JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
LAST CALL - Order your school photos TODAY
Join us Monday, September 30 at 9:00am for a special gathering in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day
Make your contribution to the PA. DONATE HERE
Daycare AGM - Tues Oct 1
Topics covered in this post:
(Click to navigate straight to a section)
1. September Social
Tonight, September 26
6:00-8:00 PM
Entrance from 45 Walmer Rd
We are excited about our first school year event to kickstart our journey towards building our vibrant community (parents, teachers and staff). Thank you to those who have registered and to the PA Exec for your thoughtful planning. Please note that babysitting registration has now closed.
2. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Monday, September 30
We warmly invite all parents to join us on Monday at 9:00 AM in the gym for a special gathering in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. This important event brings together our Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 students as we reflect on the significance of these days. We are honoured to welcome JICS parent Heather Watts, along with her son Nico, who will begin the assembly with a Thanksgiving Address in both Mohawk and English. Heather is of Mohawk and Anishinaabe descent from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. We are also pleased to have Nathan Roy, an Anishinaabe musician from Wikwemikong on Manitoulin Island, return to participate. Nathan, who now lives in Toronto, is a member of the Grammy-nominated singing and drumming group Bear Creek and has performed at many Pow Wows and recorded several albums with them.
On this day we wear orange, and we are coming together to honour the memory of the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Recognizing this tragic history and its lasting impacts is a vital step in the journey towards reconciliation.
We encourage parents to explore the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, which have been thoughtfully adapted into child-friendly language by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada. These can serve as a meaningful foundation for discussions with your children about the importance of reconciliation.
The JICS Lab School remains deeply committed to listening to and acting on the Calls to Action laid out by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We continue to amplify the voices of Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island and encourage parents to visit the the JICSfamily website to learn more about our ongoing efforts. We value your feedback and invite you to share any suggestions on how we can further enhance our commitment to fostering a more inclusive and respectful educational environment for all.
3. Donations to Parents' Association
As PA President, Megan explained in last week’s POST, tuition fees are used to pay for the general operations of the school. It is only through financial contributions to the PA collective, that parents are able to support the school with purchases and new initiatives. With this in mind, we ask that you please consider what your family can contribute this year.
*Contributions are per family
4. Daycare Dinner and A.G.M
Tuesday, October 1
5:30-6:30 PM
We are excited to invite all parents to attend our Daycare Dinner and Annual General Meeting (AGM)! Whether you are new to our community or a long-time member, this is a great opportunity to learn more about our wonderful licensed daycare program, meet our dedicated staff, and connect with the Daycare Board. We will be sharing important updates, answering your questions, and discussing the future of our daycare. To make this evening as convenient as possible, dinner will be provided (to children and parents) and free babysitting will be available during the event
Extended Deadline: Please RSVP via email to ics.afterschool.daycare@gmail.com by Friday, September 27th to help us plan accordingly. We look forward to seeing you there!
5. Shanah Tovah Umetukah
On October 2 to 4, the Jewish members of the JICS family will be celebrating the New Year. Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days. Customs include sounding the shofar (a cleaned-out ram’s horn). Raise some noise! Wishing everyone a sweet new year. We are asking for parent volunteers to help us celebrate and learn. Please contact your child’s teacher.
6. Islamic Heritage Month
In 2016, the province of Ontario officially designated October as Islamic Heritage Month through the enactment of the Islamic Heritage Month Act. This initiative aims to provide Ontarians, both present and future generations, with a valuable opportunity to explore, celebrate, and deepen their understanding of the rich and enduring Islamic history within the province. Moreover, it seeks to highlight the diverse roles and significant contributions of Muslim individuals across Ontario's various communities.
At the JICS Lab School, our commitment to education embraces the remarkable diversity found in our world. We continuously strive to create learning experiences that are respectful, inclusive, and accurate for our students. This month, we extend an invitation to parents to enhance our educational journey by sharing your Muslim identity with us, not only in October but at any point throughout the year. We encourage you to reach out to your child's teacher. Our goal is for students to gain insights into the significant contributions made by Canadian Muslims to our society, appreciate the cultural diversity within the Canadian Muslim community, and understand the importance of learning about each other to foster a sense of belonging for all.
7. October is LGBT History Month
LGBT History Month serves as a dedicated platform to celebrate the remarkable achievements of 2SLGBTQIA+ Icons. Throughout the entire month of October, the https://lgbthistorymonth.com website features a daily showcase of a new icon. Each profile includes video content, biographical information, bibliographies, downloadable images, and various other resources. Additionally, LGBT History Month commemorates the historical milestones of rights and civil rights movements. This initiative was established in 1994 by Rodney Wilson, a high-school history teacher from Missouri.
We firmly believe that learning about the invaluable contributions of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is essential in fostering a profound sense of belonging for everyone. As part of our commitment to inclusive education, we extend an invitation to parents to enrich our learning experience by sharing your own identities with us. This offer stands not only during October but at any point throughout the year. Please feel free to connect with your child's teacher. Together, we aim to create an environment where all individuals are recognized and celebrated for their unique contributions to our shared society.
8. Grand Opening of the Playground
A heartfelt thank you to all the parents who joined us for the official playground opening celebration this past Tuesday. We are thrilled to announce some extraordinary news: Dr. Eric Jackman, in honour of his wife Sara Jackman, has made a landmark contribution to the JICS Endowment Fund. This generous gift not only reflects the Jackman family's long-standing dedication to JICS but also marks a pivotal step toward our goal of fostering greater economic diversity. In recognition of this incredible gift, Dean Erica Walker announced during the ceremony that our beautiful new playground will officially be named “The Sara Jackman Playground”.
Diversity is a core priority at JICS, though it remains one of our greatest challenges. We believe that children thrive in learning environments rich with varied perspectives, where diverse life stories, cultures, and experiences come together. A diverse student body not only enhances the quality of education but also strengthens our research efforts and better prepares future teachers for the realities of working in a multicultural city like Toronto.
We would also like to extend a special thank you to JICS parent Leah Scherk, OISE Director of Space Planning, Facilities, and Services, for her invaluable behind-the-scenes support in bringing the playground to life. Additionally, our deep gratitude goes to the Advancement Team—Reesa Barkhouse, Senior Development Officer (JICS), and Sim Kapoor, Director of Advancement (OISE)—for their outstanding stewardship and for organizing a celebration that concluded with a spectacular fireworks display!
Photos from the Terry Fox Run
Upcoming September Events
Thur 26 – NEW DATE for JICS “All Parents & Teachers” September Social in gym 6:00-8:00pm.
Mon 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day. School assembly.
Upcoming October Events
Islamic Heritage Month & LGBTQ History Month
Tues 1 – 5:30-6:30 PM Daycare Annual General Meeting (AGM). RVSP
Wed 2 to Fri 4 – Rosh Hashanah (begins at sundown Oct 2)
Fri 11 – Yom Kippur (begins at sundown)
Mon 14 – Thanksgiving Day. School and Daycare closed.
Wed 16 – Meeting of Parents of BIPOC Children
Thur 31 – Halloween
Thur 31 – Diwali
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