Month: September 2024

Friday, September 27, 2024

On By Havergal Upper SchoolLeave a comment

A Message from the Heads: Cissy Goodridge & Deirdre Timusk

Dear Parents,

Things are definitely in full swing. Our co-curricular groups have officially kicked off, and our students are hard at work, showing great enthusiasm and teamwork. We also hosted our Club Fest, which was a fantastic opportunity for students to explore various clubs and activities. Sign-ups are currently underway for both Middle and Senior School students, so be sure to encourage them to get involved!

We are thrilled about seeing you all at Celebration Saturday which is our community event taking place tomorrow. It promises to be a wonderful day filled with fun and connection. Our entire community—students, faculty, and staff—have all dedicated countless hours to make this event truly memorable. We can’t wait to share it with you! It’s a chance to strengthen our bonds, celebrate our community spirit, and support our Community Partnerships.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at the event!

Cissy Goodridge, Head of Middle School

Deirdre Timusk, Head of Senior School

Today’s edition of The Weekly contains information on the following: 

UPPER SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 12)

MIDDLE SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 8)

SENIOR SCHOOL (Gr. 9 – 12)

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

UPPER SCHOOL

Celebration Saturday Is TOMORROW

The campus is set and we are ready to host Celebration Saturday 2024!  A huge shout out to all of our volunteers for making this day possible. 

Here are some key details:

  • Plan your route! Here is the map of the campus with all of the details for the day.  
  • Bidding on the Silent Auction has started and closes at 11:30 am tomorrow.  See the items here or in the Brenda Robson Hall.  Winners can pick up the items at noon.  Bidding is online, so bid early and often!
  • Support the Old Girls/Alumni, parents, and student entrepreneurs at the Bazaar in the Brenda Robson Hall.  See a list of vendors here.
  • Parking will be extremely limited.  We urge you to bike, walk, take transit or an Uber.  Most of all, we urge you to have a ton of fun as we support our Community Partners!

Jake Ernst Visits Havergal On Monday, September 30 

Topic: Helping our children manage their digital devices and striking a healthy balance.

Parents in Grades 4 to 9 are encouraged to join us for an interactive evening with Jake Ernst, a registered social worker, psychotherapist and Clinical Director at Straight Up Health. On Monday, September 30 at 7 pm , please join us in the Legacy Theatre to learn about new strategies to help our children manage their digital devices and strike a healthy balance at home. Jake has extensive experience helping parents navigate the challenges of parenting during this digital age.

You can learn more about Jake Ernst here.  Please RSVP here.

US Student Photos Are Ready For Ordering

We’re delighted to announce that your daughter’s school pictures are now available online for viewing and ordering.

To access your photos, visit http://echophotography.ca/havergal2024. When prompted for a password, enter your student’s unique Person ID.  Ordering is a breeze, and you can customize your prints or digitals with several options to suit your preferences. Be sure to check them out and share them with your family and friends.

If you have any questions or special requests, please get in touch with Cameron Hubbs at cameron@echophotography.ca or by text at (905) 599-3557. Photo retake day will take place on Wednesday, November 6.

Private Music Instruction 2024-2025

Private Music Instruction is open!  Please register via the Veracross Parent Portal using the last green button under Registrations. Once registration is complete, follow these instructions to access musician contact information.

Gender Equality Week

This week in the Upper School, we recognized Gender Equality week with the below announcement in prayers and with some information highlighting the importance of this week and its history through slides on our school screens. 

Sunday, September 22 to Saturday, September 28 is Gender Equality Week, and we are excited to take a moment to celebrate and reflect on what that means for all of us.

This week was officially recognized through Bill C-309, passed in 2018, which made the fourth week of September Gender Equality Week. The week is dedicated to: 

  • Recognizing the important contributions women and gender-diverse communities have made to Canada
  • Celebrating the achievements and milestones that have been made in advancing gender equality
  • Recommitting to closing the gaps that still exist

Looking ahead, October is Women’s History Month. It’s important to remember that these two events go hand-in-hand. Women’s History Month allows us to celebrate the trailblazing women throughout history who’ve made huge strides in pushing for equality—many of whom have paved the way for the rights and freedoms we have today.  While Canada has a history full of important moments advancing women and gender equality generally, we still have work to do.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

MS Immunization On Friday, November 22

On Friday, November 22 we will be hosting the first of two immunization clinics. On Monday, September 30 your child will bring home a consent form. Should you wish for your child to be immunized, please fill out the form in its entirety and return it to school by Thursday, October 3.

Student Elections

This week at our MS assembly, the students learned about leadership positions that are available to students in the Middle School. Students are not required to have previous experience and we encourage all students to nominate themselves for a position. We are looking for students who want to learn the skills to develop into a confident leader. Please speak with your child about the positions and encourage them to apply.

SENIOR SCHOOL

International University Fair On Tuesday, October 1 

On Tuesday, October 1 Havergal College will be hosting an International University Fair. This is a great opportunity for students and families to see what schools from all over the world have to offer. There will be over 70 universities participating. All are welcome. 

Date: Tuesday, October 1
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: Brenda Robson Hall

Johns Hopkins University Visit

Johns Hopkins University will be visiting Havergal College to speak to the Grade 9 to 12 students during the lunch hour. This is a great opportunity to see what the university has to offer.

Date: Wednesday, October 2
Time: 11:45 – 12:30 pm
Location: B16

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test – Mark Your Calendars

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) requires students in Grade 10 to complete the computer-based Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), which measures whether students are meeting the minimum standard for literacy across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9. A successful completion of this test is one of the requirements to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. 

Students will write the OSSLT in person, on campus (per EQAO rules) at Havergal College on the morning of Tuesday, November 12. This is the only opportunity for students to write the OSSLT this year. 

More information will be provided closer to the date. Contact the Director of Academic Operations, Jennifer Goldberg with questions.

In Grade Programming Starts On Tuesday, October 1

Next week our Grade 9s will be doing speeches for the Grade 9 elections. Students will be running to be on the House Council, a Grade 9 Representative or one of our Councils. Other students will be applying to be on some councils that require applications. Grade 10 students continue to work toward building a supportive community by participating in bracelet making and exchanges. Our work with Life Maps will be revisited with our Grade 11 students and they share their peak experiences with each other so they can begin to reflect on their past so they can begin to look to their future. Our university counsellors will be working with Grade 12 students on US, UK and Canadian destinations in small group settings.

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Monday, September 30

  • Orange Shirt Day – to be worn with the regular school uniform 
  • Parent Presenter: Jake Ernst at 7 pm in the Legacy Theatre 

Tuesday, October 1

  • International University Fair at 6:30 pm in the Brenda Robson Hall

Friday, October 4

  • Special Schedule for Truth and Reconciliation Programming at 9:30 am

Friday, September 20, 2024

On By Havergal Upper SchoolLeave a comment

A Message from the Heads: 
Cissy Goodridge & Deirdre Timusk

Dear Parents,

For those new to Havergal, Prayers (Mondays and Thursdays 8:40 – 9:20 am) is a time where the whole school gathers together in Brenda Robson Hall, and shares 40 minutes of music, singing, prayers, and messages on various topics.  It is a time where we come together for reflection and grounding.  Some of the messages are given by our students, faculty, guest speakers and our chaplain Rev. Ruch. Prayers is a time, when students look back, they miss very much once they leave Havergal.  Please know that you are welcome to attend Prayers as a parent as well.  For several of our cultural prayers, invitations are sent to the community specifically inviting you to join us, but please know you are welcome to join us for any prayers throughout the year.

This week, for both of our Prayers, we focused on Community Building here in Havergal.  On Monday, Rev. Ruch and Ms. Cozier (VP, EDIB) broke down what a community is, how we are created to be in a community, and some of the barriers that can get in the way of that work. They focused on the spiritual and EDIB strands of community building. On Thursday, we heard more from the student voices, with a video being shared about “What community means to me at Havergal….”. Rev Ruch also leaned into the sense of wellbeing that comes from being part of a community.  Finally, we heard from Grade 7 student Emma M. and Grade 12 student Becca S. about what community means for them. They shared their experiences about how they see themselves as being a part of this community.  Looking into the future, they also shared how they expect this community – that they are building right now – will be with them for the rest of their lives.   

This week we hosted both the MS and SS People and Program events. It was wonderful to welcome all of our parents on campus. As they moved from classroom to classroom, you could hear their excitement build. One highlight was when we overheard a parent saying, “I wish I could go to school here.” Our teachers are a remarkable group of educators, who care deeply about fostering a love of learning. As Katrina mentioned in her message to parents, we want to teach your children “how” to think, not “what” to think. We look forward to seeing you at future events and, if you have time, you are always welcome to join our community during Prayers. 

Sincerely,

Cissy Goodridge, Head of Middle School

Deirdre Timusk, Head of Senior School

Today’s edition of The Weekly contains information on the following:

UPPER SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 12)

MIDDLE SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 8)

SENIOR SCHOOL (Gr. 9 – 12)

HCPA

REMINDERS

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

UPPER SCHOOL

CELEBRATION SATURDAY- GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Skip the Line – Get your Tickets and Wristbands Now!

Families can order tickets and wristbands now!  Pre-sales close on Monday, September 23. This is a cashless event so tickets are the only way to get a coveted cookie gram, cotton candy, popcorn or new, this year from our partners Chartwells, breakfast poutine.  Price lists can be found here. Order tickets and wristbands here. Please know that this is a popular event, so expect lineups for tickets that day. Ordering tickets in advance is really encouraged.

The Celebration Saturday Silent Auction is live! Sign up in advance and bid now. Thank you to all who have donated items – we have fabulous opportunities for experiences, one of a kind items and HC special passes like reserved seating at events. Bid now, bid often and know the bidding closes at 11:30 am at the event. 

Please note that this is a mandatory event for all students in Grades 4-12.

Digital Device Policy Clarification

Please note that due to the late start and early ending of our weekly scheduling, we wanted to clarify that:

  • Wednesday: School ends at 3 pm. Students MAY use their smartphone after 3 pm.
  • Friday: School begins at 9:30 am. Students MAY use their smartphone until 9:30 am.

For Senior School students, at all other times the phones must be off and away. For Middle School students, phones should remain in their lockers all day.  Phones should not be seen during the day, including at lunch. Thank you for your support.  

Private Music Instruction

There is a new process for Private Music Instruction at Havergal in 2024-2025, designed to support the well being and musical ambitions of our students.  Families interested in Private Music Instruction in 2024-2025 are welcome to access this link for details. Private music instruction is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 1.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

2024-25 Middle School Social Events

Each year, Havergal works with its COSSOT (Coalition of Single Sex Schools of Toronto) partner schools to provide a number of social opportunities for its students. This allows them to meet and enjoy time with students from other schools, participating in things like bowling nights, dances, and games.

To help you with your planning, below you will find the list of dates to all MS COSSOT events for the school year. We encourage you to chat with your child and discuss which events they would like to apply for and mark the date on your calendar. Every Havergal student may attend the Havergal dance, however, there are limited spaces available for all other events.

2024-09-13 – MS COSSOT Events – Dates

SENIOR SCHOOL

ACTION REQUIRED: All Senior School Parents – Please complete this permission form to cover many of our events this year.

Each year, Havergal works with its COSSOT (Coalition of Single Sex Schools of Toronto) partner schools to provide a number of social opportunities for our students. This allows them to meet and enjoy time with students from other schools, participating in things like bowling nights, dances, games, artistic performance evenings and meetings to work on collaborative initiatives or share experiences.

In an effort to consolidate the AAR process (parent permission forms are referred to as AARs) for parents, we are asking that all parents who wish to allow their children to participate in any COSSOT events, complete this AAR, which indicates that you agree to allow your child to participate should they sign up. 

  • For more specific details, please click on this link.
  • To go directly to the parent permission form (AAR), click on this link.

AP Information Session (Note: Revised Webinar Link)

Students and families in the Upper School are invited to learn about the Advanced Placement offerings at Havergal, including the school’s policies and procedures related to AP courses and exams as well as the role AP credits play in university admissions. Please join the Vice Principal of Teaching and Learning, the Director of Guidance (Academic and University Counselling), and the AP Coordinator in an informational webinar on Tuesday, September 24 at 4 pm. A recording of this session will also be posted and shared on the AP Section of the Guidance Portal for those interested, but unable to attend live. 

Global Experiences 2024-2025 Opportunities Still Open

There is still an opportunity to express your interest in Global Experiences for:

  • Technology, Innovation, Design & Ethics in San Francisco (T.I.D.E.S.): March 2025 – Information Video here.
  • The Kingdom of Bhutan: March 2025 – Information Video here.
  • Beijing Summer Camp: June 2025 – Information Video here.

For those already enrolled, we will be updating you on the status of these experiences in the near future. Please contact Garth Nichols for more information.

University Visit – Imperial College London: Monday, September 23

Individual University Reps will be visiting Havergal College on Monday, September 23 to speak to Grade 9 – 12 students after school from 3:30 – 4:15 pm. This is a great opportunity to see what the university has to offer. 

Date: Monday, September 23
Time: 3:30 – 4:15 pm 
Location: B16

University Session at SS People & Program

Did you miss the University Session at People & Program Evening?
The University Session from our People & Program Evening will be available to view on the Guidance portal via Veracross.

HCPA

Volunteers Needed

We’re still looking for Celebration Saturday volunteers–even an hour or two helps. Please sign up here (click through the pages to see all opportunities).

REMINDERS

Athletic Therapy

Ms. Krausz, Havergal’s Athletic Therapist, will provide immediate emergency care at sporting events and attend athletic events to provide on-site care for our athletes in addition to providing 1:1 support for students through a clinical service program. Our clinical service program allows students to book appointments to receive treatment related to musculoskeletal injuries with the Athletic Therapist.

Please Note: Parental permission must be provided for students to utilize this service.
To provide permission for the Clinical Services Program at any point this school year, click here. Please reach out to Carla Di Filippo with any questions about the program.

Does your Grad need another hoodie?

If you wish to purchase another hoodie for your Grad, please complete this form by Friday, September 27.

Celebration Saturday: Thrifting for Marion Wood

Please bring in your used clothes for our thrifting stall at Celebration Saturday.

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Monday, September 23

  • Thrive Prayers

Tuesday, September 24

  • Celebration Saturday Prayers
  • AP Parent Webinar at 4 pm 

Friday, September 27

  • Special Schedule for Celebration Saturday  
  • Period 1 starts at 8:30 am and school ends at 2:30 pm

Friday, September 13, 2024

On By Havergal Upper SchoolLeave a comment

A Message from the Heads: 
Cissy Goodridge & Deirdre Timusk

Dear Parents,

It’s been a busy week with our Grade 7, 9 and 12 classes out for camps around Muskoka. Students arrived home smiling, happy and exhausted – clear indicators that the trips were a resounding success.  Students cheered each other on, whether it was for jumping off a tower into the water for the first time or during a performance in front of their peers. We hope that you followed our adventures on our Havergal Instagram account. 

This upcoming week we look forward to welcoming our parents onto campus for our People & Program Evenings: Middle School Schedule and Senior School Schedule. During this evening you will meet your daughter’s teachers and Form Teacher (Middle School) or Advisor (Senior School). You will receive an email with your child’s personalized schedule soon. Please keep an eye on your inbox next week for this important communication.   

We are also getting ready to welcome you all back onto campus on Saturday, September 28 for Celebration Saturday!  This is a fun, school-wide event for the whole family which puts our mission into action as together we raise funds for our Community Partners. There will be cookie grams, bouncy castles and a host of other fun activities for the whole family. See below for more information about buying your wrist band in advance. We are excited to see you there! 

Best regards,

Cissy Goodridge, Head of Middle School 

Deirdre Timusk, Head of Senior School

Today’s edition of The Weekly contains information on the following:

UPPER SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 12)

MIDDLE SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 8)

SENIOR SCHOOL (Gr. 9 – 12)

HCPA

REMINDERS

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

UPPER SCHOOL

Webinar –  AP Info Session: 
Tuesday, September 24 at 4 pm

Students and families in the Upper School are invited to learn about the Advanced Placement offerings at Havergal, including the school’s policies and procedures related to AP courses and exams as well as the role AP credits play in university admissions. Please join the Vice Principal of Teaching and Learning, the Director of Guidance (Academic and University Counselling), and the AP Coordinator in an informational webinar on Tuesday, September 24 at 4pm. A recording of this session will also be posted and shared on the AP section of the Guidance Portal for those interested but unable to attend live.

TRC ½ Day:
Friday, October 4

Havergal’s Truth and Reconciliation 1/2 day is scheduled for October 4, which coincides with the second day of Rosh Hashanah. We recognize this may affect some of our families who observe this important celebration.

While we cannot change the date of this event, we are committed to providing alternative resources and opportunities for those who will miss it. We deeply respect all cultural and religious practices and are working to improve our scheduling to better accommodate the diverse needs of our community in the future.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your continued support.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Jake Ernst Visits Havergal:
Monday, September 30

As Havergal transitions to a cell phone-free environment, we have invited Jake Ernst, Clinical Director of Straight Up Health, social worker and psychotherapist, for a parent session and a workshop for students. At the parent session, Jake will provide a brief overview of the history of social media and recent research about the impact of these apps on teen wellbeing. He will also provide us with some practical tips on how to manage the shift to device free zones.

Jake says teens (and adults) need support to change their habits when it comes to screens and social media. “Screen use affects everyone differently,” he says. “But we know that algorithms feed us distressing and distracting content that actually disconnects us from each other.”

He says that a phone-free environment will require some ‘re-norming’. “Things like planning where to meet at break, or pre-arranging pick-up from school. It will take getting used to but it can be done.”

Please join us on Monday, September 30 at 7 – 8 pm in the BRH as we welcome Jake and learn how to engage with each other in a phone free environment. You can learn more about Jake Ernst here.

Middle People & Program:
Tuesday, September 17 at 6 pm

We look forward to you joining us this Tuesday, September 17 at 6 pm for our Middle School People & Program Evening.  Please click here to see the agenda and to familiarize yourself with the transition schedule for the evening.  We encourage you to print your child’s personalized schedule that will be emailed to you – please keep an eye on your inbox next week!

SENIOR SCHOOL

Girls Take Flight:
Saturday, September 21

An opportunity exists for our students to participate in the Girls Take Flight program, aimed to break down barriers and encourage girls and underrepresented groups to pursue their dreams in the dynamic and rewarding fields of aviation and aerospace. Through hands-on activities, interactive exhibits and inspiring talks from industry professionals, participants will gain valuable insights and motivation to consider these rewarding careers.

Date: Saturday, September 21
Time: 10 – 4 pm
Location: Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

What to Expect

  • Close-Up Aircraft Views
  • Inspiring Speakers: Hear from female pilots, engineers and mechanics (among others) about their journeys and achievements.
  • Career Guidance: Learn about educational pathways and career opportunities in aviation and aerospace.
  • Interactive Exhibits: Engage in flight simulations, aircraft engineering challenges and more.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry professionals and like-minded peers.
  • Exploration Flights: Volunteer pilots connecting participants with the joy of flying.

Who Should Attend

  • Girls interested in aviation, aerospace, science, technology engineering and math (STEM).
  • Educators and parents looking to support and guide girls toward these careers.

Please click here for more information.

Mini University Fair:
Thursday, September 19

Individual University Reps will be visiting Havergal College on Thursday, September 19 to speak to Grade 9 – 12 students during the lunch hour from 12:15 pm – 1 pm. This is a great opportunity to see what the universities offer. All are welcome. 

Date: Thursday, September 19
Time: 12:15 – 1 pm
Location: EK Library

  • University of Leeds
  • University of Exeter
  • University of Nottingham
  • University of Birmingham
  • University of Dundee 
  • Savannah College of Art and Design

Senior School People & Program:
Thursday, September 19 at 6 pm

We look forward to you joining us this Thursday, September 19 at 6 pm for our Senior School People & Program Evening.  Please click here to see the agenda and to familiarize yourself with the transition schedule for the evening.  We encourage you to print your child’s personalized schedule that will be emailed to you – please keep an eye on your inbox next week!

HCPA

Volunteers for Celebration Saturday Needed

We’re still looking for Celebration Saturday volunteers – even an hour or two helps. Please sign-up here (click through the pages to see all opportunities).

REMINDERS

CELEBRATION SATURDAY – Wristband And Ticket Pre-Sale On Now!

Skip the Line – Get your tickets and wristbands now!

Families can order tickets and wristbands now!  Pre-sales close on Monday, September 23. This is a cashless event so tickets are the only way to get a coveted cookie gram, cotton candy, popcorn or new, this year from our partners Chartwells, breakfast poutine.  Price lists can be found here. Order tickets and wristbands here.   Please know this is a popular event, so expect ticket lineups the day of. Ordering tickets in advance is really encouraged.

Athletics: Tryouts & Schedule

Next week is the second and last week for tryouts. Please consult the Athletics Schedules on Veracross or save this link, which is a Google calendar of all sports for the entire year. The regular season will start on Monday, September 23. 
If you have any questions, please email Carla Di Filippo, Director, Athletics.

Athletic Therapy

Ms. Krausz, Havergal’s Athletic Therapist, will provide immediate emergency care at sporting events and attend athletic events to provide on-site care for our athletes in addition to providing 1:1 support for students through a clinical service program. Our clinical service program allows students to book appointments to receive treatment related to musculoskeletal injuries with the Athletic Therapist. 

**Parent permission must be provided for students to utilize this service.**To provide permission for the Clinical Services Program at any point this school year, click here.
Please reach out to Carla Di Filippo with any questions about the program.

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Tuesday, September 17

  • MS People & Program Evening, 6 – 8:30 pm

Thursday, September 19

  • Senior School: People & Program Evening, 6 – 9:15 pm

Friday, September 6, 2024

On By Havergal Upper SchoolLeave a comment

A Message from the Heads: Cissy Goodridge & Deirdre Timusk

It was a wonderful first week back on campus!  We welcomed our newest members of the community on Tuesday with help from our amazing returning student leaders. There were lots of fun ice-breakers and community-building activities. Later in the week, the Class of 2025 and their parents attended a breakfast this morning and the Grads received their coveted Grad Hoodies.  

On Thursday, we were delighted to hear from our School Captain, Carol Rong, who shared the goals of our student leaders. The students wrote a mission statement and created five goals for our upcoming year and we are happy to share them with you. 

Mission Statement: We, the student leaders at Havergal, strive to foster a community where students belong authentically and feel empowered to embrace mistakes, pursue their passions, and make a meaningful impact while cherishing the journey.

Goals: 

  1. Promote a space where students know that it is cool to show their care towards academics, personal passions, school spirit, and HC culture. 
  2. Create a community where students belong by embracing their true selves and acting from their values.
  3. Empower students to courageously commit to making a difference, by trusting that small actions have big impacts. 
  4. Encourage students to welcome mistakes instead of approaching them with fear and to recognize the opportunities of growth that come from them. 
  5. Model the joys of being a Gator, by living in the moment and seizing the opportunities we are grateful for.

We are looking forward to working with all our students to help them find their purpose and engage at Havergal in a way which is meaningful to them. 

Best regards,

Cissy Goodridge, Head of Middle School 

Deirdre Timusk, Head of Senior School

Today’s edition of The Weekly contains information on the following:

UPPER SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 12)

MIDDLE SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 8)

SENIOR SCHOOL (Gr. 9 – 12)

HCPA

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

UPPER SCHOOL

Helpful Parenting Podcast: Untangling All Things Digital for Parents

Dr. Lisa Damour publishes excellent weekly podcasts for parents on relevant issues. Last week’s recording was particularly resonant as we look to supporting our students with device use both in school and at home. 

Dr. Damour explores top concerns like:

  • managing kids’ screen time
  • the pressure to get devices
  • handling social media’s impact on teenagers

They also discuss valuable strategies for: 

  • putting boundaries on technology use
  • keeping phones out of bedrooms
  • dealing with the reality of kids encountering toxic content online

Athletic Therapy Program for Upper School Students

We are delighted to welcome Ms Erin Krausz to the staff at Havergal as its Athletic Therapist and Athletics Coordinator. Erin comes to us with a wealth of experience in supporting individuals with injury prevention, rehabilitation & reconditioning after an injury occurs.

Ms. Krausz will provide immediate emergency care at sporting events and attend athletic events to provide on-site care for our athletes in addition to providing 1:1 support for students through a clinical service program.

Clinical Service Program

Our clinical service program allows students to book appointments to receive treatment related to musculoskeletal injuries with the Athletic Therapist. Parent permission must be provided for students to utilize this service.

To provide permission for the Clinical Services Program at any point this school year, click here. Read the agreement for Athletic Therapy Clinical Service Program Consent 
Please reach out to Carla Di Filippo with any questions about the program.

Drop-Off Instructions

Dropping off and picking up students can be a stressful time — especially when drivers are late, pressed for time, and otherwise in a hurry to begin their day. It is also a time when student safety can be unnecessarily compromised. At Havergal, signage very clearly demarcates drop-off and pick-up locations. 

  1. Drive past the bend to the end of the driveway to drop-off.  Most drivers do not move all the way up, past the main doors, to drop-off passengers. This impedes traffic flow patterns significantly and is the number one cause for traffic congestion. 
  2. Comply with Security directions.  It is always helpful to make eye contact with Security personnel so that you can follow their signals and directions.
  3. Drop-off on the right hand side of the driveway. Drop-off is permitted only along the curb closest to the front steps of the Upper School, which is duly noted by signage. 
  4. Signal your intention to other drivers and Security by using your turn signal.
  5. Don’t park at the curb after drop-off. Some drivers stay parked after dropping off their passenger(s) in order to check their phones. This impedes traffic flow patterns significantly and slows the entire process down.
  6. Passengers should be ready to exit the vehicle safely and promptly. Items stored in the trunk should be easily accessible. 
  7. Keep the crosswalk clear. 

Please be courteous and respectful of fellow drivers and members of Havergal’s Security Team. The safety and wellbeing of our students depend on your following through on the school’s expectations around drop-off and pick-up.

Reporting Student Attendance Reminders

A link for reporting attendance is available directly on the Parent Portal homepage. We recommend you bookmark the link. Instructions for using Veracross can be found here. It is important to review these instructions and be familiar with how to report a student absence through Veracross.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

In Form Next Week

In Form next week, the Grade 8 students will be working on community agreements. During this session they will discuss what values are most important to their grade. We look forward to sharing this with parents in the coming weeks.

Campfire Circle

On Monday September 9, all Grade 7 students will depart for camp.

  • Arrival at 6:45 am 
  • Departure at 7 am from the Upper School Parking Lot

Don’t forget to bring costumes and props for the Form and House skits! Go Gators!

SENIOR SCHOOL

In Morning Programming Next Week

The Senior School students will be reviewing and signing their community agreements. During this time they will be reviewing the expectations and discussing them in TA groups. On Wednesday morning, the Grade 10s and 11s will be participating in games and activities as the Grade 9s and 12s are off to camp.

Grade 9 & 12 Camps

The weather looks promising for the Grade 9 and 12 camp!  Please ensure you share the packing list with your daughter and encourage her to follow the list. 

Sending Medication to Camp?  

If your child takes prescription medication and is going on a Senior School excursion next week, we are anticipating that they will handle their own prescription medication administration. 

If your child would like assistance with medication administration or reminders about taking medication, please contact your child’s trip leader.  Please send the medication in a tamper proof, pharmacy labelled container with the dose, frequency and medication name, so that our trip leaders can appropriately assist and identify what medication is being taken.  This information should be presented to the trip leader upon arrival if it is not already recorded in Magnus Health.

University Information Session: Ivy+ Student & Parent Session

On September 10 and September 24, Ivy+ institutions will be having a virtual session for students and families. Topics will include academic programs, campus activities, student life, admissions policies and financial aid.    

The institutions include Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.

This will be a great opportunity to learn more about US Universities.

Please register below:

Grad Rings & Grad Hoodies

Grad rings will be distributed on Tuesday, September 10. If your daughter is absent, she will be able to pick up her ring from the Green & Gold shop. 

If your daughter was absent on Friday, September 6 for the Grad Hood distribution, she can find her hoodie in Ms. Timusk’s office. 

Does your Grad need another hoodie?

If you wish to purchase another hoodie for your Grad, please complete this form by Tuesday, September 19.

HCPA

HCPA Coffee Mornings

We are looking forward to hosting coffee mornings throughout the fall.  Please make sure you RSVP for the HCPA coffee mornings next week if it is for your grade.  Drop in for a quick coffee and chat with other parents in your class and meet new ones.

Celebration Saturday: September 28, 2024

Ticket sales will begin soon – check next week’s The Weekly for the link! 

Looking to volunteer? We’re still looking for Celebration Saturday volunteers – even an hour or two helps. Please sign up here (click through the pages to see all opportunities). 

There are still a few vendor spots left at the Celebration Saturday Bazaar. Please email Martha Fell (martha@jaxxandmarbles.com) and complete this form and contract.
We are also seeking items for our amazing Silent Auction. Click here for more details.

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Monday September 9

  • Grade 7 bus departs from Upper School at 7 am (Drop-Off at 6:45 am)

Tuesday September 10

  • Grad Ring distribution 9:30 – 2:30 pm

Wednesday September 11

  • Grade 9 bus departs from Junior School 7:30 am (Drop-Off 7:15 am)
  • Grade 12 bus departs from Upper School 7 am (Drop-Off 6:45 am)
  • Grade 7 bus arrives to Upper School at 1 pm (Students Dismissed)

Friday September 13

  • Grade 9 & 12 buses return between 2 and 3 pm