A Message From The Head of the Junior School – Friday, December 5, 2025

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families,

This morning we had the pleasure of coming together for the highly anticipated Kindergarten Christmas Concert!  It was such a delight to see our youngest learners singing their hearts out, and sharing what they love most about the holidays. As always, it was the perfect way to get us all in the spirit of the season. We are equally as excited to welcome everyone to St. Paul’s on Wednesday for the Grade 1 – 6 Christmas concert. It is going to be another fabulous way to come together in community.

I hope that you get an opportunity to spend some time outdoors this weekend! The students have been loving playing in the snow at recess!

Warmly

Kate

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

Latest News

Reminders

LATEST NEWS  

Canadian Singer-Songwriter Craig Cardiff Visits the Junior School

  • When: Wednesday, December 17th
  • Time: 8:30am – 8:55am
  • Where: Junior School Gym

The Junior School is delighted to welcome back Juno nominated Canadian singer-songwriter Craig Cardiff for a full school concert on Wednesday, December 17th at 8:30am in the JS Gym. Craig will perform a concert for all Junior School students. Parents are welcome to join us. Craig will also work with all students in grades 1-6 throughout the week during their regular Music and Integrated Arts classes.

Returning Finished Library Books – Taking Out New Books for the Holidays!

With the fall term coming to an end, Ms. Rodd asks that families take stock of their library books. While books are not due until the end of the year, now is a great time to take stock and return any books that students have finished using. 

A reminder that students may have up to 15 books checked out at a time (10 for kindergarten students). Thank you!

Lost and Found Clean Out: Monday, December 8 – Thursday, December 18

All items in the Lost and Found have been put on display on tables by the main staircase.

Families and students are encouraged to check for lost belongings. We will make every effort to return labelled items to the students.

All unclaimed items will be donated to New Circles, or will go to the Used Uniform Sale, Thursday, December 18.

Please be sure to label ALL of their child(ren)’s clothing, as this makes it much easier for items to be returned. As we head into the winter season, we encourage you to make sure that things like coats, snow pants, boots, hats, and mitts are clearly labelled as well.

Dressing Appropriately for the Weather

The winter weather is here, and we want our students to make the most of their time outdoors to play, engage with friends, and to have fun. To do this, it is essential that they come to school with the appropriate outdoor clothing. Coats, snow pants or sweatpants, mitts, hats, and boots should all be brought to school so that students can fully participate at recess.

We also wanted to provide a reminder of Havergal’s Extreme Weather Guidelines.

REMINDERS

Registration for Gator Care is Open – Term 2 

  • Opens: Friday, December. 5th
  • Closes: Thursday. December 18th

Registration Options:

Registration for afternoon care is mandatory; drop-ins are NOT permitted. 

  • Option #1: Register by term (five days a week) (New!)
    • Term 1 ($1580); Term 2 ($920); Term 3 ($1200)
    • Term 1 Registration will be available on the Parent Portal on Wednesday, August 20.
  • Option #2:  Registration on an “as needed basis”
    • Families who need to register for Gator Care on an “as needed basis” must email gatorcare@havergal.on.ca by 9 am on the day the service is required. If you know the days that you require in advance, we kindly ask that you register as soon as possible.
    • Flat fee of $30/day — fees will be compiled and charged by term. (New!)
  • Please note:

Confirming or Declining Attendance at the Christmas Concert – IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

The deadline for confirming or declining your child’s attendance at the Grade 1 – 6 Christmas Concert has now passed. Families that have not yet confirmed or declined attendance were sent a separate email earlier today.

To CONFIRM Attendance Please:

To DECLINE Attendance Please:

  • Email Kate White  by Sunday, December 7th at 8:00 pm

Please Note:

  • Students not attending the concert must be picked up from school at 11am on December 10th.

Grade 1 – 6 Christmas Concert – Wednesday, December 10 (3pm – 4pm – St. Paul’s Bloor Street Church)

Please note the following:

  • Date: 
    • Wednesday, December 10, 2025
  • Time: 
    • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (doors open at 2:30 pm)
      • Families will not be permitted into the Church until 2:30 pm.
  • Location:
    • St. Paul’s Bloor Street Anglican Church, 227 Bloor St. East 
  • Parking:
    • Families are invited to visit Spot Angels for suggestions on nearby free and paid parking & garages near the church. 
  • Tickets: 
    • Tickets are not required, all are welcome to attend. This includes grandparents and caregivers.
  • Transportation to the Church
    • Students in Grades 1 – 6 will travel to St. Paul’s, via chartered bus, (after lunch) for a rehearsal and then perform for their families at 3:00pm.
    • There is no transportation back to the school, and there is no Gator Care available for students in Grades 1 – 6 after the concert.
  • Lunch and Snacks:
    • Grade 4-6 students eat in the dining room from 11:15-11:45am
    • Grade 1-3 students eat in the dining room from 11:55-12:25 pm
    • KG students will eat at the regular times and have their regular outdoor play
    • Students who bring their own lunch from home are asked to leave their lunch bag at school overnight. Families can also consider using disposable lunch containers made from recycled materials if they do not wish to leave a lunch bag overnight.
    • All students from grades 1-6 will be provided an afternoon snack and drink prior to the performance at St. Paul’s. All allergies have been taken into consideration.
  • What to wear:
    • Number 1 Concert Dress is expected for the full school day on December 10. This consists of:
      • White long-sleeve dress shirt
      • Tie
      • Tunic (JK-Grade 4) and Kilt (grades 5 and 6)
      • Tights, not socks (if you do not have tights, please arrange with your family to order some from the Green and Gold shop)
      • Black shoes
      • Hair back from face with minimal hair accessories that are the same colour as your hair or the HC official hair accessories  
  • Dismissal from the Church 
    • Parents will be responsible for picking their daughter up from the following locations at the end of the concert and will be required to sign their daughter out with her homeroom teacher or class partner teacher.
      • Primary students: Dismissed from the church pews
      • Junior Students: Dismissed from Cody Hall
    • Please note that students will need to come to school in their black shoes on Thursday, December 11, as their winter boots will have been left at school.

Gator Care for JK/SK Students from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm on Wednesday, December 10

  • Please note that Gator Care is available for JK/SK students from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm on Wednesday, December 10th, while students in Grades 1 – 6 are at the Christmas Concert at St. Paul’s Church.
  •  Gator Care remains available from 7:30 am – 8:00 am on this day, for ALL students.

ATHLETIC and CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING 

Athletics:

  •  JS Athletics Schedule  
  • Good luck to the U12 Swim team who have their first meet on Tuesday and to the U11 Volleyball team, and our U12 Badminton team, who have their first game on Thursday. 
  • Athletics Questions?

Clubs:

  • Please review your child’s personalized calendar with them to avoid students using the JSO’s phone unnecessarily as it’s intended for business purposes.
  • Winter clubs start the week of January 12 and run until March Break with the exception of Primary and Junior Choir which continue until April.
  • Questions?

WHAT’S ON THE JS MENU NEXT WEEK

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

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

HCPA Staff Appreciation Donations

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

Full details are in this week’s News You Can Use. 

Thank you for your generosity and for helping us celebrate our exceptional faculty and staff! 

Parent Evening Socials

Please save the date for the following evening parent socials:

  • Grades JK – 4: February 26, 7-9pm (Bio Wall)
  • Grade 5 – 6: TBA 

HCPA Marketplace

Celebrate the season in style! The HCPA Marketplace is open for holiday shopping – visit our Shopify page today.

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

Friday, December 5

  • Registration for Term 2 of Gator Care Opens 

Wednesday, December 10

  • No Prayers
  • Grade 1 – 6 Christmas Concert (3:00 pm – 4:00 pm at St. Paul’s Bloor Street)

Wednesday, December 17

  • Singer-Songwriter Craig Cardiff Visits the Junior School (8:30 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym)
  • Report Cards Available for Viewing (4:00 pm)

Thursday, December 18

  • Last Day of Classes before Winter Break
  • Registration for Term 2 of Gator Care Closes

Monday, January 5

  • PD Day for Faculty
  • No Classes for Students

Tuesday, January 6 

  • Classes Resume

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