A Message From the Head of the Junior School – Thursday, May 16

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families,

Today’s House Shout brought together our whole school, from JK to Grade 12 to celebrate everyone’s House Pride and to engage in a little friendly competition. It was wonderful to see everyone on The Ratcliffe Field, cheering and showing off some Havergal spirit! Our Junior School students absolutely blew everyone away with their house cheers, led by our Grade 6s and JS Prefects. It was a wonderful way to welcome in the May long weekend! Please be sure to check out HC’s social media platforms for videos and pictures of the fun.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and sunny long few days with family and friends.

Sincerely,

Kate

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

LATEST NEWS

Use of Digital Devices and Smartphones at Havergal College 

There has been much attention to the use of smartphones and other digital devices in schools in recent months.

Havergal has always had a thoughtful approach regarding the use of devices in school, and we are carefully reviewing our current policies and practices. We will be communicating any updates to these, with our families and students in advance of the next school year.

In the meantime, we wanted to share the following resource with you, that is a Family Digital Wellness Guide for Families, with children aged 6 – 12. It includes sections on “What the Science Says,” “Best Practices,” and other resources. Finally, we also invite you to listen to this episode of The Harvard Edcast, which provides you with some ideas for device usage over the summer

Pride Week (May 21 – May 24)

Havergal will be celebrating pride next week! We are excited to have this opportunity to honour the LGBTQ2S+ community, and their many contributions locally, nationally and abroad. Our theme this year is once again, “Proud to be Me.” Throughout the week, students will engage in activities, using the Ontario Curriculum as a reference point, asking students to reflect on the things that make them proud to be just who they are. By developing a better understanding of who we are as individuals, as well as who others are, we are building a community that fosters equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging for all.

Here is the schedule of the activities for the week:

Tuesday, May 21 – Dress Down Day  (JK – Grade 6)

  • All students are invited to come to school wearing something that makes them feel proud to be who they are. “Proud To Be Me”  stickers, designed and created by Upper School Students will also be available for all students.
  • 8:25 – 8:55 am Prayers (Grade 1 – Grade 6)
    • This will act as the launch to Pride Week. The focus will be on what it means to be yourself, and how it feels to belong. Students will also be asked to consider what it might feel like, to NOT feel like you belong.
  • Lunch Recess:
    • Optional “Sidewalk Chalk Celebration” (Grade 1 – 6) – students will be invited to create messages of support and kindness on the pavement, at the front and back of the Junior School.  

Wednesday, May 22

  • 8:25 am – 8:55
    • Students In Grades 1 – 6 will learn about the history of the Progress Flag, as well as what each of the colours, and symbols represent.
  • Morning Recess:
    • Optional “Proud to be Me” Button Making (Grades 1 – 6)

Thursday, May 23

  • 8:25 am – 8:55
    • Students in Grades 1 – 4 will engage in a writing activity, with the prompt “What Makes me Proud to be Me?”
    • Students in Grades 5 & 6 will take time to reflect on who they are, and write a letter to either their past self or their future self.
  • Morning Recess:
    • Optional Read-aloud in the Library (Grades 1 – 4)

Friday, May 24

  • 8:25 am – 8:55 am Prayers (JK  – 6)
    • This will be a culminating celebration of the week. Students, faculty and staff will be learning a little more about the history of Pride Week. We will also have members of our community (students, faculty and staff) sharing some of the different things that make up their identities, and the things that make them proud to be who they are.
  • Lunch Recess:
    • Optional “Pride Week Wonderings” (Grades 5 & 6); Students wishing to participate will receive a form where they can ask any questions they have about Pride Week, prior to coming together for this session. Then, led by Ms. White and Ms. Watt, along with several Upper School students from the Pride Week Committee, will have an opportunity to discuss their wonderings. 

Equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging are essential components of Havergal’s Mission – to prepare young women to make a difference, as well as our core values (courage, compassion, integrity, and inquiry). Families also play an important role in this. 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 potential future discussions with your child(ren). 

REMINDERS

Clearing out the Lost & Found: May 27 – May 31

Claim those missing items that never made it home from school, from Monday May 27 – Friday, May 31. Lost & Found items will be on display in the Arts/STEM hallway throughout the day. Parents and students are encouraged to check for lost belongings. Unclaimed items will be donated to the Clothing Drive at Celebration Saturday, or next year’s Used Uniform Sale.

End of Year Celebrations

We are eagerly planning our end of year events celebrating all that we have accomplished as a community. Please be sure to mark your calendars!

Last Prayers of the Year – Friday, June 7 (8:25 am – 9:00 am – JS Gym)

  • This will be our last time coming together for Prayers as a community for the 2023-2024 school year. Parents, as always, are welcome to attend.

Grade 6 Leaving Ceremony – Monday, June 10 (4:00 pm – 5:30 am – JS Dining Hall)

  • This event is in honour of our Grade 6 students, and marks the end of their time at the Junior School, before “Crossing the Bridge” to Grade 7.
  • Grade 6 students and their families are invited.

Junior School Closing Ceremony – Wednesday, June 12 (2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Brenda Robson Hall)

  • This is a special time for us to come together, one last time in celebration of our year of learning and friendship. Students are asked to come to school, at the regular time, and in their #1 Dress. We will end our day together in song, and reflection.
  • Please note the new timing of this event!

Last Day of School – Thursday, June 13 (Early Staggered Dismissal)

  • Students will come to school for a half day, where they will have an opportunity to say goodbye to their teachers and classmates. End of year certificates will be handed out on this day, and we will take pictures to send to families.
  • Early staggered dismissal:
    • JK-Gr.3- 11:15 -11:30
    • Gr.4-6- 11:30-11:45

All Library Books to be Returned by Friday, May 31 

The library has seen a flurry of activity this year, with thousands of books shared amongst our community. Thank you to everyone for taking care of these little pieces of the library as they’ve passed through the hands of students. 

As the school year draws to a close, it is time for these library materials to be returned to their home base. All library books must be returned by May 31st.

If you would like a list of current check outs, please email Ms. Rodd, our JS Librarian  at erodd@havergal.on.ca

Please note that students will be allowed to borrow books over the summer, but only if all books from the school year have been returned. 

Look out for summer reading lists – coming soon!

CO-CURRICULARS

Athletics

Good Luck to the following teams with their Final Meets and Tournaments of the season:
  

  • U12 Track and Field Team at York University on Tuesday, May 21st. 
  • U12 Ultimate Team at Havergal Cohen Field on Thursday, May 23rd. 
  • U12 Softball Team at BSS on Thursday, May 23rd. 

Performing Arts & Clubs

  • Performing Arts and Clubs have wrapped up for the term except Teaching Kitchen which ends Thursday, May 23.
  • If you have any suggestions for next year: please contact: srobertson@havergal.on.ca

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Moms’ Night Out – Thursday, May 23

Ticket sales close today! Click here to purchase.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK

JS Menu for May 21 – 24 

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 

Friday, May 17 

  • School Closed – Victoria Day Long Weekend (No classes)

Monday, May 20 

  • School Closed – Victoria Day Long Weekend (No classes)

Tuesday, May 21 (Pride Week)

  • Classes Resume
  • Dress-Down Day
    • Students are invited to dress in something that makes them feel proud to be themselves.

Thursday, May 23 

  • Moms’ Night Out 

Monday, March 27

  • Pizza Lunch for students in Margaret Taylor

Friday, June 7 

  • Last Prayers of the Year (8:25 am – 9:00 am – JS Gym)

Monday, June 10 

  • Grade 6 Leaving Ceremony (4:00 pm – 5:30 am – JS Dining Hall)

Wednesday, June 12 

  • Junior School Closing Ceremony (2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Brenda Robson Hall)

Thursday, June 13 

  • Last Day of School (Early Dismissal – 11:30 am)

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