Dear JS Parents
A very warm welcome back to campus! I can’t tell you how lovely it has been to see our students back at school this week. Their energy and enthusiasm has certainly provided the motivation to keep forging ahead, learning and being together as a community.
I have thoroughly enjoyed wandering the halls over the course of the week, and seeing everything the students have been up to! From making ice sculptures, which will be displayed as part of an outdoor JS winter Art Installation (pics coming soon); to stopping into the Grade 6 classes as they watched the NASA livestream of the landing of “Mars Perseverance;” to watching our Grade 1s continue to explore standard and non-standard units of measurement; and seeing our JKs and SKs write books, and re-adjust to their classroom routines, it has been a week of inspiration.
This week’s blog is PACKED with need-to-know information! Grab a cup of tea, settle in, enjoy the read!
As always, should you have any questions or concerns, I invite you to connect with me.
Warmly,
Kate
LATEST NEWS
Major Dates Calendar
Please see the updated Major Dates Calendar that reflects the changes to the March/April calendar.
Gator Care – Up and Running!
We are thrilled to announce that Gator Care will be up and running again, starting on Monday, February 22. As always, it is critical that you pre-register for this program, by emailing: gatorcare@havergal.on.ca
Save the Date – Conversations with Kate White, Head of Junior School
I am excited to let you know that I will be hosting a series of online conversations with parents in JK to Grade 2, parents in Grades 3 & 4, and parents in Grades 5 & 6. I have very much missed informally connecting with families, and hope this will be an opportunity to come together.
In addition, this will provide a chance for me to share some of the exciting things happening across the various grade divisions, and for you to ask questions. Ms. Norberg, Associate Head, and Ms. Charlton, Interim Assistant Head, will also be there to introduce themselves so that you can get to know them better, and understand the role they play in the life of the Junior School. I am looking forward to meeting with you! You will receive an invitation, and the pertinent Zoom links early next week. To assist with your planning, however, the dates and times are as follows:
- Monday March 1
- JK & SK (6:30 pm – 7:00 pm)
- Grade 3-4 (7:15 pm – 7:45pm)
- Thursday March 4
- Grade 1 & 2 (6:30 pm – 7:00 pm)
- Tuesday, March 16
- Gr 5-6 (6:30 pm – 7:00 pm)
Please also stay tuned for more parent engagement events in the spring term, where we will be discussing how we have been supporting students through the pandemic, as well as some of the skills they will need moving forward.
The Junior School Library – Supporting Young Readers!
JK to Grade 2
- “The Book Bag” Program will continue for students in JK to Grade 2.
- A gentle reminder to please double check that all books in a set are returned together!
Grade 3 – 6
- Students now have access to the JS Library Catalogue and will be able to request books online. Ms. Marino will be visiting classes next week to go over login procedures and how to make requests. Instructions will also be sent home.
- Your child may receive an email notification if a book has not been returned within 2 weeks. Please ensure the book is returned, so that it can be quarantined and then loaned out to another student in a timely manner.
As always, the safety of our school community remains the top priority. Books returned to the school will continue to be quarantined for seven days before being put back into circulation or lent out to another student. This length of time is based on the recommendation of the “Reopening Archives, Libraries and Museums (REALM) Study to quarantine books for three to seven days.
Upcoming Registration for Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent-Teacher Interviews are still scheduled for Thursday, March 25th, and Friday, March 26.
We will once again be using Pick-A-Time for registration. Please note:
- Registration OPENS on Monday, March 15 at 6:00 pm
- Registration CLOSES on Wednesday, March 24 at 12:00 pm
Veracross Unavailable – Feb 19-21, 2021
In order to reset the calendar/rotation schedule to coincide with the new calendar dates that will be adjusted due to the March break changes, Veracross will be unavailable to all employees, students, and parents from February 19 at 4pm to February 20 at 8 am and again from February 20 at noon to February 21 at 4pm. Faculty have prepared students for this by making sure students have what they need and that they know they will be unable to access their class websites for much of this upcoming weekend. Our apologies for the short notice but it is challenging to find the right time to do this necessary work.
REMINDERS
Junior School Progress Reports
This is a reminder that Junior School Progress Reports will be available for viewing on March 3 at 4:00 pm on Veracross. These are progress reports, and as such only contain a mark, rather than full comments. As always, should you have any questions or concerns you are encouraged to contact the appropriate teacher..
Drop – Off & Pick- Up
Thank you for your collective efforts in improving our drop-off and pick-up procedures. In order for us to keep our community safe, and the flow of traffic moving, please adhere to the following:
- SLOW DOWN on the driveway! It can sometimes be icy, despite all attempts to salt and clear the snow, making for a slippery surface.
- Parents/Caregivers are to remain in their car, and be aware of your surroundings.
- Students need to have all of their belongings ready for quick drop-off, and not have to get access to the trunk.
- Arrive at your designated pick-up time. Those who arrive earlier, will be asked to exit the line and circle the block
- Ensure that you bring your child(ren)’s name card(s), and be sure that it is CLEARLY visible to the teachers on duty!
Dates on the Horizon
With so many new dates on the horizon, we thought it would be helpful to have them listed here for your convenience. Veracross has also been updated to reflect these changes.
Monday March 1
- JK & SK (6:30 pm – 7:00 pm) Conversation with Kate
- Grades 3 & 4 (7:15 pm – 7:45pm) Conversation with Kate
Tuesday, March 2
- Grade 5-8 Parent Webinar with Phyllis Fagell (6:30 pm -7:30 pm)
Passcode: 277333
Thursday March 4
- Grades 1 & 2 (6:30 pm – 7:00 pm) Conversation with Kate
Monday, March 8 – Friday, March 12
- School Closed
Monday, March 15
- School Resumes
- JS Pick-A-Time Registration OPENS at 6:00 pm
Tuesday, March 16
- Grade 5 – 8 Parent Webinar
Friday, March 19
- Professional Development for Faculty and Staff
- School Closed for Students
Wednesday, March 24
- JS Pick-a-Time Registration CLOSES at 12:00 pm
Thursday, March 25 & Friday, March 26
- Parent-Teacher Interview Day – School Closed
Monday, April 12 – Friday, April 16
- School Closed
Monday, April 19
- School Resumes
The Weekly: Junior School 