In our final edition of “The Weekly – Junior School,” I wanted to offer a sincere note of thanks to all of you for your partnership and support of Havergal this year. We have already accomplished so much together as a community, and we are excited to see all that 2025 has in store.
Our faculty and staff have been so blown away by the beautiful notes and gifts we have received throughout the week, including from the HCPA, sharing your appreciation with our amazing team. We are truly grateful for your generosity and kindness. Thank you.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday over the next few weeks, and a well deserved opportunity to rest, and spend time with family and friends. May the spirit of the season bring you all much joy, health and happiness. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all those celebrating.
We will look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday, January 7.
Warmly,
Kate
Today’s edition of “The Weekly” contains information on the following:
Please see the link to the Major Dates School Calendar for 2025-2026. We send the link to this calendar out at this time to allow employees and families to plan for the upcoming school year. Please be aware that it is subject to change and from time to time we need to make adjustments to it.
Family Independence Challenge!
As we enter a much-needed winter break, we wanted to share a fun challenge that we learned about, and adapted, through The Laurel School Center for Research on Girls.
Fostering independence in new areas takes time, making the more relaxed pace of winter break a great chance to undertake practical challenges to build your child’s resilience in daily life. You can download and use the BINGO cards linked below as a rough guide or mark off squares to celebrate your child’s growing independence. Feel free to pencil in your family’s own ideas for building independence and resilience in the free corner squares! You are also welcome to create your own, based on your daughter’s goals.
We look forward to welcoming students back to class on Tuesday, January 7
Pizza Lunch is on Tuesday, January 7
A reminder that students will have Pizza Lunch on the first day back at school!
Registering for Gator Care
Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday season from the Gator Care team. Also, if you want to register your kids for Gator Care the link is shared below. Moreover, you can email and inform us if your child will no longer come to Gator Care regularly.
We wish you a joyful and restful holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, and cherished moments with loved ones. Thank you for being such an important part of our community—we look forward to an exciting year ahead!
KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON
Friday, December 20
No Classes – School Closed for December Break
Monday, January 6
No school for students
Faculty Professional Development
Tuesday, January 7
Classes resume
Tuesday, January 28
Holocaust Remembrance Prayers (8:25 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym)
Friday, January 31
Lunar New Year Prayers (8:25 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym)
It was a week that highlighted the hope, love, peace and joy of the holiday season! Thank you to everyone for joining us for our Grade 1 – 6 Christmas Concert at St. Paul’s Bloor Street yesterday. It was the perfect opportunity to come together as a community, and set the tone for the holiday season. I am particularly grateful for the combined efforts of our faculty and staff for ensuring that it went off without a hitch.
For those that were unable to attend, or for those who would love to see it again, we encourage you to watch the Grade 1 – 6 Christmas Concert on Havergal’s Youtube channel. I also encourage you to visit Havergal’s social media pages, where you can find photos from this very special event.
As we embrace this season of giving and gratitude, we want to express our heartfelt thanks for your continued generosity and support of our community. We are very grateful for the gifts provided by your donation to the HCPA fund. If you choose to share an additional token of appreciation, we kindly ask that it remains modest, under $100 in value, in line with our employee policies. Thank you for your understanding and generosity during this special time of year.
Sincerely,
Kate
Today’s edition of “The Weekly” contains information on the following:
Should you have any questions please reach out to your daughter’s homeroom or specialist teacher directly.
Students with Green Tags
Please note that students with Green Tags, indicating permission for independent dismissal, should leave the school at dismissal time or after their co-curricular activity has concluded. For safety reasons, students are not permitted to stay in the Junior School past 4:30 pm, as they are not supervised during this time. They are asked to sit quietly at reception until they are picked up.
Locker and Cubby Clean out Next Week
All students are asked to bring all personal belongings home for the holidays. This is so that our cleaners are able to do an extra deep cleaning during the break. Please send your child to school with extra bags to carry their things. Teachers will be on hand to support the students with this task.
Thursday, December 19 – Festive Dress Down Day
Please note that the WHOLE SCHOOL will be having a festive dress down day on Thursday, December 18. Students are invited to wear their favourite sweater, with pants, a skirt, or even PJ bottoms! Have fun with it!
REMINDERS
Last Chance to Look Through the Lost and Found!
All items in the Lost and Found have been put on display on tables by the main staircase.
Families and students are encouraged to check for lost belongings. We will make every effort to return labelled items to the students.
All unclaimed items will be donated to New Circles, or will go to the Used Uniform Sale, Thursday, December 19
Please be sure to label ALL of their child(ren)’s clothing, as this makes it much easier for items to be returned. As we head into the winter season, we encourage you to make sure that things like coats, snow pants, boots, hats, and mitts are clearly labelled as well.
Registration is open for JS Food Services for the REMAINDER of the YEAR
Please note that registration for JS Food Services is now open. Please register by logging into the Parent Portal, and accessing the form shown below.
Fall clubs have wrapped up for the term and winter clubs will start the week of January 13, 2025 so make sure to check your child’s calendar (instructions are below). The one exception is Ms. MacIntyre’s and Ms. Tulli’s Kids Lit club which has already started.
A tremendous THANK YOU to all the faculty and vendors who hosted clubs over the past term and I’m grateful for the variety and engagement you brought to our students.
The HCPA Marketplace Online Shop is open year-round with seasonal updates. It is not too late to order your HC Swag for the holidays. Deadline for pre-holiday orders is Sunday 15th of December. Collection at HC by December 19th!
YOUR CHILD’S PERSONALIZED CALENDAR
Usethis linkto see a personalised summary of your child’s activities next week, on the Parent Portal.
KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON
Tuesday, December 17
Hanukkah Prayers (8:25 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym)
Wednesday, December 18
First Full Report Card Available for Viewing on the Parent Portal at 4:00 pm
Thursday, December 19
Festive Dress Down Day
Last day of Classes
Friday, December 20
No Classes – School Closed for December Break
Monday, January 6
No school for students
Faculty Professional Development
Tuesday, January 7
Classes resume
Tuesday, January 28
Holocaust Remembrance Prayers (8:25 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym)
Friday, January 31
Lunar New Year Prayers (8:25 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym)
This morning in Prayers students learned all about Advent, and the four weeks leading up to Christmas. We lit the Advent wreath, with the candles symbolizing Hope, Peace & Preparation, Joy and Love. This was followed by the spectacular Kindergarten Christmas Concert, which set the perfect tone for the holiday season. We are also looking forward to next week, when we gather at St. Paul’s Bloor Street for our Grade 1 – 6 Christmas Concert.
I hope that people can enjoy some time outside this weekend, enjoying the first snowfall! The kids have been having an absolutely wonderful time at recess playing and enjoying the fun that comes with the winter season.
Kate
Today’s edition of “The Weekly” contains information on the following:
Canadian Singer-Songwriter Craig Cardiff Visits the Junior School
When: Tuesday, December 17th
Time: 2:30pm-3:00pm
Where: JS Gym
The Junior School is delighted to welcome back Juno nominated Canadian singer-songwriter Craig Cardiff for a full school concert on Tuesday, December 17th at 2:30pm in the JS Gym. Craig will perform a concert for all Junior School students. Parents are welcome to join us.
Craig has released sixteen albums, both live and studio-based since 1997. He has toured North America and Europe. In 2012, Cardiff was nominated for a Juno Award for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year: Solo and for a Canadian Folk Music Award as Contemporary Singer of the Year. He has 100+ million streams and is 100% fan powered. “Cardiff makes it a point to keep the relationship with his fans personal, inviting and accepting any opportunity to make his audience as much a part of the performance as he is. Armed with an extensive catalogue of songs, his Book of Truths, sharp wit and soft voice. Over the years, he has played with and opened for artists such as Glen Phillips, Lucy Kaplansky, Dan Bern, Natalia Zukerman, Andy Stochansky, Sarah Harmer, Kathleen Edwards, Blue Rodeo, Gordon Downie (Tragically Hip), Hawksley Workman, Sarah Slean, Skydiggers, 54-40 and more.”
Returning Finished Library Books; Taking Out New Books for the Holidays!
With the fall term coming to an end, Ms. Rodd asks that families take stock of their library books. While books are not due until the end of the year, now is a great time to take stock and return any books that students have finished using.
A reminder that students may have up to 15 books checked out at a time (10 for kindergarten students). Thank you!
Lost and Found Clean Out: Monday, December 9 – Thursday, December 19
All items in the Lost and Found have been put on display on tables by the main staircase.
Families and students are encouraged to check for lost belongings. We will make every effort to return labelled items to the students.
All unclaimed items will be donated to New Circles, or will go to the Used Uniform Sale, Thursday, December 19
Please be sure to label ALL of their child(ren)’s clothing, as this makes it much easier for items to be returned. As we head into the winter season, we encourage you to make sure that things like coats, snow pants, boots, hats, and mitts are clearly labelled as well.
REMINDERS
Confirming or Declining Attendance at the Christmas Concert – ACTION REQUIRED
The deadline for confirming or declining your child’s attendance at the Grade 1 – 6 Christmas Concert has now passed. Students not attending the concert be picked up from school at 11am
Need To Know Information: Grade 1 – 6 Christmas Concert
Please note the following:
Date:
Thursday, December 12
Time:
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (doors open at 2:30 pm)
Location:
227 St. Paul’s Bloor Street
Parking:
Families are invited to visit Spot Angels for suggestions on nearby free and paid parking & garages near the church.
Tickets:
Tickets are not required, all are welcome to attend. This includes grandparents and caregivers.
Transportation to the Church
Students in Grades 1 – 6 will travel to St. Paul’s, via chartered bus, (after lunch) for a rehearsal and then perform for their families at 3:00pm.
There is no transportation back to the school, nor Gator Care available for students in Grades 1 – 6 after the concert.
Lunch and Snacks:
We have arranged to have an early lunch on this day, so that we can start to depart Havergal at 11:45 am.
Students who bring their own lunch from home are asked to leave their lunch bag at school overnight. Families can also consider using disposable lunch containers made from recycled materials if they do not wish to leave a lunch bag overnight.
All students from grades 1-6 will be provided an afternoon snack and drink prior to the performance at St. Paul’s. All allergies have been taken into consideration.
What to wear:
Number 1 Concert Dress is expected for the full school day on December 12. This consists of:
White long-sleeve dress shirt
Tie
Tunic (JK-Grade 4) 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
Dismissal from the Church
Students will be dismissed to their families after the concert is concluded. Primary students will be dismissed from a class pew inside the church. Pews will be designated to each Primary class (Ex. 2A, 3B etc).
Junior students (Grades 4, 5 and 6) will be dismissed from Cody Hall. Families can exit the church from the interior doors on the eastern side of the church and proceed across the atrium to Cody Hall. Parents must pick their daughter up from their class pew/Cody Hall and sign them out with the homeroom teacher.
If you have more than one student, we ask that you pick-up your youngest child in the church before collecting older students from Cody Hall. Instructions will also be given at the conclusion of the concert.
Please note that students will need to come to school in their black shoes on Thursday, December 12, as their winter boots will have been left at school.
Gator Care for JK/SK Students from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm on Thursday, December 12
Please note that Gator Care is available for JK/SK students from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm on Thursday, December 12, while students in Grades 1 – 6 are at the Christmas Concert at St. Paul’s Church
Gator Care remains available from 7:30 am – 8:00 am on this day, for ALL Students.
Registration is open for JS Food Services for the REMAINDER of the YEAR
Please note that registration for JS Food Services is now open. Please register by logging into the Parent Portal, and accessing the form shown below.
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.
Good Luck to the U12 & U11 Volleyball Teams on their first games of the season.
Clubs
Fall clubs have wrapped up for the term and winter clubs will start the week of January 13, 2025 so make sure to check your child’s calendar (instructions are below). The one exception is Ms. MacIntyre’s and Ms. Tulli’s Kids Lit club which has already started.
A tremendous THANK YOU to all the faculty and vendors who hosted clubs over the past term and I’m grateful for the variety and engagement you brought to our students.
Donations for HCPA Staff Appreciation are due today! Send via e-transfer to hcpatreasurer@gmail.com with your daughter’s name and grade/cohort in the message.
Parent Socials
Please save the date for the following evening parent socials:
The Weekly: Junior School 