Parent Social & Research Night, Centennial Gala & Silent Auction
- JICS Office
- Feb 27
- 5 min read
JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
RSVP to the upcoming Parent Social and Research Night - Mon March 3, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm (Register for free babysitting)
Purchase limited tickets for the JICS Centennial Gala and Silent Auction - Tues May 13
Topics covered in this post:
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1. Ramadan Mubarak!
Wishing you a blessed Ramadan. May this holy month bring you peace, blessings, and an abundance of joy.
2. Parent Social and Research Night
Monday, March 3
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming "Research Night" on Monday, March 3rd. This special evening will feature a parent social, where you can connect with other parents and enjoy light refreshments. Following the social, researchers and teachers will present fascinating studies that have taken place in our classrooms. We look forward to sharing these insights with you and fostering a deeper connection between our school community and the incredible work being done here. Free babysitting is available onsite for JICS students. Registration details coming soon. Please mark your calendars with this event and we hope to see you there!
REGISTER FOR THE PARENT SOCIAL & JICS RESEARCH NIGHT:
REGISTER FOR FREE BABYSITTING:
3. JICS Centennial Gala and Silent Auction
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
158 Sterling Road, Toronto, ON
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate 100 years of the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Lab School (JICS). This milestone event will bring together alumni, parents, and friends to honour our legacy, support our future, and enjoy an inspiring night of art, entertainment, and philanthropy.
Event Highlights:
🍸 A vibrant cocktail party featuring signature drinks and delicious food
🎶 Live music and entertainment throughout the evening, including special Centennial toasts and tributes
🎨 An exclusive auction featuring pieces from renowned artists, unique experiences and one-of-a-kind items
Proceeds & Impact:
The proceeds from this evening will directly support the JICS Lab School Endowment Fund, providing children from diverse backgrounds with access to a JICS education, regardless of financial circumstances. For over a century, the JICS Lab School has been at the forefront of redefining education, pioneering transformative research and innovative teaching methods that enhance public school education. Your contributions will help us expand this vital work, fostering a thriving and inclusive community while advancing our mission to shape the future of education.
Purchase Tickets:
Ticket Price: $450 per person (each ticket is eligible for a $225 charitable tax receipt)
Get Involved:
If you’d like to help us reach our goal by generously contributing artwork, an exclusive experience, or a valuable item, please contact our Senior Development Officer, Reesa Barkhouse.
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate a century of impact at JICS and support the future of education. We look forward to welcoming you to this unforgettable evening!
Thank you for your support in making the JICS Centennial Gala & Silent Auction a success!
4. Dissemination - Serving Our Public Purpose
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:
Chriss Bogert and Richard Messina presented on Inquiry Pedagogy in the MA Teacher Education Program’s APD2201 course.
The JICS Lab School has a long-standing partnership with Kobe Shinwa University, Kobe, Japan. On February 12 and 13, seven teacher-candidates and Professor Yuko Inoda observed in our classrooms and specialty classes and had presentations on the JICS Pedagogical Approach by Chriss and Richard, Land-based Education by Krista, and the JICS Approach to Special Education by Judith and Nick.
5. Professional Development: Growing Together at JICS
At JICS, we embrace the philosophy of lifelong learning and take pride in fostering professional growth within our community. This commitment strengthens our ability to serve our students, families, and educators. Here are examples of professional development initiatives we are excited to share:
Richard Messina is attending the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) “Thrive 2025” Conference on February 26-28 in Nashville, TN.
Carol Stephenson and Richard Messina will tour schools in Estonia, March 6-7. Estonia has created one of the world’s best education systems. PISA tests have shown that Estonia has also been successful in increasing equity in education. Carol and Richard are looking forward to a unique chance to learn from the Estonian education system by job shadowing Estonian teachers. During their visit, they will be immersed in the daily life of Estonian schools and observe firsthand how local teachers implement effective educational practices in their classrooms.
6. 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. The Government of Canada has extended the eligible period for charitable donations—contribute by February 28th and receive a 2024 tax receipt.
Miigwetch/Hiy hiy/Nya:wen for considering a gift to Natural Curiosity.
Photos from the Week
Upcoming February Events
Black History Month
Tues 25-Fri 28 – Grade 4/5 students at YMCA Pine Crest Camp
Fri 28 – Ramadan (begins at sunset)
Upcoming March Events
Readathon Month
Sat 1 to Sun 30 – Ramadan
Mon 3 – Readathon Assembly
Mon 3 – Parent Education “Research Night” 5:00-6:00 Parent Social, 6:00-7:30 Research Presentation RSVP. Free babysitting for current JICS students (Register for babysitting).
Thur 6 – Last day of 1st Year Teacher-Candidate Practicum (JK to Grade 6)
Sat 8 – International Women’s Day
Mon 10 to Fri 14 – March Break Week 1 (School and Daycare closed)
Thur 13 to Fri 14 – Purim
Fri 14 - Holi
Mon 17 to Fri 21 – March Break Week 2 (School closed. Daycare open to registered users.)
Thur 20 – Spring Equinox (feasting of the JICS bundle) and Nowruz
Mon 24 – Spring Term begins
Thur 27 – School-wide lice check (Thank you, PA!)
Sun 30 – Eid al-Fitr (begins at sunset)
Mon 31 to April 2 – Eid al-Fitr