A Message From the Head of the Junior School – Friday, April 14, 2023

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear JS Families,

As we approach the end of the week, I want to take a moment to appreciate the unseasonably warm temperatures we’ve had over the course of the last few days! It has been particularly lovely when welcoming our students in the morning, and having the opportunity to say a quick hello to families at pickup, with windows down and lots of smiling faces! 

Unstructured outdoor play is essential for young children’s physical, social, and emotional development, while also promoting creativity, problem-solving skills, and a love for nature. We have just loved seeing our students running around at recess, playing games, and simply enjoying themselves on our beautiful campus!

With the forecast calling for cooler and rainy days just around the corner, I hope that the weekend’s sunshine leaves you refreshed and energised for the week ahead.

Warmly,

Kate

Today’s edition of “The Weekly” contains information on the following:

LATEST

Havergal Junior School’s performance of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians KIDS – May 29 – May 30 in The Legacy Theatre!

This musical is based on the classic Dodie Smith novel and the beloved Disney films. The performance will be put on by over 60 students in Grades 4, 5 and 6, involving performers, set designers, costume designers, and media creators. Join Roger, Anita, Pongo, Perdita, and their pups as they race their way through madcap adventures and thwart the villainous Cruella De Vil!

All students in the Junior School will come to watch the performance during school time on May 29 and 30. Families are invited to join our audience! Our three performances will take place on May 29 at 8:30 am, May 30 at 8:30 am and May 30 at 4:30 pm. 

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. 

Disney’s 101 Dalmatians KIDS is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

For any questions, please contact Paula Carson at pcarson@havergal.on.ca 

Earth Week – Monday, April 24 – Friday, April 28

Our Grade 4 students, and a team of teachers are thoughtfully working on programming for Earth Week, which is just around the corner! In keeping with Havergal’s mission to prepare young women to make a difference, they are preparing experiences and resources that aim to celebrate our love for our Earth, educate our community about environmental issues and encourage action to protect the planet. We will be providing you with a more fulsome overview of the schedule of events for students next week!

Pride Week – Monday, May 1 – Friday, May 5

Havergal is excited to be celebrating Pride Week from Monday, May 1 to Friday, May 5. Our theme this year is “Proud to be Me,” and is an important opportunity for us to come together as a community to promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging for all.

Our Pride Planning Committee (Ms. Watt – JS, Assistant Head, Ms. Fournier – JS Child and Youth Worker, Ms. Doyle – JK Teacher, Ms. Kaba – Co-ordinator, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Hana – Junior School Prefect, in collaboration with myself, and Nicole Cozier – Executive Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and our JS student committee) have been carefully planning a variety of age appropriate activities to engage our students throughout the week. These will include: opportunities to learn about the history and significance of Pride and the many contributions of members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, specially chosen read-alouds by the teachers with guiding questions (the list of books and guiding questions will be shared prior to Pride Week), time to participate in art activities, as well as opportunities to reflect and celebrate what makes each student uniquely themselves, and why it is important to accept and respect what makes others unique.

Opportunity for Parent Involvement in Creating a JS Pride Flag!

As part of our Pride Week programming, our JS prefect, Hana, will be working with our students to create our very own Pride Flag, with contributions from our students, faculty, staff, and hopefully YOU! Click HERE to learn more about the history of the Pride Flag, and how it has evolved over time. 

Each group will be assigned a colour, as well as a square piece of paper. Students will be asked to colour the paper in their assigned colour, and to write one word describing something that they love about themself. This will be done at school, with support from teachers and Upper School students.

Hana will also be at the Junior School next week, on Wednesday, April 19, during dismissal to provide squares of paper, along with the colour assignment, to family members and caregivers who wish to participate. Extra squares will be available for pick-up at the JS front desk. Once complete, they can be returned to school with your child or dropped off at the JS reception area. 

Once all of the squares have been submitted, Hana and her crew will piece them together as a flag that will be displayed at the Junior School! 

REMINDERS

Founders’ Day registration (Grades 1 – 6) – Closes today at 5 pm

We have emailed parents who have not yet completed their child’s registration to Founder’s Day on Thursday April 20. All students must either have their registration complete by 5:00 pm today!

REGISTRATION and AAR FORM FOR Founder’s Day

Birthdays and Invitations 

We realise that it is not generally possible to send seasonal greetings and invitations to every child in a class. Children are, however, very sensitive; feelings can be easily hurt in these early years. Invitations and cards should not be brought to school for delivery unless the whole class is included. Treats (e.g. cupcakes, cookies, donuts) and/or loot bags may not be brought in to celebrate birthdays. Instead, students are invited to wear grub clothes on their birthday so that it can be acknowledged and celebrated. Students with a summer birthday are invited to wear their grub clothes on an alternate day, to be arranged with the Homeroom Teacher.

ATHLETICS

Please refer to the JS Athletics Schedule.

If your child is on a team this information is also on your household Veracross Calendar. 

HCPA UPDATES

Get involved with the HCPA in 2023-24

The HCPA’s nomination process is open now for the 2023-24 school year for HCPA Committee Positions. Connect with other parents, support the school and have fun by getting involved with the HCPA! Learn more HERE.

Volunteer for the HCPA or be a Grade Rep

The HCPA general volunteer form for the 2023-24 school year is now available HERE. On this form you can nominate yourself to be a Grade Rep for your daughter’s class or a Community Ambassador. Don’t delay since the deadline for Grade Reps and Community Ambassadors is April 21.

YOUR CHILD’S PERSONALISED 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 

With the end of the year right around the corner, I wanted to be sure to highlight some Whole School, and Junior School specific events:

Thursday, April 20 – Founder’s Day 

The schedule for the day is as follows:

  • 8:15 am: Junior Choir departs
  • 9:00 am: Grades 1 – 6 depart
  • 10:00-11:00 am: Founder’s Day ceremony
  • 11:00 am- JS departs from St. Paul’s Cathedral
  • 11:30 – 12:30 pm: Lunch as per usual

We will have a regular schedule in the afternoon with our staggered dismissal as per usual from 3:20-4:00pm.

Please also note:

  • Attendance is mandatory for all students in Grades 1 – 6
  • All students must be in their #1 Dress Uniform
  • Students in JK and SK do not attend Founders’ Day, and should arrive at school at the regular time.

Sunday, April 30 – JS A-mazing Race 

  • 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm (Details to follow)

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

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