Thursday, March 28, 2024

On By Havergal Upper School

UPPER SCHOOL

Spring Athletics Tryouts Reminders

Spring athletics tryouts have started. A few reminders:

  1. Please consult the sports schedules (Google Schedule or Veracross Calendar) for exact tryouts dates and times. 
  2. It is the responsibility of the students to look at the schedules and show up to their various sports tryouts. There are no email reminders sent home. 
  3. If a student has to miss a tryout, they should email the relevant coach (not Ms. Di Filippo) to let them know. If they miss tryouts and do not email, the coaches assume they are no longer interested in trying out.

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Di Filippo.

Solar Eclipse Coverage – Monday, April 8

The University of Toronto’s Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics is offering a live, online coverage of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, featuring expert correspondents stationed along eastern Canada’s path of totality. Learn amazing facts about the total eclipse and see how different locations are experiencing this extraordinary event. You will have a front row seat, watching safely no matter where you are on the planet.Register today to receive the link closer to the event, and invite your friends and family to register as well!

No Pausing on Menopause: An Evening with Lume Women + Health

Havergal Moms – this one is for us!

Join us on Wednesday, April 10 for an informative night with medical experts Dr. Woganee Filate, Dr. Amy Louis-Bayliss, Dr. Sarah Shaw and Lindsay Jephcott (Cofounders of Lume Women + Health).

In their talk, the panel will be addressing the health needs of women 40 years and older, focusing on perimenopause and menopause symptom management, sexual health, disease prevention and debunking mainstream menopause myths.

It’s a great chance to learn and commiserate with fellow parents about this important life milestone. Bring your questions, stories, and sense of humour to this special evening as we share and understand the ways menopause might impact us.

Current, new families, alumni as well as faculty and staff are welcome and encouraged to bring additional guests.  Registration for the event can be found here.

Please feel free to fill out our audience questionnaire in advance. 

Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Venue: Havergal College, Junior School

Ramadan Mubarak

Ramadan began on March 10 and continues through April 9.  It is considered one of the holiest months of the year in the Muslim faith. During Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an. It is a time of reflection, spiritual growth, acts of service, and family and community connection.

Upon our return to school we shared with staff and students resources explaining the significance of Ramadan, and how best to support their peers, particularly those who are fasting.  The Chapel has been reserved for students during lunchtime and other breaks, for prayer, rest or respite – especially while their peers are eating.  

We look forward to acknowledging Ramadan and celebrating Eid-al-Fitr (the celebration marking the end of Ramadan) together as a Havergal community in US Prayers on Monday April 15 (and JS Prayers on Tuesday April 16). Parents, please keep an eye out for the invitation for the parent reception to take place after Prayers.  In the meantime, we extend our warmest wishes to all members of our school community who are observing this special time.

 

New Circles Prom Drive – Donations Accepted until Friday, April 5

We will be collecting any clothing items or accessories that can be worn to Prom for our community partner, New Circles. 

Items that we are looking for include:

  • Dresses
  • Dress Pants
  • Dress Shirts
  • Suit Jackets
  • Ties
  • Shoes
  • Purses 

Deadline to bring anything in is April 5. The white bin for collections is located outside of the Upper School Staff Room. Thank you!

A Message from the Health Centre

As we welcome spring and perhaps even begin some spring cleaning, please include a head lice check in your plans for this long weekend. For more information on Head Lice and how to check for it, please see the Toronto Public Health Head Lice Fact Sheet. 

If your child has lice or nits, please follow the steps outlined on the TPH fact sheet. When returning to school after head lice, the child is required to bring a letter to the Health Centre signed by the parent indicating the treatment used, and confirming that the child is free of lice and nits.  
Should you have any questions, contact Havergal’s Health Centre.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Register for COSSOT Events

April is filled with MS COSSOT events. Below you will find the registration links for the various events. 

April 12 MS Movie Night, commitment form: Movie Night 

April 19 Crescent Dance, commitment form: Crescent Dance

April 26 MS HaverCrest Bowling Excursion, commitment form: HaverCrest Bowling

In Form Next Week

This week students will delve into the world of skin care, learning how to make educated choices for themselves. Our #winatsocial program will encourage students to be aware of how influencers and peer pressure affect their choices in skincare products. We will discuss and raise awareness about social media and manufacturers increasing their sales by convincing teens they need to purchase many skincare products over having a simple routine. Finally, students will learn how to consider ingredients and seek guidance from an adult to ensure they’re making the best choices. If you’d like to learn more, this LINK has a curated list of articles related to teens and their use of beauty products. 

SENIOR SCHOOL

TC-9

We have had a very successful first week of TC-9, and look forward to another week of connection, direction and action. Last week, we worked with Maximum City to understand SDG #11 “Sustainable Cities” while doing a walking tour of Toronto’s waterfront, and with our Indigenous partners to look at SDG #15 “Life on Land.” This coming week, we will welcome several community partners and organisations onto campus over the week, as students connect and challenge UN SDG #13: Climate Action. They will develop their systems thinking skills to direct their action in ethical and responsible ways, and then deliver an action plan.

For more information see the resources below.

For more information, please contact Garth Nichols, Vice Principal, Experiential Education & Innovation (gnichols@havergal.on.ca)

In Advising Next Week

This week we will have a House Meeting during our regular advising time since we will be having Prayers on Tuesday. Students will be taking part in community building  activities planned by their House Captains.

UK & US University Information Session

On Thursday, April 4 in the Legacy Theatre from 7:00 pm – 8:45 pm the Guidance Department will be hosting a University information session about UK and US university applications. 

North York Harvest Food Bank Drive & Volunteer Opportunity

In the weeks leading up to Earth Week, the Forum for Change Council is collaborating with our community partner, North York Harvest Food Bank, as part of Havergal’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement.

From April 2 until April 15 students are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items in a collection bin by the staff room. Food items urgently needed are rice, pasta, grains, canned vegetables, canned tomatoes, canned fish, and cooking oil. 

In addition, students will be invited to sign up for a sort and learn experience at North York Harvest Food Bank on the afternoon of April 15. Sign-up will be limited to 20 students. More information will be posted in the Day School Office.

HCPA

Pre-loved Uniform Sale

Support the planet and the HCPA by shopping at our Pre-loved uniform sales: Monday, April 22 from 3:30 pm to 7 pm and Tuesday, April 23 from 8:00 am to 11:00 am outside the Junior School Learning Hub.

REMINDERS

HCPA Nominations

HCPA nominations for the 2024-25 school year are now open! Forms are due no later than Friday, April 12, 2024 at 9 pm.

Gator Gala 2024 – Saturday, April 13

This is your last chance to buy tickets for all Upper School students and an adult guest—the deadline has been extended to Friday, March 29.

Moms’ Night Out – Thursday, May 23

Tickets will go on sale next week! Watch for an invitation by email.

Grade 12 Parents Special Upcoming Events

Please take a moment to update your calendars with these exciting events Havergal is hosting to honour the Class of 2024.

Early School Closing on April 8 for Solar Eclipse

School will close early on April 8 for the solar eclipse. There will be a special schedule for the day and dismiss all students at 1:30 pm to ensure we are providing a safe dismissal time.

Global Education & Global Learning Project Information

We are excited to share with you the Global Learning Experiences for June, 2024, and for the academic year of 2024-2025: Please note: these are live documents and are subject to changes. 

Applications open on April 15, and close April 26.

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Mon Apr 1   School Closed, Boarding opens at 4:00 pm 

Tue Apr 2:    TC-9

Wed Apr 3:  TC-9

Thu Apr 4:   TC-9 UK, US University Parent Information Session, Legacy Theatre,  7pm  

Fri Apr 5:     TC-9 Grade 8/9 Social at UCC, 7pm – 9pm

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