Staff Ticket (free)

Raffle Tickets: $5 each, 5 for $20, or 12 for $50

Prizes:
- 2 Opening Night tickets to TIFF
- One year supply of ginger shots from Greenhouse Juice Co.
- Murdoch Mysteries behind the scenes set tour
- Pizza lunch for the class that has a person who wins
- 50,000 Marriott points

Hot Dog Night 2025

June 4, 2025, 6:00–8:00 p.m.|JICS School Yard

How can this community help?

We would greatly appreciate donations of games, food or snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages to make the night even better. If you have the ability to contribute, please contact Lucia Remedios at lucia@analoguegallery.com or call (416) 505-4970.

8. JICS Celebrates Earth Day

On April 22nd, our students celebrated Earth Day by participating in a variety of outdoor activities. The weather was glorious and it was a treat to contemplate our relationship with the land as we spent time outside.

The JK students embarked on a field trip to High Park and had a long day of exploring and learning at the High Park Nature Centre. Meanwhile, The Nursery, SK, and Grade One classes took turns celebrating Earth Day out in the Courtyard. Each group opened with a 4-directions land acknowledgment where we practiced saying thank you to the East in Wendat: "tiawenhk", to the South in Kanyen'kéha: "niawen", to the West in Anishinaabemowin: "miigwech" and to the North in English: "thank you." After a discussion of ways to show care for the Earth, groups played a game trying to match images of local bird species with their songs/calls. In small groups, students used a variety of natural materials to try to build a bird's nest that would keep an egg warm and safe. Finally, they added a realistic wooden egg and admired one another's creations!

The Grade Twos learned about ‘seed balls’ and crafted them out of soil, seeds and clay to take home. The Grade Twos also helped to prepare the vegetable and herb garden beside the art room. They filled the new bed that was funded by the Sustainability Grant from OISE. They planted the first spring crops- snap peas! We look forward to the new growing season.

The Grade Three, Four and Five students participated in a waste timeline challenge. In groups they worked together to consider how long it takes various waste materials to decompose. The students were surprised to learn the lengthy time it takes for common recyclables such as aluminum cans to break down in landfill. Afterwards, they competed in a raucous, recycling relay race. Students had to make snap decisions as they sorted waste into compost, recycling and landfill bins while they raced for their teams. It was fabulous to hear students teaching each other and having meaningful conversations about waste reduction.

The Grade Six students travelled to Sibelius Park to contribute to community clean-up efforts. They found the park was already quite litter-free, an excellent testament to our community. This gave them the time to also clean up Gwendolyn Macewen Parkette near the school. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to be outdoors together while involved in environmental stewardship.

9. Natural Curiosity

The Natural Curiosity program plays a crucial role in advancing the Lab School’s public purpose by supporting educators with understanding the importance of Indigenous perspectives in environmental and all education.

Help Natural Curiosity support 30,000 educators in 2025 by donating just $20 today!

Every donation, no matter the size, helps educators bring environmental learning to life through Indigenous perspectives, empowering students to imagine a better world and take the steps necessary to make that world a reality.

As a 100% donor-funded program, your support is essential to providing free resources and expanding environmental education and Indigenous language programs for all.

Miigwetch/Hiy hiy/Nya:wen for considering a gift to Natural Curiosity.

Donate today!

Photos from the Week

Thank you to Christel, Tania, and Paige for making La Semaine de la Francophonie extra special last week!

This mural triptych found a new home this week in our front reception! The Murals of Nanabushoo were created in 2016 with internationally renowned artists-in-residence, Michif painter and activist Christi Belcourt, and Anishinabek story-teller and visual artist Isaac Murdoch of Serpent River First Nation, along with JICS students in JK to Grade 6. Read the full story of the murals on our Instagram post.