A Message From the Head of the Junior School – Friday, September 20, 2024

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families, 

With the third week of school now complete, we are definitely in the “swing” of things.  It is so much fun to see our students run into school each morning, and witness all the ways that they are learning and growing already.

Today marked our inaugural “Thrive Day” in the Junior School. We were thrilled to have our Vice Principal of Student Life and Wellbeing, Ms. Krista Koekkoek join us in Prayers this morning. She spoke to us about the responsibility we have to take care of our own wellbeing, the wellbeing of other individuals’, and the wellbeing of our community. We then heard from Ms. Logaridis (Gr.2) who told us a story of perseverance and the power of a growth mindset (be sure to ask your daughter the story!) Ms. Fishman (JK) talked to us about the power of self-awareness, and how naming and understanding our emotions can help us to thrive. Finally,  Ms. Robertson, described how living a life that is aligned with her personal values helps her in being well

We are eager to spend more time over the course of the year supporting our students to develop just some of the behaviours they can use both now and in the future in support of wellbeing.

This week’s edition of The Weekly – Junior School contains information on the following:

Enjoy the weekend!

Sincerely,

Kate

LATEST NEWS

Reading Assessments Start Next Week

Beginning next week on Monday September 23rd, core teachers will conduct individual reading assessments with all students across the school. In order to avoid disruption to instructional time, these assessments will be completed from 8:00am – 9:00am on selected mornings. Students who are not being assessed will enjoy extended outdoor play time. Teachers will reach out to parents of students being assessed in the earlier time slots to ensure early arrival is possible.

No special preparation is needed for these assessments and you will not receive any specific scores. These assessments give teachers the opportunity to closely observe students’ fluency, accuracy and comprehension while reading texts in a one on one setting. The results are triangulated with daily observations and other classroom assessments to determine students’ needs, monitor their growth, and plan instruction. Should any specific concerns arise, your daughter’s teacher will reach out to you, otherwise reading progress and learning will be discussed at Parent Teacher Conferences in November. Please reach out to your daughter’s teacher should you have any specific concerns about her reading.

In the meantime, please support your daughter’s reading progress by ensuring she is regularly engaging in independent reading at home and/or reading aloud to her.

Join us for An Evening with Jake Ernst (MSW, RP) – Monday, Sept 30th

“Helping Our Children Manage Their Digital Devices and Strike a Healthy Balance”

Parents in grades 4 – 9 are encouraged to join us for an interactive evening with Jake Ernst, a registered social worker, psychotherapist and Clinical Director at Straight Up Health. On Monday September, 30, please join us in the Legacy Theatre at 7:00pm to learn about new strategies to help our children manage their digital devices and strike a healthy balance at home. Jake has extensive experience helping parents navigate the challenges of parenting during this digital age.

We look forward to seeing you, please register HERE

Private Music Instruction – Scheduled to begin October 1, 2024.

There is a new process for Private Music Instruction at Havergal in 2024-2025, designed to support the well being and musical ambitions of our students.  Families interested in Private Music Instruction in 2024-2025 are welcome to access this link for details. 

Tutors

Our teachers are available to support students who may be finding curriculum content complex or require additional practice. Parents may sometimes pursue outside support from tutors to close learning gaps or provide additional support outside school hours. While we welcome the opportunity to occasionally connect with tutors to share areas requiring further practice, our teachers cannot prepare material or academic packages for tutors to use in their sessions with your child. 

Parents can refer to Veracross posts for content being explored in class, and tutors can access what students in each grade are learning, using the Ontario Curriculum and Resources Website. 

REMINDERS

General Appearance

Wearing the school uniform well and with pride signals to our community that we are a learning community that values integrity, inquiry, compassion and courage. What follows are guidelines about our student’s general appearance that stand in relation to grade- and school-specific uniform expectations. In these matters, we expect the co-operation and support of parents. This information can be found on page 52 of the Family Handbook.

A few reminders for JS Students:

  • No makeup is permitted in the Junior School.
  • Nail polish is permitted (Junior and Upper Schools). No acrylic or “bio-gels” permitted in the Junior School.
  • A small stud or small ring may be worn in the nose and studs, small hoops (the size of a quarter) or small drop earrings may be worn in the ears.
  •  In the Junior School, wearing multiple bracelets and necklaces is not permitted.
  • Hair should be a natural colour for Junior School students.

Junior School Admission Ambassadors – Call for Volunteers

Although we have only just started the school year, the Admissions team is already looking ahead to September 2025! 

Beginning in early October, we will be offering Group Tours of the Junior School for prospective families, led by a group of committed parent volunteers. The tours will run on select Tuesdays and Thursdays each week at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, and 1 pm. Parent Ambassadors can sign up to give a tour according to their availability.

Our Parent Ambassadors play a crucial role in sharing the Havergal experience with prospective families. If you are interested in signing up to be a tour guide and joining our Parent Ambassador team for the upcoming school year use the following link: Parent Admissions Ambassador Sign Up

We will be in contact with all volunteers to invite you to join us for a training session (with coffee!) on Tuesday, September 24th at 9 am in the Junior School Dining Hall following Prayers.

Thank you in advance for considering supporting our department as we work to share the Havergal Junior School experience with prospective community members.

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Szolopiak or Sarah Milligan in the Junior School Admission office.

sszolopiak@havergal.on.ca

416.483.3843 ext. 7614

smilligan@havergal.on.ca

416.483.3843 Ext.7548

CO-CURRICULARS

Athletics

  • Good Luck to the U12 swim team and our Gr. 4&5 runners from the U12 Cross Country Team. These student-athletes will be participating in their first meet this week. 
  •  Please check the JS Athletics Schedule for upcoming games and meets. 

Clubs

  • Clubs will begin on Monday. Keep an eye out for an email from the club instructor. 

CELEBRATION SATURDAY- GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

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.

Skip the Line – get your tickets and wristband now!

Families can order tickets and wristband now!  Presales close on Monday September 23rd.  This is a cashless event so tickets are the only way to get a coveted cookie gram, cotton candy, popcorn or new, this year from our partners Chartwells, breakfast poutine.  Price lists can be found here. Order tickets and wristbands HERE.   Please know, this is a popular event so expect lineups for tickets that day so ordering tickets in advance is really encouraged.

Silent Auction

The Celebration Saturday Silent Auction is live! Sign up in advance and bid now. Thank you to all who have donated items – we have fabulous opportunities for experiences, one of a kind items and HC special passes like reserved seating at events.   Bid now, bid often and know the bidding closes at 11:30 at the event. 

Still Looking for Volunteers

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). 

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Grade 1 & 5 PJ Breakfasts

For Grades 1 and 5: Pick out your coziest pajamas and please save the date on October 16th and 17th for our annual Grade 5 breakfast!  An invitation with more details will be coming soon. 

Pre-Love Uniform Sale

The Pre Loved Uniform team would like to remind parents of their permanent collection bins across from the Learning Hub at the Junior School and in the alcove by the glass door entrance to the Upper School (across from the Green & Gold shop).  They gratefully accept skirts, tunics, pants, polo shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, 1/4 zip sweatshirts, jogging pants, blazers. 

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

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
  • Students are asked to wear their Orange Shirts

Monday, October 7

  • First Pizza Lunch of the year

Tuesday, October 8

  • JS High Holiday Prayers (8:25 am – 8:50 am in the JS Gym)
  • Reception to follow in the JS Dining Hall

Thursday, October 10

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

Friday, October 11 – Monday, October 14

  • Thanksgiving Long Weekend

Tuesday, October 15

  • Classes Resume

Friday, October 18

  • Jewish High-Holiday Prayers and Reception (8:25 am – 8:50  am in the JS Gym; Reception in the Dining Hall)

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