A Message From the Head of the Junior School

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families,

The Junior School welcomed Mike Carlson, one of our Indigenous partners, for our Indigenous Flags Assembly on Tuesday. Mike taught us about the Anishinabewaki, Wendake-Nionwentsïo, Haudenosaunee, Métis, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation & Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami flags in his time with us. Each of the flags was then passed through the audience, where students were invited to send positive energy into each of them. Each flag is now permanently displayed in the JS Gym, as an active invitation to members of the First Nation, Inuit, and Métis peoples that they belong here at Havergal. In addition, they will serve as a reminder of Havergal’s commitment to ongoing truth and reconciliation.

Then, today, we honoured National Indigenous History Month & Indigenous Peoples Day in our JS National Indigenous History Month & Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration, which takes place in June. We welcomed Cree-Métis artist and educator Marissa Magneson and Cree-Métis singer-songwriter, Mathew Magneson for this celebration. This was a time for us to recognize and celebrate the rich diversity, history, heritage, and resilience of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada. We encourage families to learn more, and to discover how you can participate, by visiting the Government of Canada’s National Indigenous History Month Website.

Sincerely,

Kate

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

LATEST NEWS

Gator Day (Friday, June 7th at the Cohen Field from 12:35 pm – 3:00 pm)

What is GatorDay?

Gator Day extends back to 1935 when students participated in various outdoor activities with their houses for a chance to win the “Gator Day Cup.” It is a day that is filled with a competitive spirit, house pride, and most importantly, FUN! 

Students should come dressed in:

  • A House t-shirt, or a t-shirt that is your house colour 
  • Havergal shorts, leggings or sweatpants
  • Running shoes
  • Please refrain from wearing any accessories (ie. necklaces, skirts, hair accessories) as the kids will be very active

Please also bring:

  • Sunscreen
  • hat (in your house colour if you can)
  • hair elastic 
  • A labelled water bottle 

Are spectators permitted?

  • Yes if you’d like but please watch from a distance and allow your child to participate in the day.
  • If you think you will be a distraction then please do not attend  
  • There is no parking available on site; We encourage you to visit Spot Angles for tips on where to park nearby 

Please update your daughter’s health records before July 1 on Magnus

Please complete your child’s Vital Health Record and Student Health Tracker in the Magnus Health Portal to ensure the following information is accurate and updated: health history and conditions, allergies, history of concussions, dietary restrictions and administration of medications from Health Centre nurses. 

Parents are responsible for updating the school on any changes in your child’s health status throughout the year by updating information in the Magnus Health Portal. The Health Centre ensures that the health records of students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 are accurately and confidentially stored.

Accurate record-keeping helps keep students safe on- and off-site, and it relies on parents being diligent about updating their children’s health information and sharing it with the school. 

We are asking that all parents conduct the year update before July 1, 2024. Access is available as of June 1, 2024. If you completed an update prior to June 1st, we apologize but you will need to re-submit your child’s Magnus profile.

Instructions to log into Magnus can be found HERE.

Please reach out to the Health Centre with any questions or concerns.

REMINDERS

Pizza Lunch is on Monday

A reminder that our last Pizza Month of the Year is on Monday. Students not participating are asked to bring their own packed lunch.

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)

  • Grade 6 Ghanaian Dance Showcase at 8:30am – Grade 6 Families are welcome to attend.
  • 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 

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

Please note that all co-curricular activities have now concluded! Thank you to our teachers, outside providers, and coaches for helping to make it such a rich and engaging experience for our students. Information regarding next year’s program will be available in our first summer summer, which you can expect in the first week of July.

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Moms’ Night Out

Thanks to everyone who attended Moms’ Night Out! Click here for photos. (Password: Havergal)

Pre-Loved Uniform Drop Off

Drop off pre-loved uniforms at the Upper School on Wednesday, June 12 (7:30 to 11:30 am in the Rotunda, 8 to 8:30 am in the laneway). Sign up here if you can volunteer. 

Technology Drive

In conjunction with the pre-loved uniform collection, US students will be running a used technology drive. Please help the students and the environment by donating your old technology for recycling. Please click here for more information.

CELEBRATION SATURDAY

Save the Date – Saturday, September 28 from 9:30 am – 1 pm

It’s almost summer but Celebration Saturday is just around the corner. You don’t want to miss this great community event in support of Havergal’s Community Partners. Mark September 28 in your calendar now!

Help needed!

We are looking for a second parent to help out with the Celebration Saturday Bazaar this year. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Christine Spence (Manager, Parent Relations – cspence@havergal.on.ca) or Steven Rathwell (HCPA Volunteer Coordinator – steven.rathwell@yahoo.ca). Thank you for your support.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK



JS Menu for June 3 – June 7

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)

Monday, July 1

  • Health Information Must be Updated on Magnus

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