[ICS Graphic]
The Institute of Child Study
45 Walmer Road, Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5R 2X2
Tel. 416.934.4526
Fax. 416.978.6485


THE LABORATORY SCHOOL

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The Laboratory School, with a population of about 200 children between the ages of 3-12 years, is an integral part of the Institute and OISE/UT. The School serves as a resource for adult students enrolled in the MA Program in Child Study and Education.

The School has evolved from its beginnings as one of the world's first primary demonstration projects, with eight children and two staff members, to become part of a University of Toronto Institute with children from Nursery to Grade 6, a program of research, and a staff of more than thirty.

The Laboratory School provides unique opportunities for professional education and for the integration of theory, research, and practice; other placements in the community give breadth to training provided by the Institute. The Laboratory School provides opportunities for research carried out by the academic staff from the Institute, and by scholars from other departments in the University. The Institute functions to encourage interdisciplinary research on child development and early education. Skill development related to all of these areas is emphasized. The Laboratory School's program is based on a general philosophy of education which recognizes the holistic, active nature of children.


Philosophy of Education in the Lab School Nursery School
Elementary School Role of the Teachers
The Arts French
Behaviour Code School Safety and Security Summary
School Fees, 2000-2001 Admissions Policy
Field Trips After School Daycare
The Parents' Association Class Activities
School Information. 2000-2001 Wednesday Afternoon Program

Philosophy of Education in the Lab School

All children are special and each child is a unique individual within the classroom group. Each child brings personal knowledge and experience of the world to that class. This foundation for learning is a key to the child's success in the classroom. The Institute has high regard for the child's fundamental need to know.

Children learn easily and best in an environment which:

Children need to see the tangible results of their impact on the environment. They need to know that their actions make a difference and that their behaviour affects others. They need to communicate with the world around them.

The classroom becomes a place where the children may see themselves reflected, and may know that what they see is good.


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The Nursery School

The Nursery School program is designed to offer a child-centred environment for three-year-olds that encourages exploration, experimentation, discovery, creativity, and cooperation. All activities provide children and teachers with opportunities for community learning experiences. The Nursery School staff includes an ICS teacher, an assistant teacher, and three student teachers. Together they set goals, develop and implement group and individual programs for the children, and communicate regularly with parents.


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The Elementary School

Over the years, the school has established for itself a reputation as a leader in enlightened educational practice. The Laboratory School program, following the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training guidelines, recognizes individual differences in children and encourages each child to progress at his or her own rate. The child's natural curiosity and creativity are nurtured. Self-evaluation, independence, resourcefulness, and positive self-image are qualities which the school promotes. Intellectual, physical, emotional, and social aspects of development are considered to be of equal importance. Skill development related to all of these areas is emphasized. The Laboratory School's program is based on a holistic philosophy of education which recognizes the curious and active nature of children.


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Role of the Teachers

The Laboratory School teachers contribute to many areas of the Institute program. Their first priority is the children in the classroom. The teachers provide a stimulating environment geared to the needs of the individual and the group and maintain ongoing communication with parents. In the classroom, the teachers also work with adult students from the MA Program in Child Study and Education. Teachers are role models and mentors, providing these students with the opportunity to design and implement curriculum, and to observe and assess children under professional supervision. In research activities the teacher may act as a liaison, supervisor, or participant in ongoing research projects initiated by staff and adult students from ICS, or by researchers elsewhere in the academic community. Teachers may also act as instructors in the MA Program in Child Study and Education in an area of their interest and expertise. As part of the university community, the teachers participate in weekly professional meetings with adult students and colleagues, serve on university committees, and are active in their ongoing professional development.


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The Arts

The study of the Arts is an integral part of a child's education. It offers opportunities for deepening self-understanding, developing group sensitivity, awakening imaginative possibilities, and encouraging aesthetic awareness.

The school employs a full-time Visual Arts teacher, as well as specialists in Music, Drama, and Creative Movement. The programs encourage children to participate freely in a genuine exploration of the artistic media while developing skills and an appreciation of the arts. The Visual Arts, Music, and Drama are integrated into classrooms, enhancing learning in all areas of the curriculum.


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French

French at ICS is taught from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6. The goal of the program is to provide the opportunity for each child to develop communication skills in French. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing are taught using a variety of approaches including music, drama, art, and movement. The children gain sensitivity to the structure of the language and an appreciation of French culture in Canada and elsewhere.


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Behaviour Code

This code was developed by the Behaviour Code Committee in consultation with teachers, and after surveying children and parents. It is revisited and revised frequently in order to remain efficient and sensitive to the current needs of students and of the school.

Parents can expect that teachers will be in touch with them regarding their children's behaviour and we ask parents to work with teachers in support of this code.

The Institute of Child Study community is committed to the principles of the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Canadian Bill of Rights. Racism, sexism, or discriminatory behaviour is not acceptable. We aim to provide a safe and caring learning environment for all students.

General Expectations Regarding Children's Behaviour at School

  1. Children respect themselves and others, including children, teachers, teacher candidates, school personnel, and visitors.
  2. Children respect the property of others and of the school.
  3. Children demonstrate respect through words and actions.

  4.  

     
     
     

The Process of Dealing With Inappropriate Behaviour at ICS

This process has several steps which aim to encourage problem-solving skills as well as ownership of one's own actions and the consequences that arise from these.
  1. Children settle a dispute themselves when they can, by talking things through alone, or with the help of peers/older children.
  2. Children go to a teacher for help or a teacher intervenes if the situation is worsening. The teacher helps the children negotiate.
  3. The teacher may recommend time out.
  4. Based on the teacher's and the child(ren)'s judgment, the principal can become involved when the child needs additional support; the teacher needs additional support; the situation has affected children from more than one class; the situation has occurred on the yard and the teacher on duty cannot leave to deal with the youngsters; when adults other than the teachers send children to the principal; when the child goes directly to the principal of his/her own accord; when the principal sees the incident first; when the principal hears of an incident and approaches the teacher.

Specific Consequences in Use

The consequences for inappropriate behaviour at ICS vary depending on the severity of the behaviour. Consequences should be logical in order to provide a learning opportunity for students. The child is included as much as possible in the problem-solving/decision-making process. Repeated incidents and a history of inappropriate behaviour are taken into account when choosing consequences.

Classroom Teaching Strategies Recommended for Conflict Resolution

Points for Teacher Candidates to Consider for Playground Duty

The playground works because of fair play, consideration of others, and inclusion into games. We believe children can learn from their mistakes. Unacceptable behaviour can provide an opportunity to learn, to try again, to face the consequences, and to accept responsibility. Teachers are objective and learning-focused rather than discipline-focused when dealing with the children's behaviour as on the playground.
  1. No pain; physical or psychological.
  2. No playing potentially harmful games.
  3. No using potentially harmful equipment, i.e., sticks, swords, baseball bats. These are given to the teacher on duty for safekeeping and returned at the end of the day.
  4. No swearing-it is considered harmful. The child is warned and reminded of the rule. The second time it happens the child sits out on the steps.
  5. No throwing snowballs unless the teacher designates a target.
  6. Out-of-Bound areas:

  7.  

     

    For primary children: the window wells and areas beyond the playground. Balls that go out of the yard must be retrieved by the teacher and the child or by a youngster in the junior grades. Children use the washroom one at a time and with the duty teacher's knowledge.

    For junior children: the window wells and areas beyond the playground (except to retrieve lost balls). Lost balls may be retrieved only with the duty teacher's knowledge and permission.

Daycare Rules

  1. Children will leave the room only with permission, and with another child or adult.
  2. Children must take someone with them when they go to the washroom. The kindergarten children use the nursery washroom. The Grades 1 and 2 children use the Grade 1 washroom. The children in Grades 3 and above use the upstairs washroom.
  3. Children must not leave the playground except with the permission of the playground supervisor to retrieve a ball.
  4. No skipping ropes may be used on the playground for purposes other than skipping. Plastic hockey sticks, bats, and balls may be used but only to play the games with which they are associated. If something else is to be done with them, it will be directed and supervised by Daycare staff.
  5. Children are expected to clean up the equipment they have taken out each day and to help with the general room clean-up when asked.
  6. Children are expected to treat other children and adults with respect.

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School Information, 2000-2001

SCHOOL CALENDAR, 2000-2001

FALL TERM

Thursday September 7 School opens at 8:45 am (1/2 day)
Friday September 8  1/2 day (noon dismissal) for JK, SK, Grades 1 & 2. 
Full day for Grades 3 - 5
Monday October 9 School closed, Thanksgiving
Monday November 13 School closed, Midterm (1 day)
Friday December 22 School closes at noon

WINTER TERM

Monday January 8 School opens at 8:45 am
Monday February 12 School closed, Midterm (1 day)
Friday March 9 School closes at noon

SPRING TERM

Monday March 26 School opens at 8:45 am
Friday April 13 School closed, Good Friday
Monday April 16 School closed, Easter Monday
Monday May 21 School closed, Victoria Day
Friday June 15 School closes at noon

Please note that the Nursery School begins on Monday, September 11. The Nursery teacher will contact families regarding the schedule for the 1st week.

Please note that the Wednesday Afternoon program operates on each Wednesday that the school is open.

ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL

ABSENCE

The safe arrival program depends on daily communication with parents about absences. Please telephone the school (416.934.4517) to report the reason for your child's absence.

SAFE ARRIVAL PROGRAM

If a child has not arrived at school by 9:15 a.m. it is reported to the school secretary. She will telephone home if she has not heard from the parents.

END OF SCHOOL DAY

When the children are dismissed, it is expected that they will be picked up or leave the premises promptly. There is a licensed Daycare available for Nursery School to Grade 6 pupils. The only children supervised in the playground after school hours are the children who are registered and enrolled in this program. Parents and caregivers are asked to vacate the yard by 3:30 pm at the latest, to accommodate the Daycare program. (For registration information call Anne Marie Lopez, 416.934.4512) Nursery school and JK are signed out to a specified adult.

HEALTH

Every year the medical forms sent out with the August package need to be returned promptly. The forms are due on the first school day in September.

Please report in writing any new medical information to your child's teacher as the year progresses so that these changes or additions can be kept on file. It will be the responsibility of the family to arrange for regular vision and hearing tests and for an annual medical checkup.

LICE

The Parents' Association has hired a public health nurse to do a schoolwide check for several times each year. A team of parent volunteers may also be involved in checking all the children's hair for head lice from time to time through the school year.

The school notifies parents of children if head lice have been found so that children can be picked up. Before returning to class, the children will be checked for nits by the school. Parents are encouraged to keep a continual check at home and to report any active cases to the school immediately.

TELEPHONE POLICY

There is a pay telephone in the basement for the children's use. After school arrangements should be made from home. In necessary situations, a child needs the permission of a teacher to use school telephones.

LOST AND FOUND

This year we will be keeping a small box in the basement near the Grade 5/6 lockers for Lost and Found items. The stairs in the playground collect lost treasures on a daily basis. Please encourage your child to check for all belongings. We donate lost items to a neighbourhood shelter for families on a regular basis.

MEETING PLACE

Because we share our building with the adult academic program we need to plan the use of space. Please arrange parent events and meetings with the Principal or with Cheryl Zimmerman in Room 229, 934.4507.

COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS

The school staff feel that open communication with parents is important for the welfare of the child. Early in the Fall, Curriculum Nights are held in order to explain to parents the class curriculum for that year, although parents or teachers can request interviews at any time. A written report is prepared by the child's teacher at the end of the school year for the Ontario School Record (OSR). Reports are mailed home on the last day of school in June.

HOMEWORK POLICY

At the elementary level, homework is issued to foster positive attitudes, habits, and character traits. Teachers, when assigning homework, consider: Homework focuses on the integration of skills already possessed by the children through meaningful practice of those skills. It is encouraged at all grade levels and reflects the program of the particular class.

Homework demonstrates the type of work being done in the class and offers a link between the school and the home. Families can support the expectations of the school by creating a study environment at home.

Homework is expected to be done by all class members.

Homework includes assignments to meet the needs of individual children or groups.

Homework assignments are evaluated and used as assessment tools for further individualized teaching.

Various types of assignments are encouraged. Reading and being read to are emphasized throughout the grades.

In the Primary division, literature and communication, life skills, and games are the focus of homework.

The Junior grades continue the emphasis of the Primary division and include regular assignments in organization and thinking skills, research, math, spelling, science, and current affairs.


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School Safety and Security Summary

Supervision

Playground safety

Safe arrivals

Fire

Security

Forward any safety and security suggestions to Elizabeth Morley.


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School Fees, 2000-2001

Program Length
Total Fee
Optional Plan*
Nursery Half-Day Program
$3,640
$2,184
JK to Grade Six Full-Day Program
$5,675
$3,405
MacMillan Program Full-Day Program
$5,835
$3,480

* Optional Plan: The minimum payment, due September 7, 2000, is 60% of the total fee shown on the University of Toronto statement. The remainder is due in three equal payments by December 1, 2000. Postdated cheques accepted on September 7, 2000.

ICS After School Daycare Fees, 2000-2001

1 day / week 2 days / week 3 days / week 4 days / week 5 days / week Occasional
Before School Daycare
8:00 am to 8:45 am
Sept., Dec., March, June
$30.00

$23.00

$60.00

$46.00

$90.00

$69.00

$120.00

$92.00

$138.00

$115.00

After School Daycare
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Sept., Dec., March, June
$67.00

$52.00

$138.00

$104.00

$207.00

$156.00

$276.00

$208.00

$280.00

$210.00

$20.00
per day
Afternoon Nursery
11:45 am to 3:00 pm
Sept., Dec., March, June
$83.00

$62.00

$166.00

$124.00

$249.00

$186.00

$332.00

$248.00

$339.00

$254.00

$21.00
per day
Afternoon Nursery
11:45 am to 6:00 pm
Sept., Dec., March, June
$152.00

$114.00

$304.00

$228.00

$456.00

$342.00

$608.00

$456.00

$619.00

$464.00

$41.00
per day

Except where indicated, all fees shown above are "per month."



Before School Daycare
Before school care will be provided to children enrolled from Nursery to Grade 6 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. Children can be enrolled in this program as either part-time or full-time.

After School Daycare
After school care will be provided to children who are enrolled from JK to Grade 6.

Afternoon Nursery
Children who are enrolled in the ICS Nursery School can attend our afternoon program. Children can attend from either 11:45 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., or from 11:45 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Afternoon
Creative play is offered to children enrolled in JK and SK. On Wednesday afternoons school ends at 12:00 p.m.; programs begin at this time until 3:00 p.m.
 
Wednesday
Afternoon Fees:
September to December
January to March
April to June
$242.00
$242.00
$242.00


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Admissions Policy

Application to the Institute of Child Study can be made any time after the child is born. Submission of an application does not guarantee admission, only a place on the waiting list. The Laboratory School Admissions Committee will meet in January or February of each year to consider the ten boys and ten girls who will be admitted to the Nursery School Program in September. All applicants will remain on the waiting list until they are either offered a space or decline to enrol. If a space subsequently becomes available for a new student in a class from the Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6, it will be offered to an eligible student on the list.

Places on the waiting list will be determined on an equitable basis. The Institute Laboratory School has several criteria for balanced classrooms. The criteria for selection include:

There is no fee for submitting an application.

The Admissions Committee of the school will review admission policy annually.

It must be noted that attendance in the Lab School in no way gives any child preferential treatment for entrance into the University of Toronto Schools (UTS). In fact, it is the policy of this school to prepare children to continue their education in a wide variety of secondary school settings.

Application forms can be printed out and returned to the Institute of Child Study Laboratory School.


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Field Trips

Field trips are an integral part of the program. From the fire station to the Science Centre, from city parks to wilderness areas, from historical sites to other cities, trips enrich experience and stimulate learning. Adults and children share a common base from which to explore, discover, and learn.


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After School Daycare

A licensed daycare is available to children enrolled in the school from Nursery to Grade 6. It is open Monday to Friday, throughout the school year, from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. A snack is provided every day as well as crafts, games, films, and time to play outside. Occasional daycare is available. Please refer to School Fees, 2000-2001 for a complete list of current fees.


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Wednesday Afternoon Program

The Wednesday Afternoon Program offers enrichment programs for children following the noon dismissal each Wednesday. It is organized and supported by parent volunteers who investigate and coordinate stimulating programs with qualified instructors. Sports programs are always available, and may include skating, skiing, hockey, tennis, baseball, and track and field. Art and drama courses are also popular.


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The Parents' Association

A major role of the Parents' Association is to work with teacher and other ICS staff to maintain healthy communication between families and the Lab School. The President of the ICS Parents' Association, September 1999-June 2001, is Ariella Damelin.


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