A Message From the Head of the Junior School – Friday, September 6, 2024

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear JS Families,

I cannot tell you how wonderful it has been to welcome both our new and returning students to campus this week. The energy is amazing, and we are excited to see all that will transpire this year.

We had our first formal prayers this morning. I asked our students to consider the following question: “HOW DO YOU WANT TO FEEL AT SCHOOL?”

In the past, each class has created a set of classroom agreements or promises that they have committed to at the beginning of the year. This year, however, we are doing things a little bit differently. Instead of asking them to think about the ACTIONS they want to take at school, to foster a positive classroom community, we are asking them to reflect on how they want to FEEL, first. 

Our faculty and staff have been engaged in professional development for the last year, based on the work of Marc Brackett, who is the lead developer of “RULER.” “RULER” is an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning (SEL) developed at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. We are thrilled to now be launching this approach with our students

RULER, an acronym for the five skills of emotional intelligence (Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating). It acts to support entire school communities in understanding the value of emotions, building the skills of emotional intelligence, and creating and maintaining a positive school climate.

RULER aims to infuse the principles of emotional intelligence into the immune system of schools, enhancing how students learn, teachers teach, families, parents, and leaders lead. It has been proven to boost academic performance, decrease school problems like bullying, enrich classroom climates, reduce teacher stress and burnout, and enhance teacher instructional practices. 

To learn more, visit: RULER Approach

Wishing you all a restful weekend. We are eager to see everyone back on Monday for our first full week together. 

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

LATEST NEWS

Gator Care Registration

We wanted to let you know that there was an issue with the Gator Care Sign Up form on the Parent Portal. This has now been remedied. 

Should you wish to sign your child(ren) up regularly for Gator Care, kindly do so on the Parent Portal. Alternatively, simply use the following link: Gator Care Registration Form.

How You Can Support a SAFE and EFFICIENT Arrival and Dismissal Process

Join us in ensuring that our Junior School remains a consistently safe environment for everyone in our community. Our amazing team of teachers and security professionals are here to support in this process, please follow their directions!

Parking

  • Only JK/SK Parents/Guardians are permitted to park in the Junior School Parking Lot, so that they can pick up their child from the  JK/SK door, at the rear of the building.
  • No other families are permitted to park in the JS parking lot during dismissal.
  • Please note that there cars must NEVER be left unattended along the driveway, as this impedes traffic flow during both arrival and dismissal.

Arrive for Dismissal at School During Your Child’s Designated Time 

  • Group 1: JK & SK: Students will be dismissed at 3:00 pm.
  • Group 2: Grades 1 – 3:  Students will be dismissed at 3:05 pm.
  • Group 3: Grades 4 to 6:  Students will be dismissed at 3:15 pm. 
  • Please NOTE
    • If you are early, you may be asked to temporarily leave the Junior School driveway.If you have more than one child, please arrive during the time slot assigned to your eldest child.

Dismissal Cards

  • Have your laminated dismissal card clearly visible. 
  • It is easiest to see if it is placed on the dashboard of the front passenger seat.

When Using the Carline

  • Stay in the “cue,” rather than driving ahead and around other vehicles, unless instructed otherwise by one of our security professionals.
  • Have students ready to exit, curbside, as soon as your car stops alongside the curb (backpacks, water bottles, etc, should be easily accessible). Stay in your car, if at all possible. If you need to exit your car to assist your child to get out of a car seat or booster, please do so quickly. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR UNATTENDED AT ANY TIME!
  • Abide by the signage both on and off school property. This includes: driving 10 km along the driveway, not parking along the driveway during peak times, no double parking, or stopping in restricted zones on Rosewell Ave. 

When Walking

  • Cross at the designated crosswalk with the crossing guard and flashing pylons, and NOT across the driveway exit.

To learn more, please refer to our Junior School Arrival and Dismissal  Protocols.

Helpful Parenting Podcast: Untangling All Things Digital for Parents

Dr. Lisa Damour publishes excellent weekly podcasts for parents on relevant issues. Last week’s recording was particularly resonant as we look to supporting our students with device use both in school and at home. 

Dr. Damour explores top concerns like:

  • managing kids’ screen time
  • the pressure to get devices
  • handling social media’s impact on teenagers

They also discuss valuable strategies for: 

  • putting boundaries on technology use
  • keeping phones out of bedrooms
  • dealing with the reality of kids encountering toxic content online

REMINDERS

Prayers and Digital Devices

It was so lovely to see so many parents and grandparents at Prayers this morning. Families are always most welcome to join us.

With the launch of our new Havergal College Digital Device Policy 2024-25, we are asking that parents put their phones away during Prayers. This is very helpful in modelling the behaviours we are asking from our students. 

We know that when a student is performing or delivering a message in Prayers, that family members want to capture it on video or in a photo. We understand this, and simply ask that you do this discreetly, and then put the phone away, once they have finished. Thank you for your partnership as we strive to nurture a positive school culture; reduce distractions; and foster the digital wisdom of our students.

People and Program Night – Thursday, September 12 (6:00 pm – 7:30 pm)

We are very much looking forward to welcoming families to people and program night next week.

Here is a link that outlines the JS People and Program Evening Schedule:

Terry Fox Run – Friday, September 13 (1:45 pm – 2:45 pm on the Cohen Field) – for Students in SK to Grade 6

The 2024 Terry Fox School Run is set for the afternoon of Friday, September 13, from 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm. Students can come to school dressed in their phys-ed uniform for the day. Every year Havergal makes a huge difference with our donations to fund cancer research, while also building incredible school spirit. 

Ways to donate:

  • Havergal has raised over $275,000 in support of The Terry Fox Foundation, to date!
  • Please support our school’s fundraising efforts once again this year through our  Havergal College Terry Fox Donation Page
  • Receipts are issued immediately to donors by email from the Terry Fox Foundation

Who can participate:

  • Students in SK to Grade 6 will all take part!
  • This is very much a community event, so all families are invited to join in by walking or running. Please meet us at the Cohen Field at 1:45 pm.
  • We kindly ask, however, that your furry friends stay at home. 

What students need to bring/wear:

  • Students will come to school dressed in their phys-ed uniform for the day
  • A water bottle 
  • A hat 
  • Please dress appropriately for the weather 

Acknowledging Truth and Reconciliation Week & Orange Shirt Day

Havergal will be honouring Truth and Reconciliation Week from Monday, September 30 – Friday, 4. Please note that this is just part of Havergal’s commitment to understanding what Truth and Reconciliation means, and will be revisited throughout the year. 

Students are invited to wear an orange shirt on this day, on top of their regular HC uniform on Monday, September 30th.

Should your child wish to wear an orange shirt on this day, here is a list of vendors who sell orange shirts that are either designed by Indigenous artists, are sold at Indigenous-owned businesses, or whose donations are going to reconciliation efforts:

CO-CURRICULARS

Registration for co-curricular activities is still open! 

Athletics

  • Please register ASAP as Athletics starts on Monday. 
  • Please check the JS Athletics Schedule and look out for an email from your coach. 

Clubs

  • Registration closes on Thursday, September 12 at 8pm.

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

We are looking forward to hosting coffee mornings throughout the fall.  Please make sure you RSVP for the HCPA coffee mornings next week if it is for your grade.  Drop in for a quick coffee and chat with other parents in your class and meet new ones.

CELEBRATION SATURDAY – September 28,2024

Ticket sales will begin soon – check next week’s Weekly for the link! Looking to volunteer? We’re still looking for Celebration Saturday volunteers–even an hour or two helps. Please sign up here (click through the pages to see all opportunities). 

Please note that this is a mandatory event for all students in Grades 4 – 12. Students in JK – Grade 3 are also warmly invited to join in the fun in support of our community partners.

There are still a few vendor spots left at the Celebration Saturday Bazaar. Please email Martha Fell (martha@jaxxandmarbles.com) and complete this form and contract.

We are also seeking items for our amazing Silent Auction. Click here for more details.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK

YOUR CHILD’S PERSONALIZED CALENDAR

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

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON

Thursday, September 12

  • People and Program Night  (6:00 pm – 7:30 pm in the JS Gym)

Friday, September 13

  • Terry Fox Run (1:45 pm – 2:45 pm on the Cohen Field)

Saturday, September 28

  • Celebration Saturday (9:00 am – 1:00 pm)
    • Please note that this is a mandatory event for all students in Grades 4 – 12. Students in JK – Grade 3 are also warmly invited to join in the fun in support of our community partners.

Monday, September 30 – Friday, 4

  • Truth and Reconciliation Week

Monday, October 7

  • First Pizza Lunch of the year

Thursday, October 10

  • Harvest Festival (Brenda Robson Hall – 9:00 am – 10:00 am)

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