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

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families, 

Tomorrow, on March 8th, people around the world will celebrate International Women’s Day. This is  a global day to recognize and celebrate women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It’s also a time to raise awareness of the progress made towards achieving gender equality and the work remaining to be done. 

As we head into the March Break, I wanted to take this opportunity to offer a sincere note of gratitude to everyone for such an engaging and productive second term. It continues to be such a pleasure to work alongside the exceptional group of educators that we have here at Havergal, as well as with our curious and capable students, and in partnership with you, our families.

May the March Break provide an opportunity for a slightly slower pace and the time to spend with family and friends.

Warmly,

Kate

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

Latest News

Reminders

LATEST NEWS

Safety Concerns At Drop-Off and Pick-up

Havergal’s Security Team recently conducted a traffic flow audit during drop-off and pick-up procedures. They were alarmed by some of the behaviours they observed, which they noted placed the safety and wellbeing of students at risk. 

Dropping off and picking up students can be a stressful time — especially when drivers are late, pressed for time, and otherwise in a hurry to begin their day. It is also a time when student safety can be unnecessarily compromised. 

Please be courteous and respectful of fellow drivers and members of Havergal’s Security Team. The safety and wellbeing of our students depend on your following through on the school’s expectations around drop off and pick up.

What follows are important points for drivers to immediately address going forward:

  1. Drive SLOWLY. Drivers are not to go beyond 10 km/hr, as is indicated on our signage. Far too many cars are driving well above this speed limit, which puts everyone’s safety in jeopardy. 
  2. DO NOT walk across the car exit leading out to Rosewell Ave. This is a practice that endangers the Havergal and wider community.
  3. Drop off on the RIGHT side of the driveway. Our Security Team has observed drivers dropping off students onto the driving lane. Other drivers may not see a student exiting the car, and students do not always look where they are walking. This is dangerous for everyone.
  4. Be patient. Impatient drivers race to the front of the line–weaving in and out of traffic. Please remain patient and take your place in the queue to drop off and pick up your passenger(s). * Please fill the gaps…if a vehicle pulls up or away, please pull up to the empty space. 
  5. Signal your intention to other drivers and Security. 80% of drivers do not signal their intentions when they drop off, pick up, and/or merge.
  6. Comply with Security directions. Many drivers ignore the signals our Security Team gives drivers. Here it is always helpful to make eye contact with Security personnel so that you can follow their signals and directions.
  7. Don’t Park Along the Curb after you have dropped off. Some drivers stay parked after dropping off their passenger(s) in order to check their phone. This impedes traffic flow patterns significantly and slows the entire process down.
  8. Passengers should be ready to exit the vehicle safely and promptly. Drivers leave their vehicles to unload items from their trunk, which also slows down the drop off process. Passengers should be ready to exit quickly. Items stored in the trunk should be easily accessible. 
  9. Be Alert When Driving on Rosewell and Other Streets! We have FOUR schools with students arriving and departing at the same time. We know that traffic is congested, and unfortunately students sometimes walk through the cars. If your daughter walks home, please reinforce  safe practices for walking across streets, and accidentally getting hit. We will do this as well when we return from the break.
  10. Accessible Parking Spots are ONLY for those with designated accessible parking permits, as issued by the City of Toronto. 

Noria Family Speaker Series

On Tuesday, we were honoured to welcome alumni Sonia Agrawal (‘02) as part of the Noria Family Speaker Series. This series was created to open doors and to introduce our students to trailblazing women in science, technology, engineering, and math who are using their knowledge and passion to make a difference in the world. Thanks to the generosity of the Noria family, this series gives us the chance to learn from their experiences and envision what’s possible in the future for our students. 

Ms. Agrawal works at Google, where she helps businesses use technology to solve the world’s hardest problems. Before working at Google, Sonia spent 10 years at IBM, learning all about sales, marketing, and how to help companies succeed and grow.

Sonia also loves giving back to others! She volunteers regularly, speaks out about mental health, and helps young women — especially young women of color — believe in themselves and reach for their dreams.

What’s New in Gator Care

Should your daughter attend Gator Care on a regular basis, we encourage you to read the  Gator Care Monthly Blast. This will provide you with a high-level overview of what is happening, and some quick reminders.

REMINDERS

Grandpals’ Day Registration – Due by April 1

The Junior School is thrilled to be holding “Grandpals’ Day” once again, on Thursday, April 17th from 10:00 am – 11:15 am. On this special day, grandparents or senior pals are invited to attend a special reception hosted by our Principal, Dr. Katrina Samson and myself. They will then have an opportunity to spend time in their granddaughter’s classroom, see their learning, and experience some of the magic of the Junior School.

Please note that due to space constraints, this event is intended for Grandpals only, and not parents. Should your Grandpal require someone to come to help with translation, please indicate this on the registration form. If your child does not have someone who is able to attend, please let the homeroom teacher know, so that we can partner them with a friend, and they can still participate.

Parking is extremely limited! Grandpals are encouraged to get dropped off, or make alternative arrangements. Should they wish to park off campus, they are invited to visit Spot Angels, which helps provide options of parking spots close by the school. 

You can register for this exciting event, please go to the Registration Section of the Parent Portal. 

CO-CURRICULARS

Registration for Clubs and Athletics is Open Until 8pm Today

To register, please go to the Registration Section of the Parent Portal. 

Kindly review the Spring Catalogue for all of the opportunities available.

Athletics

Clubs

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

A-mazing Race

  • A-mazing Race! Ticket sales are now open – Sunday, May 4. All Junior School students and an adult guest are invited to join us for the always popular A-mazing Race— PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!

HCPA’s Moms’ Night Out

  • Mark your calendars for the HCPA’s Moms’ Night Out (MNO) at Taylors Landing on Thursday, May 22. Watch for the official invitation in early April.

HCPA Nominations 2025-26

  • HCPA nominations for the 2025-26 school year are now open! Forms are due no later than Friday, April 4, 2025 at 9pm.

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON

Monday, March 10 – Monday, March 24

  • March Break

Monday, March 25

  • Professional Development Day for Teachers

Tuesday, March 25

  • Classes Resume for Students
  • Neurodiversity Prayers (8:25 am – 8:50 am)

Friday, March 28 

  • Nowruz Prayers (8:25 am – 8:50 am); followed by a reception in the JS Dining Hall

Friday, April 4

  • Ramadan and Eid Prayers (8:25 am – 8:50 am); followed by a reception in the JS Dining Hall 

Friday, April 11

  • JK & SK Parent Teacher Interviews (Homeroom Teachers Only)
  • Student-Led Conferences
    • NO CLASSES

Thursday, April 17 

  • Grandpals’ Day (10:00 am – 11:15 am)

Friday, April 18 

  • Easter Friday (No Classes)

Monday, April 21

  • Easter Monday (No Classes)

Tuesday, April 22

  • Founder’s Day (Gr 1 – 12 student event) at St. Paul’s Bloor Street

Wednesday, April 30 

  • Optional JS Parent-Teacher Interviews (4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Virtual)

Leave a comment