Jan 21, 2021

Parent Ed, Travel, Black History Month

Updated: Jan 25, 2021

Topics covered in this post:

Parent Education Event - Tonight!
Travel during Winter Break
Nursery Open House
Black History Month
Lunar New Year - call for volunteers
Parent Education
Photos of Distance Education
Upcoming January Events
Upcoming February Events

1. Parent Education Event - Tonight!

Powering down, a digital fog, or igniting curiosity? Ways to support children's use of technology

When: Tonight (January 21) at 7:00pm

What: Parent Education session on technology, social media, and child development with Dr. Alexandra Makos, OISE, UofT.

RSVP: events page.

For more information on this topic, read these articles: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-why-its-time-to-stop-worrying-about-your-childrens-screen-time-during/

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/16/health/covid-kids-tech-use.html

2. Travel during Winter Break

Families who have travelled out of province or internationally in December or January are required to complete the JICS travel form.

Click here to complete the travel form

Please ensure that you are following the required protocols for safe travel as well as a safe return if you have travelled. Note that teachers do not prepare work material or engage in hybrid learning for students if their absence is related to post-travel isolation TPH requirements.

3. Nursery Open House

We held our first ever online Nursery Open House this morning. The invited families from the application waitlist learned about the Nursery Program, the Lab School and its philosophy and mission, and our licensed daycare before going on a “virtual tour”. Thank you to current JICS parents for being ambassadors of the Lab School and promoting the work we do to friends and family! The Admission Team is meeting with applicants for the 14 available Nursery spots and any spots that are now open JK to Grade 6.

4. Black History Month

Each year in February, Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honour the legacy and achievements of Black Canadians, past and present. At JICS, we learn about and celebrate Black History Month developmentally through the grades and at whole-school events such as assemblies with members of the community. We also integrate the learning and celebrations into our Library, Music, and Visual Arts specialty classes. We invite parents to suggest ways to help our students gain insight into the experience of Black Canadians and their vital role in the community. Please be in touch with your child’s teachers with ideas.

5. Lunar New Year - call for volunteers

Friday, February 12 is Lunar New Year, the joyous festival celebrated in many Asian countries that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 days later. We are asking for parent volunteers to help us celebrate and learn. Please contact your child’s teachers.

6. Parent Education

The Mabin School is hosting Dr. Alex Russell (co-author of “Drop the Worry Ball: Parenting in the Age of Entitlement”) on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 8:00 pm: “Keeping Them Safe While Helping Them Grow: Supporting Children’s Emotional Growth in Challenging Times”. JICS parents are invited to attend. You can sign up here. Zoom details will be provided closer to the date.

7. Photos of Distance Education

Send Tory (tory.mccracken@utoronto.ca) a photo or two of your child/children learning from home and/or enjoying a “recess break” to include in next week’s post. Here are some photos of distance education JK to Grade 6.