A Message from the Head of the Junior School – Friday, February 18, 2022

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Parents,

What an amazing spirit week it was! Junior School students once again brought their “A” game, each and every day. The bright colours, laughter and sense of community was just the thing to give us all a boost in the cold days of February. The icing on the cake was definitely the return of Hockey Day, where we were able to join in for the pep rally as a whole school, and cheer on our HC Team. The 5 – 2 victory made it all the sweeter.

This week’s blog contains information on the following:

Wishing you all a joyful Family Day Weekend.

Sincerely,

Kate

UPDATES

Changes to Routines at Schools  

  • Before and After School Co-curriculars
    • As we head into the spring term we will be further expanding our arts and athletic offerings, with more opportunities for younger students, in particular
    • Please note the following arrival and dismissal times for co-curriculars next week:
      • Tuesday
        • Grade 5 Volleyball (all cohorts) – 4:45 p.m. dismissal
        • Grade 6 Band (all cohorts) – 4:45 p.m. dismissal
      • Wednesday
        • Grade 4 Volleyball – 4:45 p.m. dismissal
        • new: Grade 5A & 5B Swim – 7:00 a.m. arrival  
        • Grade 6 all cohorts.  Swim – 4:45 p.m. dismissal
      • Thursday
        • Grade 4B Dance – 4:45 p.m. dismissal
        • Grade 5 – The Art of the Spoken Word – 4:45 p.m. dismissal
        • Grade 6A & 6B Volleyball – 4:45 p.m. dismissal
      • Friday
        • Grade 4 Badminton (all cohorts) 7:15 arrival time.  
  • JK and SK Drop Off – Grade 6 Leaders on Hand 
    • We are thrilled to announce that our Grade 6 leaders will be on hand to walk JK and SK students to their classroom door in the mornings. 
    • We ask that you either park on the street, or on the JS back parking lot and walk your child to the front door so that we can ensure that their school pass has been completed. Once confirmed, a Grade 6 student will walk your child around the school to the back.
    • This is optional, and you can still walk your child on your own, if that is your preference. 
    • Please note that our pick-up routine remains unchanged for the time being.

Pink Shirt Day – Wednesday, February 23

  • Students in JK to Grade 12 will be marking Pink Shirt Day on Wednesday, February 23. This will be a full grub day, and students are invited to wear a pink shirt to show that they say YES to kindness, and NO to bullying.
  • While we speak to our students about the difference between being rude, being mean and bullying on a regular basis, Pink Shirt Day highlights the importance of choosing to lift each other up, how to be an “upstander” and the effects that bullying can have.
  •  Should you wish to know more, please visit the Pink Shirt Day Website.

 Third Doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine Available

  • Effective today, Friday, February 18, Ontario youth between the ages of 12 and 17 will be eligible for a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • To learn more, please use this link.

Update on COVID-19 Protocols and School Visitors 

  • As the province eases some of the COVID-19 public health measures, Havergal will be implementing a gradual and safe approach to having visitors on campus. All visitors will still be required to complete a wellness screening and provide proof of vaccination along with valid photo identification upon entry to the school. 
  • Guests will now be permitted to visit the school for appointments. For other Havergal group events there may be  slightly different protocols based on the capacity limits of spaces, which will be communicated with you prior to the event.
  • Thank you for your cooperation in helping us protect the wellness of our school community and ensuring we are taking every precaution to keep students learning in person on campus.
  • Additional Resources

REMINDERS

Chartwell’s Ordering Form

  • For the week of February 28, you are invited to submit your lunch orders by Wednesday, February 23 at 12 noon: Chartwell’s Order Form .

Upcoming Parent Education Opportunities

  • JK – 6 Parent Webinar with Dr. Alex Russell 
    • Wednesday, March 9 (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm) 
    • Dr. Russell is a clinical psychologist, registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. He provides assessments and psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults, and consultation and supervision to schools, teachers and psychologists. He is a popular public speaker and is the author, with Tim Falconer, of Drop the Worry Ball: How to Parent in the Age of Entitlement.
    • Dr. Russell will be speaking with us about some of the effects that the last several years have had on our children, as well as ways to support them to thrive. He is also scheduled to work with our Havergal teachers on this topic, to support the work that they do on campus.
    • Zoom Link to come
  • Grade 4 – 12 Parent Webinar: Finding the Balance: Navigating Conversations Around “Healthy” Eating & Exercise
    • Wednesday, March 30 (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm) 
      • How do messages about health impact your children and families? In this evening panel discussion led by representatives of the National Eating Disorder Information Centre, we will hear from parents, clinicians, and youth with lived experience of an eating disorder as they share their experience and strategies for supporting your family’s relationship with eating, exercise, and body image.
      • National Eating Disorder Information Center Zoom LInk
        • Webinar ID: 825 2318 7504
        • Passcode: 819563

COVID-19 Reporting

  • We will continue to post a daily update about COVID-19 positive cases (rapid antigen and PCR), that are reported to Havergal, through Thrive Health. The data will be identified by cohort and will include the student’s last known date on campus. You can find this information HERE.
  • It is important that you check this daily, as it contains the most up to date information regarding reported positive cases of COVID-19.
  • Accessing classes via Zoom is only available for students isolating due to COVID-19 or those with a medical/visa accommodation.
    • If a student is away due to COVID-19 isolation, families should communicate this to the school by putting a note/reason in SchoolPass that says “isolating.” It might take up to 24hrs for teachers to make their Zoom links available to a student depending on when we get the information. Assessments will be written in person unless the teacher requests otherwise. 
  • If a student is going to be away for longer than 5 days, please contact your child’s Head of School to discuss the situation. Extended absences will include access to class materials on Veracross and asynchronous work only. Access to zoom links will not be permitted.

DATES ON THE HORIZON

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.

JK – 6 Parent Webinar with Dr. Alex Russell 

  • Wednesday, March 9 (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm)

March Break

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

Grade 4 – 12 Parent Webinar: Finding the Balance: Navigating Conversations Around “Healthy” Eating & Exercise

  • Wednesday, March 30 (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

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