JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
Re-enrolment forms & deposits are due by January 15, 2025
RSVP to the JICS & OISE Family Skate - Dec 10, 3:00-5:00 pm (*JICS families are expected to join from 4:00-5:00pm, following school dismissal at 3:30pm*)
Save the date for the Festivals of Lights - JICS Holiday Sing-along - Dec 20
Bring in new, unused items for the Fun Drive by Dec 12
Purchase raffle tickets for your child to be Principal for the Day!
Sign up for Hot Lunch by Dec 31!
Topics covered in this post:
(Click to navigate straight to a section)
1. Re-enrolment for 2025-2026
Re-enrolment forms for the 2025–2026 school year will be emailed this week. To secure your child's place, please submit the completed form along with the non-refundable $5,000 deposit to the office by January 15, 2025. Before deciding to re-enrol, we encourage you to review the JICS values, philosophy, and mission.
Please note that beginning January 16, 2025, the Admissions Team will offer any unclaimed spots to new applicants.
2. JICS & OISE Family Skate
Tuesday, December 10 | 3:00-5:00 pm
Please note that JICS families are expected to join from 4:00-5:00pm, following school dismissal at 3:30pm.
Lace up your skates, gather your family and friends, and join us for an afternoon of cheer, connection, and community spirit! In celebration of the JICS Centennial, this special event is proudly co-presented by the OISE Dean and the JICS Parents Association.
Get Ready for Rink-Side Fun!
Capture the moment at our festive photo corner
Let your creativity shine at our arts and crafts station
Share your hopes for JICS by decorating our centennial wishing tree
Relax and recharge with some refreshments, treats, and…hot chocolate, of course!
Additional Info:
Free skate rentals (adult sizes only); bring your own if possible.
There is a child-sized skate exchange currently set-up in the reception area for parents to browse and have their child try on sizes.
Paid parking is available nearby.
3. Festivals of Lights - JICS Holiday Sing-along
December 20 | 9:00-10:00am
Join us for a luminous celebration at the JICS Holiday Sing-along on December 20th, from 9:00 to 10:00 am! As we bid farewell to the Fall Term, we are crafting a special morning where parents/caregivers are invited to join us in the school auditorium. Led by our music teachers, Suzanne, Russell, and Jayda with song lyrics provided, this communal singing experience invites children, parents, and teachers alike to revel in togetherness. From Diwali and Hanukkah to Christmas, Yaldā Night, Winter Solstice, and Kwanzaa, we will unite in song to honor the diverse festivities that brighten this season.
4. 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 two recent examples of professional development initiatives we are excited to share:
Engaging with Dr. Ann Lopez: Exploring Identity and Belonging
On November 27, the JICS Lab School staff had the privilege of welcoming Dr. Ann Lopez, a Jamaican-born professor of educational leadership and policy at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto. With her extensive experience as a former public school teacher and administrator, Dr. Lopez is a leading voice in anti-racist, decolonizing, and equity-centered education in K-12 schools. Dr. Lopez inspired and challenged us with her deep insights on “Identity and Belonging.” Her thought-provoking presentation invited us to reflect on critical questions:
How can we decolonize existing structures and integrate an equity and anti-racism lens into our educational spaces?
What does it mean to foster a sense of belonging and community where all voices are truly heard and honored?
As a community of educators and researchers, how can we translate these principles into practices that benefit our students and their families?
Her practical ideas and strategies empower us to continue building a more inclusive and equitable environment for everyone in the JICS community.
Richard Messina at the NAIS People of Color Conference
On December 5 and 6, Richard Messina will attend the NAIS POCC in Denver, Colorado. This year’s theme, “Meeting the Moment: Anchoring and Enriching Our Educational Futures,” resonates with our shared commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Richard is eager to bring back fresh insights and strategies to further enrich the JICS community.
We remain committed to professional development as a cornerstone of our mission, ensuring that we grow together as educators, leaders, and advocates for positive change.
5. A Message from the JICS Kids Who Care Club on World Children's Day:
Please Contribute to our Toy Drive for the Christie Refugee Welcome Centre by December 12
Dear JICS Lab School Community:
Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that all children have the right to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate for their age. In honour of World Children’s Day on November 20, the United Nations’ annual day of action for children by children, the JICS Kids Who Care Club is launching a Fun Drive for children aged 0-18 who are guests at the Christie Refugee Welcome Centre. We invite you to bring new, unused items to donate to the reception area in the school. The drive will continue until December 12th, when all donated items will be delivered to the Centre. This deadline is firm as the staff will be wrapping the donated items and giving the gifts to their clients during a holiday celebration.
Here is a list of items that the Christie Refugee Welcome Centre has told us their guests would appreciate.
Please note that they are requesting new, unused items only.
Stuffed animals
Magna tiles
Building blocks
Dolls
Crayons/markers/coloured pencils
Activity booklets
Board games
Cards
Books for 0-12 months
Craft supplies
Pretend food
Backpacks
Hair clips
Hair brushes
Skipping ropes
Bubbles
Soccer balls and basketballs
Anything else for teen clients
Thank you for supporting the JICS Kids Who Care initiative to bring joy to children living in an emergency shelter in our neighbourhood.
6. Step Aside, Richard - We're Getting a New Principal in Town!
Does your child dream of leading the school for a day? Imagine extending recess, handing out treats to every student, taking over Richard’s office, or even making homework illegal!
Here’s their chance to make it happen:
Starting TODAY online and at Book Night on December 4, we’ll be selling tickets for a special lottery.
🎟️ $20 for one ticket
🎟️ $35 for two tickets
🎟️ $50 for five tickets
The lucky winner will take over as Principal for the Day for a date determined in the new year! The grand draw will take place during the Festival of Lights Sing-Along on December 20.
Best of all, all proceeds from the lottery will go to the PA's Patrick Harvie Arts Fund, helping to enrich the arts at JICS.
(Eligibility limited to JICS students.)
*In the 'private message' section, please specify your child's name for the raffle. If you're purchasing for multiple children, specify the amount of tickets designated per child.*
7. Hot Lunch Sign-Up
Dear JICS Hot Lunch Families,
It is hard to believe that 2025 is right around the corner! Hot lunch sign up for January to March is now available online.
DEADLINE to order is Tuesday, December 31st, and the start date is Monday, January 6th (first day back to school after the break).
PLEASE place your order BEFORE the deadline to ensure that your child is on the list for January. We will be on vacation with our families the first week of January so lists will be finalized on the 31st.
If you would like to order now and pay after the holiday, that is fine too - just choose the etransfer option at check out and you can pay by etransfer in January. That will ensure that your students are on the list for January back to school!
Regards,
Tricia
8. Parent Education Event
Building Emotion Regulation Skills in Your School-Age Child: Navigating Big Feelings in a Digital Age
If you were unable to attend last week’s valuable parent education event, you can find Dr. Zia's slides and resources on our Parent Education page.
Photos from the week!
Upcoming December Events
Tues 10 – JICS & OISE Family Skate RSVP
Wed 11 – Meeting of Parents of BIPOC Children CANCELED
Thur 12 – Last day of Toy Drive
Mon 16 to Fri 20 – Term 1 Report Card distribution (Nursery to Grade 6)
Fri 20 – Festivals of Lights: JICS Holiday Sing-along. 9:00am - 10:00am.
Fri 20 – Last day of Fall Term. School ends at noon. Daycare open until 6:00pm
Fri 20 – Yaldā Night
Sun 22 – Winter Solstice
Mon 23 – Winter Holidays begin
Wed 25 – Hanukkah begins at sunset (Dec 25 to Jan 2)
Wed 25 – Christmas Day
Thur 26 – Kwanzaa begins (Dec 26 to Jan 1)
Upcoming January Events
Mon 6 – Winter Term begins. Daycare opens at 8:00am. School opens at 8:35am.
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