A Message From The Head of the Junior School – Friday, September 19, 2025

On By havergaljuniorschool

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

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?

Clubs:

  • Clubs are off to a great start & please remember to check your child’s personalized calendar (instructions below).
  • Questions?

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)

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