Junior School - December 5, 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, December 10 - R.A.L.Y. Assembly (Respectfully Acknowledging and Learning at York) Gr.1-5
Wednesday, December 11 - Gr. 4 Trip to 1320 (Sound Experiments) from 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Thursday, December 12
R.A.L.Y. Assembly (Respectfully Acknowledging and Learning at York) JK/SK and
Great Canadian Outdoor Day - Venturing Out forms Due on Yorknet
Friday, December 13 - JS Casual Day (Last Friday of the Month)
December 2 to December 13 - New Circles Winter Clothing Drive
Monday, December 16 - Reports available to families on Yorknet
Tuesday, December 17- 3rd House House Colour Casual Day from 11:00am - 11:45am
Thursday, December 19 - JS Casual Day - YPA end of term class parties
Friday, December 20 - Winter Break (No Classes)
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, aftercare will end at 5:00pm for all students due to our winter staff social event. Thursday, December 19 is a regular day with pick up timing.
The drop off at the back door(playground door) is a kiss and ride drop off only. If you need to leave the car to help your child out, please use the Yonge Street front door.
Please refrain from parking across the street and letting your child cross the street in the morning. Students should only exit at the curb on the right side of the vehicle.
Winter Clothing Reminder
(All Students): Students must wear appropriate winter clothing (e.g., jacket, hat, mittens) when heading out to the playground. If students choose to remove layers during play, that is a personal choice.
Snow Pants (K-3): Snow pants are mandatory for students in Grades K-3 whenever there is snow on the ground or when the temperature is below 0°C.
Snow Pants (Grades 4-5): Wearing snow pants will be a personal choice for students in Grades 4-5. However, students should be aware that if they choose not to wear snow pants, they will need to manage the consequences of being wet and cold for the remainder of the day.
Students are not allowed to wear UGGS boots or slippers in school. These are allowed out on the playground as outdoor shoes but are not considered indoor shoes.
STUDENT LIFE & BELONGING
END OF TERM FOR WINTER CO-CURRICULARS & CLUBS
All Winter Co-curriculars (Athletics and Clubs) end on Friday, December 13 and will continue upon our return to school on Monday, January 6. Before and After Care will continue daily until the last day of classes on Thursday, December 19. Reminder that on Wednesday, December 18 After Care will be shorter and end at 5:00pm for staff and faculty to be able to attend our End of Term Staff Party.
CAIS STUDENT HOLIDAY ARTWORK
Dear CAIS Community,
CAIS Schools are filled with beautiful and inspiring artwork. Every year, as the festive season approaches,
we ask for help to find a holiday celebration drawing to feature on our digital holiday communication that will go out to our entire community.
Submission Guidelines:
Any student in a CAIS School can submit a piece (limit one per student, please!) for consideration. Artists may use crayons, felt, pencil, pen or paint.
How to Submit:
Ensure submissions are captured with high-quality, high-resolution scans or photographs
Name the file using the following format: [Student’s First Name][Last Name Initial]-[School Name]-Grade [X]. For example: CharlotteF-Happy Day School-Grade 2.
Upload your artwork here: 2024 CAIS Student Holiday Artwork
Submission Deadline: December 9
UPCOMING JS CASUAL DAYS IN DECEMBER
LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH CASUAL DAY: Friday, December 13
Students are asked to leave their uniforms at home for our last Friday in December. It is a Children’s Choice Casual Day!
HOUSE COLOURS CASUAL DAY Tuesday, December 17
Our 3rd and final house meeting of 2024 is the ‘Snow’ Much Fun House Challenge. Students are asked to show their house spirit by wearing house coloured clothing and accessories.
WINTER COZY CASUAL DAY: Thursday, December 19
For the last day of classes and our Grade End of Term parties we are having a themed Cozy Casual Day. Students are invited to wear cuddly comfortable cozy casual clothes. (eg. warm sweaters, fuzzy socks, onesies, track suits, scarves, etc.)
YORK HOLIDAY HUB & SCAVENGER HUNT
Our JS Holiday Hub in the Gathering Place is an interactive informative display of artifacts celebrating different winter holidays. As we decorate our school as a beautiful Winter Wonderland, this central display also showcases and honours specific holidays celebrated around the world during December.
We are launching our York Holiday Hub Scavenger Hunt from Thursday, December 5 - Wednesday, December 18. This activity is extends our Grade 2 Unit of inquiry that explores people using traditions to preserve culture and appreciate diversity.
All classes are invited to visit the 10 stations set up in the hallways. Students will use their ipads to scan QR codes to watch videos and find out fun facts about different holidays and also complete a short holiday trivia quiz/reflection to enter into a raffle to win a prize.
GREAT CANADIAN OUTDOOR DAY January 24, 2025
On Friday, January 24, all of our Junior School students will take part in our annual Great Canadian Outdoor Day.
JK - G2: ICE SKATING @ Leaside Memorial Arena
G3 - G5: SNOWSHOEING + CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING @ Hardwood Ski & Bike
G3: snowshoeing, winter ecology + activities
G4 + G5: XC cross country ski lesson + trails
All Junior School parents are reminded to sign into their YorkNet account to review and submit the online Venturing Out (VO) Form for their child by Thursday, December 12.
All important trip details (including timing, activity information, packing list) can be found in the Venturing Out Forms. To print a VO form for your reference, you can access a pdf version attached to the event dates on the YorkNet calendar.
Additional Waiver Required for Grade 3 -5 Parents ONLY
Grade 3-5 parents, please also read and sign this Hardwood Ski & Bike Waiver Form.
Return the signed copy to your child's homeroom teacher by Thursday, December 12.
For your convenience, a hard copy will be sent home with your child on Friday, November 29 in their backpack.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS FOR GREAT CANADIAN OUTDOOR DAY
We are looking for parent volunteers to join us for our annual Great Canadian Outdoor Day on Friday, January 24.
JK to G2: ICE SKATING @ Leaside Memorial Arena (1073 Millwood Road) 12:50 pm until 2:50pm
G3 to G5: SNOWSHOEING + CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING @ Hardwood Ski & Bike (402 Old Barrie Road West, Oro Station) 7:45 am until approx. 4:00pm
G3: snowshoeing, winter ecology + activities
G4 + G5: XC cross country ski lesson + trails
Volunteers can travel with classes by coach (spaces are limited), or drive their own vehicle and meet at the venue.
The cost of ski rentals will be covered by the school for all volunteers, regardless of transportation.
Interested volunteers, please fill out this form Great Cdn Parent Volunteer SIgn Up by Thursday, December 12 (the same deadline as the V.O. forms)
Volunteers will be confirmed by email no later than Thursday, December 19. We appreciate your support in enhancing the student experience at the Junior School!
WINTER RECESS EVENT PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Friday, January 10
With a hope for beautiful winter weather, we are hosting another outdoor recess event and we looking for a handful of volunteers. This event will run exclusively outside in the JS playground on Friday, January 10 - regardless of weather.
Please share your availability on the Winter Recess Volunteer Sign Up by Friday, December 13.
Everyone who submits this form will receive an email on Thursday, December 19 - as it is possible that interested volunteers will outnumber available spaces.