A Message From The Head of the Junior School – Friday, May 2, 2025

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families, 

It was another very full week in the Junior School, with our Used Uniform Sale, Parent-Teacher Conferences, an HCPA meeting, a baseball tournament and a track meet! Our Junior School Faculty and Staff were also so grateful to the HCPA for so thoughtfully planning Teacher Appreciation Day. From the delicious treats, wellbeing activities, the photo booth, and the raffle, we all felt very much appreciated. A sincere thank you to all of you! 

Warmly,

Kate

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

Latest News

Reminders

LATEST NEWS

Pride Week Schedule: Monday, May 5 – Friday, May 9 

Pride – Everyone Deserves to Love, to be Loved, and to Live Authentically as Themselves 

Last week we shared that Havergal will once again be celebrating Pride Week this year. 

In preparation for the week ahead, we wanted to share the schedule of events we have planned for students in the Junior School.

Monday – Introduction to Pride Week 

  • 8:25 am – 8:55 am (JK – 6)
    • We will kick off Pride Week by watching a video created by HC students and teachers. The video highlights what Pride Week is, why it’s important, and what allyship looks like. 
  • 9:55 am – 10:15 am (Gr. 1 – 6 – Optional)
    • Students will have the opportunity to use chalk to draw messages of support and kindness at the front and back of the Junior School

Tuesday – Author Visits (8:25 am – 8:55 am) – Author Visits

  • We are thrilled to be welcoming Forest of Reading authors to the Junior School to talk about their books. Parents are warmly invited to attend. Please note that this will be in place of Prayers.

Wednesday (9:55 am – 10:15 am) – Bracelet making in the library (Optional)

  • Grade 1-6 students will have the opportunity to participate in bracelet-making in the library—a meaningful, hands-on activity that allows them to express support, celebrate diversity, and demonstrate allyship in a creative and personal way.

Thursday (9:55 am – 10:15 am) – Karaoke Dance Party in the MPR (Optional)

  • We hope Grade 1-6  students will join us in the MPR to share their favorite dance moves and sing their hearts out! This fun and inclusive event is a joyful way to celebrate self-expression, confidence, and community.

Friday – Dress Down Day 

  • The Junior School community is invited to dress down in a way that reflects the theme Just Be YOU!—whether that means wearing a favourite outfit, a team uniform, cozy sweats, or anything else that feels authentically you.
  • 9:55 am – 10:15 am (Gr 4 – Gr. 6 Optional)
    • A Kahoot game will run in the MPR. Gr. 4-6 students are invited to participate in Pride related Trivia. 
  • 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm (Gr 1 – Gr. 6) 
    • Pride Week Assembly (Grades 1–6): How to Be an Ally; followed by a Gr.4 – Gr. 6 Pride Parade to the lower pitch.

North York Harvest Food Bank Drive – Monday, May 5 – Friday, May 9 (Drop-off Donations in Front of the JS Library)

We are once again excited to be partnering with the North York Harvest Food Bank (NYHFB)! This year we have further strengthened our partnership with the NYHFB by working with Community and Corporate Fundraising Manager, Judith Reda. Ms. Reda has been working directly with us so that we can better learn about the organization, the impact of our actions and the importance of community support. Students have had the opportunity not only to donate, but to go and volunteer, sort food, meet clients who use the service, and see first hand the impact of our partnership. 

The NYHFB is currently greatly in need of the following items:

  • Canned Fish
  • Canned Fruit
  • Cooking Oil
  • Period Products (e.g., tampons, pads, liners, menstrual cups…)
    • At Prayers on Tuesday, some of our Grade 5s taught us about “Period Poverty,” and shared that while access to period products is a basic human right, not everyone has the resources they need to manage their periods safely and with dignity. Not having access to menstrual products keeps many girls away from school and women away from work during their period. 

Thank you in advance for your support with this final community drive of the 2025–2026 school year. Your involvement helps make a meaningful difference.

Parents as Speakers – An Invitation to Share Your Knowledge and Skills with HC Students

We’re excited to invite you to volunteer for a new initiative, “Parents As Speakers”, at Havergal College. This initiative aims to build stronger connections at HC by creating meaningful opportunities for parents to share their stories, talents, and experiences in ways that can directly enrich our students’ lives.

  • Whether it’s by volunteering to offer career insights, speak at Prayers, engage in informal student discussions, or participate in creative formats like our Human Library, your involvement can make a real impact.
  • If you’re interested in volunteering, we invite you to express your interest by completing the Google Form HERE. There’s no commitment at this stage—we’ll follow up with more information about each opportunity as it becomes available.

An Update to the JS Schedule for 2025 – 2026

I sent a communication to JS families yesterday that the we will be moving to a late start on Fridays, starting in September, 2025. If you have not yet had an opportunity to read it, I have included a link to the letter for your review.

All Library Books to be Returned by Friday, May 30th 

The library has seen a flurry of activity this year, with thousands of books shared amongst our community. Thank you to everyone for taking care of these little pieces of the library as they’ve passed through the hands of students. As the school year draws to a close, it is time for these library materials to be returned to their home base. All library books must be returned by Friday May 30th. 

Ms. Rodd, our Librarian, will be working with teachers to ensure that students continue to have reading material for the classroom. If you would like a list of current check outs, please email me at erodd@havergal.on.ca

Please note that students will be allowed to borrow books over the summer, but only if all books from the school year have been returned. 

Look out for summer reading lists – coming soon!

Update From Gator Care

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

REMINDERS

Pizza Lunch is on Monday

Students will enjoy a Pizza Lunch on Monday, May 5. Thank you to all of our parent volunteers and the Chartwells’ Team, who make this run so seamlessly.

Should your daughter not participate in Pizza Lunch, please be sure to send her with a lunch.

CO-CURRICULARS

Athletics

Clubs

WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK?

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

A-mazing Race

  • We hope you are looking forward to A-mazing Race – Sunday, May 4 | 11 AM – 3 PM for fun outdoor challenges, pizza, snacks, swag, & more! Rain or Shine!
  • Interested in volunteering? Please click here to sign up.

HCPA’s Moms’ Night Out

  • Get your tickets for the HCPA’s Moms’ Night Out (MNO) at Taylors Landing on Thursday, May 22. Click here to purchase your tickets by May 10!

JS Staff & Faculty Appreciation Day

  • To all JS Staff & Faculty the HCPA would like to thank you for joining us for the Staff Appreciation Day at the Junior School! We hope you enjoyed the DIY activities, delicious food, handmade dumplings, lucky draw, photo booth and relaxing moments designed to celebrate you! 
  • Photo Booth – If you would like to see some of the fun shots taken throughout the day at our photo booth click here. Please note: Photos may not be shared or posted publicly without the consent of everyone pictured.
  • Post-event survey coming soon! – Share your feedback and get entered to win another Lucky Draw prize!

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON

Tuesday, May 6

  • No prayers
  • Author Visits – parents welcome to attend

Friday, May 9 

  • “Just Be You” Dress Down Day
  • JS Prayers – Practicing with Artist in Residence Dr. Kofi (8:25 am – 8:55 am)
  • Pride Week Prayers for Grade 1 – 6 (2:30 pm – 3:00 pm)

Friday, May 16 – Monday, May 19

  • No Classes – Victoria Day Long Weekend

Tuesday, May 20

  • Classes Resume
  • Track and Field Finals at York University (8:45 am – 4:30 pm) 

Friday, May 23

  • House Shout  – House Dress Down Day (1:45 pm – 3:00 pm)
    • More information to come

Monday, June 9

  • Grade 6 Leaving Ceremony (4:00 pm – 5:30 pm)
    • Grade 6 families only
    • More information to be sent directly to Grade 6 families

Wednesday, June 11

  • JS Closing Ceremony (2:00 pm – 3:00 pm in the Brenda Robson Hall)
    • All JS Families Invited

Thursday, June 12

  • Last Day of School (School Closes at 11:30 am)
    • Students will have an opportunity to say goodby to their peers and teachers before beginning their summer holidays.

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