JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
Parent and baby volunteers needed!
Promote Diversity through the Arts. DONATE TO THE PHA FUND
Reach out directly to the listed teachers/staff to help plan school-wide events
Make your contribution to the PA. DONATE TO THE PA
Parents of BIPOC Children Meeting - Oct 16
Topics covered in this post:
(Click to navigate straight to a section)
Shanah Tovah Umetukah - May you have a good and sweet year!
1. Seeking 1 or 2 Parents and Baby Volunteers for our Roots of Empathy Program
Ellie Lathrop, our social worker, delivers the Roots of Empathy program at JICS. This award-winning learning opportunity for elementary school children increases empathy, caring, kindness, and inclusiveness and research indicates it reduces aggression and bullying. If you know of any parents and babies (between the ages of 2-4 months in October) who would like to participate in the program, please reach out to Ellie (ellie.lathrop@utoronto.ca). Volunteers join a class for 9 visits over the course of a school year.
2. Promote Diversity Through the Arts
Donate to the Patrick Harvie Arts Fund
Thank you for your generous support! So far, we have raised $6,400 towards our $10,000 goal.
With your contributions, we will be able to organize events and assemblies that celebrate the vibrant diversity within our community. At our recent Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we welcomed Grammy-nominated Anishnaabe musician Nathan Roy from Wikwemikong, Manitoulin Island, who led us in a traditional round dance.
Looking ahead, we are excited to host internationally acclaimed singer and instrumentalist Maryam Tollar, along with percussionist Naghmeh Farahmand (Persian Daff/Frame Drum), in celebration of Islamic Heritage Month. We plan to engage more artists throughout the school year to enrich our students’ understanding of diverse cultural traditions.
Please donate here or send cheques payable to the JICS Parents’ Association (with "PHA Fund" in the subject line) to the front desk at reception. Tax receipts will be provided for all donations. Thank you for helping us foster diversity through the arts!
Our dedicated JICS teachers have formed focus groups to ensure the school year intentionally reflects the diversity of our community. They are researching and hoping to book artists for school assemblies to enrich our students' understanding of cultural traditions. We invite parents to join these planning groups by reaching out to the teachers directly.
3. Cross Country Running Club Meet
Thursday, October 10
Winston Churchill Park
We are excited that our Cross Country Team (Gr 4-6) will race on Thursday, October 10 at Winston Churchill Park as part of the TDSB Running Meet. Parents are welcome to cheer on the runners! The children practised in the morning, three times a week. Thanks to coaches Luke and Judith.
4. Thanksgiving Closure
Monday, October 14
In observance of Thanksgiving, please note that our school and daycare will be closed on Monday, October 14. We hope this provides you with the opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones and engage in the spirit of gratitude. Wishing you and your families a warm and joyful Thanksgiving.
5. Parents of BIPOC Children Meeting
Wednesday, October 16
7:00-8:30pm (in-person)
Created by JICS parents for JICS parents, this meeting is designed for conversation and advocacy for families at JICS with BIPOC children. All parents of a BIPOC student at JICS are welcome.
The intention of this meeting is to gain a greater understanding of the issues facing our BIPOC children at school, so that we may support them during their time at JICS. As well as discuss how the JICS BIPOC parents can support the teachers and help with the school's cultural celebrations.
6. Donations to Parents' Association
It’s not too late to contribute to the JICS Parents’ Association! Your donations directly fund events like the September Social and Parent Education programs, while also supporting school initiatives and new resources. We kindly encourage you to consider how your family can contribute to these efforts this year.
7. Daycare AGM - Thank you!
Thank you to the parent community and ICS Daycare staff who attended the Annual General Meeting this past Tuesday. The event was a great success, giving parents an opportunity to view past ventures of the Daycare, hear about current programs, and look ahead at new goals. We are incredibly fortunate to have a licensed daycare with such a dedicated and experienced staff. At the Daycare AGM, we proudly celebrated the impressive service milestones of several team members:
Anne Marie: 31 years
Luis: 30 years
Chris: 26 years
Debbie 24 years
Silvana: 19 years
Kenisha: 13 years
Valentina: 2 years
8. Terry Fox Run
We are proud to share the success of our recent Terry Fox Run. Thanks to the dedication of our Grade 3 parent volunteers who helped with route supervision and the enthusiastic leadership of our Grade 3 students, we have raised an impressive sum of $1635.92 toward cancer research. Your support and generosity in this noble cause are truly inspiring.
Photos from the week!
Upcoming October Events
Islamic Heritage Month & LGBTQ History Month
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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