Branksome Hall
Home › Community Guidelines › Parents › BH Handbook ›
Junior School Handbook
Welcome from Emily Maclean, Head, Junior School
I am eager to welcome our new and returning Junior School students and families in September and feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the year ahead!
Important Dates and Contacts
View important school events and holidays and learn more about who to contact by department.
Junior School Leadership
checklist for New families
Welcome to Branksome Hall! Although you will have received information from the Admissions team, here are some of the things to keep in mind before the school year begins. You will also hear from the Branksome Hall Parents’ Association in September about how to volunteer and dates for events.
New families should review both the New and All Families checklists.
Purchase school essentials:
- Review uniform requirements and book an appointment with the Uniform Shop.
School communications and wayfinding:
- Learn about school communications with families, including weekly parent newsletters.
- Learn how to use the school Portal and review the campus map.
Account and fee details:
- Click the Billing tab in the Portal for monthly account statements and to make payments. Contact the Business Office (billing@branksome.on.ca) with any questions.
- View a breakdown of annual costs, such as the Parents’ Association and Clan activities.
School glossary:
- A guide to all things Branksome (Portal login required).
checklist for All families
Here are some of the things to keep in mind before the school year begins. You will also hear from the Branksome Hall Parents’ Association in September about how to volunteer and dates for events.
Update Portal details and preferences:
- Review your child and parent/guardian contact information in the Portal and make any necessary changes to details and permissions. (Learn how to do this.)
Code of Conduct and school forms:
- Review the Junior School Code of Conduct (Portal login required).
- Complete school forms.
Class supply lists:
- Ensure you have all of the items your child will need (including items kept at school and items travelling between home and school).
- Review the Class Supply lists by grade (Portal login required).
Health information:
- Review Health Centre information, then submit your child’s health information on the Portal and immunization records to Toronto Public Health.
Student safety:
- Review emergency procedures (Portal login required), security information and campus visitor protocol.
First Weeks of School
Orientation Day allows students to familiarize themselves with their new classrooms and school routines. Class lists will be posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
junior school Schedules
JK & SK Daily Schedule
| Week 1: Mon: Day 1; Tue. Day 2; Thu. Day 4; Fri. Day 5 Week 2: Mon: Day 6; Tue. Day 7; Thu. Day 9; Fri. Day 10 | |
| 8:00–8:10 a.m. | Drop-Off (Outdoor play on West Lawn until 8:15 a.m.) |
| 8:25 a.m | Start Time & Attendance |
| 8:30–8:50 a.m. | Community Building: SEL & ATL (Homeroom) |
| 8:50–9:10 a.m. | Period 1 |
| 9:10–9:50 a.m. | Period 2 |
| 9:50–10:00 a.m. | Snack |
| 10:00–10:20 a.m. | Morning Recess |
| 10:20–11:00 a.m. | Period 3 |
| 11:00–11:40 a.m. | Period 4 |
| 11:40 a.m.–12:20 p.m. | Period 5 |
| 12:20–12:45 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:50–1:15 p.m. | Recess |
| 1:20–2:00 p.m. | Period 6 |
| 2:00–2:40 p.m. | Period 7 |
| 2:40–3:00 p.m. | Period 8a |
| 3:05 p.m. | Pick-Up |
JK & SK Late-START Wednesday
| Week 1: Wed. Day 3 Week 2: Wed. Day 8 | |
| 8:00–8:10 a.m. | Student Well-Being Activity Programming (SWAP) Drop-Off at Front Circle |
| 8:10–9:15 a.m. | Optional Student Wellbeing Activity Program (SWAP) |
| 9:10–9:25 a.m. | Regular drop off and morning arrival to classrooms |
| 9:30–9:50 a.m. | Period 2b |
| 9:50–10:30 a.m. | Period 3 |
| 10:30–10:40 a.m. | Snack |
| 10:40–11:00 a.m. | Recess |
| 11:00–11:40 a.m. | Period 4 |
| 11:40 a.m.–12:20 p.m. | Period 5 |
| 12:20–12:45 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:50–1:15 p.m. | Recess |
| 1:20–2:00 p.m. | Period 6 |
| 2:00–2:40 p.m. | Period 7 |
| 2:40–3:00 p.m. | Period 8a |
| 3:05 p.m. | Pick-Up |
Grades 1–3 Daily Schedule
| Week 1: Mon: Day 1; Tue. Day 2; Thu. Day 4; Fri. Day 5 Week 2: Mon: Day 6; Tue. Day 7; Thu. Day 9; Fri. Day 10 | |
| 8:00–8:10 a.m. | Drop-Off (Outdoor play on West Lawn until 8:15 a.m.) |
| 8:25 a.m. | Start Time & Attendance |
| 8:30–8:50 a.m | Community Building: SEL & ATL (Homeroom) |
| 8:50–9:10 a.m. | Period 1 |
| 9:10–9:50 a.m. | Period 2 |
| 9:50–10:00 a.m. | Snack |
| 10:00–10:15 a.m. | Recess |
| 10:20–11:00 a.m. | Period 3 |
| 11:00–11:40 a.m. | Period 4 |
| 111:40 a.m.–12:20 p.m. | Period 5 |
| 12:20–12:45 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:50–1:15 p.m. | Recess |
| 1:20–2:00 p.m. | Period 6 |
| 2:00–2:40 p.m. | Period 7 |
| 2:40–3:00 p.m. | Period 8a |
| 3:00–3:10 p.m. | Pack Up |
| 3:15 p.m. | Primary Dismissal |
Grades 1–3 Late-Start Wednesday Schedule
| Week 1: Wed. Day 3 Week 2: Wed. Day 8 | |
| 8:00–8:10 a.m. | Drop-off for Student Well-Being Activity Programming (SWAP) at Front Circle |
| 8:10–9:15 a.m. | Optional Student Wellbeing Activity Program (SWAP) |
| 9:10–9:25 a.m. | Regular drop off and morning arrival to classrooms |
| 9:25–9:30 a.m. | Attendance |
| 9:30–9:50 a.m. | Period 2 |
| 9:50–10:30 a.m. | Period 3 |
| 10:30–10:40 a.m. | Snack |
| 10:40–10:55 a.m. | Recess |
| 11:00–11:40 a.m. | Period 4 |
| 11:40 a.m.–12:20 p.m. | Period 5 |
| 12:20–12:45 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:50–1:15 p.m. | Recess |
| 1:20–2:00 p.m. | Period 6 |
| 2:00–2:40 p.m. | Period 7 |
| 2:40–3:00 p.m. | Period 8a |
| 3:00–3:10 p.m. | Pack Up |
| 3:15 p.m. | Primary Dismissal |
Grades 4–6 Daily Schedule
| Week 1: Mon: Day 1; Tue. Day 2; Thu. Day 4; Fri. Day 5 Week 2: Mon: Day 6; Tue. Day 7; Thu. Day 9; Fri. Day 10 | |
| 8:10–8:20 a.m. | Morning Arrival |
| 8:25 a.m. | Start Time & Attendance |
| 8:30–8:50 a.m. | Community Building: SEL & ATL (Homeroom) |
| 8:50–9:10 a.m. | Period 1 |
| 9:10–9:50 a.m. | Period 2 |
| 9:50–10:00 a.m. | Snack |
| 10:00–10:15 a.m. | Recess |
| 10:20–11:00 a.m. | Period 3 |
| 11:00–11:40 a.m. | Period 4 |
| 11:40 a.m.–12:20 p.m. | Period 5 |
| 12:20–12:45 p.m. | Recess |
| 12:50–1:15 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:20–2:00 p.m. | Period 6 |
| 2:00–2:40 p.m. | Period 7 |
| 3:00–3:15 p.m. | Agenda & Pack Up |
| 3:20 p.m. | Junior Dismissal |
Grades 4–6 Late-Start Wednesday Schedule
| Week 1: Wed. Day 3 Week 2: Wed. Day 8 | |
| 8:00–8:10 a.m. | Drop-off for Student Well-Being Activity Programming (SWAP) at Front Circle |
| 8:10–9:15 a.m. | Optional Student Well-Being Activity Program (SWAP) |
| 9:10–9:25 a.m. | Regular drop off and morning arrival to classrooms |
| 9:25–9:30 a.m. | Attendance |
| 9:30–9:50 a.m. | Period 2 |
| 9:50–10:30 a.m. | Period 3 |
| 10:30–10:40 a.m. | Snack |
| 10:40–10:55 a.m. | Recess |
| 11:00–11:40 a.m. | Period 4 |
| 11:40 a.m.–12:20 p.m. | Period 5 |
| 12:20–12:45 p.m. | Recess |
| 12:50–1:15 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:20–2:00 p.m. | Period 6 |
| 2:00–2:40 p.m. | Period 7 |
| 3:00–3:15 p.m. | Agenda & Pack Up |
| 3:20 p.m. | Junior Dismissal |
Student Supports
Explore Branksome
Find Me on the Portal
The Branksome Portal is your one-stop spot for all things BH. Junior School parents can find Junior School Resources, Junior School Library and School Books and information about the Branksome Hall Parents’ Association.
Log In Now
Innovation
More than a buzzword or game-changing tech solution, innovation is a mindset—a way of engaging with the world. And it’s core to everything we do at Branksome Hall.
Learn More
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Branksome Hall is committed to making sure our school community is a diverse, equitable and inclusive place to learn and to work.
Learn More
