Month: August 2025

A Message From The Head of the Junior School – Thursday, August 28, 2025

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Dear Junior School Families,

A very warm welcome to all of our new and returning families! We could not be more excited to see everyone next week, and have been working hard to ensure that everything is ready for the school year to begin.

Last week you received our second “Back to School” summer message from our Deputy Principal, Lindsay Norberg. Please note that this is easily accessible on the PARENT PORTAL.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming our new students on Tuesday, September 2 for their orientation day, and all students on Wednesday, September 3. 

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy long weekend.

Sincerely,

Kate

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

LATEST NEWS

Junior School Opening Weeks Schedule 

Please be sure to review the Junior School Opening Weeks Schedule to ensure you and your daughter have all the information you need to have for a successful transition to school.

Carline Dismissal Cards

All NEW to Havergal students will receive a carline dismissal card on Tuesday, September 2, on their orientation. 

All RETURNING Havergal students will receive a carline dismissal card on Wednesday, September 3. 

Please note the following:

  • Families Who Are DRIVING:
    • Should place a dismissal card on the dashboard of their car, so that it is easily visible to a member of our dismissal team. 
  • Families Who Are WALKING:
    • Are asked to bring their card, or know their dismissal card # 
  • Each family is issued with TWO dismissal cards.
    • Should you need additional cards, please contact: jso@havergal.on.ca and they would be happy to assist.! 

Our First Friday Late Start – Friday, September 5

JS Faculty will use the time between 8 to 8:55 am on Friday mornings to engage in professional development, to collaborate and to ensure alignment on teaching and learning goals and assessment practices.

Please note the following:

  • Before school supervision is available, free of charge, between 7:30 am and 8: 55 am.
  • There are two time slots in which you may drop off your child
    • 7:30–8:05 am (Gator Care Room) OR
    • 8:45–8:55 am (Front of School, and students go directly to their classroom)
  • There is NO DROP-OFF between 8:05 am and 8:45 am.
  • Attendance will be taken at 9:00 am

High Holidays Prayers: Call for Participation and an Invitation

We will be observing the High Holidays in the Junior School on Wednesday, September 17th from 8:25 – 8:55 in the Junior School Gym. This will be followed by a small reception in the JS Library.

If your child is interested in participating in High Holiday Prayers, please email Rev. Ruch (jruch@havergal.ca) by Friday, September 5th, so that she can start working with the students.

Introducing Automatic Payment for Student Billing through VC Pay-AutoPay

This new service conveniently eliminates the need to manually pay bills each month, and helps avoid late payment fees and missed payments.

VC Pay is an automatic payment system integrated with Stripe where parents register their payment information and authorize the college to automatically withdraw payment for Tuition and/or school fees on a set schedule.

Please click here for more information.

REMINDERS

Before and After School Care (Gator Care) 

A reminder that our before and after school care program (“Gator Care”) opens on Wednesday, September 4th for students in SENIOR Kindergarten to Grade 6. It will be open for JK on Thursday, September 5th.

More details about the program can be found here: Before and After School Care (“Gator Care”) 2025-26 

A Reminder to Submit Your Child’s Health Information 

As was sent out in the summer mailing, we need all families to complete their child’s Vital Health Record and Student Health Tracker in the Magnus Health Portal to ensure the following information is accurate and updated: health history and conditions, allergies, history of concussions, dietary restrictions and over-the-counter medication consent. Parents are responsible for updating the school on any changes in their child’s health status throughout the year by updating information in the Magnus Health Portal. 

Plans of care for children with life-threatening conditions are shared with teachers and coaches. If there is any other information you would like to share with your child’s circle of care (other than the Health Centre), please reach out to healthcentre@havergal.on.ca. 

CELEBRATION DAY!

Mark your calendars for Friday, September 26 — you’re invited to two exciting HC community events!

Join us for Celebration Day from 3:30 to 6:30 pm, where our whole community will come together in support of our cherished community partners. Experience our school’s vision and mission in action through House-run games, fun activities, a lively Bazaar, BBQ and Silent Auction.

Interested in contributing to the Bazaar or donating to the Silent Auction? Click here to learn how you can get involved.

Tickets & wristbands will go on sale in mid-September

Be sure to check back here for the purchase link!

Friday Night Lights

Our first ever Friday Night Lights takes place directly after Celebration Day.  Kicking off at 7 pm, this special event will feature a competitive soccer match against Branksome Hall, and is open to all US students, parents, past parents, Old Girls/Alums and community members. Join us to cheer on the Gators, have a bite to eat and enjoy a beer in the 19+ Beer Tent. All proceeds will go toward Havergal’s Ahead of the Game campaign. Junior School students are also welcome to come with their parents. We hope you can come out and show your support! 

ATHLETIC and CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING 

Registration for Fall Athletics and Co-curriculars will open on Wednesday, September 3rd at 10am and close on Sunday, September 14th at 8 pm.  Registration is done on the Parent Portal Landing Page.

If you are having trouble with the registration process or have additional questions, please email JS Director of Athletics, Anna Bartlett, or the Junior School Office Administrator Sarah Robertson.

Please note that students may attend tryouts/practices once permission has been given during this registration period via Veracross. 

For Athletics:

  • Students in Gr. 4-6 may register for two teams plus cross country. After the 2-week trial period students must choose between Basketball, Soccer or Swim. Please consult with your child/children to confirm the teams they would like to try out for before you complete the online registration.
  • Fall Athletics Schedule (bookmark this) can also be found on the. The season schedule will be finalized on Sept.12. When you click on the link below, make sure you are looking at the first tab – “FALL 2025.” 
  • HAVERGAL TRACK JACKET or ¼ ZIP SWEATER: All students on a Havergal team must wear the Havergal ¼ zip to all games. Athletic clothing will be given out during uniform distribution days. Please write your child’s name on the clothing item as many students will have the same apparel. If your child participated in a fall sport, they likely already have one of these items. 

If you are having trouble with the registration process or have additional questions, please email Junior School Director of Athletics, Anna Bartlett  for athletics, or Sarah Robertson in the Junior School Office for all other co-curriculars. 

WHAT’S ON THE JS MENU NEXT WEEK

JS Menu for Wednesday, September 3 – Friday, September 5 

HAVERGAL CALENDARS

Personalized Havergal Calendars

Use this link to see a personalised summary of your child’s activities next week, on the Parent Portal.

Other Havergal Calendars to Subscribe To:

Some families also find it helpful to subscribe to HC calendars, so that they appear on your digital calendar. Instructions on how to do this, are provided below for your reference:

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON

Wednesday, September 3

  • JS Fall Athletics and Co-Curriculars OPENS at 10 am 

Thursday, September 11

  • People and Program Night (6:00 pm – 7:30 pm)

Friday, September 12

  • Terry Fox Run (1:45 pm – 2:45 pm)

Sunday, September 14th at 8 pm 

  • JS Fall Athletics and Co-Curriculars CLOSES at 8:00 pm 

Friday, September 26

  • Celebration Day & Friday Night Lights

Monday, September 29 – Friday, October 3 

  • Truth and Reconciliation Week

Tuesday, September 30

  • Students are invited an orange shirt on top of their regular HC uniform in recognition of Truth and Reconciliation Week

Monday, October 6

  • First Pizza Lunch of the year

Thursday, October 9

  • Harvest Festival (Brenda Robson Hall – 9:00 am – 10:00 am)