Jackman Institute of Child Study announces gala to raise funds for tuition support

World's best lab school to establish a substantial endowment fund to expand socioeconomic diversity

TORONTO, April 28, 2017 /CNW/ - The Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS), a non-profit laboratory elementary school with a public purpose, announces the JICS Diana Rankin Muncaster Family Tuition Support Gala to raise funds for the creation of a substantial endowment fund. The event is being held May 11, 2017 at The Burroughes Building. Founded in 1925, this University of Toronto laboratory is entirely focused on learning how children learn best and its work reaches every child in the province of Ontario. JICS research has been instrumental in the creation of the original Day Nurseries Act and most recently, in the benefits and implementation of full-day Kindergarten across Ontario.

"Diversity is central to the mission of our school, and JICS aims to represent Toronto's diversity, including its Indigenous and multi-ethnic dimensions," said Richard Messina, JICS Principal. "While 54% of the students are members of a visible minority in Canada, our greatest challenge is economic diversity. This endowment fund will allow us to greatly extend the reach of our school, helping to change the trajectory of children's lives through education."

"One of dozens of laboratories at the University of Toronto, JICS is a laboratory exploring what is possible in education," say Beth Corcoran and Awet Sium, Co-Chairs of this year's event. "Their research findings not only touch the lives of all the children in Ontario but as the host of more than 500 national and international visitors each year, the work of JICS reaches far beyond our own borders."

JICS was featured alongside Silicon Valley and Ionia, Greece as examples of "knowledge building communities" throughout history. As one of the "hotbed communities where knowledge creation has taken on a life of its own," JICS has garnered a broad community of support among many prominent Canadians.

"JICS puts Canada at the forefront of educational research," said Rudyard Griffiths, President of the Peter and Melanie Munk Foundation. "Its research has a public purpose and provides new insights that benefit public school students and teachers. As a JICS alumnus and a current JICS parent, I am immensely proud of this mandate."

"JICS inspires exploration, creativity, curiosity, and confidence in all of its students," said Cameron Bailey, TIFF Artistic Director and JICS parent. "This is a deeply interconnected community, where members feel known, respected, and supported; it is a model for schools across the province and Canada."

About the JICS Diana Rankin Muncaster Family Tuition Support Gala

The Diana Rankin Muncaster Family Tuition Support Gala supporting economic diversity at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Lab School (JICS) takes place on Thursday, May 11th at The Burroughes. Please visit http://www.jicsgala2017.com/ to learn more and purchase tickets to the event.

Sponsorship and donation opportunities are still available.

SOURCE Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Lab School OISE/UofT

For further information: Beth Corcoran, Gala Co-Chair, [email protected], 647-985-6173; Awet Sium, Gala Co-Chair, [email protected]