We're back in full-force! There's much going in the Junior School for students and parents alike. Please read my message below for details and information to get you through the upcoming weeks.
Warmly,
Leslie Anne
REPORT CARDS & ASSESSMENT
This past Wednesday our Grade Reps met in the Learning Hub, and welcomed Seonaid Davis, Director of Curriculum and Faculty Development to talk about report cards and assessment. Mrs. Davis is responsible for all the academic programming in grades JK-12. A great conversation ensued and she was asked to share her presentation with you. I highly encourage you to take the time to view it at the following link:
DON'T MISS OUR FIRST EVER - PARENT LEARNING CONFERENCE!
We're delighted at the response for our "Combining Character Development" parent learning conference so far ... but there's still space for you!
Please join us for "Combining Character Development". We welcome Dr. JoAnn Deak on Thursday, February 25 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm in the JS Learning Hub. Dr. Deak will share her research on the seven core characteristics that form who we are and how parents and educators can help children develop those characteristics to be successful in life. She will guide us to better understand how to help children develop in positive directions by providing strategies that can help young people make good decisions as they deal with anxiety and stress. Dr. Deak has a long history of working with girls and believes that parents are an important part of helping girls develop into strong, resilient and caring young women. A published author of four books (The Owner's Manual for Driving Your Adolescent Brain, Your Fantastic Elastic Brain, How Girls Thrive and Girls Will Be Girls: Raising Confident and Courageous Daughters), Dr. Deak has more than 30 years of experience as an educator and psychologist, helping children develop their potential.
RSVP online now at: http://bit.ly/HCPD_February_2016
ATHLETICS - MESSAGE FROM ANNIE MAKI, JS DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
What a fantastic start of the year for our athletics program. Girls have returned to playing on the courts, in the pool and even on the ice! Good luck to the teams in the many games and meets we have next week.
January has brought the start of three new activities to the Junior School, along with them you will see some new faces coaching:
- We are happy to have Ms. Sarah Szolopiak to the Squad Volleyball Team. Sarah teaches grades JK-3 during the school day so she is enjoying getting to know the older girls at squad team practices. The squad team is led by professional coaches Brooke Lloyd and John Child from Leaside Volleyball Club. Girls are learning movement skills in a fun, familiar non-competitive setting. The squad team had its first session this week and we are thrilled to have twenty-three girls enrolled! Coaches Brooke and Sarah led a dynamic first session with high movement target games that helped the girls get to know each other a little better while hitting the ball and honing skills.
- The JS Gator Hockey Club practiced together for the first time this week with coach Petra Mattes. Ms. Mattes is Havergal's Resource and Planning Coordinator working from the Upper School. She's particularly excited to come to the JS and lace up her skates with HPE teacher, Anna Bartlett and get on the ice with our passionate hockey players.
- We extend a warm welcome to our Squad Karate instructor, Mr. Kevin Daley (father of Kaitlyn, 3Y & Kyra, SK). Our primary girls challenged themselves at their first session trying out new movements, in a positive work-out environment focussing on learning how their bodies move as well as discovering the mind-body connection that karate practices.
Look to read more about athletics in the upcoming issue of Gator Zone. Look for it on the Athletics page on February 12. Go Gators!
JS MOM'S NIGHT OUT - Save the date: Wednesday, February 17 at 7:00-11:00 pm
The Fourth Annual JS Mom's Night Out will take place at Terroni, 1095 Price Street (at Yonge + Price Street) this year. Laurie Melbourne and Nicole Polygenis have been hard at work behind the scenes planning a fun-filled evening for moms to get together to relax in a social setting outside of the school. Tickets are $75 and will be available for purchase online in early February. Look for more information coming soon. CO-CURRICULAR CLUBS - Remaining Winter Session Dates
Mondays:
ABT Ballet: January 18, 25, February 1, 8, 22, 29, March 7 @ times advised by Ms. Wade
Chess Lunch Club: January 18, 25, February 1, 8, 22, 29, March 7 @ 11:50-12:50 pm
Squad Volleyball Team: January 18, 25, February 1, 8, 22, 29, March 7 @ 3:45-4:45 pm
Tuesdays:
Brain Busters & Games Galore Clubs + SIT/Primary: January 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 1 @ 3:45-4:45 pm
Junior Choir: for dates, please refer to email from Mr. MacLean @ 3:30-4:15 pm
Wednesdays:
Ukulele Club & SIT/Junior: January 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 2 @ 3:45-4:45 pm
Primary Choir: for dates, please refer to email from Mr. MacLean @ 3:45-4:30 pm
Thursdays:
Crafty Science, Lego Engineering, Photojournalists's Clubs & Squad Karate: January 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18, March 3, 10 @ 3:45-4:45 pm
NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE: January 18-22
Wednesday, January 20: HCPA Meeting @ 1:00-2:00 pm in the Ellen Knox Library (US)
Wednesday, January 20: Grade 6 Parent Social, offsite - contact your Grade Rep for more information
Thursday, January 21: Online re-enrolment begins at 12:00 pm
Thursday, January 21: Grade 5 Parent Meeting - Algonquin Park Overnight Excursion @ 6:30-7:15 pm
NEED TO KNOW DATES:
Tuesday, January 26: Grade 6 Parent Meeting - Transitioning to Upper School Information Evening @ 6:30-7:30 pm in the Legacy Theatre (US)
Tuesday, January 26: Grade SK Parent Social, offsite - contact your Grade Rep for more information
Wednesday, January 27: Grade 6 Lunch at the Upper School @ 11:50 amWednesday, January 27: Grade 5 Parent Social, offsite - contact your Grade Rep for more information
Thursday, January 28: Grade 3 Parent Coffee Morning, offsite - contact your Grade Rep for more information
Monday, February 1: JS Pizza Lunch
Monday, February 1 - Friday, February 5: Spirit Week (more details to follow)
