A Message From the Head of the Junior School – Friday, March 28, 2025

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families, 

It has been so lovely to see all of our students back at school after the March Break. We welcomed everyone back as a community at Prayers on Tuesday, when we came together to celebrate Neurodiversity week. It was inspiring to hear from a number of our students and teachers who spoke about the wonderfully different ways that people’s brains work, and learning to discovering our own superpowers. Then today, we had the opportunity to learn all about Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which is celebrated by over 300,000 people worldwide. Our student presenters even taught us how to count down from ten, in Farsi, to ring in the New Year! To all those celebrating, we wish you a Happy New Year!

Warmly,

Kate

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

Latest News

Reminders

LATEST NEWS

Installation of Speed Bumps Along the JS Driveway

In an ongoing effort to enhance safety and reduce speed during our drop-off and pick-up times we will be installing speed bumps along the JS driveway. This is a proactive measure. Installation will take place early next week.

ISM Parent Survey Coming in April: Share Your Feedback 

As we shared with you earlier this week in Inside Havegal, we will be conducting a parent satisfaction survey in collaboration with Independent School Management (ISM) in April. The purpose of the survey is to gain a better understanding of your experience with Havergal. Your honest feedback will provide us with valuable insights into our partnership with families, how we can improve our offering and highlight areas of strength for the school. 

The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and will be anonymous and confidential. For more information, review our Frequently Asked Questions. We look forward to hearing your voice and shaping the future of Havergal together.

Arts’ Week – Monday, March 31 – Friday, April 4

The Arts at Havergal Junior School

Havergal’s Junior School has a thriving and vibrant Arts Program that is celebrated all year long. At Havergal, we focus on ensuring students have the opportunity to learn a variety of skills while discovering more about who they are as individuals. Students feel empowered to express their emotions and identity through the various projects, mediums and activities explored both in and outside the classroom as a part of our thriving arts program. 

An Invitation – Arts Week Prayers on Tuesday, April 1st

We invite families of the Primary Choir and 6A to come enjoy musical performances at Arts Week Prayers Celebration on Tuesday, April 1. We ask that Primary Choir students arrive at 8:00am and meet in Mr. MacLean’s room. We ask that students in 6A arrive at 7:55am and meet Ms. Read in the Integrated Arts classroom. Students in 6A should be in number 1 concert dress with tights. Primary choir should be in regular number 1 uniform. 

Upcoming Artist-in-Residence – Dr. Kofi Gbolonyo

In a short period of time, we will be welcoming Dr. Kofi Gbolonyo to work with our students across the Junior School. Dr. Kofi Gbolonyo is a professor at Capilano University and The University of British Columbia. He is also the founder of Nunya Academy in Ghana. Kofi is excited to share the culture, music and dance of the Ewe people of Ghana from April 14th to May 9th.

Registration and Instructions for Founders’ Day: Tuesday, April 22

This year’s Founders’ Day celebration will be held at 9:45 am on Tuesday April 22 at St. Paul’s Bloor Street church (227 Bloor Street East) – Havergal’s original parish church. Attendance is mandatory for all students.

A part of the Founders’ Day tradition includes hearing the Junior School (Grades 1-6), Middle School, and Senior Choirs perform. As always, the Graduating Class has a special role to play at Founders’ Day. The Class of 2025 will process into the church wearing Marguerite Pins – a gift of the Havergal Old Girls Association (HOGA). The Marguerite Pin symbolizes a graduating student’s passage into the Old Girls/Alums network of over 9,500 members.

Founders’ Day is a birthday, of sorts, that builds community – our community. It’s a longstanding tradition in the life of Havergal that brings together students and faculty from both the Junior and Upper Schools alike. It marks the anniversary of the cornerstone being laid at the “New School” on Avenue Road in 1926. It is very special indeed.

We request that you show your support of the school by ensuring your daughter attends this important celebratory event.

  • Parents must complete this linked registration by Friday April 11 at 9 am.
  • Departure Times from Junior School:
    • 8 :00 am – Junior Choir members depart from Havergal College to St. Paul’s by bus.
    • 8:15 am – Junior Steel Pan Drummers depart from Havergal College to St. Paul’s by bus.
    • 8:45 am – Grades 1- 6 students depart from Havergal College to St. Paul’s by bus.
  • If an extraordinary circumstance prevents your child from attending, please indicate the absence on Veracross by Friday April 11 at 9 am so we know not to expect a permission form for this event.

Join Us in Supporting Women in Sport!

Brenda Ha, a Havergal alumna, recently spoke to our students about her journey and the exciting launch of Toronto AFC, Toronto’s new professional women’s soccer club. She has generously offered our community discounted tickets to their inaugural match on April 19! This is a fantastic opportunity to cheer on elite women athletes and show our support for the growth of women’s professional sports.

Check out the following for TICKET DETAILS — we’d love to see strong Havergal representation at this historic event!

Parent Speaker Invitation:  Human Trafficking Speaker:  Tuesday, April 8, 7 pm (Grades 5 – 12 in the Upper School)

On April 8, grade 9 students will hear from Kelly Beale who currently leads Ontario’s Legal Support Program for Victims of Human Trafficking. As independent counsel for victims of human trafficking, she provides confidential legal advice and support to victims of human trafficking across the province to help them escape their trafficking situations. This program is the first of its kind in North America and Kelly regularly presents at human trafficking conferences, in the media, and at schools on how it assists with efforts to end human trafficking. The talk will define and explain human trafficking, how it happens in today’s context, including warning signs to identify a trafficking or luring situation. She will also speak to the students about what to do if they, or a friend, find themselves in this position. We know that our students will greatly benefit from learning more about this important topic.

We invite all parents to join us at 7 PM for a talk by Kelly on human trafficking. She will discuss its potential impact on your daughters and share strategies for open and effective conversations at home. If you are interested in attending please complete this registration form. 

REMINDERS

Grade 1 – 6 Optional (Virtual) Parent-Teacher Interviews Registration Opens April 14 

Our teachers work closely with families to ensure parents are current on their child’s progress throughout the year, providing key insights and a plan for continued growth. When teachers have concerns or feedback about a child, they contact parents. Parents can also reach out to teachers to discuss their concerns at any time throughout the school year. 

In addition to the report cards that went out on March 5th, and Student-Led Conferences which will take place Friday, April 11th, families also have the option to meet with any teachers who they may have specific questions for on Wednesday, April 30th. Please feel free to let the teachers know your questions prior to meeting, so that they can address them appropriately.

Optional Parent-Teacher Interviews for students in Grades 1 – 6 will take place virtually on Wednesday, April 30 (4:00 pm – 7:00 pm)

Grandpals’ Day Registration – Due by April 1

A friendly reminder for you to register for this exciting event, please go to the Registration Section of the Parent Portal. 

CO-CURRICULARS

Athletics

  •  JS Athletics Schedule ← Please save this document on a device you frequently use. Computer vs a phone is easiest.  Thank you. 

Clubs

  • JS Spring Clubs Schedule
    • Spring Clubs start next week! 
    • Remind your daughter(s) what club they’re enrolled in and remember to pick up your child from the club classroom (except Jr Choir which is dismissed from the driveway).

WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK?

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.

Pre-loved Uniform Sales 

  • Monday, April 28 from 2:30 to 5 pm outside the Junior School Learning Hub.

HCPA Marketplace 

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON

Tuesday, April 1

  • Arts’ Week Prayers (8:25 am – 8:50 am)

Friday, April 4

  • Ramadan and Eid Prayers (8:25 am – 8:50 am); followed by a reception

Monday, April 7

  • Pizza Lunch

Tuesday, April 8

  • Passover Prayers (8:25 am – 8:50 am)
  • Parent Speaker Invitation:  Human Trafficking Speaker at 7:00 pm (Grades 5 – 12 in the Upper School)

Friday, April 11

  • JK & SK Parent Teacher Interviews (Homeroom Teachers Only; a link to register will be send to kindergarten families directly)
  • Student-Led Conferences
    • NO CLASSES

Monday, April 14

  • Registration for Optional Grade 1 – 6 Parent-Teacher Interviews Opens at 10 am

Tuesday, April 15

  • Easter Prayers (8:25 am – 8:50 am)

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)

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