Dear Junior School Parents,

A warm welcome back to all of our students after the April break! It has been such a joy to see them back in their Zoom classes, as they continue to engage in their learning. It was also so lovely to see so many parents at the curbside pickup. We are so pleased that we could pull this together,so that students could return to classes seamlessly. Thank you for your collective cooperation and words of encouragement.

In addition, a sincere note of thanks for all of those who were able to attend our Founder’s Day Service on Thursday, April 22.  This very special tradition is an opportunity for our whole community to gather and  celebrate the laying of the cornerstone of our present Upper School building on April 23, 1926. 

Wishing you all the best for a lovely weekend ahead.

Sincerely,

Kate White

LATEST NEWS

Co-Curricular Programming in the JS  – Starts on Monday, April 26

• Synchronous and asynchronous co-curricular activities, which are available at lunchtime and after school as per a weekly schedule can be accessed via class websites as of Monday, April 26.
• These activities invite House spirit, artistic exploration, exercise, skill-building, and connection with peers.

A Conversation with Julie Binmore, Founder of Intentional Parenting: Nurturing Independence, Self-Confidence and Resilience

• Parents with children in JK and SK & Grade 1 and 2 are invited to a conversation with Julie Binmore, founder of Intentional Parenting. In Julie’s words, “Parenting is the most important, gratifying work many of us will ever do. It is also hard! And we shouldn’t do it alone.” 
•  As we look ahead to the summer months, this session is an opportunity to engage in a dialogue with practical tips for how we can  use this time to continue setting up our children for success, nurturing greater independence, self-confidence, and resilience. 
  • JK and SK – Tuesday, May 11 (6:30 pm – 7:15 pm)
    • JK and SK Zoom Link
  • Grade 1 and 2 – Tuesday, May 18 (6:30 pm – 7:15 pm)
    • Grade 1 and 2 Link

REMINDERS

Dates on the Horizon

• Wednesday, May 12 (10:00 am – 11:30 am)
  • JS Grade Rep Meeting – All Welcome!

• Monday, May 24
  • Victoria Day – School Closed

• Thursday, May 27  – An Evening with Dr. Robyne Hanley Dafoe 
  • Parents of students in Grade JK to 12 are invited to an informative session by Robyne Hanley Dafoe. Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe is a multi-award-winning psychology and education instructor who specializes in resiliency, navigating stress and change, and personal wellness in the workplace. 
  • Please visit the link to her Bio: https://www.speakers.ca/speakers/robyne-hanley-dafoe/

• Wednesday, June 16
  • JS Closing Ceremony

Dear Junior School Parents,

A sincere note of thanks to everyone who came by the school today to pick up their child’s materials.  As you can well imagine, this was a lofty logistical feat, and was made so much easier by your smiling faces, and collective notes of appreciation.  For those that were unable to make it to the school today, we will be setting up another curbside pick-up the week of the 19th, in the event that we are not on campus.

With the April Break upon us, I encourage you and your children to spend quality time together,  enjoy one another’s company, and get some rest.

We will continue to keep you informed should there be any changes you need to know about.

Sincerely,

Kate White

LATEST NEWS

Stay at Home Order – April Break

As you have likely heard, Ontario has issued a stay-at-home order. We continue to ask for your cooperation by adhering to these guidelines.

Toronto Public Health has issued an order closing schools in Toronto until April 19th. Should we receive information that impacts the return to in-person learning on April 19th we will be in touch over the break.

Please be reminded of the following:

• If your child will not be returning to campus on April 19th due to travel quarantine or other reasons, please contact the Day School Office (dso@havergal.on.ca) directly.
• If your plans include international travel, please be reminded that you are required to quarantine for 14 days after your return to Canada, as per the Government of Canada Quarantine Act.
• Following your quarantine to meet the Ministry of Education guidelines, you must submit a negative Covid-19 test to the school by emailing the test results to the Havergal College Health Center at covid@havergal.on.ca. The test results must be received before the student is permitted on campus.
• The Ontario Government is recommending that individuals who travel domestically outside of the province self-isolate for 14 days upon their return to Ontario. Havergal College will be following this recommendation and students will be asked to learn from home until their 14-day quarantine period is complete. Questions related to inter-provincial travel and international travel will continue to be a part of the daily screening. Please contact the DSO@havergal.on.ca with the details related to this absence. 

Major Dates Calendar 2021-2022

• Please note there has been a change to the 2021-2022 Major Dates Calendar to reflect the statutory holiday on January 3., January 4 will be the return to school day.

Elizabeth Lorenzin Research Update

• Havergal College has retained Elizabeth Lorenzin of Lorenzin Research to conduct in-depth qualitative sessions with students, parents, and faculty. The data collected will assist the Administration in understanding the student experience in the current academic year.
• We would like to thank everyone who has agreed to participate in the research thus far and advise that sessions are on-going.  Members of the Havergal community have been very gracious with their time in sharing their insights.  
• At this time, the quantitative portion of the research that was originally scheduled before the April break is postponed until the interviews are complete and a report of the key findings has been issued.

Gator Care – Temporarily Suspended

• Please be advised that if we are back on Campus after the April Break, Gator Care will be temporarily suspended the week of April 19th and April 26th. This is in an abundance of caution, as we revise our protocols.

REMINDERS

Ordering Hoodies – Current Grade 5 Families Only

If you have not yet ordered your child’s “Grade 6” hoodie yet, please do so as soon as possible, via the Green and Gold Shop.

Jackie Robinson Day – Thursday, April 15

• This is a day dedicated to the commemoration of Jackie Robinson’s inspiring perseverance in the face of adversity. Students in 4C showed this  video in prayers this afternoon, sharing what they have learned about this great athlete. 
• They are askingJS students to wear the number 42 on this day, in recognition of all of his accomplishments. You can send a photo of your child wearing their #42 to Leah Piltz (lpiltz@havergal.on.ca) and we will post it on Social Media.
• In addition, 4A have also created a Breaking Barrier Bingo Card. We encourage all of our students to check it out, and invited to learn about other athletes who have also broken barriers in their respective sports. 

Dates on the Horizon

Monday, April 19

• School Resumes (We will communicate whether this will be on line or on campus)

Tuesday, April 20

• Additional curbside pick-ups will be offered if we remain “remote”

Thursday, April 22

• Founders’ Day (virtually reimagined)

Friday, April 23

• Earth Week Dress Down Day

Dear Junior School Parents,

Please find below a Pick-a-Time link which will enable you to schedule a time to collect your child’s/children’s belongings on Friday, April 9.

While we are currently scheduled to return to campus on Monday, April 19, we want to be ready to begin remote learning immediately in the case that the closure is extended beyond the break.  

If you are unable to collect your child’s belongings on Friday, we will offer additional dates, as necessary. 

Sincerely,

Kate White

Please select your time slot via Pick-A-Time:

JS April 2021- Curbside Pick-up of Learning Materials 

• Date: Friday, April 9, 2021 (8 am – 3 pm)
• Location: Junior School Main Entrance
• Opens: Wednesday, April 7 @ 8:00 am
• Closes: Thursday, April 8 @ 9 pm

Please make note of the pick-up process, outlined below:

1. Arrive in your designated time spot. A member of the Havergal Junior School Team will be on the driveway to greet you.
2. Please stay in your car, and indicate the name and grade of your child or children.
3. A member of the Havergal Team will bring your child’s items to your car.

Laptop/iPad Loaner Program

• All students in Grades 3 – 6 have either a school-issued iPad or a Laptop. 
• If your child is in JK – Grade 2, and requires the use of an iPad or Laptop in order to fully participate in remote learning, please email: servicedesk@havergal.on.ca.
  • Please let the Service Desk know if there is a specific time you have scheduled to do a curbside pickup. In this way, we will be able to coordinate times accordingly.

Dear Junior School Parent,

Further to Catherine Misson’s communication earlier today, we wanted to reach out with information specifically regarding the Junior School.

We continue to be well poised to shift to our Continuous Learning Plan, effective as of Wednesday, April 7. Please be sure to review the Continuous Learning Plan Document.  This contains information on the following:

• School Schedules 
  • Academics
  • Prayers
  • Co-Curricular
• Attendance Protocols
• Student Learning and Assessment
• Learning Platforms and Technology Requirements
  • Zoom
  • Learning Management Systems
    • Seesaw – JK-3
    • Google Classroom Gr 4-6
    • Printer Access
    • Laptop/iPad Loaner Program
    • IT Assistance 
    • Learning Materials
• Wellbeing and Student Support
• Physical Activity
• Uniform Expectations

Please also note the following, regarding the taking home of student materials:

Students in JK- SK and Grades 5-6 

• All students who were in attendance today, Tuesday, April 7, were sent home with the materials required for the Continuous Learning Plan.
• Should your child not have been at school today, and you need to pick up materials, please contact the jsoffice@havergal.on.ca as soon as possible.  We will arrange a time for you to collect these on Friday, April 9.  Should any of these not work for you, we will arrange alternative arrangements, if necessary.

Students in Grades 1 – 4

• We are arranging for a curbside pick-up of student materials on Friday, April 7 for the collection of student materials. 
• We will be sending out a “Pick-a-time” sign-up for families tomorrow to schedule a time.  Should any of these not work for you, please contact jsoffice@havergal.on.ca and we will arrange alternative arrangements, if necessary.

Thank you, as always, for your support. I have been overwhelmed with our community’s messages of encouragement and gratitude. As always, your child’s homeroom teacher remains your primary point of contact regarding their overall wellbeing. With that being said, I also invite you to reach out to me with any questions, concerns or feedback. 

Sincerely,

Kate

Dear Junior School Parent,

Thank you for your continued support as we work through this situation together as a community. The purpose of this communication is to answer some of the questions that have come forward.

We recognize that yesterday’s communication may have brought forth a number of emotions – concern for the health and safety of your child and family; empathy for those in our community who have tested positive; frustration at balancing working from home while also supporting your child at home; uncertainty regarding the specifics of who is required to self-isolate, and logistics surrounding those have been asked to participate in the Continuous Learning Plan. We empathize with you and we understand, as we too share many of these feelings. 

Havergal is committed to providing an exceptional experience for your child. While being on campus remains a priority, this is balanced with the health and safety of our community. We continue to be in contact with Toronto Public Health regarding the cases in the Junior School, as they are completing a fulsome review. In an abundance of caution, Havergal has made the decision to have students in Grades 1 – 4 participate in our Continuous Learning Plan, until otherwise directed by TPH. 

Thank you for your feedback. We hope that the following FAQ will provide you with additional information that you will find helpful.

Which students are currently expected to be learning remotely? 

• All students in Grade 1 – 4 are currently participating in the Continuous Learning Plan. Your child’s teacher will provide updates regarding schedules on Seesaw or Google Classroom.
• Students in JK & SK  and students in Grades 5 & 6 will continue to remain on campus, unless notified otherwise.

What about siblings?

• The school has reached out to all of the families whose child(ren) has/have been in direct contact with any individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. 
• Only siblings of these families are required to self isolate, whether they are Havergal students are not.  They are isolating as contacts of close contacts. Other students in the siblings classes are not considered contacts by Toronto Public Health.

When will students be able to return to campus?

• We anticipate that students in Grades 1 – 4, as well as any siblings of those who are directly affected, will return to campus on Thursday, April 8th.  
• Again, we will update all families as any new information becomes available.

Why are only some students required to learn remotely at this time?

• Grade 1-4 are on a shared schedule with faculty who are dedicated to those cohorts and who were impacted by the COVID-19 positive cases. As such, only those students, faculty and staff directly impacted are required to engage remotely at this time.

What materials does my child require for remote learning?

• The classroom teachers have determined that students do not need any materials from school. They will, however, need to have paper, preferably lined and plain, as well as writing materials.
• Teachers will post materials on Seesaw or Google Classroom that can be printed as required. 
• We will continue to communicate with families, however, should there be an adjustment 

What will my child’s schedule be this week?

• Students will continue to use their existing schedule. This schedule is provided on either Seesaw or Google Classroom..

What are the expectations around uniform for students learning remotely?

• Students are expected to wear a Havergal shirt (Phys-ed, House Shirt, Collared Shirt, Polo Top) while attending remote lessons.

How do I go about getting a device for my child, if they need one?

• If you need a device for learning remotely, please contact the IT department (servicedesk@havergal.on.ca).  

Rose Reisman Hot Lunch Service

• Please note that a credit will be applied on all accounts by the end of tomorrow starting tomorrow (Tuesday).
• The cost of any lunches for students in Grades 1 -4 or affected siblings, ordered for Monday, March 29, will be covered by the school.

What Further Opportunities are there for COV1D-19 testing at Havergal?

•  TPH will provide direction on testing and we will continue to work with them on this.

Important Contact Information

• Homeroom Teacher
  • Your child’s homeroom teacher will continue to be your first point of contact, should you have any questions.
• Head of Learning Support – Cherly MacKinnon
  • cmackinnon@havergal.on.ca
  • 416.483.3843 ext. 7530
• IT Assistance
  • If you require IT assistance, please contact servicedesk@havergal.on.ca or 416-483-3843 ext. 6663 
• Assistant Head, Junior School – Andrea Charlton
  • 416-483-3843 x7543
  • acharlton@havergal.on.ca
• Head, Junior School – Kate White
  • 416.482.4713 
  • kwhite@havergal.on.ca 

We will continue to reach out to you in a timely fashion as the situation evolves, and as we communicate with Toronto Public Health. This pandemic and subsequent circumstances are new for us all. Our collective resilience will see us through. To all of the families who have reached out to ask how to best support a family or employee when these situations arise – your continued support, compassion and understanding as we navigate the days ahead will be appreciated by all.  

As always, please feel free to contact me directly with any further questions or concerns.

Kind regards

Kate

Dear Junior School Parents,

Thank you for your engagement in Parent-Teacher Interviews this week.  These meetings are an excellent opportunity for us to connect with you regarding your child’s academic and social development, as well as to share any next steps. As always, please feel free to connect with your child’s teachers at any time,  with any feedback, questions or concerns. 

It was an absolute delight to see the students enjoying the wonderful weather once again this week.  We are grateful for our outdoor spaces, and the opportunity they provide for our students to remain active and socializing within their cohorts.

This week’s blog is focused on important dates in the near future. Please be sure to add these to your calendar.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy weekend.  

Sincerely,

Kate  

REMINDERS

Dates on the Horizon

Please make note of the following important dates in the weeks to come.

Wednesday, March 31 

• JS Grade Rep Meeting (10:00 am – 11:30 am)

Friday, April 2 – Monday, April 5

• Easter Weekend

Monday, April 12 – Friday, April 16

• School Closed for April Break

Monday, April 19

• School Resumes

Dear Junior School Parents,

A warm welcome back to everyone after last week’s break. 

Since our return to school, it has come to my attention that there are some questions regarding the protocols that are in place should Havergal have a confirmed case of COVID, or if there is a confirmed case at the school where a sibling may attend. 

It is important, especially in times like these, that our community continues to be guided by our values of compassion, courage, integrity, and inquiry. Havergal has, and will continue to follow the directives of Toronto Public Health.

As Catherine Misson stated in her message to families earlier this week, we are grateful that our families continue to adhere to our safety protocols, and for their diligence in completing our daily screening tool. In addition, I would like to reinforce the importance of people refraining from speculation and keeping themselves informed. Participating in conversations where people may not have accurate information can cause unnecessary hurt and division. We will also ensure that our community is well-informed.

Should you have any questions, I encourage you to reach out to me.

Sincerely,

Kate  

REMINDERS

Parent-Teacher Interviews

• Parent-Teacher Interviews are taking place on Thursday, March 25 and Friday, March 26. 
• Please be advised that there is no school or Gator Care on these days.

Safe Dismissal Procedures

• Please ensure that you have an orange, school-issued card displayed on your dashboard, or in hand, when you pick up your child. This protocol ensures we are safely releasing our students to trusted adults. You are welcome to email us at jso@havergal.on.ca to request additional copies.

Conversations with the Junior School Head Feedback Form

• As we look forward to future parent engagement events, your feedback continues to be important to us. Please take a moment to complete THIS SURVEY so that we can take your voice into consideration in our planning.

Dates on the Horizon

Please make note of the following important dates in the weeks to come.

Wednesday, March 24

• JS Pick-a-Time Registration for Parent-Teacher Interviews CLOSES at 12:00 pm

Thursday, March 25 & Friday, March 26

• Parent-Teacher Interview Days – School Closed

Wednesday, March 31 

• JS Grade Rep Meeting (10:00 am – 11:30 am)

Friday, April 2 – Monday, April 5

• Easter Weekend

Monday, April 12 – Friday, April 16

• School Closed for April Break

Monday, April 19

• School Resumes

Dear Junior School Parents,

As we embark on a week of rest, I would like to thank you for your ongoing support this year. I was pleased to have had  the opportunity to meet with so many of you at Conversations with the Head of the Junior School events (JK- Grade 4), and at the Webinar with Phyllis Fagell (Grade 5 & 6). We will be sending out invitations for similar events in the Spring Term. In order to make these sessions as productive and meaningful as possible, please take some time to complete the survey form, which can be found in the “Latest News” section of this week’s blog.

Please note that students will be coming home today with all of their learning materials, as has been our protocol before any extended break.  

We very much look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday, March 15th. 

Sincerely,

Kate  

LATEST NEWS

School Break

• Havergal is closed from Monday, March 8 until Friday, March 12.
• Havergal families are reminded to continue to follow all Toronto Public Health directives to ensure our community remains safe.
• Daily screening will resume on Monday, March 15 and families are encouraged to read each of the questions carefully as Toronto Public Health continues to adjust the requirements for students attending school. Our updated Havergal COVID Screening and Return to School Protocol can always be found at the Havergal Return to Campus Webpage.
• Families are reminded that students who have participated in interprovincial or international travel are required to self isolate for 14 days once they return to Ontario. After international travel and following the 14-day self-isolation, students must provide a negative COVID test result. Please use this LINK to submit negative covid test results prior to returning to school. 
• Any questions about daily screening or students’ ability to return to school should be directed to the Health Centre at covid@havergal.on.ca.

Student Attendance/Remote Students 

• If a student is not able to attend school in person and is not registered as a remote student, families must notify the Junior School Office and their child’s homeroom teacher of their absence.
• Students physically absent from school must be marked as absent unless they are registered as a Remote student.
• Only students who are registered as remote or have to be absent because of COVID protocols should expect to be able to Zoom into classes.  Teachers are not expected to be ready for these students immediately – there is a 24-48 hour lag period that is acceptable. 
• Students who wish to zoom into classes for a temporary absence unrelated to covid, need to discuss that with their teacher and be prepared for that request to be denied.  For a teacher who already has a remote student, it may be easy for additional students to join in.  For a teacher who does not have a remote student, the teacher may need 24-48 hours to fulfill a request.  
• Students who are not registered as remote should not expect to do assessments remotely unless the teacher has agreed to that request. 
• Students who will be remote for longer than 2 weeks must complete the Remote Registration.

Conversations with the Junior School Head and Phyllis Fagell Webinar FEEDBACK Form

• This week, parents in JK to Grade 4 had the opportunity to meet with the Head of the Junior School, the Associate Head, and the Assistant Head of the Junior School, and to ask questions in an informal setting. Parents with children in Grade 5 and 6, were invited to a webinar, with guest speaker Phyllis Fagell who spoke about how to support students in developing their resilience during the pandemic.  
• As we look forward to future parent engagement events, your feedback continues to be important to us. Please take a moment to complete THIS SURVEY so that we can take your voice into consideration in our planning.

HC Social Worker Caitlin Parsons – A Presentation on Student Wellbeing During the Pandemic

• Ms. Parson’s presented at a recent US Grade Rep meeting.  Her message is definitely an important one for Junior School families as well. I highly recommend that you take a moment to  watch her speak about 7 Tips for Supporting Student Wellbeing During the Pandemic.

SickKids POP UP COVID-19 Testing Site- Sunday, March 7

• Havergal has been informed of another opportunity to access a pop-up COVID-19 testing location in our local community on Sunday, March 7 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm at Bais Yaakov Elementary School, 15 Saranac Blvd, North York, ON M6A 2G4. 
• For more details, please access this community letter from SickKids. 

REMINDERS

Dismissal Reminders

• Please arrive at the appropriate time (3:20 or 3:40 pm – according to the oldest child being picked up) .
• Take turns while manoeuvering around our parking lot.
• Avoid parking too closely or blocking others in.
• Check to ensure you have a school-issued orange sign for your dashboard or a bag tag for a student who has permission to leave independently.

Rose Reisman Lunch Orders

• Please ensure you have adjusted your orders to reflect our revised school calendar.

Grade Rep Meetings

• As a reminder, all parents are welcome to attend the Grade Rep Meetings held periodically throughout the year. Your invitation to attend can be found in the Grade Rep emails. The next Grade Rep Meeting will be on Wednesday, March 31 from 10:00 am – 11:30 am. 
• Lindsay Norberg, Associate Head, will be one of the guest speakers. She will introduce herself, share how we work together, and her role in the Junior School. We hope you can make it.

HC Publications – Stay in the know!

If you have not yet had the opportunity to read this month’s editions of Gator Zone and Inside Havergal, I highly encourage you to do so!  

• Gator Zone is HC’s athletic newsletter. Among other things, this edition provides key  information regarding how the Junior School has been keeping active during co-curricular times, as well as some of the athletic challenges that have been happening, with a little friendly House competition.
• Inside Havergal is a monthly newsletter for parents, faculty and staff featuring important upcoming whole school events, updates on programs and biographies of our faculty and staff. This latest edition takes a deep-dive into how Wellbeing wraps around all that we do in the Junior School.

Dates on the Horizon

• Please make note of the following important dates in the weeks to come.

Monday, March 8 – Friday, March 12

• School Closed

Monday, March 15 (Day 3)

• School Resumes
• JS Pick-A-Time Registration for Parent-Teacher Interviews 

OPENS at 6:00 pm, Click here  

How to sign up:

Registration Opens:  Monday, March 15, 2021  @ 6:00pm

Registration Closes:  Wednesday, March 24, 2021 @ 8:00pm

• Sign up: Pick-A-Time
• Please note that this link will only allow you to register when registration opens on Monday, March 15, 2021  @ 6:00pm
• If you have two or more students in the Junior School, and require back to back time-slots, please contact Calen Walker at 416-483-3843 ext.6608 by 12pm on Thursday March 18th. 
• A ‘Forgot Password’ link is available on the Pick-a-time website if needed.    

For assistance with Pick-a-time, contact our Service Desk at 416-483-3843 ext.6663 between the hours of 7:30am -5:00pm, Monday to Friday.

Tuesday, March 16

• Grade 5 & 6 Parent Conversation with Head of the Junior School  (6:30 pm – 7:00 pm)
  • Grade 5 & 6 Parent Zoom Link
  • Meeting ID: 920 3188 9064 
  • Passcode: 425567 

Friday, March 19 

• Professional Development for Faculty and Staff
• School Closed for Students

Wednesday, March 24

• JS Pick-a-Time Registration for Parent-Teacher Interviews CLOSES at 12:00 pm

Thursday, March 25 & Friday, March 26

• Parent-Teacher Interview Days – School Closed

Wednesday, March 31 

• JS Grade Rep Meeting (10:00 am – 11:30 am)

Monday, April 12 – Friday, April 16

• School Closed

Monday, April 19

• School Resumes

Dear Junior School Parents,

As I look out my beautiful office window this afternoon, the sun is shining brightly, and I am watching the students head out to the Cohen Field for lunch recess. It gives me such pleasure to see them interacting with their peers, racing to play with one another, and enjoy our outdoor spaces! Being outside and being active has been such an important part of our students’ lives this year, perhaps more than ever, while we have found ourselves on screens more often than in the past. As we head into the weekend, I encourage you to find some time to spend outdoors with your family, walking, playing, and simply being together.

I look forward to seeing you next week at “Conversations With Kate” throughout next week.

Best,

Kate  

LATEST NEWS

COVID-19 Variants of Concern 

Toronto Public Health has asked all schools to share this LETTER with parents/guardians. It contains information regarding new strains of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Pink Shirt Day – Monday, March 1

Students in JK to Grade 12 will be marking Pink Shirt Day on Monday, March 1. It will be a full “Dress-Down Day,” where students are invited to wear a pink shirt. The purpose of this day is to bring about awareness about the issue of bullying. We shared this news with students this morning in prayers. Should you wish to know more, please visit the Pink Shirt Day Website.

House Spirit Day – Friday, March 5

Friday, March 5 is another “Dress-Down Day” in the Junior School. Students are invited to dress in their House colours to celebrate their house pride, and end the week with a celebration.

Persian New Years (Nowruz) Prayers

We will be marking Persian New Years/Nowruz in Prayers in March.  If you celebrate Nowruz and your daughter would like to participate in a message, please email Rev. Douglas at sdouglasbowman@havergal.on.ca and she will be in touch.

REMINDERS

Uniform Orders (For Next Year) – Due Monday, March 1

A friendly reminder that uniform orders for next year are due on Monday, March 1. 

• Current Grade 4  – Kilt orders for Grade 5
• Current Grade 6 –  Blazer orders for Grade 7

Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Green & Gold Shop at greenandgold@havergal.on.ca or call Margie Fleming at 416-483-3843 ext. 4710.

Kilt Orders

• Available to order from our online Green & Gold Shop.
• We ask that you place your order by Monday, March 1, 2021 in order to receive it prior to the summer break. The kilt will be charged to your child’s student account.
• Please reference the sizing chart in order to determine the correct size.

Blazer Orders

• Available to order from our online: Green & Gold Shop.
• We ask that you place your order by Monday, March 1, 2021 in order to receive it prior to the summer break. The blazer will be charged to your child’s student account.
• Please reference the sizing chart in order to determine the correct size.

Returns

• If the size you ordered is not correct, we will be happy to exchange the item provided all tags remain attached to the garment.
• Once we fulfill your order, we will make arrangements to get the kilt to you either by curbside pickup or delivery to your child’s classroom.

Dates on the Horizon

Monday March 1 

• Pink Shirt Day 
• Uniform Order Day 
• JK & SK (6:30 pm – 7:00 pm) Conversation with Kate
  • JK/SK Zoom Link
  • Meeting ID: 993 2982 2701
  • Passcode: 439000
• Grades 3 & 4 (7:15 pm – 7:45pm) Conversation with Kate
  • Grade 3 & 4 Zoom Link
  • Meeting ID: 944 0688 7273
  • Passcode: 369846

Tuesday, March 2

• Grade 5 – 8 Parent Webinar with Phyllis Fagell
  • Grade 5 – 8 Parent Webinar Zoom Link
  • Passcode: 277333

Thursday March 4 

• Grades 1 & 2 (6:30 pm – 7:00 pm) Conversation with Kate
  • Grade 1 & 2 Zoom Link
  • Meeting ID: 967 2341 8097
  • Passcode: 335295

Friday, March 5

• House Colour Dress Down Day

Monday, March 8 – Friday, March 12

• School Closed

Monday, March 15

• School Resumes
• JS Pick-A-Time Registration OPENS at 6:00 pm

Tuesday, March 16

• Grade 5 – 8 Parent Webinar

Friday, March 19 

• Professional Development for Faculty and Staff
• School Closed for Students

Wednesday, March 24

• JS Pick-a-Time Registration CLOSES at 12:00 pm

Thursday, March 25 & Friday, March 26

• Parent-Teacher Interview Day – School Closed

Monday, April 12 – Friday, April 16

• School Closed

Monday, April 19

• School Resumes

Dear JS Parents

A very warm welcome back to campus! I can’t tell you how lovely it has been to see our students back at school this week. Their energy and enthusiasm has certainly provided the motivation to keep forging ahead, learning and being together as a community.

I have thoroughly enjoyed wandering the halls over the course of the week, and seeing everything the students have been up to! From making ice sculptures, which will be displayed as part of an outdoor JS winter Art Installation (pics coming soon); to stopping into the Grade 6 classes as they watched the NASA livestream of the landing of  “Mars Perseverance;” to watching our Grade 1s continue to explore standard and non-standard units of measurement; and seeing our JKs and SKs write books, and re-adjust to their classroom routines, it has been a week of inspiration.

This week’s blog is PACKED with need-to-know information! Grab a cup of tea, settle in, enjoy the read!

As always, should you have any questions or concerns, I invite you to connect with me. 

Warmly,

Kate  

LATEST NEWS

Major Dates Calendar

Please see the updated Major Dates Calendar that reflects the changes to the March/April calendar.

Gator Care – Up and Running!

We are thrilled to announce that Gator Care will be up and running again, starting on Monday, February 22. As always, it is critical that you pre-register for this program, by emailing: gatorcare@havergal.on.ca

Save the Date – Conversations with Kate White, Head of Junior School

I am excited to let you know that I will be hosting a series  of online conversations with parents in JK to Grade 2, parents in Grades 3 & 4, and parents in Grades 5 & 6. I have very much missed informally connecting with families, and hope this will be an opportunity to come together. 

In addition, this will provide a chance for me to share some of the exciting things happening across the various grade divisions, and for you to ask questions. Ms. Norberg, Associate Head, and Ms. Charlton, Interim Assistant Head, will also be there to introduce themselves so that you can get to know them better, and understand the role they play in the life of the Junior School. I am looking forward to meeting with you!  You will receive an invitation, and the pertinent Zoom links early next week. To assist with your planning, however, the dates and times are as follows:

• Monday March 1
  • JK & SK (6:30 pm – 7:00 pm)
  • Grade 3-4 (7:15 pm – 7:45pm) 
• Thursday March 4
  • Grade 1 & 2 (6:30 pm – 7:00 pm) 
• Tuesday, March 16 
  • Gr 5-6 (6:30 pm – 7:00 pm)

Please also stay tuned for more parent engagement events in the spring term, where we will be discussing how we have been supporting students through the pandemic, as well as some of the  skills they will need moving forward.

The Junior School Library – Supporting Young Readers!

JK to Grade 2

• “The Book Bag” Program will continue for students in JK to Grade 2. 
• A gentle reminder to please double check that all books in a set are returned together!

Grade 3 – 6

• Students now have access to the JS Library Catalogue and will be able to request books online. Ms. Marino will be visiting classes next week to go over login procedures and how to make requests. Instructions will also be sent home.
• Your child may receive an email notification if a book has not been returned within 2 weeks. Please ensure the book is returned, so that it can be quarantined and then loaned out to another student in a timely manner.

As always, the safety of our school community remains the top priority. Books returned to the school will continue to be quarantined for seven days before being put back into circulation or lent out to another student. This length of time is based on the recommendation of the “Reopening Archives, Libraries and Museums (REALM) Study to quarantine books for three to seven days. 

Upcoming Registration for Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent-Teacher Interviews are still scheduled for Thursday, March 25th, and Friday, March 26. 

We will once again be using Pick-A-Time for registration. Please note:

• Registration OPENS on Monday, March 15 at 6:00  pm
• Registration CLOSES on  Wednesday, March 24 at 12:00 pm

Veracross Unavailable – Feb 19-21, 2021

In order to reset the calendar/rotation schedule to coincide with the new calendar dates that will be adjusted due to the March break changes, Veracross will be unavailable to all employees, students, and parents from February 19 at 4pm to February 20 at 8 am and again from February 20 at noon to February 21 at 4pm. Faculty have prepared students for this by making sure students have what they need and that they know they will be unable to access their class websites for much of this upcoming weekend. Our apologies for the short notice but it is challenging to find the right time to do this necessary work. 

REMINDERS

Junior School Progress Reports 

This is a reminder that Junior School  Progress Reports will be available for viewing on March 3 at 4:00 pm on Veracross. These are progress reports, and as such only contain a mark, rather than full comments. As always, should you have any questions or concerns you  are encouraged to contact the appropriate teacher.. 

Drop – Off & Pick- Up

Thank you for your collective efforts in improving our drop-off and pick-up procedures. In order for us to keep our community safe, and the flow of traffic moving, please adhere to the following:

• SLOW DOWN on the driveway! It can sometimes be icy, despite all attempts to salt and clear the snow, making for a slippery surface.
• Parents/Caregivers are to remain in their car, and be aware of your surroundings. 
• Students need to have all of their belongings ready for quick drop-off, and not have to get access to the trunk.
• Arrive at your designated pick-up time. Those who arrive earlier, will be asked to exit the line and circle the block
• Ensure that you bring your child(ren)’s name card(s), and be sure that it is CLEARLY visible to the teachers on duty!

Dates on the Horizon

With so many new dates on the horizon, we thought it would be helpful to have them listed here for your convenience. Veracross has also been updated to reflect these changes.

Monday March 1 

• JK & SK (6:30 pm – 7:00 pm) Conversation with Kate
• Grades 3 & 4 (7:15 pm – 7:45pm) Conversation with Kate

Tuesday, March 2 

• Grade 5-8 Parent Webinar with Phyllis Fagell (6:30 pm -7:30 pm)

Phyllis Fagell Zoom Link

Passcode: 277333

Thursday March 4 

• Grades 1 & 2 (6:30 pm – 7:00 pm) Conversation with Kate

Monday, March 8 – Friday, March 12

• School Closed

Monday, March 15

• School Resumes
• JS Pick-A-Time Registration OPENS at 6:00 pm

Tuesday, March 16

• Grade 5 – 8 Parent Webinar

Friday, March 19 

• Professional Development for Faculty and Staff
• School Closed for Students

Wednesday, March 24

• JS Pick-a-Time Registration CLOSES at 12:00 pm

Thursday, March 25 & Friday, March 26

• Parent-Teacher Interview Day – School Closed

Monday, April 12 – Friday, April 16

• School Closed

Monday, April 19

• School Resumes