Dear Junior School Parent:

It has been another fulsome five days in the Junior School, with our students ending the week with our first Day 9.  The day started with a visit from author Shannon Hale and illustrator LeUyen Pham, co-creators of the “Princess in Black” series.  Our students were absolutely enthralled by their presentation and gasped when Ms. Hale rolled out a laminated scroll of the DOZENS of rejection letters she had received over the course of her career.  It was a fantastic lesson in the importance of persistence and tenacity. These inspiring women are speaking tomorrow at a Toronto Public Library Author Talk at the Lillian Smith Library, should you wish to see them!

Over the course of the last two weeks, Ms. Watt and I have held two assemblies, one for Grades 1 – 3, and another for Grades 4 – 6, in which we reviewed the “Rules of the School,” and how important they are in helping us to have a community where people feel safe, free to learn and to have fun.  We also reviewed how Havergal’s Progressive Discipline Approach works to help students take ownership of their mistakes, apologize to themselves and others, and to make a plan moving forward.  Students in Grades 4 – 6 were introduced to “Pink Slips,” which act as reminders for when a student is having difficulty following a school rule, and how to make a plan.  Be sure to ask your daughter about them. Please note that this week’s “Spotlight on the Family Handbook” focuses on these topics!

Yours sincerely,

Kate White

In this message, read about:

• Celebration Saturday
• Sustainable Design Features for a Greener Campus
• Spotlight on the Family Handbook – School Rules and Progressive Discipline
• Athletics
• Frequently Used Links
• Next Week in the Junior School
• Important Dates on the Horizon

Spotlight on the Family Handbook

Each week, we will be featuring a different section of the Family Handbook that is particularly important for the Junior School community.  This week, we are shining the spotlight on the Rules of the School, and our Progressive Discipline Approach.

School Rules

Havergal students will:

1. abide by the Havergal Code of Conduct;
2. comply with all published school policies, protocols and rules;
3. uphold and demonstrate the school’s core values: Integrity, Inquiry, Compassion and Courage;
4. attend all classes, Grade, Form,  TA meetings, Prayers and assemblies on time;
5. wear the school uniform correctly at all times; 
6. not take or forward digital photographs, videos or audio recordings of people without their consent; and
7. comply with the Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement and Student Loan Agreement.

*Please note that several rules have been removed from this list, as they are more pertinent to the Upper School.

Progressive Discipline

The breach of school rules and policies by students at any grade stand in relation to a progressive discipline approach that is used by Havergal to address inappropriate incidents and / or behaviours. Progressive discipline is duly noted in the Havergal Code of Conduct. It makes use of a continuum of interventions, supports and sanctions that builds upon strategies that promote positive behaviours. This may include reminders, review of expectations, detentions, contact with parents / guardians, loss of privileges, written reflection, conflict mediation and resolution, behavioural and / or academic agreements, referral for support services, suspension, and expulsion. 

In general, the severity of punishment and the steps taken by the school will be consistent with the nature and degree of the misbehaviour in relation to the school’s progressive disciplinary approach. Each case will be dealt with individually. No two infractions of the Code of Conduct are exactly alike, nor are the needs of offenders necessarily similar. We recognize that each student is a unique individual and that every situation that requires disciplinary action has its own set of extenuating circumstances, which are duly considered in every case. 

To read the full Family Handbook:  CLICK HERE

Next week in the Junior School

Monday, September 23 (Day 4)

• 7:00 – 8:00 am: U11 Basketball practice (JS Gym)
• 8:30 – 8:55 am: JS Prayers (Introducing our Grade 6 leaders)
• 12:15 am: Dismissing our Cross Country Team to Centennial Park
• 3:30 – 4:45 pm: U12 Soccer (lower Pitch)
• 4:00 pm: Cross Country Team return

Tuesday, September 24 (Day 5)

• 7:00 – 8:00 am: Swim Team (pool)
• 8:30 – 8:55 am: JS Prefects practice 2019-2020 School Cheer with Gr.1-6, in preparation for Celebration Saturday
• 8:30 – 9:50 am: JS Welcome Committee Training for Parents (Learning Hub)
• 3:30 – 4:30 pm: Gr. 1 & 2 Multisport Squad

Wednesday, September 25 (Day 6)

• 7:00 – 8:00 am: U12 Basketball practice (JS Gym)
• 8:15 – 9:30 am: JK/SK Parent Meeting (Learning Hub)
• 8:55 – 10:40 am: Band Clinicians working with Grade 6
• 12:00 – 12:45 pm: Gr. 1-2 New to Havergal Lunch with Ms White and Ms Watt
• 12:20 – 12:50 pm: Gr.6 Lunch at the Upper School
• 3:30 – 4:30 pm: Basketball Squad Team (JS Gym)

Thursday, September 26 (Day 7)

• 7:00 – 8:00 am: Swim team practice (pool)
• 7:20 – 8:00 am: Cross Country team practice (Lower Pitch)
• 8:30 – 8:55 am: JS Prayers (Rosh Hashanah, Jewish High-holidays)
• 9:00 – 10:15 am: Rosh Hashanah Reception (Learning Hub)
• 12:00 – 12:45 pm: Gr. 3-5 New to Havergal Lunch with Ms White and Ms Watt
• 2:00 pm: U11 Basketball Dismissal  
• 2:45 pm: U12 Soccer team Dismissal 
• 3:00 pm: U12 Basketball Dismissal
• 3:30 pm: U12 Basketball meet vs BH & MS (US Gym A/B & Gym C)
• 3:30 – 4:30 pm: Gr 3&4 Multisport Squad (Js Gym)
• 5:45 PM: U11 Basketball Team and U12 Soccer Team return to Havergal

Friday, September 27 (Day 8)

• 8:30 – 8:55 am: JS Prayers

Saturday, September 28 

• 8:30 – 1:00 pm: Celebration Saturday

Important Dates on the Horizon

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)