Dear JS Families,
A huge thank you this week to our Grade 4 Earth Week Ambassadors, and their teachers for preparing such thoughtful and engaging resources and experiences that aimed to celebrate our love for our Earth, educate our community about environmental issues and encourage action to protect the planet. Students and community members were encouraged to consider the 3Cs throughout the week, which include: Conserving, Cleaning Up, and Chiming In.
Some of the highlights of the week included:
- A visit from special Guest Speaker and HC Alum Quinn D, now a Communications Specialist with the Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation, who hosted two “lunch and learns” where she shared her passion for shark and ocean conservation and how it motivates her to find solutions for a more sustainable world;
- A ravine clean up for students in Grades 1 – 6 to remove waste in and around the Burke Brooke;
- Participation in a Book Exchange, where students could bring in gently used books and trade with their peers;
- An interactive experience, led by a senior astronomer from Space.com, where students where each class entered a large inflatable planetarium (dome structure) and saw a 360 degree immersive projection of a variety of videos suitable for Earth Week. Imagine looking at the the Great Barrier Reef, Sahara Desert, and other spectacular place on earth looking around in all directions. Here is an example that you can watch on your laptop and spin around by clicking and dragging with your mouse. In the planetarium, it is projected all around. POLAR OBSESSION 360 | National Geographic
- A “No Power Hour,” where students, faculty and staff turned off the lights for an hour to conserve energy;
- An opportunity to take part in a fabulous workshop called ‘Splash On Earth’ where students from Grades 1 to 6 worked outdoors using paint made from repurposed food waste, integrating the arts, environmentalism, and community building.
Our hope is that this week has inspired our students to conserve, clean-up and chime in, not just during Earth Week, but each and every day for our planet! Be sure to check out HC’s Social Media platforms to see some pictures!
Sincerely,
Kate
Today’s edition of “The Weekly” contains information on the following:
- All Library Books due by May 29th
- A Warm Welcome to Sarah Brodie – Social Worker (Student Placement)
- Pride Week – Monday, May 1 – Friday, May 5
- Paws up, Havergal – We Need Help with Costumes for 101 Dalmatians!
- Ticket Reservations – Havergal Junior School’s performance of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians KIDS
- Athletics
- HCPA Updates
- Your Child’s Personalized Calendar
- End of Year Events to Mark on Your Calendar
- What’s on the JS Menu Next Week (Pizza Lunch on Monday!)
LATEST
All Library Books due by May 29th
Please be advised that ALL JS library books will be due May 29th. Once a student’s (or parent’s) account has been cleared, they will have permission to take out books for the summer, provided the student is returning to Havergal College. A maximum of 5 books for junior students and 10 books for JK-Gr3 will be allowed.
Please make note that unreturned books will be subject to a replacement cost, as stated in the Havergal Library’s Book Borrowing Procedure. Any books that have not been returned by June 23rd will be charged to your child’s school account. There will not be refunds after this date, so, should you find the lost book, you may keep it or donate it to the library.
A Warm Welcome to Sarah Brodie – Social Worker (Student Placement)
I am delighted to share that we will be welcoming Sarah Brodie to the Junior School for her student placement. Ms. Brodie holds a Bachelors in Social Work and is currently completing her Masters in Social Work through York University. She joined the team at Havergal’s Upper School in January to complete her student placement and will be with us until the end of the school year. Ms. Brodie will be working in the Junior School one day per week alongside our Child and Youth Worker, Holly Fournier.
Ms. Brodie has a background in visual art, sport, nutritional counselling and yoga therapy. Working in the home as a mother and in the community as a Social Worker, Ms. Brodie has uncovered a passion for supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of children and youth. She is thrilled to spend time in the Junior School this spring. Please join me in welcoming Sarah to our community.
REMINDERS
Pride Week – Monday, May 1 – Friday, May 5
Next week is Pride Week! We are excited to have this opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ2S+ community, and their many contributions locally, nationally, and here at Havergal. Our theme this year is “Proud to be Me,” and will allow us to come together as a community to promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging for all.
The schedule for the week is as follows:
- Monday, May 1
- As an introduction to Pride Week – teachers will introduce the theme of “Proud to be Me!” Books from our HC Library will be read to students, with guiding questions about what it means to belong, and ways that we can support one another to be our unique selves. Students will also be invited to wear a Pride Flag button, that will be handed out Monday morning in homeroom classes.
- At recess, students will have the option to use sidewalk chalk to create messages of kindness and support in the front and back of the Junior School.
- Tuesday, May 2 – Dress Down Day!
- Each student is asked to come to school wearing an article of clothing or an accessory of the colour that their grade was assigned for the JS Pride Flag. They do not need to be dressed head to toe in a particular colour, so there is no need to purchase anything! The colours are:
- JK – Pink
- SK – Turquoise
- 1 – Green
- 2 – Yellow
- 3 – Blue
- 4 – Orange
- 5 – Red
- 6 – Purple
- Prayers: We are pleased to welcome Havergal parents, Kerry Weiland and Christina Sorbara Weiland to share the story of starting their family. All parents are welcome to attend prayers and wear the colour white to represent the parent community.
- Each student is asked to come to school wearing an article of clothing or an accessory of the colour that their grade was assigned for the JS Pride Flag. They do not need to be dressed head to toe in a particular colour, so there is no need to purchase anything! The colours are:
- Wednesday, May 3
- Students will participate in a self-care journaling activity, during Wellbeing Time, to reflect on what it feels like to be accepted and respected for being who you are. As well, they will be asked to consider what it might feel like, to NOT be in this position.
- Thursday, May 4 – Dress Down Day
- Students in JK – Grade 6 are invited to wear something that they think makes them uniquely themselves
- Students in Grade 1 – 6 will be writing “I Am Me” poems to share what makes them unique and helps them express who they are, during wellbeing time;
- Grade 5 and 6 are invited to participate in an optional Q & A led by Nicole Cozier, Executive Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (with a few students from the Upper School Pride Committee) regarding identity and belonging.
- Friday, May 5
- To wrap up the week, we will ask students to reflect upon what they have learned, and to bring forward any lingering questions they may have.
- Finally, students will also have the choice to attend an optional age-appropriate “Read-Aloud” with our librarian Ms. Kelly during lunch recess.
Equity, diversity and inclusion are essential components of living Havergal ‘s mission (to prepare young women to make a difference) and its core values (courage, compassion, integrity and inquiry). Parents also play an important role in this! We recognize, however, some might not know how to answer your child’s questions or how to break the information down in a kid-friendly way. Here are some resources that we invite you to take a look at for your own learning and to consider how they might support you in future discussions you choose to have with your child:
- 6 tips for talking about Pride month and LGBTQ+ rights with kids
- Defining LGBTQ+ Words for Elementary Students
- Books in the HC library that focus on identity, celebrating our differences, and encouraging inclusion
- A Video Explaining the History and Evolution of the Pride Flag
- How to Support LGBTQ2S+ Family and Friends – What it Means to be an Ally
- They, them, their — Why Some People use These Pronouns Instead of He or She
- Do You Know What Two-Spirit Means?
As always, should you have any questions, feel free to contact me, and I would be pleased to connect.
Paws up, Havergal – We Need Help with Costumes for 101 Dalmatians!
Our performance of 101 Dalmatians is fast approaching and we need your help! We are looking to our community to see if anyone has the following items to loan out:
*All items should be child sized (Grades 4-6)
- 4 plaid kilts (preferably red)
- 4 pink tutus
- 4 costume crowns
- 4 pairs of boxing gloves
- A police costume (size small-medium)
- A cat costume (size small-medium)
Thank you so much for your support! We look forward to seeing you at the show!
Ticket Reservations – Havergal Junior School’s performance of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians KIDS
For ticket reservations, please complete the ticket form by Friday, May 19, 2023. Tickets will be prioritized for the families of the students involved in the show.
For any questions, please contact Paula Carson at pcarson@havergal.on.ca
ATHLETICS
Please refer to the JS Athletics Schedule.
If your child needs an Athletics Sweatshirt please have her reach out to Ms. Bartlett
Good Luck to the Ultimate team and the Softball Team who are participating in their first game next week.
HCPA UPDATES
JS A-mazing Race – This Sunday!
April 30 is almost here and we are really looking ! Can you help by volunteering? We need lots of volunteers to make this year’s A-mazing Race a success. Please sign up HERE.
Havergal Frames
Frames, which feature the Havergal crest embossed on a green matte, are available in both 5×7, 8×10, diploma and class composite/marguerite collage sizes. Click HERE for more information and to purchase.
Moms’ Night Out
A fun night out for Moms will take place on May 24 at CIBO Wine Bar (Yonge/Eglinton location).
Tickets will go on sale soon!
HCPA Fleece – Order now!
Cuddle up with a new fleece in support of the HCPA! We have reopened this shop for a limited time—the deadline to order is Thursday, May 4 (so they can be delivered before the end of the school year). Don’t miss out! Please note that this item is not part of the school uniform and is only available online. Click here to order.
YOUR CHILD’S PERSONALIZED CALENDAR
Use this link to see a personalised summary of your child’s activities next week, on the Parent Portal.
END OF YEAR EVENTS TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDARS
Sunday, April 30 – JS A-mazing Race
- 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm (please come to the Upper School Rotunda, where you can sign in)
Thursday, May 18 – House Shout
- 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Ratcliffe Field
Monday, May 29 and Tuesday May 30 Havergal Junior School’s performance of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians KIDS
- Monday @ 8:30 am – Legacy Theatre
- Tuesday @ 8:30 am & 4:30 pm – Legacy Theatre
Monday, June 12 Grade 6 Crossing the Bridge Leaving Ceremony (Grade 6 Families Only)
- 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm – JS Gym
Wednesday, June 14 Junior School Closing Ceremony
- 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK
- Pizza Lunch is on Monday!
- JS Menu for May 1 – May 5.pdf
The Weekly: Junior School 