JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
Parents of BIPOC Children Meeting - November 20th, 7:00-8:30 pm
Drop-off gently used child-sized clothing and winter gear with Paige at reception anytime through Nov 21
Register for Parent Education Event and Babysitting - November 26th
Topics covered in this post:
(Click to navigate straight to a section)
1. Parents of BIPOC Children Meeting
Wednesday, November 20, 7:00-8:30 pm
Virtual (link will be sent to those who RVSP)
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.
2. School-wide Children Clothing Swap - Friday, November 22
As the weather cools, join us in making wardrobes more sustainable! The Parents' Association is excited to host our first school-wide clothing swap on Friday, November 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Room 120 near reception.
How to Participate: Drop off gently used child-sized clothing and winter gear with Paige at reception anytime through November 21.
During the Swap: Come to JICS any time from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on November 22 in Room 120 and browse the selection of gently-used clothing for anything your child may need
After the Swap: All remaining items will be donated to local families in need.
Special thanks to JICS parent, Juliana, for leading this initiative!
3. Support Our Grade 4/5 Winter Adventure with Delicious Terra Cotta Cookies!
Hello, Cookie Lovers (because who isn’t?!),
Over the next few weeks, the Grade 4/5 parents are excited to launch a delicious fundraiser with Terra Cotta Cookies to help fund their winter adventure to Camp Pine Crest—and they are counting on your support!
Simply visit the Terra Cotta website to explore 12 delectable peanut-free and nut-free frozen cookie dough flavors, including two gluten-free choices and a vegan option. At only $15 for a dozen cookie dough drops, it is the perfect treat for the holiday season or any time you’re craving fresh-baked cookies.
With every order, you are helping our Grade 4/5 students experience an unforgettable trip filled with snowshoeing, survival skills, and safely supervised marshmallow roasting around an open fire.
Ready to join in the cookie fun? Click here to place your order and show your support! All orders will be available for pickup at dismissal on December 16.
Thank you for helping make this adventure possible for our Grade 4/5 students!
4. Lebanese Heritage Month
Lebanese Canadians have, for generations, made significant social, economic, cultural, religious, military, philanthropic and political contributions to our social fabric and to the strength, resiliency, and diversity of our communities. Lebanese people around the world celebrate Lebanese Independence Day in commemoration of their nation gaining independence on November 22, 1943. We invited Lebanese Canadian members of our community to share your traditions and culture with us at JICS. Please contact your child’s teacher.
5. Parent Education Event - November 26, 6:00-8:00 PM
Building Emotion Regulation Skills in Your School-Age Child: Navigating Big Feelings in a Digital Age
How do we help our children manage overwhelming emotions in today's fast-paced world? Join Dr. Zia for an enlightening session that bridges the latest research with practical, everyday solutions for your family. Learn why some children struggle with emotional outbursts, and discover effective strategies to guide them toward emotional resilience while fostering calm in our fast-paced, high-tech, and highly stimulating world.
Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, you'll gain confidence in balancing loving support with healthy boundaries – helping your child develop the emotional skills they need to thrive. Whether you're dealing with homework meltdowns, friendship challenges, or screen-time battles, Dr. Zia will share tools that strengthen your parent-child connection while building your child's emotional muscles.
6.Book Fair and Book Night
Tuesday, December 3 & Wednesday, December 4
Two beloved JICS community annual events return this year – the Book Fair and Book Night!
On Tuesday, December 3, and Wednesday, December 4, books will be available for sale in our foyer. The highly recommended bookshop, Another Story, will supply books for both children and adults, with 20% of the sales benefiting the JICS Library. Parents, please support our library while doing your holiday shopping!
Back by popular demand, we will host a "Book Night Pyjama Party" on Wednesday, December 4, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in our gym, designed for Nursery to Grade 6 children and their families. This evening will feature activities for all ages to enjoy.
7.Natural Curiosity - Introductory Online Language Course
Natural Curiosity invites you to join the Kanien’kéha (Mohawk) Introductory Online Language Course.
This course is open to everyone – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants who wish to learn to uplift language revitalization. The colonial names of the geographic regions that this course would be most applicable for are Ontario, Quebec and New York. If you are a non-Indigenous language learner, we invite you to review these reflections on what it means to be a non-Indigenous learner in an Indigenous language learning course.
8.Remembrance Day Assembly at JICS
9.Upcoming November Events
Hindu Heritage Month
Wed 20 – Meeting of Parents of BIPOC Children - Register here
Thur 21 – Last day of 1st Year Teacher-Candidate placements in classrooms
Fri 22 – School-wide Children's Clothing Swap. Room 120
Fri 22 – Last day of Fall Interns in classrooms
Thur 28 – 12:30-1:30 Lunch & Learn with Ellie (details coming soon)
10.Upcoming December Events
Tues 3 – Giving Tuesday
Tues 3 – Book Fair
Wed 4 – Book Fair & Pyjama Book Night
Wed 11 – Meeting of Parents of BIPOC Children
Mon 16 to Fri 20 – Term 1 Report Card distribution (Nursery to Grade 6)
Fri 20 – Last day of Fall Term. School ends at noon. Daycare open until 6:00pm
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)
11.Upcoming January Events
Mon 6 – Winter Term begins. Daycare opens at 8:00am. School opens at 8:35am.
