A Message From The Head of the Junior School – Friday, February 7, 2025

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families,

On Tuesday, we honoured the beginning of Black History Month, at our Black Culture Prayers. Students from both the Junior and Upper Schools shared personal stories from their backgrounds, where we learned more about just some of the traditions, food and dress from Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Ghana. We were also inspired to learn about Toronto Chemist, Dr. Eugenia Addy, who wants girls & young women to stop saying ‘Who Me?’ 

Dr. Addy is a Black woman from West Toronto, who speaks openly about how when she was in high school she loved Science, but didn’t really see anyone who looked like her, who shared the same passion. She went on to study science in university, where this continued, leading her to wonder if she was in the right field. Dr. Addy persisted, despite not being given the same opportunities, and holds a PhD in Chemistry, and is the CEO of Visions in Science, a community based network that supports children and youth in low-income neighbourhoods by encouraging them to study STEM subjects in school. 

We also had the pleasure of listening to a performance by one of our Upper School students playing the Steel Pan Drum for walk in and walk out. Finally, the Black Student Alliance Choir sang “One of These Days,” an original composition by Aaron Manswell, composer-in-residence for the MacMillan Singers at the University of Toronto. 

Warmly,

Kate

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

Latest News

Reminders

LATEST NEWS

Gator Gabs: Havergal’s Junior School Podcast

A group of Grade 5 students have joined together to produce a podcast for our Junior School. We are very excited to share our first episode with our Havergal community. In the episode, you will hear about team and event updates, Havergal jokes and facts, and an exclusive interview. If you would like to listen to our first episode, you can access it from the Gator Gabs website. We hope that listening to our podcast will bring your family joy and help you learn a bit more about Havergal. 

Grandpals’ Day – Save the Date (Thursday, April 17 from 10:00 am – 11:30 am)

The Junior School is excited to be holding “Grandpals’ Day” once again, on Thursday, April 17th from 10:00 am – 11:30 am. More information about the logistics of the morning will be coming out closer to the event.

REMINDERS

Spirit Week – Monday, February 10 – Thursday, February 13 

Havergal Spirit Week is almost here to help us keep smiling and engaged through the grey days of winter. Spirit Week planning committees in both the Junior and Upper Schools have been carefully planning activities and dress-down days to bolster our students’ pride in their school, provide opportunities for connection, and to just have some fun! 

Please read below for some key information:

Monday, February 10 – Regular Uniform (Not a dress-down day)

  • JK – Grade 3
    • Students will come together during wellbeing time to share “warm and fuzzy” compliments with one another.
  • Grades 4 – 6
    • In preparation for Hockey Day, students will work together to create posters to cheer on our HC hockey teams, when we go to the Mattamy Center.

Tuesday, February 11 – Green and Gold Hockey Day (full dress-down day)

  • Students in JK– Grade 6 are invited to wear FULL green and gold clothing to show their school spirit. Don’t have any green and gold wear? Not a problem! Students are welcome to wear their HPE shirt, or any Havergal “swag” to show their school spirit.
  • JK – Grade 3
    • Students will remain at school, and have the opportunity to join in the fun, by watching the Live Stream of our JS Hockey Team play at intermission, 
  • Grade 4 – 6
    • Students will be attending the Hewitt Cup Hockey game in the afternoon. 

Wednesday, February 12 – House Accessory Day (on top of uniform)

  • Students are invited to show their house pride, by wearing house accessories on top of their Havergal uniform.

Thursday, February 13  – An “Ode to Valentine’s Day” (full dress-down day)

  • In honour of Valentine’s Day, all students are welcome to come to school wearing the valentine’s colour of their choice, or anything that they love! 

Friday, February 14 – Monday, February 19 – Family Day Weekend

  • No Classes

Gator Care – Monthly Blast

Should your daughter attend Gator Care on a regular basis, we encourage you to read January’s edition of the Gator Care Monthly Recap for January This will provide you with a high-level overview of what is happening, as well as some quick reminders. 

Hockey Day – Tuesday, February 11

What is Hockey Day?
On Tuesday, February 11, Havergal College will face the Bishop Strachan School (BSS) U20 Hockey team at Mattamy Arena in a battle for the Hewitt Cup. This is affectionately known as HOCKEY DAY! In this annual game, faculty, staff, and students are decked out in green and gold to cheer on our Gators with pride. Our Junior School Gators hockey team will play the BSS Junior School team during the first intermission. Go Gators! 

Please note that students are not to be picked up from Mattamy Arena! All JS students will return to the school on the bus, where we will have a regular dismissal.

CO-CURRICULARS

Please note that Clubs and Athletics will still run on Hockey Day. Gr. 4-6 students will be arriving back from hockey Day at 3:15. 

Athletics

  • JS Athletics Schedule 
  • Good luck to our U12 Hockey team as they face off against BSS at the intermission of Hockey DAY!

Clubs

WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Grade Socials

  • The Grade Evening socials are coming up!  Please see below some details and also the Evite links to RSVP.  We hope to see you all there!
  • Grade JK, SK, 1, 2 & 3: Thursday, February 27, 7- 9 pm, Theme: Wine and Cheese
  • Grades 4, 5 & 6: Thursday, February 20, 7- 9 pm, Theme: Sip and Share

JS Bake Sale

  • The Bake Sale is back! Please save the date on Thursday, February 13. All Junior School students will have an opportunity to attend our delicious annual bake sale with their class. This will be a cash only event, so please send up to $10 with your daughter so she can make her purchases.
  • Please click here to sign up for donations.  We welcome all types of nut-free baked good donations.
  • We are also looking for parent volunteers. Please click here to sign up if you can help with setup or during the bake sale. 

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!

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON

Tuesday, Feb 11

  • Hockey Day Gr. 4-6 at Mattamy arena 1:00 pm – 3:15 pm 

Thursday, February 13

  • JS Bake Sale

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

Friday, April 11

  • Student-Led Conferences (Students and families will book appointments to come into school on this day; NO CLASSES)

Thursday, April 17 

  • Grandpals’ Day (10:00 am – 11:30 am)

Friday, April 18 

  • Easter Friday (No Classes)

Monday, April 21

  • Easter Monday (No Classes)

Wednesday, April 30 

  • JS Parent-Teacher Interviews (4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Virtual)
    • Please note that these meetings are optional

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