Dear Junior School Families,

There was a buzz in the air at the Junior School this week, as we welcomed over 150 prospective families at our Open House. Our Grade 6s played a pivotal role, acting as tour guides. It was impressive to see their confidence, ability to thoughtfully engage with our visitors, and the joy and pride they feel for Havergal. The next day, with support from Upper School students, they led our very first house meetings of the year, teaching their houses this year’s cheers. 

This morning, we also had the opportunity to celebrate the Festival of Diwali in Prayers. Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, meaning “row of lights,” and marks the triumph of light over darkness, and of good over evil. It is one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddists, and other religions based in India. Even though the meaning of the celebration may be different, the enthusiasm, and joy it brings to people’s lives is what binds everyone together. 

Thank you to our students who so proudly shared their many traditions associated with Diwali, and for performing an incredible dance routine, which they have been practicing for several weeks. It was a joyous way to end our week together.

Sincerely,

Kate

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

• Halloween in the JS!
• Learning Skills Report Cards – Available for viewing on Tuesday, November 5 (Grades 1 – 6) 
• Junior School Parent-Teacher Conferences: REGISTRATION
• Half-Day on Tuesday, October 29 – Early Dismissal Times
• Co-Curriculars
• Notes From the HCPA
• What’s on the Menu Next Week?
• Your Child’s Personalized Calendar
• Key Dates on the Horizon

LATEST NEWS

Halloween in the JS!

Halloween is next week and the JS community is very excited!!  As the day approaches, we would like to share some details with you.

Costumes and Accessories:

• Students are welcome to come to school in their costumes!
• They are to leave any accessories (masks, broom sticks, etc…) for their costume in their lockers or cubbies, until it is time for the JS Halloween Parade in the afternoon.

What NOT to bring:

• Students are not permitted to bring in any gifts or candy to share with their classmates. Our JS Prefects and their Council will be bringing in treats to hand out at the Junior School

Activities: 

• We will be having an afternoon full of Halloween themed activities! Please note that the activities are intended for students only. Families are welcome to come to the Halloween Assembly, and are invited to meet us all in the Gym at 2:35 pm, at the conclusion of the Parade.

• 11:50 am – 12:20 pm: Kindergarten
  • KG students trick or treat in the boarding school (student only event)

• 12:35 pm – 2:30 pm:  Grades 1-6 
  • Halloween Activities Run by the Halloween Committee (Crafts, Halloween Read Alouds, Spooky movies, Pumpkin hunt, Halloween Just Dance, Kahoot games and more!)

• 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm: JK – Grade 6
  • JK- Grade 6 Halloween Parade Through the School. The parade ends with all students entering the gym at 2:40 pm.
  • “Halloween Assembly” in the Junior School Gym, all parents are welcome to join us! 

• 3:05 pm – 3:35 pm:
  • Regular dismissal Procedures
  • It is IMPERATIVE that families only park in designated parking spaces, or on Rosewell Ave., and NOT ALONG THE DRIVEWAY, as this will impact our dismissal process.

Co-Curriculars

• All Co-curriculars will still run as per usual on Tuesday, October 31st.

Learning Skills Report Cards – Available for viewing on Tuesday, November 5 (Grades 1 – 6) 

Your daughter’s Learning Skills Report Card is available through a link on your Parent Portal on Wednesday, November 5 at 4 pm.  

Please follow the instructions outlined in the Learning Skills Report Card for November 5  from Dr. Seonaid Davis, Vice Principal of Teaching & Learning. 

If you have any questions please reach out to your daughter’s homeroom or specialist teacher.

Junior School Parent-Teacher Conferences: REGISTRATION 

The first Junior School Parent/Teacher Conferences of the school year will take place virtually via Zoom on:

• Thursday, November 14 from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm 
  • There will be an early dismissal on this day
    • JK-Grade 3: 1:30-1:45 pm
    • Gr.4-6: 1:45-2:00 pm
    • Gator Care will run from 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm; Billing begins at 2:00 pm; Parents are asked to register for Gator Care by Monday, November 11th, so that we can ensure we have the appropriate staffing
  • Please note that all clubs have been cancelled on this day. This includes Private Music Lessons.

• Friday, November 15 from 8:00am – 3:00pm 
  • Parent/Teacher Conferences continue over Zoom from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.
  • Please note there are NO CLASSES,  no Co-Curriculars, or Gator Care.

Registration on PickATime:

Havergal uses an online booking system called PickATime.

• Opens: Monday, November 4th at 10 am
• Closes: Tuesday, November 12th at 8 pm.

Once you have finished booking your appointments; the Zoom link will appear. If you have any last minute changes, please contact Sarah Robertson (srobertson@havergal.on.ca) 

Please note:

• CLICK HERE to sign into your pickAtime account with your password.
• If you do not have a pickAtime account, please create a pickAtime link in advance of the online opening. 
• Please be sure to select the “Junior School” option JS PTC November 2024 in the drop down menu (not the “Upper School” or “Green and Gold”).

Need any Further Help?

For assistance with pickAtime, please contact the IT Service Desk.

• Email: servicedesk@havergal.on.ca
• Telephone: (416) 483-3843 ext. 6663 and they will assist you. 
• Hours of operation are from Monday – Friday 8 am to 4 pm.

REMINDERS

Half-Day on Tuesday, October 29 – Early Dismissal Times

We are thrilled that our teachers will have the opportunity to engage in professional development with Dr. Belle Liang & Tim Klein on Tuesday, October 29, prior to their presentation with our families.

Please note the following:

• Students will remain at school for lunch and lunch recess.

• 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm  Staggered dismissal 
  • Kindergarten to Grade 3
    • 12:30 pm – 12:45 pm
  • Grade 4 – Grade 6
    • 12:45 pm – 1:00 pm 
• Gator Care
  • Is available, at the regular fee, from 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm; Billing begins at 1:00pm
  • Registration is mandatory, so that we are able to plan accordingly;
  • To register, please complete THIS FORM, by Friday, October 25, 5pm.

CO-CURRICULARS

Registration for Winter Co-curriculars opens on Monday, November 4th at 10 am and the catalogue of Athletics and Clubs can be found here: JS Winter Co-curriculars.

Athletics

• Congratulations to the teams on their final tournament week.
  • The Swim Team won the Bishops cup and both our U12 Basketball and U12 Soccer Teams won the final championship day. 
• Good Luck to the Cross Country team in their finals on Monday. 
• Please check the JS Athletics Schedule and Veracross Calendar for upcoming games and meets. 

Clubs

• Clubs continue as scheduled, except on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, due to early dismissal.

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Ivy Market Reminder

The Ivy Market is just around the corner on November 21st from 10am-5pm, where a number of carefully curated vendors will showcase HC specific designs. Parents can also pre-order cookie dough and enjoy a coffee corner to connect with other parents and alumni. The HCPA is excited for this event and hope to see you all there!  Please click here for more details.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK

• JS Menu for October 28 – November 1

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

Tuesday, October 29 

• Early Dismissal for Teacher Professional Development (please see above for the schedule)
• Parents as Partners Speaker Series (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in the Legacy Theatre)

Thursday, October 31 

• Halloween – Students come dressed in their costumes

Tuesday, November 5

• JS Remembrance Day Service (8:25 am in the JS Gym)

Thursday, November 7 – Monday, November 11

• School Closed for November Mid-term Break

Tuesday, November 12

• Classes resume

Tuesday, November 21

• Save the date for Ivy Market

Dear Junior School Families,

As we welcome Thanksgiving weekend, I want to thank you for your engagement during the first month of the year. We know that sending your daughter to Havergal takes commitment on several fronts. Your support of the girls, our program, and our community makes providing an exceptional student experience possible. Whether attending games, performances and events like Celebration Saturday or the Harvest Festival , sharing your constructive feedback, supporting our philanthropic initiatives, or dedicating your time and talent, your contributions are deeply valued and positively impact our community.

As a learning organization, we endeavour to build empathy in our students for the challenges within our local and global community contexts. As we approach Thanksgiving weekend in the Junior School, we have taken time to learn, reflect and pray for the pain and suffering of others – those who are living in fear for their safety, subject to discrimination, hate and isolation, and those in our community who will not have enough to eat, even during this time where we celebrate the bountiful harvest. As we celebrate this Thanksgiving weekend and give thanks for our blessings, I ask we hold those in our community who are impacted by conflict or hate, who are isolated or lonely, and those who are struggling here in our local community close in our hearts and minds. 

We wish you and your family a safe and joyful Thanksgiving and to those observing, a meaningful Yom Kippur.

Dr. Katrina Samson

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

• Getting Ready for Halloween – Choosing Appropriate Costumes
• Fostering Purpose in Our Kids – Tuesday, October 29 (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)
• Half-Day on Tuesday, October 29 – Early Dismissal Times
• Co-Curriculars
• Notes From the HCPA
• What’s on the Menu Next Week
• Your Child’s Personalized Calendar
• Key Dates on the Horizon

LATEST NEWS

Getting Ready for Halloween – Choosing Appropriate Costumes

Choosing a Halloween costume is something that our students look forward to each year, many starting their planning well in advance of October 31st! We are excited to see all of the creative costumes that they come up with!

As we get closer to the big day, we are asking for your help in ensuring that all costumes are appropriate.

Here are some questions that can assist when making a selection:

• Does this costume include any cultural or religious symbols that are not part of my child’s experience?
• Does this costume appropriate a significant item or hairstyle from a culture or race different from my child’s? 
• Does this costume trivialize or mock a marginalized community or promote a stereotype? 

If you aren’t able to answer these questions, or are uncertain in any way, it is best to make a different costume choice.  Thank you so much for taking the time to ensure that our school community is inclusive and respectful.

REMINDERS

Fostering Purpose in Our Kids – Tuesday, October 29 (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

As part of our Parents as Partners Speaker Series, Havergal is delighted to welcome Dr. Belle Liang & Tim Klein on Tuesday, October 29, authors of ‘How to Navigate Life’.   Their research and talk will focus on helping our kids find purpose and its vital connection to their wellbeing (and ours). The talk will be from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in the Legacy Theatre and will have relevant takeaways for parents of students of all ages (JK-12). Registration for the event can be found here. 

Our guest speakers will also be working with our students from Grades 7 – 12 during their day and running professional development with our faculty. This commitment to fostering purpose in students at Havergal and embedding its principles in our programming is a part of a year-long partnership with Liang and Klein and we welcome your partnership on this key next step in our commitment to wellbeing.

Half-Day on Tuesday, October 29 – Early Dismissal Times

We are thrilled that our teachers will have the opportunity to engage in professional development with Dr. Belle Liang & Tim Klein on Tuesday, October 29, prior to their presentation with our families.

Please note the following:

• Students will remain at school for lunch and lunch recess.

• 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm  Staggered dismissal 
  • Kindergarten to Grade 3
    • 12:30 pm – 12:45 pm
  • Grade 4 – Grade 6
    • 12:45 pm – 1:00 pm 
• Gator Care
  • Is available, at the regular fee, from 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm;
  • Registration is mandatory, so that we are able to plan accordingly;
  • To register, please complete THIS FORM , by Friday, October 25.

CO-CURRICULARS

Athletics

• Students were kicking, running, swimming and dribbling their way to success last week!  Good luck to our U10 soccer team who have their first game on Thursday and to our Gr. 1-3 Cross Country team who are participating on campus at the Havergal Fun Run on Friday, Oct. 18th from 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm.
• Please check the JS Athletics Schedule and Veracross Calendar for upcoming games and meets. 

Clubs

• Due to the holiday on Monday, when the school is closed, clubs will reconvene on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Ivy Market

Save the date for Ivy Market – Tuesday, November 21. 

Grade 1 & 5 Breakfasts

Reminder to RSVP for the Grade 1 and Grade 5 breakfasts. 

• Grade 1 Breakfast RSVP Link (Wednesday, October 16 @ 7:30 am)
• Grade 5 Breakfast RSVP Link (Thursday, October 17 @ 7:30 am)

WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK

• JS Menu for October 15 – October 18 

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

Tuesday, October 29 

• Early Dismissal for Teacher Professional Development
• Parents as Partners Speaker Series (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in the Legacy Theatre)

Thursday, October 31

• Halloween – Students come dressed in their costumes

Thursday, November 7 – Monday, November 11

• School Closed for November Mid-term Break

Thursday, November 7 – Monday, November 11

• School Closed for November Mid-term Break

Tuesday, November 12

• Classes resume

Tuesday, November 21

• Save the date for Ivy Market

Dear Junior School Families,

This week Havergal observed Truth and Reconciliation Week, starting by participating in Orange Shirt Day on Monday, September 30. 

The Junior School is so pleased to have developed meaningful relationships with members of the Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities over the last  number of years. We are particularly grateful during TRC Week to partner with them, so that we can provide opportunities for learning and reflection. A sincere note of thanks to : Herbie Barnes, Marisa Magneson, Marjie Chud, Theresa Kutknife, Spirit Wind Women’s Hand Drum Group, and The Redsky Performance Group. It was an honour to welcome everyone back to the Junior School this week, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside them.

It is our hope that this week will inspire our students, not just now, but in the future to:

• Develop a deeper appreciation for the diverse histories, cultures, languages, and traditions of Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples;
• Think about what truth and reconciliation means, and how they might take on Spirit Bear’s Call to Action; 
• Consider how we can stand up for equity and inclusivity, and recognize how small actions can contribute to building stronger, more respectful relationships.

For all those celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we wish you a Shana Tova and a meaningful Yom Kippur.

Sincerely,

Kate

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

• Message of Support
• Fostering Purpose in Our Kids – Tuesday, October 29 (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)
• Celebration Saturday – Thank you!
• Pizza Lunch is on Monday
• A Message From Our Gator Care Team
• Photo Retakes – Thursday, October 10
• Harvest Festival & Donations to the North York Harvest Food Bank (9:00 am – 9:30 am in the Brenda Robson Hall)
• Co-Curriculars
• Notes From the HCPA
• What’s on the Menu Next Week
• Your Child’s Personalized Calendar
• Key Dates on the Horizon

LATEST NEWS

Message of Support

As the school year progresses and its initial excitement ebbs and flows, the demands of classwork, co-curriculars and the pressure students place on themselves can feel daunting.

We also want to acknowledge that some students in our community may be carrying burdens beyond school. Family challenges, health and wellness concerns, local and world events, conflicts, and personal losses can weigh heavily on them.

As a compassionate community built on trusted relationships, we want our students and their families to know that the following resources are available for support whenever needed. Havergal is invested in the growth, care and development of your children and we want to partner with you in times of need. Below please find a list of resources and contacts available:

Junior School:

• Your daughter’s homeroom teacher
• Child and Youth Worker (Holly Fournier) 
• Chaplain (Rev. Jillian Ruch)
• The JS Leadership Team (Liz Watt and Kate White)

Fostering Purpose in Our Kids – Tuesday, October 29 (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

As part of our Parents as Partners Speaker Series, Havergal is delighted to welcome Dr. Belle Liang & Tim Klein on Tuesday, October 29, authors of ‘How to Navigate Life’.   Their research and talk will focus on helping our kids find purpose and its vital connection to their wellbeing (and ours). The talk will be from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in the Legacy Theatre and will have relevant takeaways for parents of students of all ages (JK-12). Registration for the event can be found here. 

Our guest speakers will also be working with our students from Grades 7 – 12 during their day and running professional development with our faculty. This commitment to fostering purpose in students at Havergal and embedding its principles in our programming is a part of a year-long partnership with Liang and Klein and we welcome your partnership on this key next step in our commitment to wellbeing.

Celebration Saturday – Thank you!

Thank you for your participation in Celebration Saturday and your support of our community partners! We’re excited to share a video that highlights the incredible work our students are doing alongside these partners: “Community Partnerships at Celebration Saturday 2024.

Pizza Lunch is on Monday

Our students are excited for the first pizza lunch of the year! Should you have any questions regarding this program, or Food Services in general, please contact chartwells@havergal.on.ca 

If your child is not signed up for Pizza lunch, please have them bring a packed lunch. 

A Message From Our Gator Care Team

Should you and your family attend Gator Care, we encourage you to read the Gator Care Monthly Blast. This will provide you with a high-level overview of what is happening, and quick reminders

Photo Retakes – Thursday, October 10

Photo Retakes are this Thursday, October 10 in the afternoon. If you wish your child to have their photo taken, or your child was away, please sign up here:

JS Photo Retakes

If you have any questions, please reach out to the photographer, Cameron Hubbs at: 905-599-3557 or by email at: cameron@echophotography.ca.

REMINDERS

Harvest Festival & Donations to the North York Harvest Food Bank 

Harvest Festival

• What students should wear # 1 Concert Dress, which consists of:
  • White long-sleeve dress shirt
  • Tie
  • Tunic (JK-Grade 3) and Kilt (grades 5 and 6)
  • Tights, not socks (if you do not have tights, please arrange with your family to order some from the Green and Gold shop)
  • Black shoes
  • Hair back from face with minimal hair accessories that are the same colour as your hair or the HC official hair accessories  
• Time and Location
  • The service will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m., and will end at 9:30 a.m. in the Brenda Robson Hall, which is located in the Upper School
• Photos and Videos
  • We will have members of our Marketing and Communications’ Team on hand to take videos and photos of the service;
  • As in Prayers, we ask families not to take photos or videos during the service. Should your daughter have a speaking role, you are permitted to take a photo or short video, and we ask that you be discreet while doing so.
• Parking
  • Parking is extremely limited at the school. We encourage you to walk, carpool, or take alternative transportation. Should you wish to drive, you are invited to check out Spot Angels, which can assist you in finding nearby free or paid parking options. 

Food Drive

The Food Drive is still happening all next week! Please note that the North York Harvest Food Bank is looking for the following items. These can be brought to school and placed in the boxes outside the library.

• Pasta, Rice, Grains
• Canned Tomatoes
• Canned Vegetables
• Cooking Oil
• Canned Fish
• Baby food/formula

CO-CURRICULARS

Athletics

Congratulations to our 6 Junior School Basketball teams, which had their first tournament of the season. Also, our U12 Soccer team went on to play against Bayview Glen. 

Good Luck to the Cross Country and the Swim team on their second meet of the season next week. 

Please check the JS Athletics Schedule and Veracross Calendar for upcoming games and meets. 

Clubs

• Clubs are off to a fantastic start and it’s been wonderful walking the halls to see the various activities in action. 

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Grade 1 & 5 Breakfasts

Reminder to RSVP for the Grade 1 and Grade 5 breakfasts. 

• Grade 1 Breakfast RSVP Link
• Grade 5 Breakfast RSVP Link 

WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK

• JS Menu for October 7 – 10 

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

Monday, October 7

• First Pizza Lunch of the year

Thursday, October 10

• Harvest Festival (Brenda Robson Hall – 9:00 am – 9:30 am)

Tuesday, October 29

• Half-Day

Thursday, October 31

• Halloween – Students come dressed in their costumes

Thursday, November 7 – Monday, November 11

• School Closed for November Mid-term Break

Tuesday, November 12

• Classes resume