A Message From the Head of the Junior School – Friday, January 19

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families, 

The Junior School was thrilled to welcome Marissa Magneson, Cree-Metis Artist in Residence, and her brother, Mathew Magneson, a Cree-Metis, Singer-Song Writing, this morning to prayers. Students had an opportunity to learn about some of the Indigenous sacred medicines, as well as participate in a “smudging ceremony.” Smudging is a cultural ceremony practiced by a wide variety of Indigenous people in Canada and other parts of the world. It is the practice of burning various medicinal plants to cleanse ourselves and connect us with our spirit and with the Creator. The smudging ceremony is intended to help participants centre or ground themselves, while also lifting away negative energy, feelings, and emotions, as well as helping us to see, hear, smell, and feel positively.

A huge thank you to Ms. Read, and our students in 6B for working closely with Ms. Magneson and Mr. Magneson for sharing this message with us.

Warmly,

Kate White

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

LATEST NEWS

Safe Walking and Driving on Campus

The safety of our students is, as always, our top priority. In addition to driving SLOWLY along the driveway, being alert, and following directions, it is critically important that both drivers and pedestrians are mindful of each other. Drop-off and Pick-Up are extremely busy times, with many moving vehicles, and people walking. Please walk and drive with caution, so that we can avoid any preventable accidents!

Dismissal from Clubs

Our winter clubs started this week, and it was such a pleasure to see our students involved in such a wide variety of activities!

Parents are kindly asked to park, and pick up their children from the front doors, at the time their particular club ends. You are welcome to park along the driveway at this time.

The only exception to this is with Primary Choir, where there is such a large volume of students. In this case, there will be someone on hand with the iPad to enter the students’ personalized School Pass number, and your daughter will be sent out to your car.

Please note that any students not picked up within 10 minutes after the end of their club, will be asked to wait in Gator Care, and your account will be charged accordingly.

Intramurals 

After a long hiatus, we are thrilled to announce that our Junior School Intramural program is back in action! Led by our Grade 6 students, under the guidance of Ms. Bartlett, students in Grades 1 – 6 can participate in fun and active games in the gym, once a week, during morning recess. No sign-up is required! Please be sure to ask your daughter about this exciting program.

REMINDERS

Save the Date – Parent Teacher Interviews: Thursday, Feb 1 and Friday, February 2!

Parent Teacher Interviews are just around the corner, taking place, via Zoom, on the following dates:

  • Thursday, February 1 (3:00 pm – 7:00 pm) – EARLY DISMISSAL
  • Friday, February 2 (8:00 am – 3:00 pm) – NO CLASSES

Families will be able to schedule a time to meet with their child(ren)’s teachers using Pick-a-Time.  

  • Pick-a-Time OPENS at 6:00 pm on Thursday, January 18th.
  • Pick-a-Time CLOSES at 6:00 pm on Thursday, January 25th.
  • Please be sure to select the “Junior School” option in the drop down menu (not the “Upper School” or “Green and Gold”).

Need any Further Help?

For assistance with pickAtime, please contact the Service Desk at servicedesk@havergal.on.ca (416) 483-3843 ext. 6663 and they will assist you. Their hours of operation are from Monday – Friday 7:30 am to 5 pm.

Call Out for Students Participation (Black History Month Prayers and Lunar New Year Prayers)

We will be celebrating Black History Month (Tuesday, Feb 6) and the Lunar New Year (Friday, Feb 9) during prayers from 8:30 am – 9:00 am. Both will be followed by a small reception. 

If your child is interested in participating in either of these, please email Rev. Jillian Ruch (jruch@havergal.on.ca) by the end of the day of TODAY. If you as a parent would like to be involved in the planning of these prayers, please also reach out to Rev. Jillian Ruch as she would welcome your input.

Depending on responses, we may not be able to feature each child but we will take a list of all volunteers and try to include them on a later prayers date, should they not participate in the Lunar New Years Assembly. 

CO-CURRICULARS

Athletics

JS Athletics Schedule 

Good luck to the U10 and U11 Volleyball teams who have their first home games of the season this week. Congrats to all three U12 Volleyball teams who defeated TMS on Thursday. 

Performing Arts & Clubs

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Grade 1 and 5 Breakfasts – Save the dates!

The Grade 1 Breakfast will take place on February 21 and the Grade 5 Breakfast on February 22. Look for an invitation by email today.

JS A-mazing Race – Save the date!

This year’s A-mazing Race will take place on Sunday, May 5. All Junior School students and an adult guest are invited to join us for this fun event. More details coming soon!

WHAT’S ON THE MENU

JS Menu for January 22 – January 26 

YOUR CHILD’S PERSONALIZED CALENDAR

Use this link to see a personalized summary of your child’s activities next week, on the Parent Portal.

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON 

Thursday, January 25

  • Pick-A-Time Closes for Parent Teacher Interviews (6:00 pm)

Thursday, February 1

Parent Teacher Interviews (3:00 pm – 7:30 pm) – Early Dismissal

  • Dismissal Times
    • JK/SK –  1:35 pm – 1:45 pm
    • Gr 1 – 3 –  1:45 pm – 2:00 pm
    • Gr 4 – 6 –  2:00 pm – 2:15 pm
  • Gator Care 
    • Available at 7:30 am, as always
    • Available from 1:35 pm – 6:00 pm (Gator will take place in the Learning Hub)
  • If you would like your child to attend Gator Care on this day, you MUST REGISTER by email at: gatorcare@havergal.on.ca before 9am on Tuesday, January 30, so that we can ensure we have the appropriate staffing ratios. 
  • Gator Care remains open until 6:00 pm

Friday, February 2

  • Parent Teacher Interviews (8:00 pm – 7:30 pm) – No Classes; No Gator Care

Monday, February 12 – Thursday, February 15

  • Spirit Week – More Information to Come!

Friday, February 16

  • Mid-term Break (No Classes)

Monday, February 19

  • Mid-term Break (No Classes)

Tuesday, February 20

  • Classes Resume

Leave a comment