JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
Sign up for Parent Teacher Interviews! Links below
Register for full-day Daycare on school closure days - Nov 8 & 11
Sign up now available for Hot Lunch for November & December (Register)
Mon Oct 28 - Diwali Assembly! Send slideshow photos to Krista krista.spence@utoronto.ca
Topics covered in this post:
(Click to navigate straight to a section)
1. Parent Teacher Interviews
November 6 & 8
We're excited to invite you to our Fall Parent-Teacher Interviews, where you will have the opportunity to engage in a conversation with your child's teachers. During these discussions, teachers will share their observations concerning your child's academic progress and social-emotional development. We encourage you to ask any questions you may have about your child's learning journey at school and to provide any information that can help us gain a deeper understanding of your child's needs and enhance their school experience.
Our interviews with Grade Teachers are designed to be concise, typically lasting 20 minutes, and are conducted in person. In addition to your child’s teacher, your interview may include one or more of the following individuals: teacher-candidate/intern, Special Education teacher, or Chriss or Richard. At the JICS Lab School, we take a collaborative approach, with our classroom teachers working closely with the administrative team, specialty teachers, interns, and Special Education teachers. We meet regularly to discuss each child's progress and needs. It is important to note that students do not need to be formally identified on the Special Education caseload to benefit from this collective effort. Our Special Education teachers are actively involved in the classroom, providing support to all students and offering a long-term, multi-year perspective on their development and progress.
This year, we are happy to announce that our Specialty Teachers will also be available for Parent-Teacher Interviews for the parents of children in JK to Grade 6.
Please be aware that all interviews are meant to be an in-person, adult-only experience to ensure open and candid discussions about your child's development.
While we set aside specific dates in the Fall and Spring for formal Parent-Teacher Interviews, we want to emphasize that parent-teacher communication is an ongoing process throughout the school year. We welcome and encourage open conversations at any time. By working together, we can best support your child's learning and ensure their enjoyment of school.
To sign up for your Fall interview with your child's teachers, please use the links provided below. The designated interview dates are Wednesday, November 6 and Friday, November 8. Some classroom teachers have also provided additional dates. If these dates do not align with your availability, do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher to make alternative arrangements. Your participation in your child's education is highly valued, and we look forward to these discussions.
Classroom Teachers (20 min)
Nursery: https://signup.com/go/FtLJzMf
Grade 1: https://signup.com/go/RxEqAgV
Grade 2: https://signup.com/go/pwNPzOM
Grade 3: https://signup.com/go/XCnDFKF
Grade 4/5 Z: https://signup.com/go/BmnSZyu
Grade 4/5 R: https://signup.com/go/SCDKGqt
Grade 6: https://signup.com/go/jWLjLGZ
Specialty Teachers (5 min)
Primary French (JK-Gr 2): https://signup.com/go/ADQHjPY
Junior French (Gr 3-6): https://signup.com/go/NwMbTpn
Primary Music (JK, SK): https://signup.com/go/wBKitji
Junior Music with Russell (Gr 1-6): https://signup.com/go/ROqUEJy
Junior Music with Jayda (Gr 1-6): https://signup.com/go/nKnzbNQ
Art (JK-Gr 6): https://signup.com/go/VAeqBfW
Phys Ed (JK-Gr 6): https://signup.com/go/tZzRCgf
Drama (JK-Gr 6): https://signup.com/go/pcXhFMm
Library (JK-Gr 6): https://signup.com/go/dsTFiZc
2. School Closed - Friday, November 8 & Monday, November 11
On Friday, November 8, the JICS teachers and staff will engage in Parent-Teacher Interviews.
We hope everyone enjoys the Midterm Holiday on Monday, November 11.
The Daycare will be open on November 8 and 11 (7:45am to 6:00pm). Please contact Anne Marie, Daycare Director if you are interested in registering your child: ics.after.school.daycare@gmail.com
Information about the school calendar for 2024-2025 can be found on the JICSfamily website.
3. Coffee and Conversation for JICS Early Years Parents with Ellie Lathrop, JICS Social Worker
Thank you very much for the Early Years Parents who were able to join our first Coffee and Conversation discussion this morning. It was a pleasure to share ideas, wisdom and resources about Rolling with Resistance. Please see the few slides below that capture some of the ideas we discussed.
This was the first of our new MONTHLY in-person Early Years Coffee and Conversation drop-in sessions. Stay tuned for the future date later in November/early December. Our next topic is How Much to Involve Yourself in Your Child's Social Life? If you have other topics, feel free to share with me (ellie.lathrop@utoronto.ca) or with Chriss or Richard.
Warmly, Ellie
Who: Parents of Children in Nursery to Grade 2
What: A chance to meet with other parents as well as with Ellie, JICS Social Worker and Chriss, Vice-Principal.
When: Monthly (Thursday after drop-off) - November/December date TBD
Topic: How Much to Involve Yourself in Your Child's Social Life?
Where: Room 120 (next to reception)
4. Celebrate Diwali with us at JICS on Monday, October 28
In the spirit of this vibrant festival, we kindly request that all JICS children come dressed in colourful attire, which may include kurtas, salwar kameez, dupattas, or lehenga choli. Of course, we also encourage everyone to express themselves through their preferred clothing choices throughout the festivities.
This year the parent and teacher committee would like to feature JICS families in our assembly slideshow. If you have a photo of your family celebrating Diwali that you are willing to share, please send it to krista.spence@utoronto.ca.
While Diwali spans five days in most of India (from October 31 to November 1), the main celebration falls on the third day. At JICS, we aim to decorate the school with vivid decorations, illuminating diyas, and crafting inviting flower-petal rangolis. It is a privilege to have such a wonderfully diverse community, where people from all backgrounds come together to embrace and share in the festivities.
5. PA All Parent Meeting
November 4, 7:30pm
Please save the date for the Parents’ Association ALL Parents Meeting on Monday, November 4th at 7:30pm. Keep an eye out for more information and an RSVP link coming soon.
6. Hot Lunch Program - Message from The Lunch Mom
Dear JICS Community,
Despite the summer weather this week, November is really just around the corner and the ordering for the November and December hot lunch term is up and running.
Order deadline is Thursday, October 31st.
Please remember to include any allergies or special requests to your new order - these do not carry over from previous terms.
I hope your families have a fun filled Halloween, and enjoy this weather while it lasts!!
Regards,
Tricia
Tricia Tait (aka "The Lunch Mom") tricia@thelunchmom.com
Ordering is online at www.thelunchmom.com, and you can find menus and other information on the site!
7. Halloween
We look forward to the children arriving to school in costume if they wish on Thursday, October 31. The JICS faculty and staff are creating a special Halloween experience for all. Parents are encouraged to join us for the (JK to Gr 6) Halloween Costume Assembly in the gym at 9:00am. More Halloween information (costumes, candy, etc.) can be found in last week’s POST.
8. Four Season of Indigenous Learning Course
Natural Curiosity has partnered with the Outdoor Learning School and Store to offer the Four Seasons of Indigenous Learning. Beginning in the Fall and running until the Spring, this course serves to support participants in deepening their understanding of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives while strengthening connections with the local Land and supporting more respectful, reciprocal relationships. There is an incredible line up of Indigenous speakers including Robin Wall-Kimmerer and Christie Belcourt.
The first session begins this evening and will be recorded for those who can't make it.
9. Japan Trip
Last spring, Richard Messina, Principal of the JICS Lab School, and Elizabeth Morley, Principal Emerita, represented the International Association of Laboratory Schools (IALS) during a preparatory visit to Japan. The purpose of the trip was to plan a tour of Japanese lab schools, set for November 2024, for a group of global educators affiliated with IALS. These tours aim to foster professional development and international collaboration among lab school educators.
From October 25 to November 3, 2024, a delegation of 19 educators, representing 12 lab schools from 7 countries—including Canada, Germany, Jamaica, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and the USA—will participate in the tour. JICS Lab School will be represented by VP Chriss Bogert, Grade 4/5 teacher Robin Shaw, Special Education teacher Judith Kimel, and Zoe Donoahue.
The group will visit the following institutions:
Ochanomizu Women's University: Elementary School, Kindergarten, Junior High School, and High School (Tokyo)
Takehaya Elementary School of Tokyo Gakugei University (Tokyo)
NIER - National Institute for Educational Policy Research (Tokyo)
Nara Women's University Elementary School (Nara)
Doshisha Elementary and Junior High School (Kyoto)
This tour provides a unique opportunity for participants to engage in cross-cultural exchanges and gain insights into Japan's innovative approaches to education, strengthening global connections within the IALS network.
10. JICS Fun Drive
from the JICS Kids Who Care Club
In honour of World Children’s Day on November 20, UNICEF’s annual day of action for children by children, the JICS Kids Who Care Club is launching a Fun Drive for children who are guests at the Christie Refugee Welcome Centre. We invite you to bring new items from our list to donate to the reception area in the school. Here is a poster with more information!
11. Lunch & Learn with Ellie
If you missed last week’s Parent Education event with Ellie on “School Home Collaboration”, you can view the recording and slides, and the recordings of all previous “Lunch & Learn” Sessions in the Parent Education Section of the JICSfamily.com website.
12. Financial Support
The JICS Lab School is committed to needs-based financial support that will both enable increased diversity and retain current Lab School families. Tuition support is available to current students entering Grades 3-6 in the 2025-2026 school year. Application and assessment of financial need is made through an arms-length, confidential application to Apple Financial Services, and decisions are made by a sub-committee at the JICS Lab School. All applications and requests are confidential.
The deadline for applications to Apple Financial is November 10.
If you are interested in donating to the JICS Diana Rankin Muncaster Family Tuition Support Fund or the JICS Lab School Endowment Fund, please see here or speak with Richard Messina.
Photos from the week!
Upcoming October Events
Islamic Heritage Month & LGBTQ History Month
Mon 28 – Diwali Assembly at JICS
Thur 31 – Halloween
Thur 31 – Diwali
Upcoming November Events
Hindu Heritage Month
Mon 4 – 7:30-8:30 Parents' Association All Parents Meeting (info coming soon)
Tues 5 – OISE Dean’s Leadership Donor Appreciation Event (by invitation)
Wed 6 – Parent/Teacher Interview Afternoon
Fri 8 – School closed. Daycare open to registered users. Parent/Teacher Interview Day (sign-up info coming soon).
Sun 10 – Due date for applications to Apple Financial for 2025-2026 tuition support
Mon 11 – Midterm Holiday. School closed. Daycare open to registered users.
Tues 12 – Remembrance Day Assembly (JK to Gr 6)
Wed 20 – Meeting of Parents of BIPOC Children
Thur 21 – Last day of 1st Year Teacher-Candidate placements in classrooms
Fri 22 – Last day of Fall Interns in classrooms
Thur 28 – 12:30-1:30 Lunch & Learn with Ellie (details coming soon)
