A Message From the Head of the Junior School – Friday, May 24, 2024

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families,

A huge thank you to all of those involved in making Pride Week such a success this year, as we celebrated the theme of “Proud to be Me!” It was wonderful to see our students, faculty and staff across both sides of the bridge engage in learning about the LGBTQ2S+ community, and think deeply about what it means to belong and to be your authentic self. On Tuesday, we shared A Kids Book About Belonging by Kevin Carroll, with our students in Prayers. Here is the introduction for you to take a look at.

“What does it mean to belong? It’s difficult to come up with a simple answer, but each of us (kids and grownups) want to belong somewhere. 

While belonging can be tough to describe, we all know the benefits of belonging. Belonging to a community or group improves your health, happiness, and motivation. When you belong, you realize you are not alone. Having a connection to others helps us understand that all of us can good times and struggles too.

There is comfort in knowing we ALL have this in common. To build community, a sense of belonging, and be comfortable in our own skin is a lifelong endeavour. This book wants to help you on the journey. Your journey! Because belonging starts with YOU!”

By: Kevin Carroll

Sincerely,

Kate

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

LATEST NEWS

Staff Appreciation Ivy Pub – THANK YOU!

On behalf of the staff and faculty at HC, thank you so much for your generous donations that made last week’s Staff Appreciation Ivy Pub possible. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed great food, music, prizes and each other’s company, all on a beautiful sunny day. To the volunteers who organized, hosted and made dumplings, thank you for your time, energy, enthusiasm and kindness—it was very much appreciated. 

Welcoming Artist in Residence, Dr. Kofi Gbolonyo, to the Junior School!

We welcomed Dr. Kofi Gbolonyo to the Junior School on Tuesday, May 21. He is an artist in residence working with our students until June 13th. Kofi will be working with our students during their regular Music and Integrated Arts classes and there will be a showcase of learning during The Grade 6 Celebration, Junior School Closing Ceremony and the Final Junior School Assembly on June 13th. 

Dr. Kofi Gbolonyo 

Kofi Gbolonyo is a scholar, educator, and performer whose primary research, expertise, and educational interests are in West African traditional music and dance, Ewe indigenous knowledge, language and culture, Orff-Schulwerk pedagogy, multicultural music education, Ghanaian brass band and choral music. His scholarship focuses on indigenous knowledge and cultural values in the musical practices of the Ewe and Fon of West Africa. He is currently a professor at Capilano University and The University of British Columbia.

Gbolonyo enjoys teaching children and is the founder/director of the Nunya Music Academy and the Ghana School Project. He also co-founded and directs Adanu Habobo and the Orff-Afrique Summer Programs in Ghana. He is a teaching staff of the World Music Drumming Workshops Ltd.

Gbolonyo is an internationally recognized Orff-Schulwerk music educator and a seasoned clinician who conducts workshops and gives presentations all over the world. He is an advocate of multicultural music education and has taught at different levels of education in Ghana, other countries in West Africa, Europe, South America, East and Southeast Asia, the United States and Canada. He performs regularly and presents workshops and scholarly papers at annual meetings of many professional associations.

Gbolonyo holds a Ph.D. (2009) and an MA (2005) in Ethnomusicology and a Graduate Certificate in African Studies (2009) at the doctoral level from the University of Pittsburgh; an Orff-Schulwerk Certificate Level III (2008) from San Francisco International Orff Course; a BA (Hons. 2002) in Linguistics and Music from the University of Ghana, Legon; a Professional Dip.Ed (1997) in Ewe Language and Music Education from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; and a Professional Teacher’s Certificate A (1990) from E.P. College of Education, Amedzofe, Ghana.

REMINDERS

Margaret Taylor Pizza Lunch: Monday, May 27

Students from Margaret Taylor will celebrate being the winning house at the A-mazing Race with a pizza lunch party in the multi-purpose room. Chartwells are aware of the dietary restrictions and allergies of students in this house, and have planned accordingly.

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

 JS Athletics Schedule  

Wow! What a week it has been! 

Congratulations to the U12 Softball Team who competed at BSS on Thursday. Havergal had more students participating in Softball than any other CISAA School! In fact, we had so many students wishing to participate that we had to create two teams! 

Our U12 Ultimate Team competed on Thursday against other co-ed schools. Their progress throughout the season was incredible as on the final day all 3 games came down to overtime!  They had fantastic match-ups between Moncrest and TMS and they went on to defeat TFS! 

Finally, congratulations to the U12 Track Team who competed in their final event of the season on Tuesday, May 21st. Many participants reached their personal best height, length or time and built their confidence as they sprinted past the finish line. 

A shout-out to the following who came FIRST in the CISAA: 

This is remarkable! 

  • Charlotte G in High Jump, Hurdles, 400m and 200m! Wow! 
  • Brook B in High Jump
  • Courtney E in Hurdles
  • Carol G in Discus
  • Quinn P in Shot Put
  • Colleen K in Hurdles
  • Suki G in Shot Put
  • Kyra T in High Jump 
  • Ayda A in Javelin
  • The entire U11 RELAY TEAM! 

Performing Arts & Clubs

  • A huge thank you to our faculty and instructors for leading such creative and engaging clubs for the students.
  • If you have any suggestions for next year: please contact: srobertson@havergal.on.ca

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

JS A-mazing Race

Thanks to everyone who organized, volunteered for and attended the JS A-mazing Race! Click here for photos of this fun event.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK

JS Menu for May 27 – May 31 

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, 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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