A Message From the Head of the Junior School – Friday, October 18, 2024

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families,

Today was a wonderful way to end our week! We started with Prayers this morning by celebrating the Jewish High Holidays, where students from Grade 1 – 6 taught us the meaning behind Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It was so lovely to see the pride they felt in sharing their families’ religious and cultural traditions. Thanks to all those families who were able to come out in support, and attend the reception following Prayers.

Then, this afternoon, we welcomed X-Country students in Grades 1 – 3 from several other schools in the GTA to participate in a “Fun-Run” across the HC Campus. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the culmination of the season, and to have so many families join in the fun! The smiles on their faces showed just how much they have loved being part of the U9 Cross-Country Squad. A huge thank you to all of our coaches for working with, and running alongside the girls both at recess and early every Thursday morning. The fact that the sun was shining brightly, and the weather was warm, was the icing on the cake of a great season!

Enjoy the sun and warmth this weekend!

Sincerely,

Kate

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

LATEST NEWS

Dressing Appropriately For Outdoor Play

With the fluctuations in temperatures over the last several weeks, please ensure that your child comes to school with the appropriate clothing so that they can enjoy their time outdoors. 

A reminder that students are permitted to wear Havergal “Spirit Wear,” such as HC plaid lounge pants or sweatpants under their tunic or skirt. These can be a great option, as an extra layer of warmth on colder days!  They are NOT, however, permitted to wear these items in class, or during the regular school day.  

REMINDERS

Registration for Gator Care

A reminder that families who use Gator Care on a drop-in basis must register students by 9:00 am on the day they require care. 

Making Changes to Your Child’s Attendance and Arrival/Dismissal Schedule

We ask that families update your child’s attendance and/or arrival/dismissal schedule, using the “Report Attendance Tool,” which can be found on the Parent Portal, rather than calling the Junior School Office. 

Thank you kindly for your support.

Green Tags and Dismissal

If your child has been registered for independent dismissal, and they have a green tag, please note that you do not need to provide the teachers on duty outside with their carline code. Simply give them a “thumbs up” 👍, and we will know they are registered for an independent dismissal. Students know they are to be on the lookout for who is picking them up, so that they can move swiftly to their cars. 

Should your child lose their green tag, they can simply go down to the front office, and once we verify they are on the list, we are happy to issue them with another one.

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

Good luck to the students in their final tournament of the season. 

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

Clubs

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Ivy Market Reminder

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

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

Friday, October 25

  • Diwali Prayers with Reception to follow (8:25 am in the JS Gym; 8:55 am in the JS Dining Hall)

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

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