Dr. Eric Jackman Institute for Child Study launches centennial campaign, namesake makes landmark donation to support economic diversity

With excited children in tow and a beautiful new playground revealed for the community, the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute for Child Study Laboratory School (JICS) and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) made an extraordinary announcement for an unprecedented campaign.

To mark a century of commitment to inquiry-based learning and investment in the well-being of children, leadership unveiled the JICS Centennial Campaign, which sets out to raise $2 million to support the The JICS Laboratory School Endowment – which provides critical resources to enhance economic diversity within the school.

In celebration of the launch, Dr. Eric Jackman, the Institute’s namesake, made a landmark gift to the campaign, to support economic diversity and tuition support.

“This campaign will honor our historic past while investing in the future through increased financial support for supporting diversity at the Lab School,” said Professor Erica N. Walker, Dean of OISE, to all in attendance – community members, staff, faculty, parents, children and the family of Dr. Jackman.

The endowment also funds professional development in key areas such as EDI, Indigenous education, mental health and well-being, and environmental education, ensuring that JICS continues to grow as an inclusive, innovative learning environment.

“The endowment fund’s mission is clear: It's an investment in our children and the future of a transformative learning community that's already exemplary and supports our public purpose,” added Walker.

A surprise, and a newly minted playground

Dr. Eric Jackman genuinely surprised his lovely wife, Mrs. Sara Jackman.

The ceremony was also the formal launch of a new playground facility that had been erected on the Walmer Avenue side of the JICS site. Dr. and Mrs. Jackman’s son, Robert Jackman, came in from Chicago to celebrate the special milestone.

But, that’s not all. With children and a live band playing a drum roll, Dean Walker made an announcement to mark Dr. Eric Jackman’s contribution.

“In recognition of this incredible landmark contribution, I am delighted to announce that this beautiful playground will officially be named the Sara Jackman playground,” said Walker, to rousing applause and a look of surprise and wonderment on Mrs. Jackman’s face. A banner was turned on stage to reveal the new playground name, with the image of young Solomon Martin-Rueter, an alumnus of the Lab School, enjoying the playground space.

“The Jackman family have been champions of early childhood education and their leadership will fuel us to achieve our many goals as an Institute,” said Sim Kapoor, director of OISE’s Office of Advancement, Communications, and External Relations. “I would like to deeply thank the Jackman family for their generosity – with this newly minted playground and their continued support of our work.”

“This wonderful child centered space will stand as a testament to the Jackman family's generosity and Mrs. Sara Jackman's dedication to early childhood education and play based learning,” added Walker.

“When [Dr. Jackman] suggested naming the playground in honor of Sara, I was absolutely thrilled,” said Richard Messina, who proudly serves as the JICS Laboratory School principal, in his public remarks. “Her anticipation and excitement for the project were boundless, as that of the children, Sara regularly walked by the school to check on its progress, and she played a key role ensuring the playground was completed as quickly as possible, like no one else could have done.”

Solomon Martin-Rueter, now a middle school student at Greenwood College School in Toronto, spared a moment to talk about the playground as well.

“You're all very lucky to have this amazing playground,” he said. “I remember the first time I got to play on the new structures. After months of watching the playground slowly being constructed piece by piece, we finally got to go on it. Everyone raced to the boomerang and started climbing. I most vividly remember one of my friends climbing up and walking on the ropes, something I think you are still doing today.

As the community honours the past 100 years, added Messina, they also look to the future, as the playground will play an essential role in shaping the physical and emotional development of our students for generations to come. “It stands as a testament to what thoughtful design grounded in research and imagination can achieve. Thank you all for being part of this momentous occasion,” said Messina.

A time for play, a time for celebration

The event also served as a birthday party for Mrs. Jackman, whose birthday was the week before.

Solomon was joyful in his praise of Mrs. Jackman. “Sara, who is very special to the school and to me personally, has recently celebrated her birthday. Grade 3s, will you please join me in singing happy birthday?”

They did, with the live band adding background music in the process.

Dr. Jackman added to the festivities, sharing a tie that was made by one of his grandchildren – with blue and purple handprints made with their little hands, and streams of paint up and down the tie itself. “Wherever I go, people stop me and they say, ‘Where did you get that tie?’ I tell them that my grandchildren made it,” said Dr. Jackman, proudly. “It's the best tie in town. You want to make your parents and grandparents proud – get them a tie.”

Dr. Jackman had asked his wife if he could throw her a birthday party tonight. She said, ‘No, I don't want a birthday party,’” he recalled, to light laughter. “So I said, Okay, I'll call JICS and asked him if they could throw a birthday party.

“Thank you all so much for coming and giving Sara a birthday party!”

It was a rainy day during the celebration so any outdoor play was on hold. Mrs. Jackman herself had brought running shoes to play in. Thanks everyone for the surprises, she had one question.

“Can I come another day and play on the playground? All right!” she said, to cheers.

PHOTOS: JICS Playground Grand Opening Celebration

View highlights from an exciting celebration as we unveiled the newly renovated playground and marked the beginning of our centennial anniversary celebrations of the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School – celebrating 100 years of educational excellence.