A Message From the Head of the Junior School – Thursday, April 14, 2022

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Parents,

It was a “Feel Good Day” in the Junior School today, where our Grade 6 leaders invited JS students to dress in something that makes them feel their very best. From hockey jerseys, to party dresses, to PJs, our students took full advantage of the day to share just some of the things that help them to thrive. A special hot chocolate/hot apple cider treat was also enjoyed by all.

It is also my pleasure to let you know that Ms. Liz Watt will be returning from her maternity leave, on Tuesday, April 19, as Assistant Head. We are very much looking forward to having her back on campus. I am beyond grateful for the unbelievable professionalism, attention to detail, and deep care that Ms. Charlton has exhibited in her time at the Junior School as Interim Assistant Head. I look forward to welcoming back Ms. Watt next week, and to further acknowledging Ms. Charlton’s tremendous contributions when we come together as a community during our Closing Ceremony in June.

Ms. Watt and Ms. Charlton will work collaboratively from now until the end of the term, to ensure a smooth finish to the year, and to start planning for the 2022-2023 school year. Ms. Charlton will return to teaching in the Upper School in September, and Ms. Watt will continue on as JS Assistant Head. I ask that, until then, you Cc both Ms. Watt and Ms. Charlton in any communication intended for the Assistant Head.

Sincerely, 

Kate White – Head, Junior School

Today’s blog contains information on the following:

UPDATES

Principal & HCPA Updates 

Dear Havergal Families:

We would like to thank all who participated in our survey regarding the Father Daughter Dance, Mother Daughter Breakfasts, Grade 12 Mother Daughter Brunch and Junior School A-Mazing Race. We had very strong participation from both our parent and our Upper School student community. Your feedback is important to us and we thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas with us.

We’ve shared information below on the responses to our parent and student survey. Overall, the vast majority of respondents (over 70%) were supportive of renaming the events to ensure that families of all shapes and sizes felt welcomed to participate. This is no doubt reflective of the variety of families represented within our school community. Given this insightful feedback from both students and parents, we will be making the following changes:

  • The Father Daughter Dance will be renamed to Gator Gala and will take place on Thursday, June 9 2022. Students attending can invite one significant adult of their choosing.
  • The Mother Daughter Breakfasts will now be called Havergal Family Breakfasts. Students attending from our major entry years (Grades 1, 5, 7 and 9) can invite one significant adult of their choosing. 
  • The Grade 12 Mother Daughter Brunch will now be known as Grad Family Brunch. Grade 12 students will be encouraged to bring up to two significant adults to the event, which takes place in the fall.
  • The Junior School A-Mazing Race will retain its name and students can bring one significant adult of their choosing.This event will take place on Sunday, May 15, 2022.

Once again, thank you to everyone who shared feedback with us. We are looking forward to a wonderful series of community events this spring and fall.

Sincerely,

Katrina Samson

Principal

Alnar Meghji & Lisa Windover

Co Chairs, HCPA

Founders’ Day Reminder & Strong Foundations, Strong Future Community Celebration

  • This year, our Founders’ Day theme, Strong Foundations: Bright Future compels us to celebrate our history while focusing on what we, as individuals and as a community, will do to help create a bright future as we move through this pandemic.
  • To mark this historic time and honour the strength of our collective community, each student and family member will be given a stone upon which they can write their name and, for students, their graduating year as well. These stones will be collected and made onto an art installation, similar to what is pictured below. 
  • We look forward to welcoming our families to campus and to building together a bright future for the Havergal community. Parents are invited to join their child(ren) for an opportunity to tour the school with their child(ren), to participate in our Strong Foundations, Strong Future community activity and to take a family photo at our photo booth.  
  • Please note for all families:
    • All students must be in their #1 Dress Uniform
    • Parking will be extremely limited so we encourage families who can, to walk or find alternative means of transportation
    • Gator Care will take place the Learning Hub in AM: green signs will redirect families (help from Facilities) & on regular door
    • All parents visiting need to be vaccinated and wear masks when not eating or drinking. We ask that you self screen using the TPH Screener prior to your arrival 

JK – Grade 5 Information

Due to capacity limits in the church, students in Junior Kindergarten – Grade 5 will be celebrating the laying of the cornerstone of our Avenue Road campus with activities at the Junior School throughout the day. This year, as we celebrate the ability to come together as a community, we are pleased to include parents in our celebrations.

Timing:

8:20 am 

  • Parents are invited to join their child(ren) for a visit to their classroom, an opportunity to tour the school, participate in our Strong Foundations, Strong Future art installation and to take a family photo at our photo booth.

8:45 am

  • Parents are invited to join the HCPA in a coffee morning in the Dining Hall.  

Grade 6 Information

As was communicated last week, we are thrilled that our students  in Grade 6 – 12 will once again be returning to St. Paul’s Cathedral for Founders’ Day next Thursday, April 21.

Permission Forms:

  • If you have not already done so, please complete the permission form here. Forms must be complete by noon on Tuesday April 19.

Timing:

7:30 am

  • Parents invited to join their child for a visit to the classroom, tour the school, participate in our community art installation and take a family photo at the photo booth

8:00 am: 

  • Students must be in the classroom for attendance.  They will walk to the Upper School with their teachers to board busses to the church
  • Parents are invited to the Dining Hall, hosted by the HCPA, for a coffee morning.

11:00 am:

  • Students return to school via bus

Thank you from our Grade 6s for the Donations to the Children’s Book Bank 

  • On behalf of our Grade 6s, a very sincere note of thanks for your donations to the Children’s Book Bank!
  • Over 500 new or gently used books will make their way into the hands of other children in Toronto as a result of your generosity. 

Dr. Alex Russell Parent Talk Recording

  • It was a pleasure to see HC families in the Brenda Robson Hall last night for Dr. Russell’s presentation.
  • His topic of supporting teenage children during challenging times addressed many pertinent topics such as anxiety, the importance of the parent-teacher-student triangle, how ‘flow’ is a true marker for happiness and engagement, and when as parents, we need to sit on the park bench and not step in to their experience, even when that experience involves a non-chatistrophic, painful failure. We do encourage you to view the recording of the session through Havergal’s Youtube Channel.

REMINDERS

Chartwell’s Ordering Form 

  • For the week of April 25, you are invited to submit your lunch orders by Wednesday, April 20 at 12 noon: Chartwell’s Order Form

Before & After School Co-curriculars

School Resilience Survey: May 3

  • If you do not want your child to participate, please complete this google form and submit by April 22, 2022.

DATES ON THE HORIZON

Easter Weekend

  • Friday, April 15 – No School
  • Monday, April 18 – No School

Founders’ Day

  • Thursday, April 21
    • Number One Dress for students JK – 6

PD Day

  • Friday, May 6 – No School for Students

Victoria Day Weekend

  • Monday, May 23 –  No School

House Shout – House Dress Down Day

  • Tuesday, May 24 @ 1:00 pm
  • This is a much-beloved tradition at Havergal that we are happy to bring back.
  • The whole school comes together outside and presents cheers in their houses.
  • Arrival and Dismissal times remain the same.

Grade 6 Celebration – In Person, Grade 6 families invited

  • Tuesday, June 14 (4pm – 5:00 pm) 

JS Closing Ceremony – In Person, JS families invited

  • Wednesday, June 15 
    • Students at school 8:25 am – 12:00 pm
    • Ceremony takes place in Brenda Robson Hall from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
    • 12:00 pm dismissal

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