A Message From the Head of the Junior School: Friday, February 4, 2022

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Parents,

The 2022 Winter Olympics have begun! 

Canada has sent 215 athletes and 85 coaches to Beijing this year. With 109 men and 106 women, the Canadian Olympic Committee says this is the most gender-balanced squad it has ever sent to a Winter Games. Knowing how many amazing athletes we have in the HC community, I wanted to share some fun facts that I hope act as inspiration for your daughters. Not only are these women elite athletes, but each has also shown tremendous dedication, determination, the ability to persist through challenges and stay focused under pressure.

  • The youngest woman competing on the team is sixteen-year-old snowboarder Brooke D’Hondt of Calgary
  • The oldest woman competing on the team is 47-year-old curler Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg 
  • Marie-Philip Poulin, the – Women’s Hockey Team Captain, also known as “Captain Clutch” is a three-times Games medallist (gold in 2010, 2014, and silver in 2018) and leads a team looking to reclaim its Olympic title. The team is made up of 23 players – 13 veterans and 10 first-timers. Olympic rookie Sarah Fillier got the team off to a strong start with a pair of first period goals, helping Canada to a big 12-1 victory over Switzerland 
  • Siblings Chloe and Justine Dufour-Lapointe will compete against each other in women’s moguls for the third straight Games. They also shared the podium at Sochi 2014.  
  • Cynthia Appiah from Toronto, competes in Bobsled. While the last Olympics were a heartbreaker, Appiah was an alternate after pushing Canada’s top two-woman sled to multiple World Cup medals. She came back with a vengeance by becoming a top pilot in time to chart her own course for Beijing. As a Black athlete in winter sports the 31-year-old is hoping to inspire others. Her best medal shot comes in the new women’s monobob event.
  • We are cheering ESPECIALLY hard for HC alum Ali Nullmeyer, who is at her first Olympics representing Team Canada in Alpine Skiing! You can watch her in the Slalom that airs at 9 pm on Tuesday (Feb 8)!

I encourage you to tune in the weeks to come in support of all of our Canadian athletes.

This week’s blog contains information on the following:

Sincerely,

Kate

UPDATES

Parenting Through the Pandemic – Wednesday, February 16 (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

  • The Mabin School has graciously extended an invitation to their upcoming virtual Parent2Parent Conference: Parenting Through a Pandemic with the Habits of Mind on Wednesday, February 16 at 7:00 pm. 
  • The evening will commence with an address by keynote speaker, Dr. Bena Kallick, Director of The Institute for Habits of Mind, and will include the opportunity for five  five breakout sessions, where parents will have the opportunity to connect with one another on a variety of subjects.
  • To learn more about the keynote address, the topic of each breakout session and to register, click here.

Supporting Canada’s Olympic Team – Dress Down Day (Monday, February 7)

  • In recognition of the 215 athletes and 85 coaches who are at the Beijing Olympics, we are inviting students from JK – Grade 12 to wear red and white in support of our team, on Monday, February 7.

Spirit Week – Monday, February 14 – Thursday, February 17

  • In a bid to lift the midwinter spirits, Havergal will once again honour the tradition of celebrating Spirit Week by kicking things off together on Monday morning on Zoom.
  • Tuesday, February 15, also known as Hockey Day, will be dedicated to cheering on the Havergal team as they face BSS at the Mattamy Centre that afternoon. JS students will be joining the pep rally (via Zoom) and savouring a treat while watching the game as it is live-streamed.
  • Dressdown Schedule:
    • Monday, February 14: Valentine’s Day – Dress in “something you love” (colours other than red/pink/white welcome!)
    • Tuesday, February 15: “Hockey Day”: wear your Green & Gold!
    • Wednesday, February 16: Pajama Day
      • Thursday, February 17: House Colours

Veracross Maintenance – Saturday from 8 pm – 10 pm

  • Please be advised that Veracross will be performing urgent maintenance on Saturday, Feb 5 from 8pm to 10pm EST. During this maintenance window, all portals and functions will be offline.

REMINDERS

Chartwell’s Ordering Form

  • For the week of February 14, you are invited to submit your lunch orders by Wednesday, February 9 at 12 noon: Chartwell’s Order Form 

Vaccine Documentation

  • As you are aware, the COVID-19 vaccine was approved for children aged 5-11 at the end of November 2021. The College encourages parents to get their children aged 5-11 vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine to prevent serious illness, to make our school and activities safer, and to reduce the risk of outbreaks or disruptions at school. The Health Centre has begun to collect vaccination documentation for children aged 5-11. You can reference our Upper School Student Vaccine Policy for further information on how vaccine documentation is confidentially stored. 
  • If your child has received their COVID-19 vaccine please let us know by:
    • Emailing the Health Centre at covid@havergal.on.ca
    •  Subject line: COVID-19 Vaccination Student Name 
    •  Include a screenshot or copy of the student’s official COVID-19 vaccination receipts, or a letter from a health care provider confirming the student has received a full series of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Student Absences – Need to Know Information

  • If a student is required to stay home for an extended period of time (5+ days) and isolate due to a positive COVID-19 case or due to symptoms listed in the chart below, please note the following: 
    • Update your child’s attendance in SchoolPass and type ISOLATING in the notes field. 
    • In these cases, students in Grades 3 – 6 will be able to use the zoom link and to listen in to their classes. 
  • If a student is absent not due to: isolation due to symptoms listed above, being Covid-19 positive, or a medical exemption (e.g., feeling unwell for a day, a trip, skiing), then they will not be allowed remote access to class via zoom. 

Donations of Skates and Helmets

  • We would be grateful to receive any old skates (size 2 and up) and helmets available for donation.
  • Having a reserve of equipment on site ensures that everyone who is interested in skating as part of our Health and Physical Education program can do so.

Covenant House: Personal Care Products Drive

  • Sloane, a student in Grade 7, and former JS student, is running a personal care products drive in support of Covenant House.
  • As part of their extensive programming for homeless youth, Covenant House provides hygiene and feminine products to support young women who need immediate shelter and who are transitioning to stable housing.
  • In order to support this initiative, all students are encouraged to bring new personal care products such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, combs, brushes, pads and tampons.
  • Should you have anything to contribute there will be boxes placed outside of the JS Library and Ms. Charlton’s office until Wednesday, February 16.
  • Your support is greatly appreciated!

Before & After School Co-curricular Drop-Off & Pick-Up Times

Please wait at the Main Doors: the facilitator of the activity will oversee dismissal.

  • Monday
    • Grade 3B Multisport – 4:00 p.m. dismissal
    • Grade 3A Drama – 4:15 p.m. dismissal
    • Grade 4A Drama – 4:45 p.m. dismissal time
  • Tuesday
    • Grade 5A&5B Volleyball – 4:45 p.m. dismissal
    • Grade 6 Band – 4:45 p.m. dismissal
  • Wednesday
    • Grade 4 Volleyball – 4:45 p.m. dismissal
  • Thursday
    • Grade 4A Dance – 4:45 p.m. dismissal
    • Grade 6C&6B Volleyball – 4:45 p.m. dismissal
  • Friday
    • Grade 4B Badminton – 7:15 a.m. drop-off (Gator Care opens at 7:30 a.m.)

Travel Outside of Canada 

DATES ON THE HORIZON

Team Canada Dress Down Day

  • In support of the Canadian Olympic team, everyone is invited to wear red & white

Spirit Week

Monday, February 14 – Thursday, February 17

Midterm Break

  • Friday, February 18 – Monday, February 21 

Pink Shirt Day

  • Wednesday, February 23: students are invited to “dress down” in pink!

“Update” Report Cards

  • Available to parents on Thursday, March 3 @4:00 p.m.

March Break

  • Friday, March 11 – Sunday, March 27
  • Monday, March 28: classes resume

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