When the JEC calls itself a family, it means that quite literally. A recent and prolonged illness by maintenance staffer Garry Barnes yielded an outpouring of care, love and concern. It began with the creation of artistic get-well cards by students in some of the younger grades and progressed to a Facebook thread that continues to grow in response to Garry’s own thank-you message to the school. (Facebook.com/TheJEC)

Barnes is perhaps best known by students for his soulful audition during the RTMA’s Got Talent competition two years ago. He is often heard singing while working, and seems to know just about everyone’s name, from students to faculty, and from community rebbeim to even parents.

“I want to say thank-you to my JEC staff members and to all of the kids,” he relayed in a message to his supervisor Betzalel Sades. “I love you all and I’ll be back soon,” he promised. “Words cannot say how much I love my job and my coworkers. Thank you!”