A Message From The Head of the Junior School – Friday, November 14, 2025

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families,

When we returned to school on Tuesday, after the Mid-term Break, we came together as a community to honour Remembrance Day. This was a time for us to say thank you, to those who have and continue to serve in the army, the navy, and the airforce, as well as countless other ways that people have served on the front lines and behind the scenes for our country and our world. The sacrifices that so many have made, and the courage they have shown, have allowed us to come to school each day, to learn and to play together, and to think about how we too might make a positive difference in the world.

We also had the privilege to hear from a current mother in the Junior School, who is also an alum, who graciously shared the story of her grandparents, one from Canada and the other from France, who in addition to displaying such courage and sacrifice during the second world war, showed us the incredible power of love and hope. 

It is always so wonderful to have parents come in share their stories, and help make concepts that can feel distant or difficult, easier to understand and more connected.

Sincerely,

Kate

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

LATEST NEWS

Havergal Annual Grade 1 – 6 Christmas Concert – Wednesday, December 10, 3 pm

We are very excited for our annual Grade 1 – 6 Christmas  which will take place on Wednesday, December 10th at 3:00 pm  at St. Paul’s Bloor Street. This is always an incredible opportunity for us to come together as a Junior School Community, and lead off the festive season.  If your daughter can not attend this mandatory event, please email me at: kwhite@havergal.on.ca 

If you wish to be inspired for this year’s concert, last year’s can be watched here. 

New Circles Holiday Angel Program (Nov 18 – Dec 2)

Next week in Prayers, our Grade 5C leaders will launch our Holiday Angel Drive, in collaboration with New Circles, one of Havergal’s Community Partners. New Circles Community Services is a not-for-profit, grass-roots agency that builds strong and caring communities by providing clothing and skills training programs to equity-deserving individuals.

The Holiday Angel Program matches generous donors with client families, many of whom face significant challenges and are newcomers to Canada, to help meet urgent needs and make holiday wishes come true. 

On Wednesday, November 19, during Period 5, students will have the opportunity to learn more about this program, as well as better understand the needs of the family they will be supporting. Next Friday, we will be sending more detailed information about the families and all you need to know about how to contribute. 

Thank you for your support!

The Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA) – Helpful Information for Parents

As we start our Winter Athletic Season, we thought it might be helpful to share some of the following information with you: 

Top 5 CISAA Elementary Athletics Guidelines

  1. Fair & Appropriate Play (FAP): The core philosophy is participation and development, not intense competition. Teams are balanced, and all players receive appropriate playing time.
  2. Sport as Education: Athletics are an educational tool used to teach core values like Integrity, Respect, and Teamwork essential for character development.
  3. No Formal Championships: For younger age groups (U10/U12), the focus is on learning and experience. There are usually multi-game events instead of high-stakes playoffs or formal championships.
  4. Positive Spectator Conduct: Parents are expected to model respectful behavior at all times, providing positive encouragement and showing respect for all officials, coaches, and players.
  5. Trained Coaches & Safety: All coaches must be certified (via the National Coaching Certification Program) and complete mandatory training in areas like concussion safety and ethical decision-making (Safe Sport).

To learn more about CISAA, please visit: CISAA Parents- What You Need to Know 

Photo Retakes are Monday, November 24, 2025 

Photo Retakes are Monday, November 24, 2025 in the morning. If you’d like to have your child’s photo retaken, please sign up at the JS Photo Retake link and notify your child’s teacher.

REMINDERS

Ella Minnow Book Fair – Monday, November 17 – Thursday, November 20

The Junior School Library is excited to once again be hosting an Ella Minnow Book Fair!

Ella Minnow specializes in books to delight children from birth to teen, and they will be bringing an excellent array of high quality children’s literature to choose from, and just in time for the holidays! 

When is the book fair? 

  • The Book Fair will run from Monday, November 17 –  Thursday, November 20.

Why do we host a book fair when we can just buy books online and at Indigo? 

  • Having a book fair is an opportunity for students to practice taking responsibility for their choices; managing money, and managing expectations.
  • Our library also directly benefits from a Book Fair, as 20% of all sales goes toward new books for the library.

How can I support my child? 

  • Students will have the opportunity to browse and create wish lists on Monday November 17th and Tuesday November 18th. The wish list is a tool for your daughter’s decision-making process, so please have a conversation with her about her choices. 
  • Please send the wishlist back to school with her – this is her permission form to shop. Students will have time to shop with her class on Thursday or Friday.

How do I pay for my child’s purchases?

  • Ella Minnow  accepts Visa, Master Card, debit, cash, and are able to charge purchases to student accounts with permission granted (via the Wish List). Cash and student account is encouraged for student shopping.

Please Note:

  • We ask that parents do not purchase books from their daughter’s wish lists until after she has had a chance to do so herself, with her class.
  • If your daughter’s wish list is very long, or if you would like to make purchases for the holidays or as a surprise, the book fair will be open for parent shopping from 8am-9am, and 3pm-5pm, Wednesday and Thursday. Ella Minnow is quick to order and supply books that are sold out at the fair and will bring copies of any books that sell out to the school.

**NEW THIS YEAR – Teacher Wishlists! 

  • This is an exciting program that helps teachers build their in-class libraries AND contributes to our book fair revenue. Like students, teachers create a Wish List of books they’re interested in for their classrooms. These lists will be available to view at the fair, and teachers will share their lists via their class portals.
  • If you wish to take part in this program, come by the fair during parent shopping hours, or simply call me at 416-483-3843, extension 7544, or email your request at erodd@havergal.on.ca. All classroom purchases will include a bookplate commemorating your donation.

Questions?

  • Please contact our Librarian,Ms. Rodd at erodd@havergal.on.ca or by phone at 416-483-3843, extension 7544.

ATHLETIC and CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING 

Registration for Co-Curriculars Closes at 8 pm on Sunday, November 16.

Athletics:

Clubs:

  • Teaching Kitchen – Reminder
    • ALL families, with the exception of those whose children have already participated in Teaching Kitchen this year, will be entered into a lottery on Monday.
    • Families will receive an email on Monday as to whether their child has been registered, or not.
  • Please read your child’s personalized calendar to see which fall clubs are still running.
  • Questions?

WHAT’S ON THE JS MENU NEXT WEEK

JS Menu for Monday, November 17 – Friday, November 21 

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Parent Pub – ALMOST SOLD OUT! 

Get the last few tickets remaining for Havergal’s biggest parent social event of the year! Join us on Thursday November 20, 7 – 10 pm at Local Public Eatery, Leaside.

  • Unwind with great food, drinks, mini putt, trivia, and prizes – there’s fun for everyone!
  • It’s a night to laugh, connect, and celebrate Havergal’s spirit of community.

Special guest and Director of Enrollment Maggie Houston-White will be our MC for the evening!

 Tickets:

  • $85 per person (includes food + 2 drinks)
  • $75 each when two tickets are purchased together

Get your tickets here. 

  • RSVP required – No tickets at the door.

Marketplace

Looking for the perfect gift? Get your holiday shopping done early at the HCPA Holiday Marketplace. Visit our Shopify page today. 

Reminder! Our green and white Patagonia-style fleeces must be pre-ordered on Shopify by November 15 (Delivery in early December). They are available in both adult and youth sizes.

HCPA Staff Appreciation Donations

The HCPA is organizing a one-time collection of monetary donations for holiday and year-end gifts. This collective effort, made on behalf of all HC families, replaces the need for individual family gifts to our dedicated faculty and staff. In addition, a portion of the donations will support staff appreciation events in the Junior and Upper Schools at the end of May.

To help make these initiatives possible, we invite families to contribute $75+ per child. However, a donation of any amount is warmly appreciated.

Please send your contribution by 8 December 2025, via e-transfer to hcpatreasurer@gmail.com Please include your daughter’s name and grade/cohort in the message field.

Thank you for your generosity and for joining us in showing appreciation for our outstanding faculty and staff.

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, November 16

  • Registration for Winter Co-Curriculars close at 8 pm

Monday, November 17 –  Thursday, November 20

  • Ella Minnow Book Fair

November 24, 2025 

  • Photo Re-takes in the Morning

Friday, December 5

  • JK/SK Christmas Concert (9:15 am – 9:45 am)

Thursday, November 20

  • Parent Pub (7:00 pm – 10:00 pm at the Local Public Eatery – Leaside)

Wednesday, December 10

  • Grade 1 – 6 Christmas Concert (3:00 pm – 4:00 pm at St. Paul’s Bloor Street)

Wednesday, December 17

  • Report Cards Available for Viewing (4:00 pm)

Thursday, December 18

  • Last Day of Classes before Winter Break

Monday, January 5

  • PD Day for Faculty
  • No Classes for Students

Tuesday, January 6 

  • Classes Resume

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