Message from Head of Junior School - December 15, 2017

Dear JS Parents,

By now you have read your daughter's report card.  Along with the faculty, I am very proud of the efforts that are made by our students daily in their learning. A huge thank you to the faculty for the thoughtful work that goes into writing the report cards. Should you have any questions regarding your daughter's report card, please reach out to the appropriate teacher who will be happy to have a conversation with you.

This afternoon, shortly after the blog is sent out, our Kindergarten students will be hitting the stage with their Christmas Concert.  This is always a highlight of the year, and will be enjoyed by all. Photos and videos will be available on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram later today.

Next week, we are looking forward to see you at our Grade 1 - 6 concert, taking place at Eglinton St. George's Church. The students are sounding fabulous, and you are in for a treat.

Happy reading, and enjoy the snow this weekend!


Warmly,
Kate White

Please Note:

GATOR CARE 

PLEASE REGISTER BY TODAY!

Tuesday, December 19

Do you need Gator Care after the Christmas Concert?
Gator Care will be open as usual until 6:00pm but you must register! 

• The holiday season is upon us and that means the Christmas Concert is fast approaching! 
• Students will be transported with their class to the church on the night of the concert.  
• Should you not be attending the Christmas Concert and are unable to pick up your daughter from the Church after the concert, please contact the Gator Care team at: gatorcare@havergal.on.ca no later than FRIDAY DECEMBER 15th at 4 PM.  As the girls will be offsite that day for the concert, there will need to be transportation arranged to bring them back to the Junior School to attend Gator Care. The Gator Care team must be e-mailed by FRIDAY DECEMBER 15th at 4 PM to secure transport for your daughter. 
• Please email gatorcare@havergal.on.ca with any questions.

Thursday, December 21 

• Please note there is a staggered dismissal on the last day of school (2:20 p.m.  for JK - Grade 2; 2:40 p.m. for Grade 3 - Grade 6), but that GATOR CARE IS STILL OPEN UNTIL 6:00 p.m. 
•  Please be sure to e-mail the Gator Care team at: gatorcare@havergal.on.ca to let us know if your daughter will be attending Gator Care

SAFETY REMINDERS FOR STUDENTS WHO WALK TO AND FROM SCHOOL

Despite the winter weather, we have several students at the school who are regular walkers. We’d like to remind parents about the importance of safety once students leave the Havergal property, from slippery winter conditions to being mindful about strangers in the area.

We have provided students with guidelines and examples of what to do if they are approached by a stranger when walking to and from school, but we appreciate your help in reminding them as well. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind:

• Do not engage in conversation with a stranger
•  Use main streets for walking where there may be more pedestrian traffic instead of side streets
•  Walk with a buddy instead of alone, if possible
• Walk in well-lit areas
• Walk back to school if you feel unsafe
• Make noise if you feel a stranger is getting too close
• If a vehicle approaches, take note of the license plate number or type of vehicle, if you are able
• Report any incidents to an adult that you trust at home or at school

We want to do our best to ensure the safety of students at all times, both on and off the Havergal campus.

CLUBS - WINTER REGISTRATION

• Please visit the following link to register your daughter(s) for winter term clubs, can be found under "Parent Resources":                 https://community.havergal.on.ca/admin/login?redirect=/admin

WINTER JACKETS DONATION FOR NEW CIRCLES

• New-Circles, a long-time Havergal Community Partner needs our help!  They are in need of gently used winter jackets. If you have anything that might be suitable to donate, please place it in one of the bins outside of the JS Learning Hub. Thank you!

JUNIOR SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT GRADES 1-6

Tuesday, December 19th, 2017 

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Eglinton St. George’s United Church, 35 Lytton Blvd, Toronto
Students participating in the performance do not require a ticket.

• Come listen to our students in Grades 1 - 6 perform holiday favourites. You will be inspired by the work the students have accomplished in a few short months. 
• Tickets that have not been picked up have been released to families on our waiting list.
• We ask you to please return any tickets that you do not intend to use to the JS office.

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS -  FACEBOOK LIVE!!

• We are excited to announce that both Christmas Concert will be posted on Facebook Live!  Click the following link to watch the Christmas Concert from the comfort of your home:  http://facebook.com/havergalcollege

CAROL SERVICE
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
7:00 p.m.
St. Paul's Bloor Street Church
Tickets are not required for this event

• Junior school families are welcome to join in the Festival of Lessons and Carols (Carol Service) on Wednesday, December 20, at 7 pm at St. Paul’s Bloor Street Church, 227 Bloor St. E.  This service has become a longstanding tradition that highlights our Senior and Chamber Choirs, Middle School Choir, Senior Brass Ensemble, Senior Strings Class and the Whole School Choir. Tickets are not required.

CRAIG CARDIFF PERFORMANCE
Thursday, December 21st, 2017  
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m

• The Junior School is delighted to welcome back Juno nominated Canadian singer-songwriter Craig Cardiff on Thursday December 21st. Parents are welcome to join us in the Junior School Gym from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Craig will perform a concert for all Junior School students.  "Cardiff makes it a point to keep the relationship with his fans personal, inviting and accepting any opportunity to make his audience as much a part of the performance as he is. Armed with an extensive catalogue of songs, his Book of Truths, sharp wit and soft voice, Cardiff is considered a pioneer in alternate venue touring, often appearing in churches, camps, prisons, basements, festivals, kitchens and even taking to the streets, bringing his fans with him. Over the years, he has played with and opened for artists such as Glen Phillips, Lucy Kaplansky, Dan Bern, Natalia Zukerman, Andy Stochansky, Sarah Harmer, Kathleen Edwards, Blue Rodeo, Gordon Downie (Tragically Hip), Hawksley Workman, Sarah Slean, Skydiggers, 54-40 and more.  We hope you can join us!

OUR NEXT PIZZA DAY IS JANUARY 8th 

Monday, January 8, 2018 (First day back after Christmas Break)

JS MOTHER DAUGHTER PAJAMA JAMS 2018

Grade 1: January 9
Grade 4: January 16

• Get ready for a new and exciting Mother-Daughter event at the JS on January 9th (grade 1) and January 16th (grade 4)! This year, grades 1 and 4 will take part in the Mother-Daughter breakfast events to facilitate community building with new families and new girls in these entry years.
• In the Junior School, the Havergal College Parent Association (HCPA), is hosting a "pajama jam"  themed breakfast where moms (or another special woman) and daughters will arrive in pajamas! 
• As a special bonus, all Junior School girls will have a pajama day on January 16th, 2018!
• A delicious breakfast will be served and guests will also enjoy a slide show and interactive dance -along. The girls will receive photos and stuffies as keep sakes.
• Grade 1 and grade 4 moms, if you haven’t yet,  please rsvp to the Evite invitation sent out last week. 
• Please contact JS Mother Daughter Co-Chairs:   
• Alnar dr.meghji@gmail.com or 
• Ply ply999@gmail.com for more information. 

PARENT INFORMATION SESSION- GR. 5 EXCURSION 

Monday, January 22, 2018
6:30 p.m. -  7:30 p.m.
JS Grade 5 Classroom

• Join us for our Grade 5 Excursion Parent Information Session.
• The overnight trip will take place: Wednesday, February 7 to Friday, February 9 to Ranger Camp at Spirit Point, Algonquin Park

HC SUMMER CAMP (GRADES 4 - 6)
Summer 2018

• Junior School students in grades 4-6 are invited to register for an exciting summer camp program at Havergal College. Each year, Athletes in Motion (AIM) sports camp and Band at Camp Havergal (BACH) music camp invite students from our partner public schools Grenoble and Gateway Public School for a week of FUNdamental sport and movement skills and/or musical instruction in clarinet, trumpet, percussion, saxophone, trombone, and baritone. AIM and BACH Camps run in August and are supported by Havergal Senior School volunteers, the Forum for Change and the Director of Performing Arts. The registration fee is $400 per child per week and a portion of these fees will go towards ensuring our summer camp programming remains accessible to Havergal's Community Partners. 
• For more information please see the link to registration brochures below, or pick up a copy at the front desk. 
• AIM sports camp:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qMguAQEwWEkoRyNsNlxyF0n5X4IJsEfd/view?usp=sharing
• BACH music camp:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nYAtFA3ygLAVRDCW9P3JEUD2CxQ-TP3D/view?usp=sharing

THE TORCH - AVAILABLE ONLINE!

• The Fall 2017 Torch is now available in print and online.  You can enjoy the online version here: https://havergalcollege.cld.bz/Torch-Fall-2017
• Thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue. We couldn't have done it without your support!

ENRICHING GIRLS' MATH
Primary Math Parent Learning Session (121217)

• A parent learning session about the mathematics program at the Junior School took place December 12, 2017.  We discussed the goals and structures used in the mathematics program.  We worked on solving mathematical problems together in order to understand the mathematics content that Havergal girls are learning.  Have a look at our collaborative mathematics work.  The records of our discussion are captured in these powerpoint notes. 
• Read more https://drive.google.com/a/havergal.on.ca/file/d/12kb17LBTgAmPTOa9DrzYRdNucF82teLI/view?usp=sharing

HAVERGAL HOODIES MAKE GREAT HOLIDAY GIFTS! 

• Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind gift this holiday season? Havergal hoodies by Lazy Pants are a limited edition gift idea! Hoodies are $105 and come in Adult sizes only: XXS to XL. Quantities are limited. Contact Mary Dean or Jennifer Newton for more information.

UPCOMING !! SAVE THE DATE 

• Grade 1 Mother Daughter Pajama Jam Breakfast on Tuesday, January 9, 2018
• Grade 4 Mother Daughter Pajama Jam Breakfast on Tuesday, January 16, 2018
• JS Grade Rep Meeting on January 24, 2018
• Whole School Bake Sale on February 22, 2018
• JS Father Daughter A Maze-ing Race!   Sunday, April 29, 2018

This Week at Havergal Junior School

Monday, December 18 (Day 2)

• 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. U12 Volleyball - Gold Practice (JS Gym) CANCELLED
• 8:25 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.   JS Prayers 
• 11:50 a.m. -12:50 p.m.  Chess Club (Learning Hub)

Tuesday, December 19 (Day 3)

• 11:50 a.m. -12:50 p.m.  Math Discussion Club Grades 3 - 4  (Learning Hub)  
• 1:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Rehearsal Christmas Concert Grades 1-6 @ Eglinton St. George’s United Church, students will be transported to the church by bus.
• 3:30 p.m -4:15 p.m. Junior Choir Rehearsal CANCELLED
• 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Christmas Concert Grades 1-6 @ Eglinton St. George’s United Church

Wednesday, December 20 (Day 4)

• 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. U12 Volleyball (Green) Practice (JS Gym) CANCELLED
• 11:30 p.m. -12:50 p.m.  JS Hockey (Otter Creek) NEW START TIME
• 11:30: Dismissed from class
• 11:30 - 11:50 eat lunch/get dressed outside of HPE Office with parent volunteers
• 11:50: walk to Otter Creek with coaches and parents
• 12:40: back at school to change
• 3:30 p.m -4:45 p.m. U11 Volleyball Green Practice (JS Gym) CANCELLED
• 3:45 p.m -4:30 p.m.  Primary Choir Rehearsal CANCELLED
• 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Carol Service @ St. Paul’s Bloor Street Church
• 11:50 a.m. -12:50 p.m.  Math Discussion Club Grades 3 - 4  (Learning Hub)  

Thursday, December 21 (Day 5)

"Festive Grub Day" - Students invited to wear clothes highlighting their holiday spirit
STAGGERED Dismissal for all students

• 7:30 a.m. - 8:10 a.m  Staff/Faculty Breakfast
• 8:25 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.   JS Prayers  CANCELLED
• 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.  Craig Cardiff Performance (JS Gym)
• 12:50 p.m. - 2:25 p.m.  Haverpals (watch a movie, go outside, do what is appropriate for your group)
• Staggered Dismissal
• 2:20 p.m. JK to Grade 2 Dismissal
• 2:40 p.m.   Grade 3 to Grade 6 Dismissal

Friday, December 22 

SCHOOL CLOSED
Christmas Break December 22- January 7
Classes resume on 

LOOK AHEAD Tuesday, December 19 - Grade 1-6 Christmas Concert at Eglinton St. George's United Church (4:00-5:00 pm) Wednesday, December 20 - Carol Service (7:00 pm) Thursday, December 21 - School Closes - Early Dismissal (2:40 pm) Friday, December 22-January 7 - Christmas Break! (no classes) Monday, January 8 - Classes resume - PIZZA DAY!! Tuesday, January 9 - Grade 1 Mother/Daughter Breakfast (7:30 am) Tuesday, January 16 - Grade 4 Mother/Daughter Breakfast (7:30 am) - All students invited to wear PJs to school Monday, January 22 - Grade 5 Excursion Parent Information Session (6:30-7:30 pm) Monday, February 5 -  Friday February 9 - Spirit Week Wednesday, February 7 -  Friday February 9 - Grade 5 Overnight Excursion Thursday, February 15 - DAY 9 Friday, February 16 - Professional Development Day (no classes) Monday, February 19 - Family Day (no classes) Thursday, February 22 - JS Parent Teacher Conferences Monday, February 26 - ATHL:  JS/US Spring Athletic Online Registration Opens Friday, March 9 - ATHL:  JS/US Spring Athletic Online Registration Closes Monday, March 12 - Friday, March 23 - March Break (no classes) Monday, March 26 - Classes resume