A Message from the Head of the Junior School: Thursday, November 11, 2021

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Parents,

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Remembrance Day Poppy. In 1921, the poppy was adopted as the flower of remembrance, as poppies were a common sight, especially on the Western Front. A huge thank you to our Grade 3 classes who on Monday, led our Remembrance Day Service in Prayers. This provided us with the opportunity to learn about the importance of this day, as well to honour all those who have served our country both in times of war and peace. 

 I wish you peace over this long weekend, and look forward to seeing everyone next week.

This week’s blog contains information on the following:

Sincerely,

Kate

UPDATES

Welcoming Visitors on Campus – Starting on November 16

  • Beginning on November 16 our campus will formally reopen to guests and visitors for certain indoor activities.  In our continued commitment to maintaining  a safe learning and working environment for all the Havergal College Visitor COVID-19 Health and Safety Policy outlines the expectations for all visitors to the campus.

Winter Arts and Athletics Co-curriculars: Before/After School

  • Our before and after school winter athletics season will commence later this month; our winter Arts activities will commence in January.
  • You will find all of the information for athletics options and registration information here; particulars about Arts activities will be provided in due course

New Circles Holiday Angels Gift Card and Clothing Collection 

  • This November, Havergal College is once again participating in the New Circles Holiday Angels Program, a gift-giving program that serves individuals and families, many of whom are newcomers to Canada. To learn more, please take a look at the New Circles Website. 

  • What Families Need to Know:
    • Friday, November 19 
      • Students will learn about what New Circles does, and the Holiday Angels Program, and the drives that will be held in JK – Grade 1, and Grade 2 – 6
    • November 22 to the 26th
      • Dates of the Collective Drive
    • JK – Grade 1 – “Winter Accessories Drive”
      • Families are asked to donate any of the following items (new, or gently used and clean) for men (of particular need), women and children
        • Hats 
        • Scarves 
        • Gloves/mittens
        • Underwear (new only)
        • Socks (new only)
    • Grade 2- 6 – “Family Sponsorship Program – Gift Card Drive” 
      • Each grade will receive a family’s profile indicating their particular needs and holiday wishes.  
      • Each HC student these grades will then receive a request indicating which retailers the families would like to receive gift cards for.

Hanukkah Prayers

  • Hanukkah Prayers is on Friday, November 26th. If you have photos or videos of you and your family celebrating Hanukkah over the years, we would love to include them in our Prayers. Please send your photos and videos to awhite@havergal.on.ca by Monday, November 22nd.

REMINDERS

Chartwell’s Ordering Form

Vaccines for Children – A Junior School Parent Webinar

  • As part of our parents as partners education program, we are pleased to be hosting a webinar with our school doctor, Dr. Sheana Desson ‘95 and parent to two Junior School students to unpack questions families may have around the COVID-19 vaccine for students aged 5- 12.
    • When: Wednesday November 17, 2021 7:15pm – 8:00pm
    • Where:  Please click this link to join the webinar
      • Webinar ID: 893 7792 5571
      • Passcode: 714538
  • In order to ensure we answer as many of your questions as possible, we encourage you to submit questions in advance. Please use this link submit your questions by November 17 at 12:00 pm

Student Photographs

  • This is a final reminder for parents to check their student photos online at the following link: Echo Photography  
  • The password required is your child’s student identification number, found on Veracross.
  • Deadline for ordering student photos: November 20th
  • Should you require further assistance please email: jsoffice@havergal.on.ca

COVID-19 Vaccination for Children 

 Consultation About the COVID-19 Vaccine for Children

  • We invite our parents and member of our community to make use of this service should they have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children

Travel Outside of Canada and What to do if your Child is Ill

  • 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. 
  • 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.

DATES ON THE HORIZON

Thursday, November 11 – Monday, November 15

  • Midterm break: no classes

Tuesday, November 16

  • Submissions to postcard design contest due

Wednesday, November 17

  • Vaccines for Children (5 – 11) Webinar 7:15 pm

Monday, November 29 – Thursday, December 2

  • Junior School Book Fair

Friday, December 3

  • PD Day
    • No classes for students
    • JS Faculty and Staff participating in Professional Development

Thursday, December 9

  • Report Cards available for online viewing

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

  • Last day of term

Christmas Break:

  • Thursday, December 16. 2021 – Monday, January 3, 2022

Classes Resume:

  • Tuesday, January 4, 2022

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