Dear Junior School Families,
This morning Ms. Watt led us in a very special prayers, where we took a moment to think about some of the things, big and small, that we are grateful for. She also spoke about the joy that is sparked when we take the time to reflect on the specific people, experiences, and things we are grateful for. Ms. Watt shared that one of the things that she is most grateful for are people who she spoke of as being “spark igniters.” These are the people who build us up when we feel down, who are as excited about our achievements as we are, and say YES, when we offer up a new idea or thing to try. She then invited Mme. Rizzo to sing “Wind Beneath My Wings,” as we lit candles to symbolize how we all have the power to be “spark igniters” both at home and at school. Finally, if you are at the Junior School next week, you will see a gratitude jar at the reception desk. Students, faculty and staff have been encouraged to take a moment over the next several weeks to write down just some of the things they are grateful for, and put them in the jar. We would love to know what you, our families, are grateful for too! Feel free to contribute your thoughts if you are here, or give a note to your child to put in.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
Warmly,
Kate
Today’s edition of “The Weekly” contains information on the following:
Latest News
- Cold Weather Next Week
- Save the date – Hockey Day for Students in Grades 4 – 6 (Tuesday, Feb 11)
- Reducing the Spread of Respiratory Infections
- Community Safety Update
Reminders
- Re-registration: January 27 – February 2, 2025
- Co-Curriculars
- What’s on the Menu Next Week
- Notes from the HCPA
- Key Dates on the Horizon
LATEST NEWS
Cold Weather Next Week
The weather is calling for particularly cold temperatures next week. Please remind your children to come dressed appropriately for the weather, so that they can enjoy being outside at recess. We also reminded the students about this at Prayers this morning.
Save the date – Hockey Day for Students in Grades 4 – 6 (Tuesday, Feb 11)
Tuesday Feb 11th at 1pm is Hockey Day. Hockey Day is when all of the students in grades 4-6 get bussed to and from Mattamy arena to watch the U20 Havergal hockey team face off against BSS. The U12 team will play at intermission.
Families are welcome to join in the fun, but will have to make their way down to the arena independently. The game will also be streamed for those unable to attend.
If you know in advance that your child will be absent on that day please email Anna Bartlett abartlett@havergal.on.ca.
Reducing the Spread of Respiratory Infections
At this time of year, respiratory illness can be more common as people gather indoors. To help protect our school communities, staff, students, and visitors are reminded to:
- Check for symptoms of respiratory infection every day before going to school.
- Stay home when you have symptoms, even if they are mild.
- Wash or sanitize your hands often.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow or a tissue.
- Get your influenza and COVID-19 vaccines at a participating pharmacy or your primary health care provider. These vaccines are the best way to protect against infection with influenza and COVID-19.
- Clean high-touch school surfaces often and when they are dirty.
- Consider wearing a tight-fitting, well-constructed mask in indoor public settings, especially if you are at higher risk of severe infection.
What to do if you or your child are sick
If you or your child have symptoms of a respiratory virus, stay home. This means:
- Stay home until you or your child have no fever and symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you or your child have gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and/or diarrhea).
- The Ontario Ministry of Health advises that for 10 days after symptoms start, an ill person should wear a well-fitted, high-quality mask when out in public, including in school and childcare.
- Avoid visiting anyone who is immunocompromised or may be at higher risk of illness (for example, seniors).
- Avoid non-essential visits to high-risk settings such as hospitals and long-term care homes.
- Speak to your healthcare provider or call 8-1-1 if you have questions about you or your family’s health or if you are unsure where to access care.
More Information:
- Ontario College of Family Physicians Family Doctor Tips for Caring for Children with Respiratory Symptoms
- Toronto Public Health Reduce the Spread of Respiratory Viruses
- Public Health Ontario How to Protect Yourself and Others from Respiratory Viruses
Community Safety Update
Lawrence Park CI shared this afternoon about an incident that occurred this morning that involved one of their students being approached by an unknown male in a vehicle. The student did the right thing by ignoring the man, making their way to school, reporting it to a trusted adult and the school contacted the police.
We regularly reinforce safety protocols with students and are lucky to have an exceptional security team that works hard to keep our campus safe. We would like to remind everyone in our community to report any suspicious or unusual occurrences .
REMINDERS
Re-registration: January 27 – February 2, 2025
Re-registration for the 2025/26 school year will open on Monday January 27.
Families will receive an email from the Board of Governors on that day with a link to reregistration and can also access reregistration through the Parent Portal Landing Page. Re-registration, which includes both completing the online forms and submitting the deposit, is due on Monday February 2, 2025. We cannot guarantee a place for students who re-register after this date.
While we are certainly hoping to be welcoming all of our students back next year, we recognize that family situations change and relocations occur. If you are aware that your daughter is not returning to Havergal, please let us know by emailing Maggie Houston-White as soon as possible so we can ensure we have a fulsome admission process at all necessary years.
CO-CURRICULARS
Athletics
- JS Athletics Schedule
- Best of luck to the U10 Volleyball team and the U11 white volleyball team in their first games of the season.
Clubs
- JS Clubs Schedule
- Winter Clubs started this past week and please remember to pick up your child from the classroom unless they’re in Primary or Junior Choir as they’ll be dismissed in the carline.
WHAT’S ON THE MENU IN JANUARY
NOTES FROM THE HCPA
Pre-loved Uniform Sale
- Come to the Junior School Learning Hub Wednesday, Feb 5, from 2-5 pm for the Pre Loved Uniform sale. Excellent deals on gently used uniform items! Sizing from JK – grade 12. The team is also looking for parent volunteers. Please click here to sign up to help before and during the event.
- In addition, the HCPA marketplace will be selling some additional items from their inventory. You can also visit their website, HCPA marketplace, to purchase anytime during the year.
A-mazing Race
- A-mazing Race! Save the date – Sunday, May 4. All Junior School students and an adult guest are invited to join us for the always popular A-mazing Race—more details coming soon!
Grade Socials
- Please save the date for the following evening parent socials:
- Grades 4, 5 & 6: Thursday, February 20th, 2025, 7 pm – 9 pm
- Grades JK, 1, 2 & 3: Thursday, February 27th, 2025, 7 pm – 9 pm
KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON
Wednesday, January 22
- New to Havergal Parent Mixer (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in the Ellen Knox Library)
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)
Tuesday, February 4
- Black Cultural Prayers (8:25 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym)
Tuesday, Feb 11
- Hockey Day Gr. 4-6 (1:00 pm – 3:15 pm in the Mattamy Arena)
Friday, February 14
- Mid Term Break – School Closed
Monday, February 17
- Mid Term Break – School Closed
Friday, March 7
- Last Day of Classes
Monday, March 10 – Monday, March 24
- March Break
Tuesday, March 25
- Classes Resume for Students
The Weekly: Junior School 