A Message From The Head of the Junior School – Friday, December 6

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families,

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:

LATEST NEWS

Grade 1 – 6 Christmas Concert Live Stream Link 

Should you be unable to attend the Christmas Concert on Thursday, here is the Grade 1 – 6 Christmas Concert Live Stream Link so that you can access it online. 

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

TO CONFIRM ATTENDANCE:

TO DECLINE ATTENDANCE:

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.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Staff Appreciation

  • 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:

  • Grades 4, 5 & 6: Thursday, February 20, 2025, 7 – 9 pm
  • Grades JK, 1, 2 & 3: Thursday, February 27, 2025,  7 – 9 pm

HCPA Marketplace

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, 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)

Friday, December 13

  • House Assembly (Grade 6 House Leads Presenting)

Tuesday, December 17

  • Hanukkah Prayers (8:25 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym)
  • Canadian Singer-Songwriter Craig Cardiff Visits the Junior School (2:30 – 3:00 pm 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

  • 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)

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