A Message From the Head of the Junior School – Friday, October 25, 2024

On By havergaljuniorschool

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:

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

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

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