A Message From the Head of the School – Friday, February 23, 2024

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families, 

Prayers this morning was a wonderful celebration of some of our Junior School students, who are truly living Havergal’s mission, and making a difference. We heard from Eva in Gr 1 who spoke up to make changes in the dining hall for all grade 1 students; Gr 4 students in Ms. Carson’s class who created a video about climate change and won this year’s CBC “Reporting for Curio” Contest; Angelina in Gr 6 and Chelsea in Gr 3 who recently collected and delivered supplies to a school and orphanage in Kenya and Tanzania; and finally, Maren in Gr 5 who spoke about climate change in Toronto. It was inspiring to see our young students discovering their passions, using their voices to stand up for things they believe in, and committing to learning more about topics they care about.

We also had two very special announcements this morning. A special note of congratulations to our “Kids Lit Quiz” Team Members, who recently competed at Crescent gaining both third and fourth place overall! Congratulations also to our “Future Prize Challenge” Team who represented Havergal at UCC last week, where they were asked to collaborate on addressing a meaningful problem in their local community.

To end our time together this morning, we had the pleasure of listening to a performance by The Junior Choir who sang two songs for us “Somewhere Only We Know” and “White Winter Hymnal.” It was a truly wonderful time together as a community, and a fabulous send-off into the weekend.

Warmly,

Kate White

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

LATEST NEWS

Important Message from Havergal Security

Havergal’s Security Team recently conducted a traffic flow audit during drop-off and pick-up procedures. They were alarmed by some of the behaviours they observed, which they noted placed the safety and wellbeing of students at risk. 

Dropping off and picking up students can be a stressful time — especially when drivers are late, pressed for time, and otherwise in a hurry to begin their day. It is also a time when student safety can be unnecessarily compromised. 

Please be courteous and respectful of fellow drivers and members of Havergal’s Security Team. The safety and wellbeing of our students depend on your following through on the school’s expectations around drop off and pick up.

What follows are important points for drivers to immediately address going forward:

  1. Drive SLOWLY. Drivers are not to go beyond 10 km/hr, as is indicated on our signage. Far too many cars are driving well above this speed limit, which puts everyone’s safety in jeopardy. 
  2. DO NOT walk across the car exit leading out to Rosewell Ave. This is a practice that endangers the Havergal and wider community.
  3. Drop off on the RIGHT side of the driveway. Our Security Team has observed drivers dropping off students onto the driving lane. Other drivers may not see a student exiting the car, and students do not always look where they are walking. This is dangerous for everyone.
  4. Be patient. Impatient drivers race to the front of the line–weaving in and out of traffic. Please remain patient and take your place in the queue to drop off and pick up your passenger(s). If a space ahead becomes available, wait to be directed ahead by a member of our security team.
  5. Signal your intention to other drivers and Security. 80% of drivers do not signal their intentions when they drop off, pick up, and/or merge.
  6. Comply with Security directions. Many drivers ignore the signals our Security Team gives drivers. Here it is always helpful to make eye contact with Security personnel so that you can follow their signals and directions.
  7. Don’t Park Along the Curb after you have dropped off. Some drivers stay parked after dropping off their passenger(s) in order to check their phone. This impedes traffic flow patterns significantly and slows the entire process down.
  8. Passengers should be ready to exit the vehicle safely and promptly. Drivers leave their vehicles to unload items from their trunk, which also slows down the drop off process. Passengers should be ready to exit quickly. Items stored in the trunk should be easily accessible. 
  9. Only families with students in JK or SK are permitted to park in the parking lot at drop-off and dismissal times. 
  10. Accessible Parking spots are ONLY for those with designated accessible parking permits, as issued by the City of Toronto. 

Junior School Food Services – Registration for Spring Term

Should you wish to sign your child up for JS Food Services in the spring term, please be sure to fill out this Registration Form by March 22. 

An Evening with David Bott: Wednesday, March 27 (7pm)  

As part of our Parents as Partners Speaker Series, Havergal is proud to welcome David Bott as our next speaker on March 27 at 7 pm. David is a best-selling author, consultant, former teacher, and expert in designing and implementing system-level approaches to wellbeing and cultural change. His talk will focus on Parenting for Wellbeing, including the evolution of wellbeing science, what wellbeing is not, and the key role parents & caregivers play. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. 

Current and new families are welcome and encouraged to bring additional guests; registration for the event can be found here. 

David Bott will be at Havergal for the week of March 25, working with our Upper School students as well as running professional development with our faculty and staff throughout the week.

REMINDERS

Book Drive in Support of The Children’s Book Bank (Feb 20 – March 8)

Start your spring cleaning early by donating to the Havercrest Book Drive from February 20th to March 8th! All proceeds will go to The Children’s Book Bank, an organization that provides free books to underprivileged children in Toronto, and Havergal’s various community partners (Grenoble Public School and New Circles). We are looking for gently used books for babies, children, and teens but are particularly in need of baby books and graphic novels. 

There are boxes placed outside the JS Library for students to place their donations. 

Please note the Book Bank does not accept: Adult books, textbooks/school workbooks, self-published books, magazines, or damaged books. 

Pink Shirt Day – Wednesday, February 28

Students in JK to Grade 12 will be marking the importance of Pink Shirt Day throughout the week on Wednesday, February 28th. All students in JK to Grade 12 are invited to wear a pink shirt on top of their uniform on this day.

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 very real impact that bullying can have. We will be speaking about the importance of Pink Shirt Day, and how it came about with our students at Prayers, on Tuesday, February 27th. We will also be joined by some of our Junior School prefects who will be guiding us in some positive self-affirmations.

To learn more, or to purchase a pink shirt , please visit: the Pink Shirt Day – Official Site

Grandpals’ Day – Save the Date – Friday, April 5th (10:00 am – 11:30 am) & RSVP

The Junior School is thrilled to be holding “Grandpals’ Day” once again, on Friday, April 5th from 10:00 am – 11:30 am. On this special day, grandparents or other senior friends are invited to attend a special reception hosted by our Principal, Dr. Katrina Samson and myself. They will then have an opportunity to spend time in their granddaughter’s classroom, see their learning, and experience some of the magic of the Junior School.

RSVP link

Should you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Robertson in the Junior School Office (srobertson@havergal.on.ca) 

CO-CURRICULARS

Athletics

JS Athletics Schedule 

Congratulations to the NINE Havergal teams who took off to Pickering College, Bayview Glen, and who hosted at Havergal. The 82 girls in Gr. 4, 5 & 6 have learned to bump and volley all season long and they should be very proud of their accomplishments. 

Here is a photo of the Junior School Volleyball Teams:

Good luck to the swim team, who have their final meet of the year at Markham Panam Center on Tuesday! Go Gators!

Spring Athletic registration will be open on Friday, March 1st. Please check next week’s weekly for more details. 

Performing Arts & Clubs

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Yoga at the BioWall/Student Commons

Parents are invited to join the HCPA at 2pm for yoga on February 29. Don’t forget to sign up!

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. 

Moms’ Night Out – Thursday, May 23 

Coming soon! Stay tuned for more details.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK

JS Menu for February 26 – March 1 

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 

Wednesday, February 28

  • Pink Shirt Day (all students are invited to wear a pink shirt on top of their uniform on this day)

March Break and Easter Long Weekend

  • Friday, March 8 – Last Day of Classes
  • Monday, March 11 – Monday, March 25 (March Break – No Classes)
  • Monday, March 25 – Professional Development Day for Teachers
  • Tuesday, March 26 – Classes Resume
  • Friday, March 29 – Good Friday (No Classes)
  • Monday, April 1 – Easter Monday (No Classes)
  • Tuesday, April 2 – Classes Resume

Leave a comment