Dear JS Parents

It hardly seems possible that we have reached the end of the first term together! Today in prayers, we lit the third advent candle, symbolizing joy. We then had the opportunity to give our students a sneak peak “Junior School Christmas Holiday Story.”  This Flipbook was creatively put together as an alternative to the  Christmas Concert, which has been a much loved part of the holiday season for many years. Thank you to Rosa Mastri, Jeff McLean, Rachel Read, Cissy Goodridge, Carol Tsang, Marketing and Communications,  all of  the students who created this for us to enjoy. We hope that this serves as an opportunity to reflect on the joy we have experienced this term, and the tremendous talents and creative expression of our students.

We wish everyone a wonderful December break and continued good health for you and your family.

Sincerely,

Kate White

Latest News

December 8th JS Parent Webinar Recording

For those of you who were unable to attend the Parent Webinars on Tuesday, December 8th, the recording is available through the following link:  JS Parent Webinar.

The recording showcases some of the many highlights throughout the last four months, as well as photos of students in the new JS spaces.

What Students Will be Bringing Home Over the Break

As we look forward to a well deserved holiday and a long rest, we are also looking forward to 2021. We are eager to resume classes on campus, as planned on January 4, but want to be prepared for continuous learning, should it be deemed safer for people to remain at home. 

To this end, students will be sent home with the immediate materials that they will need to get started with continuous learning after the break [e.g., notebooks, pencils/markers, iPad (Gr. 3) or laptop and charger (Grades 4 – 6). Should a longer absence from campus be mandated, we will arrange for a curbside pick-up of any relevant materials. 

Please be assured that Havergal is continuing to  monitor the trends and regular communication from Toronto Public Health, and communicate with families about any changes you need to be aware of.

Reminders:

Return to Campus Protocols for January 2021

We will continue to monitor the recommendations of Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Education as we plan for a safe return to campus after the December break. We will be in touch over the break if we have updated information to share.

We ask for your cooperation by adhering to Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Education guidelines. Toronto Public Health has asked that we share this letter with you regarding guidance for the holiday season.

• If your child will not be returning to campus on January 4th due to travel quarantine or other reasons, you are asked to complete this survey. Please feel free to contact the Day School Office (dso@havergal.on.ca) directly should you have additional details to submit related to your child(ren)’s delayed return in January.
• If your child will be away from school for more than 14 days but is able to learn online, please register them as a remote learner using this link.
• If your plans include international travel, please be reminded that you are required to quarantine for 14 days after your return to Canada, as per the Government of Canada Quarantine Act
• Following your quarantine to meet the Ministry of Education guidelines, you must submit a negative Covid-19 test to the school by emailing the test results to the Havergal College Health Center at covid@havergal.on.ca. The test results must be received before the student is permitted on campus.

Dear JS Parents,

The snow has started to fall, and we are all eagerly anticipating the upcoming winter break!  

A huge thank you for your generous contributions, totalling $15,000 from JK to Grade 12, to the New Circles’ Holiday Angels’ Program. These gift cards are much appreciated by the organization and by the families who will receive them. We have so very much to be grateful for, amidst all of the challenges we have faced this year, and this important initiative provides our students with the opportunity to reflect on this. Students  were also pleased to be able to create small notes and pictures of hope and cheer to attach to each of the gift cards. These were all delivered yesterday!

Click on the following link “Great to Give” for a short video documenting the process.

Wishing you all a lovely holiday season! May we all enjoy the last days of the term, proud of all we have accomplished as a community.  

Sincerely,

Kate White

Latest News

COVID-19 Screening Protocols – Update

Parents should be advised that today Toronto Public Health (TPH) announced changes to the COVID-19 screening process in schools, to further prevent opportunities for viral spread.TPH requires that students with one or more symptoms associated with COVID-19 must stay home, self-isolate and get tested before returning to school. Additionally, siblings or children in the same household as the symptomatic student will need to stay home and self-isolate while awaiting test results. 

As a result, the Havergal Screening Protocol will mirror these changes effective this Monday, December 7, 2020. See here for What to do if your child has COVID19 symptoms.   

Return to Campus Protocols for January 2021

As the December break draws near, we are looking ahead and planning for everyone’s safe return to campus on January 4th. In order to best support our students, faculty, and staff, we are asking for your assistance in the following ways.

• If your child will not be returning to campus on January 4th due to travel quarantine or other reasons, you are asked to complete this survey by Friday, December 11th. If your plans change after December 11th, please contact the Junior School Office (jsoffice@havergal.on.ca).
• If your plans include international travel, please be aware that you are required to quarantine for 14 days after your return to Canada, as per the Government of Canada Quarantine Act.
• Following your quarantine to meet Ministry of Education guidelines, you must submit a negative covid-19 test to the school by emailing the test results to the Havergal College Health Center at covid@havergal.on.ca. The test results must be received before the student is permitted on campus.

Reminders:

JS Parent Webinar: Tuesday, December 8 (6:30 pm – 7:45 pm)

We would like to invite you to a JS Webinar on Tuesday, December 8 from 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm.

The purpose of this event is to:

• Celebrate and communicate some of our student and College-wide accomplishments;
• Reflect upon the College’s top learnings throughout the term; and
• Share important information about health and safety protocols.

Please note that the webinars will be recorded and shared with the community if you are not able to attend.

Zoom Link for Junior School Parent Webinar

• Zoom Link
• Webinar ID: 993 7636 4856
• Passcode: 470773

Important Dates for the last Week of School:

• Monday, December 14 
  • Last Day of Gator Care; It will resume on Monday, January 4.
  • In lieu of a Christmas Concert this year, families will be receiving a very special “Flip Book” made with love and the holiday spirit from the Junior School Students. A video link will be provided to all parents at 5pm, on December 14th.
• Tuesday, December 15 – Last Day of School for the Fall Term; Students in JK to Grade 12  are  having a holiday dress down day where everyone is invited to dress in their favourite holiday dress. 

Drop-Off and Pick-Up:

In order for our drop-off and pick-up procedures to run as safely and efficiently as possible, it is critical that everyone adheres to the following:

• Speed:
  • Drive no faster than 15 km/hour along the driveway.
• Drop-Off:
  • Students need to be prepared to exit the car quickly. To do so, they must have all of their belongings with them and ready to go, without having to get things from the trunk. This delays the flow of traffic.
  • Students should exit the car on the curbside of the driveway, and not into oncoming traffic.
  • Stay in the drop-off line, and follow the instructions of the security guard on duty. Weaving in and out of the drop-off line is a safety concern.
• Pick-Up Times:
  • Only pick up your child during their designated pick-up time. 
  • Parents/guardians who arrive outside of their time will be asked to leave the line. When families arrive outside of their designated time, it impedes the dismissal flow, and backs up traffic unnecessarily onto Lawrence, often past Avenue Road.
  • Pick-up times are as follows:
    • JK: 3 -3:15 pm 
    • SK: 3:15 – 3:30 pm 
    • Grades 1 to 3: 3:25 – 3:40 pm 
    • Grades 4 to 6: 3:40 – 3:55 pm
  • Families who have more than one pick-up time, are asked to come at their older child’s pick-up time, when siblings will be called to to the car together. 
• Parking:
  • Only families with children in JK or SK are permitted to park on the Asphalt Parking Lot between 2:45 pm and 3:30 pm. This is because they have to walk around the building to physically pick up their children. All other families will be asked to leave the lot during this time.