Dear Parents,

We hope you and your children have adjusted to the new school year and the many new processes in place. It has been wonderful to be back on campus with students throughout the month of September. Their energy and enthusiasm to be at school reminds us all of why we are a strong community. Students have done an impressive job of adapting to new schedules.

In addition to their academic classes, students are also building on the independent learning skills they developed in the spring during their academic flex blocks. As we move further in the semester, students will benefit from dedicated time in their day to get support from their teachers and complete work where needed.

The Upper School College Blog will be sent out bi-weekly and will include the latest news from the Upper School as well as upcoming information and reminders. Regular information about your child’s classes or the school calendar can be accessed through the Veracross, please be sure to visit the parent portal: Veracross Login To learn how to subscribe to HC calendars, so that they appear on your digital calendar see the links below.

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Sincerely,

Lindsay Norberg (Associate Head & Head of Senior School) and
JJ Patterson (Head of Middle School)

Latest News

Research Program

• We are excited to announce that Havergal College will embark on a research program for the current academic year to assist in planning and evaluation of the new learning environment.  Your participation in this research is critical to our continued success. Havergal is collaborating with Elizabeth Lorenzin, a market research consultant, to conduct the research using a mix of surveys and focus groups.  Throughout the research project, any data collected will be used only for the purpose of the study and it will remain confidential.
• A survey will be administered to students in grades 5 to 12 the week of October 5^th.  If you do not wish your daughter to participate in our research studies, please send an email to lorenzinresearch@gmail.com by no later than the end of day Wednesday, September 30^th  to ensure that you and/or your daughter are not contacted for research purposes.

Remote Students vs. Absent Students

• Please see the linked document that clearly outlines the distinction between remote learners and students who are absent, and identifies when temporary remote learning is possible.

Parent Teacher Interviews

• Thursday, October 15 is Parent/Teacher Interviews. It will be an independent learning day for all Upper School students; there will be no classes on campus. Students are expected to work from home on this day. Parent/Teacher interviews will be held virtually from 8am-11am, 1pm-4pm, and 6pm-8pm. Online booking opens for Parent/Teacher interviews on Tuesday, October 6, at 6pm.

Reminders

Orange Shirt Day

• On Wednesday September 30, Havergal is recognizing Orange Shirt Day in Prayers and by inviting students to wear an orange shirt to school on this day. Orange Shirt Day is designed to commemorate the residential school experience, honour the journey of survivors and their families, and commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation.

Health and Safety Protocols

• We continue to review and support students to uphold the health and safety protocols that keep our community safe.
• If your child (or household) contacts has symptoms associated with COVID-19 identified on screening, you will receive an email from covid@havergal.on.ca that will outline the key next steps to take, and a safe return to school plan.
• If your child has a COVID test they may not return to school until the results are sent to covid@havergal.on.ca AND you have been cleared to return by the Health Centre.
• Students are now required to wear masks outside when they are in group settings (during break and co-curricular activities, sitting with friends, and after eating). We have asked repeatedly for students to maintain distance when they are outside and it is proving to be too challenging.

Operational Items

Student Leadership Opportunities

• On Thursday, September 24th during the Middle School Assembly, students learned of two leadership opportunities that are available to them: Form Representative and Study Buddy Ambassadors. The self-nomination process has begun for Grade 7 and 8 students to put their names forward for these positions. You are encouraged to talk to your child about these opportunities while recognizing that not all students are interested in holding a leadership position at this point in the year. Students will hold these positions until January 2021 at which point there will be another round of elections in February.

• Moving into October, Upper School Club Heads are beginning to plan for Club Fest on October 16. As a result of the split schedule, we are running clubs and House separately for students in Grades 7 to 9 and students in Grades 10 to 12.

• Grade 9 Leadership Opportunities: 
  • Grade 9 students have been invited by email to self-nominate for two different leadership positions: Club Leaders and Grade 9 House Representatives. Mme Denis will be in touch with students who have nominated themselves.
  • In the coming week, Grade 9 students will be invited by Ms. Buchanan to self-nominate to be a Grade 9 Grade Representative. Once the nomination process is complete, there will be a grade-wide election for this role.  

Green and Gold Shop

Students will be able to pick up pre-ordered clothing items at the following designated times. 

• Grade 7 Mondays at 3pm
• Grade 8 Tuesdays at 3pm
• Grade 9 Wednesdays at 3pm 
• Grade 10 Monday at 3:35 pm
• Grade 11 Tuesday at 3:35 pm
• Grade 12 Wednesday at 3:35p

People and Program Evening

Thank you to those of you who joined us virtually for People & Program evening. If you missed any of the sessions please visit your child’s class Veracross page for the recording or related information. Here is the link to the Upper School webinar that was held in the evening.