A Message from the Head of the Junior School: Friday, June 4, 2021

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear JS Parents,

It has been a week filled with emotions, as we have learned of the decision to not have classes return to on-campus learning until the fall. While I know this is difficult, please be assured that we have been planning for this eventuality. It is important, despite the circumstances, that we end the year in a way that provides closure, and that is both meaningful and celebratory.

We are almost there, and we have done it together! I continue to be in awe of all that we have accomplished together, and look forward to an exceptional end to the year. Thank you for everyone’s ongoing support.

Please be sure to read this week’s blog in its entirety, as it contains important information regarding the last two weeks of school.

Should you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s homeroom teacher, or to me. 

Sincerely,

Kate

LATEST NEWS

Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – An Introduction

  • Junior School students had the opportunity to meet Raagini Appadurai in prayers this afternoon. Ms. Appadurai will be working with our teachers and students to help us to make sure that people understand their own identities, and the identities of others, so that every member of our community feels included, respected, and valued. We are so excited for the work that we will do together!

Prayers – Monday, June 7: National Indigenous People’s Day (3:00 pm – 3:30 pm; link can be found on Seesaw or Google Classroom)

  • One week ago, we learned the heartbreaking news that the remains of 215 Indigenous children were found buried at the location of the former Indian Residential School on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory in Kamloops, BC. 
  • As a community, we continue to learn more about the Indigneous People’s experience in Canada, grieve this tragic loss and advocate for truth and reconciliation with Indigneous People.
  • National Indigenous People’s Day is on June 21st. While we will not be at school on this day, it was important to honour this important day. 

  • Prayers on Monday will include:
    • Messaging delivered by some of our Grade 5 students, highlighting some of their learning on Indigenous communities prior to settlement; the lack of appreciation of those cultures by white settlers; a description of “Jordan’s Principle, connected to their unit on government, which describes ongoing issues of racism;
    • A description of the importance and purpose purpose of Indigenous People’s Day;
    • A Message from a guest visitor, Michelle Boudrias, who will share what National Indigenous People’s Day means to her, and how she and her family celebrate;
    • A moment of silence
    • Smudging by Michelle Alexander, accompanied by blessing by Rev. Stephanie Douglas-Bowman

We hope that you will be able to join us.

End of Year Preparations:

Friday, June 11

  • 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Final Prayers

Monday, June 14

  • 4:45 pm – 6:00 pm Grade 6 Leaving Ceremony

Wednesday, June 16

  • Individual Virtual Class “Goodbyes” (these will occur before the Closing Ceremony)
    • Students will have an opportunity to meet with their teachers and classmates virtually one last time as a group on this day.
    • Please refer to your child’s Seesaw or Google Classroom page for the pertinent details
  • 10:30 am – 11:30 am JS Closing Ceremony * Please note the change in time!

Wednesday, June 16 – Friday, June 18

  • Drive by “Drop-off” and “Pick-up”
    • Students and their families are invited to sign up for a time to come to the school, using the Pick-A-Time Link to drop by the JS for a final goodbye of the year. 
      • This links is OPEN NOW, and CLOSES TUESDAY, JUNE 15th at 6:00 pm
    • Times Available include:
  • Wednesday, June 16  (12 pm – 4 pm)
  • Thursday, June 17  (9 am – 4 pm)
  • Friday, June 18 (9 am – 4 pm)
  • Items to DROP-OFF
    • Any Havergal issues device in use during the CLP (i.e., Laptop and/or iPad and any corresponding chargers)
    • Grade 4 & 6 students are asked to drop off their musical instruments (Grade 5s should keep theirs for Grade 6)
    • Any other items belonging to Havergal College
  • Items to PICK-UP
    • Any labelled unclaimed items still at the school
    • This year’s copy of the Havergal Yearbook (Ludemus)
    • Your child’s “composite class photo”
    • A sweet treat to say thank you for the year!

REMINDERS

Dr. Robyne Hanley Dafoe – Recording and Survey

On Thursday, May 27 we were fortunate to host Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe for an engaging and informative parent webinar on resilience and wellbeing. To view the recording of the event, click HERE. 
We would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes and complete this survey to share your thoughts on the presentation and provide feedback for planning future events.

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