Dear JS Parent:

It hardly seems possible that we are about to embark on another school year!  For some of you, your daughter is entering Junior Kindergarten and this marks her very first year at Havergal; for others, you are undoubtedly pinching yourself that after 7 years in the Junior School, your daughter is about to start Grade 6 and will soon be on her way to Middle School!  Wherever you are on this journey, please know that we are here to support, care, and challenge your daughter.

At our final prayers in June, I spoke about each school year starting as a blank canvas, and shared the following quote:

There is something beautiful about a blank canvas, 

the nothingness of the beginning 

that is so simple and breathtakingly pure.

 It’s the paint that changes its meaning 

and the hand that creates the story. 

Every piece begins the same, 

but in the end they are all uniquely different.

I know that I speak on behalf of our entire faculty and staff when I say, that we could not be more excited about the canvas your daughter will paint this year.  We look forward to working alongside you to ensure that this will be an exceptional year.

We will see you next week!

Sincerely,

Kate White

In this message, read about:

• Family Handbook
• Opening  Week Schedule
• Registration Information
• Construction Update – Parking, Drop-off and Pick-up, etc.
• Athletics
• Links to Bookmark
• Dates on the Horizon

Family Handbook

• Please take time to review the Havergal Family Handbook

Opening Week Schedule

Monday, September 2

• School Closed

Tuesday, September 3 – Orientation for New to Havergal Students & Grade 6 Leadership Workshop PLEASE NOTE RETURNING STUDENTS DO NOT ATTEND SCHOOL ON THIS DAY!

• No Gator Care (Before and After Care Program)
• Students do not need to bring anything with them, but may choose to bring a snack and a water bottle.
• Regular Uniform
  • JK – Grade 4
    • short or long sleeve golf shirt or turtleneck or dress shirt with tie + junior skirt or dress pants, black velcro shoes or black lace-up Oxfords; optional: green sweater or green ¼ zip (not to be worn with #1 Dress).
  • Grade 5 – 6
    • Short or long sleeve golf shirt or turtleneck or dress shirt with tie  + summer skirt or dress pants or tunic, black lace-up Oxfords ; optional: green sweater or green ¼ zip (not to be worn with #1 Dress); please note: Grade 6 students are permitted to wear their “hoodies” Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Hoodies are not be worn on Thursdays or any other Special #1 Dress days.    
• Non-Cycle Day

Kindergarten 

• Group A – 9:30 am – 10:30 am
• Group B – 11 am – 12 pm

New to Havergal Students in Grade 1  – 5 

• 9:30  am- 10:30 am: Introduction to classroom teachers and specialist teachers. Tour of the Junior School. Meet and greet other new students. 

All Grade 6 Students

• 9:30 am – 12 pm
• Introduction to leadership roles.  Small and whole group work on leadership.

New Parents

• Are invited to the Learning Hub for optional Veracross Training (HC’s online forum) and to meet with other new parents. 
• Please bring your personal devices to fully engage in the training.

Dismissal:

• JK and SK parents are asked to collect their daughter directly from the classroom.
• If you have a daughter in Grade 1 – 5, and choose to stay for the Veracross Training Session, you are welcome to pick up your daughter directly from the classroom.  If you are picking up your daughter by car, she will be brought outside,  and we will bring her to you. There will be HC faculty and staff on hand to guide you.
• Students in Grade 6 will be picked up from the JS driveway.  They will be called by a member of the HC faculty and sent to your car.

Wednesday, September 4 – First Day of School for ALL Students

• First Day of Gator Care (Before and After Care)
  • Students can be dropped off as early at 7:15 am for our morning Gator Care Program.  There is no registration required for this service.
  • Our After-School Gator Care Program runs from 3:15 pm – 6:00 pm.  Registration is required for this program.  To learn more please review the following: Gator Care 2019-20
• Regular Uniform
• Non-Cycle Day
• Rose Reisman Hot Lunch Program begins today
  • Rose Reisman Hot Lunch Program

Kindergarten

• 8:30 am– 11:00 am – All JK/SK students at school

Grades 1 – 6

• Students can be dropped off at school anytime between 7:15 am and 8:20 am. 
• Students go directly to their classrooms between 8:00 am – 8:20 am. Prior to 8:00 am, students go to Gator Care.
• Please note:
  • All Grade 6 students will have a swim test today in preparation for the overnight excursion to Camp Onondaga. As such, they need to come to school with their swim uniform.

Dismissal:

• JK and SK parents are asked to collect their daughter directly from the classroom.
• We use a staggered dismissal process in the Junior School.  Please review the guidelines carefully.
  • Gr.1-2 Dismissal: 3:25-3:45 pm. 
  • Gr. 3-6 Dismissal: 3:35-3:45 pm
• If you have daughters who are dismissed at different times, please come at the later time.

Thursday, September 4

• #1 Dress
  • JK – Grade 4
    • tunic + short or long sleeve dress shirt + tie + black modesty shorts + green knee socks or green tights + black velcro shoes or black lace-up Oxfords; 
  • Grade 5 – 6
    • kilt + short or long sleeve shirt + tie + black modesty shorts + green knee socks or green tights + black lace-up Oxfords

Day 1

• 8:00 am – 8:15 am – Drop-off and Outdoor Play
• 8:15 am – 8:25 am: Attendance in Core Classroom
  
• 8:25 am – 9:00 am: Welcome Prayers (Kate White – Head, Junior School)
  • Parents are welcome to attend!
    
• 8:25 am – 3:20 pm: Regular Schedule for JK – Grade 6
• 5:30 -pm- 5:55 pm: Gr. 6 Excursion Parent Information session in Grade 6L
  
• 5:30: JS Reception in Learning Hub (OPTIONAL)
  
• 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm: JS People & Program Event 
• Please note:
  • Swim: Gr. 3F – First day of swim. Students are required to bring their swim uniform.
  • Art: 3PR – First day of Art.  Students are required to bring in a smock to cover their uniform (old oversized button-down shirts and t-shirts work well)!

Dismissal:

• JK and SK parents are asked to collect their daughter directly from the classroom.
• Gr.1-2 Dismissal: 3:25-3:45 pm. 
• Gr. 3-6 Dismissal: 3:35-3:45 pm

Friday, September 5

Day 2

• Regular Uniform
• 8:00 am – 8:15 am: Drop-off and Outdoor Play 
• 8:15 – 8:25 am: Attendance in Core Classroom
• 8:25 am: Prayers  (Catherine Misson, Principal)
  • Parents are invited to attend
•  9:00 am – 10:00 am: Welcome Reception for JS parents (Come and say hello to Ms. Misson in the Learning Hub)
• 9:00 am – 3:20 pm: Regular Schedule for JK – Grade 6
• Please note:
  • Swim: Gr. 4P – First day of Swim. Students are required to bring their swim uniform.
  • Art: 4M -First day of Art. Students are required to bring in a smock to cover their uniform (old oversized button-down shirts and t-shirts work well)!

For a complete summary of the month of September, please use the link provided: JS September Schedule

Registration Information

• JS Fall Clubs Information
• JS Athletics (Squads, Squad Teams, Teams) 
• Zodiac Swim School Registration 
• Private Music Lessons: Registration 
• Pizza Lunch 
• Rose Reisman Hot Lunch Program

Construction Update – Parking, Drop-off and Pick-up

The Junior School was a busy place this summer, as construction continued on our facilities to build new spaces for art, STEM, music and health & well-being. Since your last visit in June, the school has transformed and we are excited for you to see the progress that has been made towards completing the project!

As part of the construction process, we have made some changes and improvements to operations that you should be aware of for your return next week:

• Parking – The Cohen Field parking lot remains available to parents, in addition to some new parking spaces along the Junior School driveway.
• Access to Cohen Field – The pathway to Cohen Field has changed, so please view our map and procedures to understand how to walk between Cohen Field and the Junior School.
• Drop-off and Pick-up – Our drop-off and pick-up process remains the same as last year, however we welcome you to review our traffic flow procedures. We will have security and staff on-hand to assist with daily drop-off and pick-up.
• Safety – Since we have active construction sites on our campus, we have considerable measures in place to keep safety as our top priority. You will notice construction hoarding, fencing and overhead protection has been installed to separate the school zone from the construction zone, in addition to safety signage. We ask that you please obey all signage and do not enter any construction zones. Please also reduce your speed and be mindful of your surroundings when travelling along the Junior School driveway, using Cohen Field and driving in the neighbouring school zone areas.

To see our build take shape in real-time, be sure to watch our construction live stream here.

Athletics

Important Dates on the Horizon

Sept 4: First Full day of School & first day of Gator Care

Sept 5: People and Program Night (5:30 – 7:30 pm)

Sept 9: Lice Checks

Sept 11 – 13: Gr.6 Excursion to Camp Onondaga

Sept 19: JS Photo Day

Sept 20: Day 9

Sept 28: Celebration Saturday (8:30 – 1:00 pm)

Oct 11: Harvest Festival (8:30 – 10:15 am)

Oct 14: Thanksgiving (School Closed)

Oct 24: Parent Teacher Conferences (4:00 – 7:30 pm)

Oct 25: Parent Teacher Conferences (8:00 – 3:00 pm)

Dear Junior School Parent:

A warm welcome to all of our returning families, as well as to all of those joining our community for the first time. We could not be more excited to start the 2019-20 school year! 

Havergal girls live our mission and truly do go on to “make a difference,” no matter where their life journey takes them. We are proud to be part of that journey. Our faculty and staff are experts in education. Equally as important, they care deeply about your daughter and work hard to know her so that they can motivate and encourage her to do her best, learn from her mistakes and challenge herself throughout her time in the Junior School. As parents, you are the first experts on your daughter, as you continually guide her through all stages of her development. It is in large part through your love and encouragement that her self-confidence develops and her curiosity flourishes, as does her capacity to be resilient and to advocate for herself. Each of these traits, as well as the many other foundational skills you impart, are vital in setting the stage for a positive and productive learning experience outside of the home.

The relationship between home and school is critical to ensure that your daughter thrives, both academically and socially; each providing a unique perspective and forming a more complete understanding of the individual child. To this end, both sides must communicate directly, share successes and challenges in a timely fashion, set goals together as a team, regularly review progress and make adjustments as necessary. As we begin the 2019-20 school year, we look forward to working in partnership with you. 

As Head, I know that Havergal is the very best environment for your daughter to learn and to grow. Our tremendous faculty and staff and I are committed to your daughter’s success. The school’s enduring values—courage, compassion, inquiry and integrity—have guided us for 125 years and will continue to guide us as we move forward.

As the summer draws to an end, please be sure to complete all necessary forms and read the information in Summer Mailing #1 – Junior School and Summer Mailing #2 – Junior School carefully to ensure a smooth start to the year.

If you have any questions or if we can help you or your daughter prepare for the new school year, please feel free to contact me directly or to connect with the Junior School Office at 416.483.3519 x 6608. As always, we are more than happy to assist.

With less than two weeks to go until the first day of school, I hope that you have had the opportunity to enjoy a slower pace over the last several months. All members of the Junior School are gearing up for the 2019-20 school year; we know it will be a fantastic one! We look forward to welcoming you all in September!

Warm regards,

Kate White

Head, Junior School

Dear Junior School Parent,

This is the first of two messages that you will receive this summer in order to prepare new and returning families for the 2019-20 school year. The second email will be posted on Thursday, August 22.

On behalf of the Havergal faculty and staff, we wish you a wonderful summer and look forward to seeing you in September.

For access to Summer Mailing #2, please use the following link: Summer Mailing #2 – Junior School

Sincerely,

Kate White

Returning families:

Please remember that the 2018-19 school year closes from August 2 to 6. During that time, the school year rolls over into 2019-20 and you will no longer have access to your daughter’s report cards. 

New families:

You will have access to Havergal’s online portal (Veracross) beginning on Tuesday, August 6. You can access the Parent Portal through the same credentials (username and password) that you have been using to log into the Admission Portal. The Parent Portal is best accessed on a laptop or computer—at least initially. I recommend that you bookmark the community login page, as you will visit it often throughout the year. If you are having trouble accessing this password-protected site, please contact the Information Technology Service Desk at 416-483-3519 ext. 6663 between 8 am and 4 pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8 am to 1 pm on Fridays. You can also email: servicedesk@havergal.on.ca.

Please use the links below for information on the following subjects:

• JS September Schedule 
• Major Dates: Whole School
• Major Dates: Junior School  
• Summer Reading Challenge
• Optional Reading Lists: 
  • JK to Grade 1 
  • Grades 2 & 3 
  • Grades 4 to 6
  • Adult
• JS People & Program Evening—Save the Date! 
• Registration Information
  • JS Fall Clubs Information
  • JS Athletics (Squads, Squad Teams, Teams) 
  • Zodiac Swim School Registration 
  • Private Music Lessons: Registration 
  • Pizza Lunch 
  • Rose Reisman Hot Lunch Program
• Gator Care Information (Before and After School Care)  
• Construction Update 

 

 

 

 

Dear Junior School Parent:

This is the second of two summer mailings, aimed to provide you with all the information you and your daughter(s) will need to prepare for the 2019-20 school year.

I would like to begin by reminding you about Havergal’s new approach to Opening Week. This year, all New to Havergal (NTH) students come to school on Orientation Day—Tuesday, September 3. Grade 6 students also come to school on Tuesday, September 3, for a leadership orientation session. Opening Day takes place on Wednesday, September 4. All Junior School students (NTH and returning) come to school on Opening Day.

Please refer to the JS September Schedule for specific details about what the first month of school looks like. 

For access to the information included in Summer Mailing #1, please use the following link: Summer Mailing #1 – Junior School

I would like to end by noting that the 2019/20 Family Handbook will be emailed to you as an electronic flipbook before school begins. This publication endeavours to provide parents of all grades an extensive and in-depth understanding of daily school routines, Havergal policies, and what it means to be a member of the Havergal community.

We hope that you enjoy the remaining days of summer and are looking forward to welcoming you and your daughter(s) back to Havergal in the fall.

Warm regards,

Kate White

In this Message Read About:

• The Parent Portal
• Veracross
• Green and Gold Shop Hours
• On-going Communication – Junior School Blog
• Important Additional Information – Please read each section in its entirety

The Parent Portal

New to Havergal families now have access to grade-specific and whole school information online through the Parent Portal. You access the Parent Portal through the same credentials (username and password) that you have been using to log into the Admission Portal. The Parent Portal is best accessed on a laptop or computer—at least initially. I recommend that you bookmark the community login page and visit the Parent Portal frequently to keep up with all the news that gets posted there. 

If you are having trouble accessing this password-protected site, please contact the Information Technology Service Desk at 416-483-3519 ext. 6663 between 8 am and 4 pm. You can also call 416-482-2843 ext. 6663 or email servicedesk@havergal.on.ca. Please note that the Service Desk is closed on Friday, August 30.

Veracross

Veracross is Havergal’s web-based school information management system that connects parents with the school and the school with parents. You access Veracross through the password-protected Parent Portal. It’s important that you familiarize yourself with Veracross because it will help you keep informed about your daughter’s school life

Green & Gold Shop Hours (416.483.3843, ext. 4710)

Monday-Thursday, 8 am – noon and 1-4 pm
Friday, August 23rd: 8 am – noon
Friday, August 30th: Closed

Ongoing Communication—Junior School Blog

Havergal makes every effort to keep parents informed. In part, this is accomplished by keeping Veracross up-to-date, tailoring messages to suit specific parent groups and being timely about sharing information that gets sent home from the school. Going forward, you can expect to receive weekly messages from me on most Fridays on this blog.  The blog will highlight alerts for activities and events that are upcoming, as well as highlights from the week that may generate conversation with your daughter about her school life. Please note that a JS Blog Post will be sent out on Thursday 29, with information regarding parking, traffic flow, drop-off/pick up procedures, and a detailed update on construction.

Important Additional Information for Junior School Schedule – Please read each section in its entirety

• JS Faculty and Staff Directory 
• People & Program Evening Agenda
• Construction Update
• Your Parent Guide to the Parent & Student Portal
• How to Update Health Information (Please complete this information prior to the beginning of school)
• New Faculty & Staff Biographies 2019-20
• Student Support and Wellness