A Message From The Head of The Junior School – Friday, November 22, 2024

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families,

“We all have hearts. We all want to feel loved and valued.  And we all are human.”

This morning, Ms. Watt, along with three Grade 6 students challenged us to think about not just what it means to be kind, but to actually act with kindness. They asked us to reflect on times when they may have shown unkind behaviours, asking questions like: “Have you excluded a friend at lunch?” “Have you spoken meanly about someone behind their back?” “Have you judged someone, without knowing them?” They also asked if any of these things had ever been done to them, and the effect it had on them. Conversely, the students asked us to provide examples of when they had acted kindly towards someone, or when someone had been kind to them. We talked about how sometimes we can easily forgive and forget, while at other times the hurt we feel can be harder to move on from, and these unkind behaviours can leave a mark on our hearts, which can last for a long time. This is a message that we touch upon regularly in Prayers, in class, and on the playground, and is important to touch upon regularly as a community that is centered in courage, compassion, inquiry, and integrity.

In addition to saying thank you to Ms. Watt and our Grade 6 presenters, thank you as well  to Irene (Gr. 4) who set the tone for today’s message by playing piano for walk-in, and to Mme. Rizzo and Eileen (Gr. 4) who sang “You Lift Me Up” for walk-out.

Sincerely,

Kate

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

LATEST NEWS

Full School House Dress Down Day – Wednesday, November 27

Please note that on Wednesday, November 27th, we will be having a full school House Dress-Down Day. We invite both teachers and students to show their house spirit by dressing in their house colours.

Thank you to our Grade 6 students who will be leading the house meetings on this day! They have carefully planned a number of fun and engaging activities, that involve a little friendly competition between houses!

Gator Care Important Update – Grade 1 & 2 Belongings

Starting Monday, November 25th, all Grade 1 and Grade 2 students attending Gator Care will be asked to store their backpacks and personal belongings in their cubbies. When picking up your child, please sign them out and then proceed to their cubby to collect their belongings.

Students in JK/SK and Grades 3-6 will continue to keep their bags and coats in the Gator Care room.

This adjustment is being made to enhance safety and efficiency in our afterschool programming. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we implement this change.

Christmas Prayers – Call for Participation (Tuesday, December 10)

If your daughter would like to be involved in delivering the message at Christmas Prayers on Tuesday, December 10, please remind her to meet with Rev. Ruch on Tuesday, November 26 at morning recess to express her interest. Dates for script writing and rehearsals will be shared next week.

Hanukkah Prayers – Call for Participation (Tuesday, December 17)

If your daughter would like to be involved in delivering the message at Hanukkah Prayers on Tuesday, December 17, please remind her to meet with Rev. Ruch on Tuesday, November 26 at morning recess to express her interest. Dates for script writing and rehearsals will be shared next week.

REMINDERS

New Circles Holiday Angel Program (Nov 19 – Dec 2)

This November, Havergal College is participating in the New Circles Holiday Angels Program, a gift-giving program that serves individuals and families, many of whom are newcomers to Canada. 

New Circles is a not-for-profit organization that works to promote equity and dignity for families by providing basic necessities, employment training and settlement support. As part of their leadership learning, Grade 5 students are taking a leading role in the coordination and implementation of this worthy project.

This year we are sponsoring five families through the Holiday Angels Program. This week, students were introduced to the family they will be supporting. They learned about the different members in the family, a little bit about what brought them to Canada, and how we can help them meet some of their basic needs. The donation window is now open and will continue until Monday, December 2nd. 

Please see the family profiles below. Requests for specific gift cards are included to ensure your donations have the greatest impact by enabling the families to purchase what they most need from stores they can easily access.  To ensure that a gift card is valid, we ask that the activation receipt be attached to every gift card. New Circles and the Holiday Angel families are thankful for any donations that they receive.

Please see below for gift card requests and specific family information. To learn more about the family you are supporting, please visit your child’s homeroom page.

GradesGift Card Requests
JK, SK, Grade 1Walmart or No Frills
Grade 2 & 4AWalmart
Grade 3 & 4BWalmart
Grade 5Walmart, No Frills, Food Basics or Costco
Grade 6Walmart, No Frills or Costco

Tax Receipts

Should you require a tax receipt:

  • Print out and complete the Donor Tax Receipt Form 2024  and make sure to add your HAP # (This is the family you are donating to. It is located on the family information page.)
  • Attach the gift card, activation receipt and tax form together and send them into school
  • Please note that tax receipts can only be issued by New Circles for donations above $25 that have all the necessary components attached.

Ella Minnow Books is Coming to Havergal – Monday, November 25 to Thursday, November 28!

The Junior School Library is excited to once again be hosting an Ella Minnow Book Fair!

Ella Minnow specializes in books to delight children from birth to teen, and they will be bringing an excellent array of high quality children’s literature to choose from, and just in time for the holidays! 

When is the book fair? 

  • The Book Fair will run from Monday, November 25th to Thursday, November 28th.

Why do we host a book fair when we can just buy books online and at Indigo? 

  • Having a book fair is an opportunity for students to practice taking responsibility for their choices; managing money, and managing expectations.
  • Our library also directly benefits from a Book Fair, as 20% of all sales goes toward new books for the library.

How can I support my child? 

  • Students will have the opportunity to browse and create wish lists on Monday November 25th and Tuesday November 26th. The wish list is a tool for your daughter’s decision-making process, so please have a conversation with her about her choices. Please send the wishlist back to school with her. Students will have time to shop with her class on Thursday or Friday.
  • We ask that parents do not purchase books from their daughter’s wish lists until after she has had a chance to do so herself, with her class.
  • If your daughter’s wish list is very long, or if you would like to make purchases for the holidays or as a surprise, the book fair will be open from 8-5 on Wednesday and 8-4 on Thursday for shopping.
  • Ella Minnow are quick to order and supply books that are sold out at the fair and will bring copies of any books that sell out to the school.

Payment Information

  • Ella Minnow  accepts Visa, Master Card, debit, cash, and is able to charge purchases to student accounts with permission granted (via the Wish List).

Questions?

  • Please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Rodd at erodd@havergal.on.ca or by phone at 416-483-3843, extension 7544.

CO-CURRICULARS

Athletics

  • Please check the JS Athletics Schedule for specific details and future game times that may not be on your regular practice schedule. 

Clubs

  • Fall clubs are wrapping up for the term so please make sure to check your child’s personalized calendar (details on how can be found below).
  • Kids Lit Quiz Club, led by Ms. McIntyre starts on Thursday, November 21, 2024; All other clubs start the week of January 13, 2025.

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, November 19 – Monday, December 2

  • Holiday Angel Drive

Wednesday, November 27

  • Full School House Dress Down Day

Friday, December 6

  • JK/SK Christmas Concert (9:00 am in the JS Dining Hall)

Tuesday, December 10

  • Christmas Prayers (8:25 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym)

Thursday, December 12

  • Grade 1 – 6 Christmas Concert (3:00 pm – 4:00 pm at St. Paul’s – Bloor Street)
    • More information will be provided in the weeks to come

Tuesday, December 17

  • Hanukkah Prayers (8:25 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym)

Thursday, December 19

  • Last day of Classes

Friday, December 20 

  • No Classes – School Closed for December Break

Tuesday, January 7

  • Classes resume

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