JICS at a Glance
We've condensed the important highlights for your convenience:
Solar Eclipse- JICS Closed at 12:00pm on Monday, April 8
Parent Education Night: Surfacing Stories of Difference, with Kai Cheng Thom - Register Here
Wednesday Afternoon Program: Sign Up- More information here
Topics covered in this post:
1. Happy Leap Day!
We could not help but notice that today holds a special place in the calendar - February 29th, the rarest of gems in our yearly journey. May this extra day provide us all with the opportunity to leap into the extraordinary and make the most of this moment in time.
2. Pink Shirt Day
We are celebrating Pink Shirt Day on Monday, March 4. The day (typically, Feb 28) was created to mark a protest organized by two students in Nova Scotia in support of a boy who was bullied for wearing pink. We at JICS do not want to let such a day pass without honouring it. However, the staff feel that ideas and attitudes around many issues, including those involving the colour pink, are evolving, and our students are among the vanguard. Many of our younger students view and wear pink without the gendered stigma that it has had in the past. For this reason, we reframe Pink Shirt Day as a celebration of pink as a colour of love and acceptance of all people. We invite students to wear a pink shirt on Monday, March 4 as an act of love and friendship.
3. Parent Education Night: Surfacing Stories of Difference, with Kai Cheng Thom
Presented by the JICS Parents’ Association
Thursday, March 7th
5:30-7:30PM
In-Person at JICS
Babysitting Offered for JICS Students
Beneath the surface of any community there are stories that swim and are sometimes unseen. This evening will honour diversity, through uplifting these stories in a way that both celebrates them for their beauty, and also recognizes challenges.
Join the Parent Education Committee, and renowned facilitator and author, Kai Cheng Thom for a carefully crafted and engaging workshop intended to create a space where all of our stories can shine.
The intention of this gathering is for members of the parent community to discuss their experiences of social, cultural and class diversity and to learn more about the experiences of others so that we can generate a collective vision for the future. This conversation is for everyone of all backgrounds and identities. Through this gathering, you will help shape your child’s experience at JICS.
A Very Important Note: The facilitated exercises that Kai Cheng offers will not require anyone to engage in public speaking if they don’t wish to. There will be many different options for sharing that are inclusive at a wide range of comfort levels. All will be invited to participate in ways that feel right for them, which includes observation only. Expect a warm, welcoming and compassionate environment. No experience or preparation is necessary.
Registration is required. Babysitting is available for JICS students and requires pre-registration by Monday, March 4th at 11:59pm. Space is limited and we cannot guarantee availability to those who have not registered before the deadline.
We (the Parent Education Committee) look forward to welcoming and connecting with many of you at this event, which we are confident will be an inspiring and transformative evening.
If you have any questions, please reach out to one of our parent organizer Ann-Marie.
4. Measles - Precautionary Information from Toronto Public Health
Last week, TPH announced an investigation of a confirmed case of measles linked to travel. This virus continues to spread in many parts of the world. If you are planning to leave the countryover March Break, get the best protection for you and your loved ones by staying up-to-date with your routine vaccines, including the measles vaccine.
These vaccines are available from your primary health care provider or at a TPH community clinic for school-aged children, by appointment. Visit TPHbookings.ca for more information.
If you are unsure of your child’s vaccination status, check their yellow card (Ontario Immunization Record), TPH’s Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) or by speaking with theirprimary health care provider.
To learn more, visit toronto.ca/immunization or contact TPH at publichealth@toronto.ca,or 416-338-7600 (TTY: 416-392-0658), Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
5. Solar Eclipse - Monday, April 8, 12:00pm Dismissal
We want to clarify that on Monday, April 8, JK to Grade 6 school dismissal will be at 12:00pm to prioritize the well-being of all students. Daycare will also be closed at 12:00pm. In last week’s email, we had the wrong time and apologize for the confusion.
6. Read-a-thon - Celebrating 30 Years!
March is a special month for the JICS Library! This year marks the 30th annual READ-A-THON Fundraiser! Read-a-thon forms will be sent home soon. Students are encouraged to set personal reading goals, read each day, and collect pledges for their efforts. Funds collected at the end of the month will go toward replacing lost and broken books, purchasing new books, and supporting authors, illustrators, and storytellers to visit with students.
We are so grateful to our supportive community! Donations of $25 or more will be rewarded with a personalized book plate placed in a new library book.
7. March Break Camp
The Daycare March Break Camp will provide an exciting week of fun from Monday, March 18 to Friday, March 22 for JICS students. The dedicated Daycare team has curated a diverse range of activities, including arts and crafts, sports, and both indoor and outdoor adventures, ensuring a memorable experience for your child.
Camp hours are from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Children will enjoy two snacks daily, and for lunch, parents can pack a labeled meal. If reheating is necessary, our facilities are equipped to accommodate.
To facilitate smooth operations, we kindly request parents to inform us in advance if their child will be absent any day during the week. The weekly camp fee is $325, payable to ICS.After.School.Daycare@gmail.com.
To secure your child's spot, please register by emailing us at ICS.after.school.daycare@gmail.com with the subject line "March Break." Upon registration, a fee of $325 will be automatically billed to your Pro Care account.
We look forward to providing a week filled with laughter, creativity, and lasting memories for your child at our March Break Camp.
8. Wednesday Afternoon Program: Spring Term
The final day of the Winter Term Wednesday Afternoon Program is Wednesday, March 6.
The first day of the The Spring Term Wednesday Program is following March Break. It begins on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 and will run until Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
Registration will open Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 10am.
After completing registration, payments ($400/child) are due March 20 and can be made by credit card or cheque.
Credit Card: a link to our payment site will be shared in your registration confirmation email.
Cheque: please bring payment by cheque to Shama in the School Office. Cheques are payable to University of Toronto.
The Wednesday Program is committed to providing a spot for all children who wish to register, but we cannot guarantee each child their first choice. All inquiries should be directed to Lisa at ltaharally@yahoo.com .
9. Exciting Updates from JK!
Special news! We are delighted to announce the arrival of JK teacher Raadiyah’s beautiful baby girl, Ameena Nazeem Ahmed. Congratulations to Raadiyah, Agha, and big sister Sumaya on the newest addition to your family. We can’t wait to meet Ameena!
We are very fortunate to have Charlotte Henderson, OCT, stepping in to lead the JK class. Charlotte is an exceptional teacher who is a graduate of the MA CSE program and has previously substituted in our JK class (and other grades) multiple times this year. Recently supply teaching full-time in Grade 1/2 at Equinox Alternative School (TDSB), Charlotte took over the JK class on February 20th. Charlotte joins the outstanding JK staff team, including Kenisha (RECE) and teacher-candidates Connor and Antawn, along with other support staff and specialty teachers. Please help us welcome Charlotte to the JICS Lab School family!
10. Ukraine
It has been two years since we wrote to the JICS community about the situation in Ukraine about our hopes that the senseless acts of violence against the people in Ukraine would come to an immediate end. Many JICS families have deep connections to Ukraine and have been profoundly affected by these events. JICS stands with members of the Ukrainian community in Canada and express solidarity to the people in Ukraine.
11. Grade 4/5 Trip to Pinecrest - Photos
12. Upcoming March Events
Readathon Month
Mon 4 – Readathon Assembly
Mon 4 - JICS Pink Shirt Day Celebration
Thur 7 – Parent Education “Surfacing Stories of Difference” with Kai Cheng Thom 5:30-7:30pm Register here
Fri 8 – International Women’s Day
Mon 11 to April 9 - Ramadan
Mon 11 to Fri 15 – March Break Week 1 (School and Daycare closed)
Mon 18 to Fri 22 – March Break Week 2 (School closed. Daycare open.)
Tue 19 – Spring Equinox (feasting of JICS bundle)
Thur 21 – Nowruz
Sat 23 to Sun 24 - Purim
Mon 25 – Holi
Mon 25 – Spring Term begins
Wed 27 – Wednesday Afternoon Program: start of 3rd Term
Thur 28 – School-wide lice check (Thank you, PA!)
Fri 29 – Good Friday (School and Daycare closed.)
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