Dear Junior School Families,

Happy Celebration Day! The hallways have been buzzing all day as we prepare for today’s exciting event where we show our school spirit and strengthen our connections in support of our amazing community partners.

It was lovely to welcome Ms. Judith Reda, the Community and Corporate Fundraising Manager of the North York Harvest Food Bank, to Prayers on Wednesday. She spoke about Havergal’s incredible partnership with the organization, and the impact it has had on its clients. Students in Grade 6 will have the opportunity to once again go to the NYHFB next week, and learn more about what food insecurity is, and how it affects people in the North York region, many of whom are children. They will also have the opportunity to assist in sorting food donations while there.

Next week, our students in Grades 5 and 6 are heading off to camp for three days. We hope they have a wonderful time, and can’t wait to hear all about their adventures upon their return.

For all those observing Yom Kippur next week, we wish you an easy fast, for those that are fasting, and a special time of reflection with family and friends.

Sincerely,

Kate

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

• Truth and Reconciliation Week – Next Week
• Harvest Festival & Donations to the Donations to the North York Harvest Food Bank
• An Invitation to Diwali Prayers
• Arrival for Morning Clubs and Athletics
• Drop-Off Safety Concern
• Diwali Prayers Practice – Thursday, October 5
• Athletic and Co-Curricular Programming
• What’s on the JS Menu Next Week
• Your Child’s Personalized Calendar
• Key Dates on the Horizon

LATEST NEWS

Truth and Reconciliation Week – Next Week

Truth and Reconciliation Week is a significant event that aims to educate and raise awareness about the history and ongoing impacts of the residential school system on First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. It’s an opportunity for students, parents, and educators to engage in meaningful dialogue and reflection. 

As a school, we aim to build bridges of understanding and reconciliation, ensuring that the lessons of the past lead to a more inclusive and respectful future for all, not just for one week, but throughout the entire year. 

Monday, September 29

• Truth and Reconciliation Prayers (8:30 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym)

Tuesday, September 30 – Orange Shirt Day

• All students (JK to Grade 12) are invited to wear an orange shirt with their regular uniform to honour those Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools, many never to return. 
• Please note that this is not a dress down day.

Friday, October 3

• Students in Grade 1 – 3 (9:00 am – 10:00 am), and Grades 4 – 6 (10:30 am – 11:30 am) will have an opportunity to learn more about the importance of Orange Shirt Day from Herbie Barnes.
  • Mr. Barnes is an Anishinaabe theatre artist from Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation on Manitoulin Island, and the Artistic Director at Young People’s Theatre. Havergal is proud to have built a relationship with him over the past ten years, and we are thrilled to welcome him back again. 
• Students will also have an opportunity to be part of an interactive art installation, identifying calls to action, which will be displayed in a hallway/community space in the Junior School. Please find the instructions here. All classes will complete this activity during period 5 on Friday, October 3. Supplies will be provided and Julia will review the activity during huddle on Monday.

Harvest Festival & Donations to the Donations to the North York Harvest Food Bank 

We are excited to be holding our annual Harvest Festival this year. This formal service of Thanksgiving is an opportunity for us to come together as a community and support our community partners – The North York Harvest Food Bank.

Harvest Festival

• What students should wear # 1 Concert Dress, which consists of:
  • JK – Grade 4
    • White long-sleeve dress shirt
    • Tie
    • Tunic
    • Tights, not socks
    • Black shoes
    • Hair back from face with minimal hair accessories that are the same colour as your hair or the HC official hair accessories
  • Grade 5 & 6
    •  White long-sleeve dress shirt
    • Tie
    • Kilt (grades 5 and 6)
    • Tights, not socks
    • Black shoes
    • Hair back from face with minimal hair accessories that are the same colour as your hair or the HC official hair accessories 
• Time and Location
  • The service will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m., and will end at 9:45 a.m. in the Brenda Robson Hall, which is located in the Upper School
• Photos and Videos
  • We will have members of our Marketing and Communications’ Team on hand to take videos and photos of the service;
  • As in Prayers, we ask families not to take photos or videos during the service. Should your daughter have a speaking role, you are permitted to take a photo or short video, and we ask that you be discreet while doing so.
• Parking
  • Parking is extremely limited at the school. We encourage you to walk, carpool, or take alternative transportation. Should you wish to drive, you are invited to check out Spot Angels, which can assist you in finding nearby free or paid parking options. 

Donations to the North York Harvest Food Bank 

The Junior School will be running a food drive in support of the North York Harvest Food Bank, between Monday, September 29 and Thursday, October 9. Students in JK to Grade 6 are asked to bring in non-perishable food items for donation. The following items are urgently needed:

• Pasta
• Cooking Oil
• Canned Fish
• Canned Meats
• Ready to eat foods, like Kraft Dinner

Please send your donations to school with your daughter. These can be placed in the boxes outside the Junior School Library. 

An Invitation to Diwali 

Please read the invitation below, and RSVP to srobertson@havergal.on.ca 

REMINDERS

Arrival for Morning Clubs and Athletics

Some of our clubs and athletics start as early as 7 am in the morning. Students are not permitted to be in the building prior to this time, as there is noone available to supervise them. Students are asked to wait in the car, or with a parent until 7 am, when the supervisor comes to open the door.

Drop-Off Safety Concern

Our security team has observed a number of families having their children exit the car, directly into the laneway, where there is oncoming traffic. Please ensure your child(ren) exit the vehicle along the sidewalk.

Diwali Prayers Practice – Thursday, October 5

There will be a practice at 11:25 am on Thursday, October 5 for all students presenting at Diwali Prayers. It will take place in the STEM lab.

ATHLETIC and CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING 

Athletics:

• Please check the JS Athletics Schedule for details of the U10 Basketball and Soccer Games and the U11 Basketball games.    
• Take a look at the Friday Night Lights Havergal Athletics Video featuring some of our amazing JS coaches and athletes!

Clubs:

• With the Grade 5 & 6 overnight excursions next week, a number of clubs are cancelled and rescheduled. Please remember to check your child’s personalized calendar (instructions below) to find out more.
• Questions?
  • Email Junior School Office Administrator, Sarah Robertson 

WHAT’S ON THE JS MENU NEXT WEEK

JS Menu for Monday, September 29 – Friday, October 3 

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

HCPA Coffee Mornings

Please join us for our HCPA coffee mornings in the JS Dining Hall, 8-9:30am:

• Grades 4, 5 and 6: Thursday, October 16 
• Grades JK -3: Monday, October 27 

Drop in for a quick coffee and chat with other parents in your class and meet new ones.

JS Bake Sale

The Junior School Bake sale will be held on Tuesday November 4. Look out for information on ways to volunteer your time, and your baking skills!

• Setting up and staffing at the Bake Sale: click here to sign up 
• Baking and donating nut-free baked goods: click here to sign up

HCPA Volunteering Opportunities

Interested in volunteering? Fill out the HCPA Volunteer Opportunities 2025-26 form.

YOUR CHILD’S PERSONALIZED CALENDAR

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

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON

Monday, September 29 – Friday, October 3 

• Truth and Reconciliation Week
  • See above for more details about what to expect this week

Monday, September 29

• Prayers – An Introduction to Truth and Reconciliation Week (8:30 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym))

Tuesday, September 30

• Students are invited to wear an orange shirt on top of their regular HC uniform in recognition of Truth and Reconciliation Week. Please note it is not a dress-down day.

Wednesday, October 1 

• Prayers – What Does it Mean to Thrive? (8:30 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym))

Monday, October 6

• First Pizza Lunch of the year

Thursday, October 9

• Harvest Festival (Brenda Robson Hall – 9:00 am – 9:45 am)

Dear Junior School Families,

With the third week of school now complete, we are definitely in the “swing” of things.  It is so much fun to see our students run into school each morning, and witness all the ways that they are learning and growing already.

We are all eagerly awaiting Celebration Day and Friday Night Lights, both of which will take place on Friday, September 26. Everything you need to know can be found in this week’s edition of “The Weekly – Junior School.” 

To all those celebrating Hashanah next week, we wish you a Shana Tova. It was wonderful to learn more about the High Holidays from some of our students in Prayers on Wednesday, and the various ways that they mark these important days in the Jewish Calendar.

Sincerely,

Kate

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

• Celebration Day & Friday Night Lights – Friday, September 26 
• Athletic and Co-Curricular Programming
• What’s on the JS Menu Next Week
• Gator Care Monthly Blast
• Notes from the HCPA
• Your Child’s Personalized Calendar
• Key Dates on the Horizon

CELEBRATION DAY & FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS – Friday, September 26

Celebration Day (3:30 pm – 6:15pm)

Join us for Celebration Day 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.

Attendance & Participation 

• Optional for JK-Grade 4
  • JK – Gr. 4 must be accompanied by an adult, 
• Mandatory for Grades 5 – 6 
  • Grade 5 and 6 students will sign up to run activity stations
  • Students have been instructed to go to their designated spot at the designated time to run their activities;
  • When not running their stations, students will stay on campus, and to participate in Celebration Day Activities;
  • If your child is not able to attend, or needs to leave early, please email me at kwhite@havergal.on.ca 

Dismissal

• JK-Grade 4 – EARLY DISMISSAL 
  • JK – Grade 3: 2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
  • Grade 4 – 6: 3:00 pm – 3:15 pm
• Grade 5 & 6 – READ CAREFULLY:
  • 3:15 pm – Students will remain with their teachers and walk to the Ratcliffe Field for the Celebration Day Opening Ceremony;
  • 6:00 pm – 6:15 pm
    • Students will be directed to return to the Junior School at 6:00 pm, and pick up their back packs, which will be in the Music Room (Gr. 5) and theIntegrated Arts Room (Gr. 6);
    • Students with Green Tags will be permitted to walk home
    • Students without Green Tags need to be picked up by a parent.
    • Teachers will be on hand to oversee this. 

Gator Care (JK – Grade 4)

• Gator Care is available on an “as needed” basis on Celebration Day.
• In order to register please do the following, as soon as possible, as we anticipate having a larger number of students attending on this day:
  • Go to the Parent Portal, and click on the After School Gator Care link, under registrations.
  • Send an email to gatorcare@havergal.on.ca, letting them know that your daughter will be attending on Celebration Day.

What to Wear

• Students in JK – Grade 12 are all invited to wear GREEN and GOLD on this day. Families are also welcome to join in the fun.

Parking

• With such a big event, parking will be very limited. We strongly encourage you to walk, TTC or Uber to campus.
• You are also welcome to visit Spot Angels, an app that helps drivers find free parking, garage deals, and information on street parking rules to avoid tickets.

Celebration Day Tickets – Last Weekend to Get Your Tickets and Wristbands Now! 

• Skip the line and click here to get your tickets now! Advance ticket sales will end on Sunday, September 21. Getting a pre-order wristband makes everything so easy! However, tickets will still be available for purchase at the event. Bring your card!
• This is a cashless event so tickets are the only way to get a coveted cookie gram, cotton candy, popcorn or this year’s exciting new addition from our partners at Chartwells: BBQ! Price lists can be found here. 

Celebration Day Silent Auction

• The Celebration Day Silent Auction is live! Sign up in advance and bid now. Thank you to all who have donated items – we have fabulous opportunities for experiences, one of a kind items and HC special passes like reserved seating at events. Bid now, bid often and know the bidding closes at 6:00 pm at the event. 

Opportunities to Volunteer

• We’re still looking for Celebration Day volunteers. Show your support and sign up here (be sure to scroll through all the opportunities).

Friday Night Lights – 7 pm

• Join us for Havergal’s first-ever Friday Night Lights HC Gators face the Branksome Highlanders in a soccer game!
• This spirited evening is geared to Upper School students, but we’re inviting the whole HC community: parents, alumni, past parents, neighbours and friends—to come out in your best green and gold. Enjoy a drink in the Beer Tent, cheer on our athletes, support the Ahead of the Game campaign and show the Highlanders that no one outcheers Havergal in our house!
• Want the best (and only) seats for the game? Bid on one of two VIP tables in the 19+ section.

Junior School students are welcome to attend Friday Night lights, but MUST be accompanied by an adult. 

ATHLETIC and CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING 

Athletics:

• Good luck to the XC, Swim, U12 Soccer Team, and the U12 Basketball Team, who all have their first games/meets this week. Please check the JS Athletics Schedule for details.  
• Questions?
  • Email JS Director of Athletics, Anna Bartlett

Clubs:

• Clubs are off to a great start & please remember to check your child’s personalized calendar (instructions below).
• Questions?
  • Email Junior School Office Administrator, Sarah Robertson 

WHAT’S ON THE JS MENU NEXT WEEK

JS Menu for Monday, September 22 – Friday, September 26 

GATOR CARE MONTHLY BLAST 

Should your daughter attend Gator Care on a regular basis, we encourage you to read September’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. 

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

HCPA at Celebration Day & Friday Night Lights

The HCPA will run a Pre Loved sale, Marketplace and Concession Stand on Friday September 26! 

• The Pre Loved Uniform sale will take place in the EK Library between 3:30-6:30pm. Help the environment and your pocket book by shopping for gently used uniforms! All funds raised will go to the Ahead of the Game campaign.

• The HCPA Marketplace will have a pop up shop on the South Quad. Show your Gator spirit and shop the HCPA Marketplace for all the best HC gear! Staying for Friday Night Lights? Grab some HC Swag like the HC Bracelet or Hat to show your HC support! All funds raised will go to the Ahead of the Game campaign.

• The HCPA Concession Stand will run on the South Quad between 3:30-6:30pm to help raise money for our Community Partners! For Friday Night Lights, all funds raised from 6:30pm onwards will go to the Ahead of the Game campaign.

Pre Loved Uniform Donations

• The Pre Loved Uniform team would like to remind parents of their permanent collection bins across from the Learning Hub at the Junior School and in the alcove by the glass door entrance to the Upper School (across from the Green & Gold shop).  They gratefully accept cleaned skirts, tunics, pants, polo shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, 1/4 zip sweatshirts, jogging pants, and blazers. 

YOUR CHILD’S PERSONALIZED CALENDAR

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

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON

Monday, September 22

• JS Prayers – Understanding Our Havergal Values (8:25 am – 8:55 am)

Wednesday, September 23

• JS Prayers – JS Prayers Celebration Day & – HC Community partners (8:25 am – 8:55 am)

Friday, September 26 (Green and Gold Dress Down Day)

• Celebration Day & Friday Night Lights
  • Early Dismissal
    • JK – Grade 3: 2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
    • Grade 4 – 6: 3:00 pm – 3:15 pm

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)

Dear Junior School Families,

What an amazing first full week for the Junior School! It has been so lovely to see everyone get into their groove of things, and really dig in to the start of a new school year. 

I find myself full of gratitude, once again for how our community comes together. Yesterday was particularly special as we welcomed our families to our annual People and Program Night, where you had the opportunity to meet the amazing team of teachers who work and support your daughters every day, learn about all the exciting opportunities they will have throughout the year, and to connect with each other. Thank you for your partnership! For those of you who were unable to attend, please feel free to reach out to your daughter’s homeroom teacher, if you have any questions or would like to see the slide deck from their presentation.

This afternoon was the perfect end to the week as students, families, faculty and staff came together for the Terry Fox Run. Thank you so much to everyone who also already donated to the Terry Fox Foundation. Terry started the Marathon of Hope to support Cancer research. Together, we can end it. If you have not yet donated, and you would like to, kindly visit the Havergal College Terry Fox Donation Page. 

I know that this time of year can often feel hectic, with the return to school, multiple school drop-offs for some, the start of co-curriculars both inside and outside of school, and re-establishing routines. I hope that you too are settling into all of this, and wish you a lovely weekend.

Sincerely,

Kate

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

• Parents/Caregivers at Drop-Off and Pick-Up
• Student Support and Extra Help
• VC Pay is now available
• Junior School Admission Ambassadors – Call for Volunteers!
• Celebration Day & Friday Night Lights
• Fall Athletic and Co-Curricular Programming
• What’s on the JS Menu Next Week
• Your Child’s Personalized Calendar
• Key Dates on the Horizon

LATEST NEWS

Parents/Caregivers at Drop-Off and Pick-Up

We love having parents/caregivers visit the school, and always want you to feel welcome. With that said, we ask that you refrain from coming in the school at morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, as it can make for a tricky transition at the beginning and end of each day. Thank you!

Student Support and Extra Help

Our teachers are available to support students who may be finding curriculum content complex or require additional practice. Parents may sometimes pursue outside support from tutors to close learning gaps or provide additional support outside school hours. 

While we welcome the opportunity to occasionally connect with tutors to share areas requiring further practice, our teachers cannot prepare material or academic packages for tutors to use in their sessions with your child. Parents can refer to Veracross posts for content being explored in class, and tutors can access the Ontario Curriculum at Ontario Curriculum. 

REMINDERS

VC Pay is now available

Havergal is pleased to introduce 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.

Junior School Admission Ambassadors – Call for Volunteers!

Although we have only just started the school year, the Admissions team is already looking ahead to September 2026! 

Beginning in early October, we will be offering Group Tours of the Junior School for prospective families, led by a group of committed parent volunteers. The tours will run on select Tuesdays and Thursdays each week at 9:30am,10:30am and 1pm. Our Parent Ambassadors can sign up to give a tour according to their availability. New Havergal parents are invited to participate – we will ensure volunteers have training and support!

Our Parent Ambassadors play a crucial role in sharing the Havergal experience with prospective families. If you are interested in signing up to be a tour guide and joining our Parent Ambassador team for the upcoming school year, please sign up at this link.

We will be in contact with all interested volunteers to invite you to join us for a small group training sessions at the end of September.

Thank you in advance for considering supporting our department as we work to share the Havergal Junior School experience with prospective community members. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Milligan in the Junior School Admission office (smilligan@havergal.on.ca).

CELEBRATION DAY & FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

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.

What Junior School Families Need to Know

Attendance & Participation

• Optional for JK-Grade 4
  • JK – Gr. 4 must be accompanied by an adult, 
• Mandatory for Grades 5 – 6 
  • Grade 5 and 6 students will sign up to run activity stations
  • If your child is not able to attend, please email me at kwhite@havergal.on.ca 

Dismissal

• JK-Grade 4: 
  • 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm – Students will be dismissed from the Junior School, as usual
• Grade 5 & 6:
  • 3:15 pm – Students will remain with their teachers and walk to the Ratcliffe Field for the Celebration Day Opening Ceremony
  • 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm Students will be dismissed from the Junior School

What to Wear

• Students in JK – Grade 12 are all invited to wear GREEN and GOLD on this day. Families are also welcome to join in the fun.

Tickets & wristbands are NOW ON SALE. 

• Click here to get your tickets now! Advance ticket sales will end on Sunday, September 21. However, tickets will still be available for purchase at the event.

Calling all parents – Volunteers Needed! 

• Want to lend a hand and be part of the fun? We need help both before and during the event with ticket sales, working with the students at stations, helping with the BBQ and more.  This is a great way to meet other parents and support our community partners. Sign up here.

Our silent auction is also live! 

• Sign up in advance and bid now! We have some great items, including Canadian Stage Tickets, HC Reserved Seating at the US Carol Service and more.

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! 

Friday Night Lights – VIP Seats

• Want the best (and only!) seats in the house? Bid on one of two VIP tables (19+ section, seats 6). Opening bid: $500/table. Click here to bid now!

Junior School students are welcome to attend Friday Night lights, but MUST be accompanied by an adult. 

ATHLETIC and CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING 

We had a great first week of Athletics. Registration will close Sunday, September 14th at 8 pm. You can get to the registration on the Parent Portal Landing Page. 

Trouble with Registration?

• Athletics:
  • Email JS Director of Athletics, Anna Bartlett
• Clubs:
  • Junior School Office Administrator, Sarah Robertson 
  • Clubs start this week! Please check your child’s personalized calendar (instructions below).

Athletics:

• JS Athletics Schedule (<–bookmark this) can also be found on the parent portal. 
• Students in Gr. 4-6 may register for two teams plus cross country. After this week, 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.

WHAT’S ON THE JS MENU NEXT WEEK

JS Menu for Monday September 15 – Friday, September 19 

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Grade Coffee Mornings

• Please look out for the HCPA coffee morning invites coming soon. This is a great opportunity to drop in for a quick coffee and chat with other parents in your grade.

Celebration Day Bazaar

• We’re excited for our Celebration Day Bazaar! It’s a fantastic opportunity to support our Community Partners, with all proceeds going directly to them. Want an early sneak peek before the official 3:30pm event starts? Parents and Old Girls/Alumni are warmly invited to drop by from 2:00pm onwards on Friday, September 26.

HCPA Volunteering Opportunities

• Interested in volunteering? Fill out the HCPA Volunteer Opportunities 2025-26 form.

Preloved Uniform Sale

• Our next Pre-loved Uniform sale will take place on Celebration Day. Help the environment and your pocket book by shopping for gently used uniforms from 3:30-6.30pm in the Ellen Knox Library.

YOUR CHILD’S PERSONALIZED CALENDAR

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

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON

Sunday, September 14th at 8 pm 

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

Monday, September 15

• JS Prayers: Rev Ruch will speak about why we have Prayers at Havergal, and the meaning behind it (8:25 am – 8:55 am)

Wednesday, September 17

• JS High Holiday Prayers  (8:25 am – 8:55 am)
• High Holiday Reception (8:55 am – 9:30 am)

Friday, September 26 (Green and Gold Dress Down Day)

• Celebration Day & Friday Night Lights
  • Early Dismissal
    • JK – Grade 3: 2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
    • Grade 4 – 6: 3:00 pm – 3:15 pm

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)

Dear Junior School Families,

I cannot tell you how thrilled we were to welcome everyone to the 2025-2026 school year! It has been a week of connection and community building, as we set the foundation for what I know will be a fantastic year together. We often talk about the important partnership between home and school. Your warm welcomes, kind words and feedback this week have been so appreciated. We look forward to continuing to work together in support of your amazing daughters.

This week’s edition of “The Weekly” contains a lot of information to keep you in the know in the coming weeks. Grab a cup of coffee, put up your feet, and settle in to read all about what is coming up next!

Sincerely,

Kate

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

• How You Can Support a SAFE and EFFICIENT Arrival and Dismissal Process
• Junior School People and Program Night – Thursday, September 11 (6:00 pm – 7:30 pm)
• Purchasing JS Athletic Sweatshirts 
• Terry Fox Run – Friday, September 12 (1:45 pm – 2:45 pm on the Cohen Field) – for Students in JK to Grade 6
• Before and After School Care (“Gator Care”) Registration Update
• Junior School Admission Ambassadors – Call for Volunteers!
• A Message From Our Librarian – Ms. Rodd
• Reporting Student Attendance 
• Please Submit Your Child’s Health Information – ACTION REQUIRED
• High Holidays Prayers Reception – Please RSVP 
• Celebration Day
• Athletics and Co-Curriculars
• What’s on the JS Menu Next Week
• Your Child’s Personalized Calendar
• Key Dates on the Horizon

LATEST NEWS

How You Can Support a SAFE and EFFICIENT Arrival and Dismissal Process

Join us in ensuring that our Junior School remains a consistently safe environment for everyone in our community. Our amazing team of teachers and security professionals are here to support in this process, please follow their directions!

Parking

• Only JK/SK Parents/Guardians are permitted to park in the Junior School Parking Lot, so that they can pick up their child from the  JK/SK door, at the rear of the building.
• No other families are permitted to park in the JS parking lot during dismissal.
• There is limited parking on Rosewell Ave. for families with students in Grades 1 – 6

Arrive for Dismissal During Your Child’s Designated Time 

• JK to Grade 3: 3:05–3:20 pm
• Grades 4 to 6: 3:15–3:30 pm
• Please Note:
  • If you arrive early for your dismissal time, you may be asked to temporarily leave the Junior School driveway. If you have more than one child, please arrive during the time slot assigned to your eldest child.

Dismissal Cards

• Have your laminated dismissal card clearly visible. 
• It is easiest to see if it is placed on the dashboard of the front passenger seat.

When Using the Carline

• Stay in the “cue,” rather than driving ahead and around other vehicles, unless instructed otherwise by one of our security professionals.
• Have students ready to exit, curbside, as soon as your car stops alongside the curb (backpacks, water bottles, etc, should be easily accessible). Stay in your car, if at all possible. If you need to exit your car to assist your child to get out of a car seat or booster, please do so quickly. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR UNATTENDED AT ANY TIME!
• Abide by the signage both on and off school property. This includes: driving 10 km along the driveway, not parking along the driveway during peak times, no double parking, or stopping in restricted zones on Rosewell Ave. 

When Walking

• Cross at the designated crosswalk with the crossing guard and flashing pylons, and NOT across the driveway exit.

To learn more, please refer to our Junior School Arrival and Dismissal  Protocols.

Junior School People and Program Night – Thursday, September 11 (6:00 pm – 7:30 pm)

We are very much looking forward to welcoming families to people and program night next week.

Here is a link that outlines the JS People and Program Evening Schedule 2025. 

Purchasing JS Athletic Sweatshirts (Gr. 4-6) 

Athletic Sweatshirts will be on sale at People and Program night. These sweatshirts are intended for Gr. 4-6 students who are on a team. After this sale, JS Athletic Sweatshirts will be available for purchase at the Green and Gold Shop.

Terry Fox Run – Friday, September 12 (1:45 pm – 2:45 pm on the Cohen Field) – for Students in JK to Grade 6

The 2025 Terry Fox School Run is set for the afternoon of Friday, September 12th, from 1:45 pm to 2:45 pm. Students can come to school dressed in their phys-ed uniform for the day. Every year, Havergal joins as a community make a difference with our donations to fund cancer research.

Ways to donate:

• Havergal has raised over $280,000 in support of The Terry Fox Foundation to date!
• Please support our school’s fundraising efforts once again this year through our  Havergal College Terry Fox Donation Page
• Receipts are issued immediately to donors by email from the Terry Fox Foundation.

Who can participate:

• Students in JK to Grade 6 will all take part!
• This is a community event, so all families are invited to join in by walking or running. Bring your running shoes and be ready to participate! Please meet us at the Cohen Field at 1:45 pm.
• We kindly ask, however, that your furry friends stay at home. 

What students need to bring/wear:

• Students will come to school dressed in their phys-ed uniform for the day
• A water bottle 
• A hat 
• Please dress appropriately for the weather 

Before and After School Care (“Gator Care”) Registration Update

We are pleased to share that registration for Full-Time Gator Care has been re-opened until midnight on Sunday. Families may now register on the Parent Portal.

You may choose from the following two options:

• Full-Time Registration: Your child will be registered for every school day for the Fall Term.
  
• As-Needed Basis: If you choose this option, you’ll need to complete the registration form (available on the Parent Portal) before your child’s first visit to Gator Care. This form only needs to be submitted once. After that, simply email the Gator Care Team, at gatorcare@havergal.on.ca, in advance of any day you require the service.
  

We ask families to complete registration at their earliest convenience to help us plan and provide the best possible care and supervision for your children.

To learn more about “Gator Care” please review:  Before and After School Care (“Gator Care”) 2025-26 

Junior School Admission Ambassadors – Call for Volunteers!

Although we have only just started the school year, the Admissions team is already looking ahead to September 2026! 

Beginning in early October, we will be offering Group Tours of the Junior School for prospective families, led by a group of committed parent volunteers. The tours will run on select Tuesdays and Thursdays each week at 9:30am,10:30am and 1pm. Our Parent Ambassadors can sign up to give a tour according to their availability. New Havergal parents are invited to participate – we will ensure volunteers have training and support!

Our Parent Ambassadors play a crucial role in sharing the Havergal experience with prospective families. If you are interested in signing up to be a tour guide and joining our Parent Ambassador team for the upcoming school year, please sign up at this link.

We will be in contact with all interested volunteers to invite you to join us for a small group training sessions at the end of September.

Thank you in advance for considering supporting our department as we work to share the Havergal Junior School experience with prospective community members. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Milligan in the Junior School Admission office (smilligan@havergal.on.ca).

A Message From Our Librarian – Ms. Rodd

Summer Loans

I hope you enjoyed many hours of reading this summer! It is time for any books that took a summer vacation to return to their home in the library. If you could please return any summer loans by your child’s first library class, this will ensure that they will be able to begin borrowing books right away. 

Summer Reading Challenge

Please have your reading logs submitted by Monday September 15.

Request for stuffies 

Ms. Rodd is looking to add some more cozy reading buddies to the library. She is looking for some stuffies that are clean and in excellent condition. Please reach out at erodd@havergal.on.ca or simply drop by the library.

REMINDERS

Reporting Student Attendance 

A link for reporting attendance is available directly on the Parent Portal homepage. We recommend you bookmark the link. Instructions for using Veracross can be found here. It is important to review these instructions and be familiar with how to report a student absence through Veracross.

Please Submit Your Child’s Health Information – ACTION REQUIRED

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. 

High Holidays Prayers Reception – Please RSVP

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.

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.

What Junior School Families Need to Know:

Attendance & Participation

• Optional for JK-Grade 4
  • JK – Gr. 4 must be accompanied by an adult, 
• Mandatory for Grades 5 – 6 
  • Grade 5 and 6 students will sign up to run activity stations throughout the event, between 3:30 pm and 5:45 pm.
  • If your child is not able to attend, please email me at kwhite@havergal.on.ca

Dismissal

• JK-Grade 4: 
  • 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm – Students will be dismissed from the Junior School, as usual
• Grade 5 & 6:
  • 3:15 pm – Students will remain with their teachers and walk to the Ratcliffe Field for the Celebration Day Opening Ceremony
  • 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm Students will be dismissed from the Junior School

Tickets & wristbands are now on sale! 

Click here to get your tickets now! Advance ticket sales will end on Friday, September 19. However, tickets will still be available for purchase at the event.

Celebration Day Volunteers Needed!

Calling all parents! Want to lend a hand and be part of the fun? We need help both before and during the event with ticket sales, working with the students at stations, helping with the BBQ and more.  This is a great way to meet other parents and support our community partners. Sign up here.

Celebration Day Bazaar & Silent Auction 

We’re excited to invite Old Girls/Alums, current and past parents, students, and staff/faculty to be part of this year’s Celebration Day Bazaar and Silent Auction! 

​​Whether you’d like to host a stall at the Bazaar or contribute an experience or prize to our Silent Auction here, it’s a great way to support our Community Partners as all proceeds will go directly to them. There are still a few vendor spots left at the Celebration Day Bazaar. Please email Martha Fell (martha@jaxxandmarbles.com).

​​Our silent auction is also live! Sign up in advance and bid now! We have some great items, including Canadian Stage Tickets, HC Reserved Seating at the US Carol Service and more.

Friday Night Lights (7:00 pm) 

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. 

Junior School students are welcome to attend Friday Night lights, but MUST be accompanied by an adult.

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! 

ATHLETICS and CO-CURRICULARS 

Registration for Fall Athletics and Co-curriculars is still open, and will close on Sunday, September 14th at 8 pm. You can register on the Parent Portal Landing Page. 

Athletics:

• JS Athletics Schedule. This can also be found on the parent portal. 
• Please keep in mind that Athletics practices start next week, and your child needs to be registered before the first practice. 
• 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.
• Questions?
  • Email JS Director of Athletics, Anna Bartlett

Clubs:

• Thank you for your feedback regarding the club registration process, and the frustration regarding signing up for some of our most popular offerings. We are seeking a solution.
• Please note that there is still space available in the following clubs:

• SK
  • Lego Club
• Grade 1 – 3
  • Bollywood Dancing
  • Little Architects
• Grade 2 & 3
  • Math Club
• Grade 5 – 6
  • Learn to Play Band
  • Strings
• Questions?
  • Junior School Office Administrator, Sarah Robertson 

WHAT’S ON THE JS MENU NEXT WEEK

JS Menu for Monday, September 8 – Friday, September 12 

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Grade Coffee Mornings

• Please look out for the HCPA coffee morning invites coming soon. This is a great opportunity to drop in for a quick coffee and chat with other parents in your grade.

HCPA General Meeting

• The next HCPA General Meeting is Wednesday, September 10, 8:45 – 10:45 am in the Junior School Dining Room.

YOUR CHILD’S PERSONALIZED CALENDAR

Personalized Havergal Calendars

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

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON

Monday, September 8 (#1 Dress Day)

• Opening Prayers (8:25 am – 8:55 am)
  • Parents/Guardians are always welcome to attend!
  • Dr. Katrina Samson will deliver today’s message
• JS Class Photo Day

Wednesday, September 10

• Prayers (8:30 am – 8:55 am)
  • Ms. White will deliver today’s message, about what it means to be a member of the Havergal Community

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)
• Students are asked to come dressed in their Phys Ed Uniform

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
  • Early Dismissal
    • JK – Grade 3: 2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
    • Grade 4 – 6: 3:00 pm – 3:15 pm

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)