Choices for Nine

CHOICES FOR NINE

Fern P.S. Grade Parents and Guardians are invited to attend an information evening regarding the transition from

Grade 8 to 9

Where:  Parkdale C.I.

209 Jameson Avenue

When:  Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 6:00p.m.

AGENDA:

6:00 p.m.  Registration and Sign-In

6:15 p.m   Welcome Address

6:30 p.m.  Presentation "Choices for Nine"
                 By Ricard A. Rodriguez and Chi Le LC 4 Guidance Councellors
                 Question and Answer Period
                 (School and Street Parking Available)

SEE YOU AT PARKDALE C.I.!!!!!!

Please return the form sent home by your child's home room teacher by October 3, 2016

Grade 7-10 Math Homework Help

Grade 7 and 8 families: please click here for information on free online math homework help.

High Park Library Turns 100!

High Park Public library is inviting you to their upcoming centennial celebrations, taking part throughout the month of October. Click here for the poster highlighting some of this special programming.

In particular, they'd like to invite you to the 100th birthday celebration on Saturday October 1st. There will be a Heritage Toronto plaque unveiling that day, a Heritage Toronto community walk through the neighbourhood, and an open house complete with: emerging technologies and gadgets, a fire truck, a magician, live music, and even representatives from the Mounted Police.

As you may know, each year the library is mandated to see all Kindergarten and grade 4 students within their catchment areas as part of the Toronto Public Library's school outreach initiatives. Consequently they've set up special visits for grade four classes that will provide opportunities for students to interact with new and emerging technology such as: 3D printers, arduinos, Makey Makeys and more.

They would love for you to share the news of their centenary celebrations with any other members of the community who would be interested.

Thank you for your time and consideration.
Questions? Please do not hesitate to get in touch with:

Jessica Rovito
Children's Librarian
High Park Library
228 Roncesvalles Ave.
416-393-7671

Every Fern Needs A STEM

Parents! Fern Avenue School now has an organizing committee to help celebrate more Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in the classroom and in extracurricular activities.

You can meet us on Thursday September 22 at Orientation Night. 2016-17 ‎is our pioneering year, so we're focusing our efforts on two areas where we could use your help.

1. STEM Parents In The Classroom: Do you have a background in a STEM subject? Would you be prepared to present your knowledge to a classroom this year?‎ Then let us know what you know.

We'll have a sign-up sheet for parents who can volunteer ‎- even just once is great! We can help match your knowledge to the right class and curriculum, and discuss how to keep your presentation engaging for the kids.

2. Hands-On Science: We're looking for volunteers to help with an after-school celebration of all things STEM. We're hoping to hold several of these events during the school year, starting with one in late fall. Each Hands-On Science event would have a unique theme, such as civil engineering.

If we don't see you on Thursday night, email us at fernstemcommittee@gmail.com to let us know you're interested.

The STEM organizing committee.

Fern Falcons T-Shirts!

We are currently having a Fern Falcons t-shirt sale for our students and staff.

The t-shirts are great for school spirit but are also very useful for athletics (i.e. gym, cross-country, track and field, field trips. Therefore we are encouraging parents to purchase a shirt for their child. In this round only t-shirts are included on the form.

There will be a second round in late November with a variety of clothing such as hoodies, sweatpants and hats.

The final day for bringing in the forms is Monday September 26th. Forms are to be dropped of in the yellow box for t-shirt orders in the office.

Please click here for the order form.

Thank you.

Reorganization of French Immersion Classrooms from Grade 1 to 4/5

Every September, schools review actual student enrolment as compared to initial projections from last April, and reorganize classes where required.   As a result of changing student enrolment at Fern, we will need to reorganize the French immersion classrooms from grades 1 to 4/5 to best support our students.   Click here for more information.

Fern School Council - Details on Executive Roles and Upcoming Election

Each September the Fern School Council holds elections.  All executive roles are open for election however there are some roles that have no incumbents this year.   Click here for an overview of School Council roles and application form.   

Fern School Council

Terry Fox Run - September 28, 2016

Fern Ave. P.S. is holding its annual Terry Fox Run on Wednesday, Sept. 28 (with a rain date of Thursday Sept. 29). This is a great opportunity to learn about Terry Fox and his story, and to use his examples of perseverance, dedication and empathy to follow. As well, it is a great time to discuss aspects of healthy lifestyles which can help to reduce the risk of cancer.

Running Schedule:
The JK/SK students - morning
Grade 4-6 - 1:30 to 2:00
Grade 1-3 - 2:20 to 2:40
Grade 7&8 - 2:45 to 3:15

Family members who are available and interested are welcome to join their child/children for this event. Please just check in with Vera Ciric in the office when arriving.

All Fern students will participate and donations are optional. Families who wish to donate the Terry Fox Foundation can do so online at www.terryfox.org . Families who have collected pledges or who wish to make a small donation can drop it off directly in the office. Otherwise, students can give their donations and pledge sheets to their homeroom teacher.

Pledge forms, stickers and tattoos are coming home soon.

Thank you very much

Andrew Fennell Archdekin & Vera Ciric

The Food Committee is Looking for a new Chair

As many parents know, Fern School is really fortunate to have a hot lunch and kinder snack program that serves healthy and delicious food every day of the school year. The Fern Food Committee is comprised of parent volunteers who have the opportunity to help shape and implement this key program for students today and for years to come. As we start the school year the food committee is in need of new parent volunteers to help keep these programs going. In particular, the committee is seeking a volunteer for the Chair position.

The chair position provides an amazing experience for a parent to provide leadership on behalf of the parents and students, working closely with the school community and TDSB nutrition services, to ensure Fern students have access to healthy and nutritious meals and snack every day.

Please contact fernlunchprogram@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering!

PHOTO DAY-September 30, 2016

IT'S  PHOTO DAY AT FERN AVENUE P.S
For Best Results BRING YOUR BEST SMILES on Friday, September 30, 2016

For more information on how to order your child's photos please check the flyer that is coming home with your child, or call Vera in the main office at 416-393-9130.

TDSB Virtual Library

Did you know that your child can get help from their school library even when they are not at school? The TDSB Virtual Library has carefully selected resources, to enhance your child's learning, that can be accessed online anytime, anywhere. Click here for more information.

Curriculum Night and BBQ - Thursday September 22nd

Additional details can be found here.

School Bus Modifications for September 14, 2016

September 13, 2016

Dear Parents/Guardians of students affected by school bus disruptions:

Please note as of Wednesday, September 14, 2016 Attridge Bus routes will be modified and a route has been established for our inbound students.

As more drivers become available the routes will return to their original format.  At this time we are

NOT experiencing disruptions to our afternoon routes.  If you choose to transport your child to school due to work or other commitments, supervision by school staff will be provided starting at 7:30 am in the junior yard.  Please drop off your child on Wright Avenue and ensure that the supervisor has marked the attendance of your child.

The following route CAR0162-Attridge Bus will pick up and drop off of the students as follows:

Pick Up From Humberside Dr. & Indian Road CR (Indian Road PS) at 09:03 AM

Departing From Indian Road PS to Queen Victoria PS at 09:08 AM

Arriving Queen Victoria PS at 09:32 AM- Departing Queen Victoria PS at 09:39 AM

Arriving Fern Avenue PS at 09:50 AM

Supervision will occur when the bus arrives at Fern Avenue PS at 09:50AM

Once again thank you for your ongoing patience, cooperation and understanding as the TDSB works with our bus providers to resolve these service issues as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

J. Eric Szonyi

Physical Education Guidelines

Click here for the 2016/17 Physical Education Guidelines at Fern.

Physical Education & Athletics 2016-2017

Welcome to a new school year!     

Physical education and athletics are integral and essential components of education at our school and in TDSB. Physical activity and sports provide kids the opportunity for fun, challenge, and interaction. Our program consists of activities that create opportunities for development of skills, knowledge, health-related fitness, and ultimately, the confidence to enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle.

We also want to encourage you to continue participating in your child’s physical development and fitness. Participation in physical activity should not end when the school day is over. There are a number of ways to get this aerobic workout--walking, biking, swimming, roller-skating or inline skating, jumping rope or any number of low-organized games and activities. You and your child most likely will discover that exercise can be both fun and rewarding.

At Fern Ave. P.S. we pride ourselves for offering many sports and athletic opportunities for our students. This year our sports program will include cross country, slo-pitch, basketball, ice-hockey and football for seniors, volleyball, swimming, badminton, soccer, and track and field interschool teams. Over the past few years we have been competitive and have won many conference championships. Last year our senior boys’ baseball team was the south city champions and went to the city semis in division 1, and the girls’ team was also in the semis in their division. A number of our teams made the playoffs as conference champions, and many of our students accomplished great individual records in cross-country, track & field, and swimming. Finally, our school had two teams at the dragonboat races, where more than one fourth of our seniors participated and had an awesome athletic and social experience. We would like to emphasize that regardless of championships and medals our top objectives for our teams are for our athletes to improve their individual skills, to become good team members, and to have fun!

Furthermore at Fern Avenue P.S. we highly value our house leagues, which offer the opportunity for all students to play with friends and have fun participating in sports, irrelevant of skill level. This year we will have house leagues for basketball, floor hockey, and dodgeball. Our first house leagues for basketball will be starting by late-October.
Thank you for partnering with our physical education and sports programs to develop your child’s lifetime health and fitness. By working together we can bring the joy and health of physical activity and athletics to your child and family.

It is going to be another exciting year. Have a wonderful fall and remember to always keep everyone in your family active as possible.

Sincerely,
Physical education teacher
Sarantos Katsihtis

Cross Country 2016

Our school athletics will be starting this week with cross country.

Primary cross country running practises will be held Tuesday, Thursday and optional Fridays. Practises will be in the mornings at school, Friday at Sorauren park. Start date will be announced shortly by primary coaches. Coaches: Primary teachers: Kerry Heller and Danielle Gaudet.

Junior cross country will be held on Tuesday, Thursday and optional Fridays. All practises will be in the morning at Sorauren park. We are starting on Thursday, September 15th at 8:15am. Coaches: Sarantos Katsihtis, Kerry Heller.

Senior cross country practices will be in the morning at High park on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Meeting place is at the front of the school at 7:55 am, starting Thursday September 15th . Coach: Chris Enticknap

Further details will be provided through individual coaches and permission forms.

Cross –Country Dates and Locations:
• Qualification Meets – TBA @ Woodbine / Kew Beach
• Conference Final Meet - October 19 @ Woodbine / Kew Beach
• City Final Meet – October 27 @ Etobicoke Centennial Park .