A Message from the Head of the Junior School: Friday, October 15, 2021

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Parents,

It was a pleasure to welcome Tomisin, our Junior School Prefect to Prayers, alongside some of our House Leaders in Grades 10 – 12 to prayers this morning. They, along with Ms. Charlton shared the purpose of House, the history behind it as well as some fun facts.For example, did you know that each of the ten houses is named after women who have made outstanding contributions to the life of the school. Some have been Principals of the school, some have been much loved staff members and others have influenced the growth of the school. 

They finished by inviting all students in JK to 6 to show their House spirit on Wednesday, October 20th, which is our first House Colour Day. 

Please note that this week’s Junior School Blog contains information on the following:

Sincerely,

Kate

UPDATES

COVID-19 Protocol updates: Rapid Antigen Screening and Take Home PCR Saliva Kits

  • Thank you to everyone in the Rapid Antigen Testing program who has registered and begun to log their child’s test results in Thrive Health. If you have still not received an invite to register for Thrive Health please reach out to covid@havergal.on.ca. 
  • As a reminder, the Rapid Antigen Testing Program is a screening program that is to be used twice weekly (Mondays and Thursdays) for asymptomatic students, you are encouraged to complete testing for your child even on PD days or holiday weekends. If a student has symptoms associated with COVID-19  or a known COVID-19 exposure, they must have PCR testing done at an assessment centre, or with a take home PCR Saliva Kit. Beginning next week, we will have PCR Saliva Kits available from Sick Kids Hospital for symptomatic students, if needed. Please get in contact with our Junior School Nurse at ext. 6516 or covid@havergal.on.ca for more information about take home kits. For further information on testing types see this helpful TPH Resource on Testing Types for School Students. 
  • Lastly, thank you to everyone for completing daily screening for your child on SchoolPass and for following our COVID-19 protocols. As we want to decrease the risk of any illness transmission at school, please remember that any student who is sick, or has symptoms of illness, including those not listed in our SchoolPass question, should still stay home from school. It is only symptoms listed on SchoolPass screening that require PCR testing, however even if PCR testing is not required we still want all children who are unwell to remain home from school until the illness is improving for 24 hours. Please get in touch with our Junior School health centre at ext. 6516 or covid@havergal.on.ca if you have any questions about testing, isolation or returning to school. 

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Outdoor Play – Dressing for the Weather

  • While we have been enjoying the unseasonably warm weather over the last several weeks, we are mindful that there are chillier days ahead. Please ensure that your child has all of the appropriate outdoor gear required, so that they can fully engage in outdoor play at recess. In particular, rain boots or other waterproof boots are recommended at this time of year.

REMINDERS

Reminder About Travel Outside of Canada 

  • With the November Mid-Term break  and the Winter Holidays coming up, we would like to remind families about the requirements around returning to school if you are travelling outside the country. If you and your unvaccinated child are travelling internationally, it is important to underscore that your child is unable to attend school for 14 days after their arrival back in Canada. Please note, there is no access to remote learning during this time; however, students have the option to follow along with instructions and class notes on Seesaw (JK – 3) or Google Classroom (Gr. 4 – 6) if they are not at school. If you have any specific requests, please contact the Head of the Junior School. 
  • For additional guidance, please review our Student Return to School after Illness, Exposure or Travel procedure, which is included in the Family Handbook’s Return to Campus COVID-19 Protocols section. You may also reference the federal government travel advice for those travelling with unvaccinated children.

Junior School Parent-Teacher Conferences  

When do they take place?

  • Thursday October 21 from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm 
  • Friday October 22 from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm 

Registration

  • Opens: Wednesday, Oct. 13th at 6 pm. 
  • Closes: Tuesday, Oct. 19th at 8pm.  

Will Parent-Teacher Conference be held at school, or on Zoom?

How to sign up:

  • In order to sign-up, please go to Pick-A-Time 
    • Please note that this link will only allow you to register when registration opens on Wednesday, October 13 @ 6pm..
    • A ‘Forgot Password’ link is available on the Pick-a-time website if needed.

Assistance:

  • For assistance with Pick-a-time, contact our Service Desk at 416-483-3843 ext.6663 between the hours of 7:30am -5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
  • PickAtime does not permit the scheduling of back-to-back appointments. However, if you are the parent of two or more students, with the same teacher (e.g., Specialist Teachers),please contact Mrs. Walker (cwalker@havergal.on.ca) by Friday, October 15 before noon and she will help you to book the appointments.

Diwali Prayers – Last Call for Submissions

  • The Junior School will be celebrating Diwali on Monday, November 1 during Prayers. If your family celebrates Diwali, we would love to have some photos to include of your family to include for our walk-in video. Please submit these to Stephanie Iannarella (siannarella@havergal.on.ca) by Monday, October 25, so that they can be included.

DATES ON THE HORIZON

Wednesday, October 20

  • House Colours Day: students are invited to wear their House colours rather than their uniforms

Thursday, October 22 & Friday, October 22

  • No classes due to PT Conferences

Friday, October 29

  • Virtual Hallowe’en Assembly 
    • Costumes, face paint welcome
    • COVID masks only, no costume masks, please
    • No toy weapons

Monday, November 1

  • Diwali Prayers

Thursday, November 11 – Monday, November 15

  • Midterm break: no classes

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