Celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Lunch Program Q & A

The Fern Food Committee has updated their list of Frequently Asked Questions on the Lunch Program page to include information for children who will be in full-time kindergarten starting in September.

The Learning Skills Committee Update

Learning Skills Initiative: Responsibility, Collaboration, Initiative, Self Regulation, Independent Work and Organization

The learning skills found on the report card are an important part of the learning and growth process that teachers facilitate and develop in our students. Studies show that reflecting and developing Learning Skills enhances academic learning and success. The “Growing Success” document put out by the TDSB outlines these values:

“This Ministry of Education policy emphasizes the significance of developing learning skills and work habits in our children. It is expected that teachers will work with students and their parents to ensure that they understand learning skills and work habits and their importance. Students benefit when teachers model the skills and habits and explain how they will be assessed and evaluated.”

In order to support this learning and growth Fern Public School is implementing a Learning Skills Interim Report where students will self reflect on their Learning Skills and create goals for growth. The Learning Skills folder is a school wide initiative, where the folder will follow the student though their careers at Fern so that students can see their development and growth in these skills.

The Fern community is asking parents to read over the Learning Skills Interim Report with their child, talk about the report and goals together and work on these skills at home in order to enhance learning and reflection. Please sign the report each time it comes home and have your child return the report to your child's teacher.

Thank you.

Benefits of developing Learning Skills

Are you going to have time to pack 20 school lunches next month?

As the daylight hours get longer, your family may enjoy more activities with little time left to pack a delicious yet nutritious lunch for school – 20 of them in April.

If you haven’t already signed up for Maggie's yummy, healthy lunches, you still can. Spend less time rushing around to make lunches and more time with your family. To save even more time, sign up for the rest of the year right now! Click here for the spring menu.

Simply fill out and submit the form with your payment. A secure deposit box is located outside the Ferncliff Daycare office (Room 103). The deadline for April order forms is Monday, March 17 to begin lunch on Tuesday, April 1.

Thanks,
Fern Food Committee

February Newsletter

Please click here for the Fern February Newsletter.

Parent Information Evening / Sent on behalf of Trustee Irene Atkinson

Please click here for an upcoming Parent Information Evening on "Video Games and the Internet Among Youth".

March Events for Ward 13

Green 13 events in Ward 13

March 1st, 2014 – 1-3 pm
Jane/Dundas Library – 620 Jane St (south west corner of Jane and Dundas)

Join Green 13 & Jane/Dundas Library for the screening of the CBC 5th Estate Documentary “Silence of the Labs” followed by a presentation & discussion with Dr. Katie Gibbs Science Uncensored as part of Toronto Public Library “Freedom the Read & Expression” series.
See poster attached for more details and visit evidencefordemocracy.ca

Final Chance to Donate to the Spread the Net Student Challenge!

It's time to get those pledge forms in! We are down to the final week of the Spread the Net Challenge to raise money to combat malaria in some of the world's most vulnerable places.

There are three ways you can still donate:
1) Forms were sent home the other week, but you can also download and fill out a pledge form with your kids to buy a net, and ask friends and family to pitch in. All pledge forms and payments must be submitted to the school office by Feb 24 at the latest!
2) You can donate online at: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=2172089. All online donations must be made by February 28, 2014 at 11:59PM ET.
3) And you can also buy a net by texting the Fern Avenue Public School keyword (NETS39) to 30333, also by February 28, 2014 at 11:59PM ET.

If you have any questions, you can contact Matt Bera at mbera@rogers.com

Painting in the Main Floor Hallway

Dear Fern and Ferncliff Daycare families,

Please note that we are going to begin painting today on the first floor hallways, on the walls and the doors and the door trim.

The new unifying colour is going to be soft yellow on the walls and a sapphire blue for the doors and trim. Please advise your children not to touch the work being done by the painters. We hope that this will freshen up the schools entrance and interior. Thank you.

Mr. A. Moy
Principal
Fern Avenue Junior and Senior Public School
Toronto District School Board
128 Fern Avenue
Toronto, ON M6R 1K3

Sorauren Park 2014 Season

Hello Friends & Neighbours

• Hard to believe with the chilly temperatures that the 2014 Sorauren Park Soccer Season is fast approaching.

• Sorauren Park Sports : Registration is : Wednesday March 05, 2014 (Soccer and Baseball)

COACHES
• We are in need of 16 Coaches for the 4-5 yr old Soccer league this 2014 season.

• The league needs YOU to be a Coach. It is a short 12 week commitment, a lot of fun & a great way to meet families in our fantastic neighbourhood.

• Please let us know that you are returning / joining as a Soccer Coach.


UPDATES:
• For the 2014 Season the 3 years old will register for a Soccer Clinic.
• There will be a total of (16) Teams - 4-5 year old Soccer, playing Mondays at Sorauren Park.
• The 4-5 yr old Soccer league will be teams of all girls and all boys. This is a test program for the 2014 season and will be evaluated at the end of the season.

Registration: Wednesday March 05
• Being a coach does not automatically register your child into the league
• You HAVE TO register your child to play in the league.

Thank you,

Liz Leason
Volunteer Chair/Soccer Coordinator
416-697-5902

Upcoming Parent Seminar this Thursday - Please RSVP

Thursday February 27, 2014
6:30 – 8:00pm

Fern Ave Public School Council invites parents and members of the community to attend a free parental workshop “The S.O.S. (Stressed Out Student) Solution” presented by Rob Stringer of Youth Coach Global.

During the 90 minute workshop we will learn:
· How stress affects our brains
· What the top 10 negative sources of stress for kids are
· How to help our kids to recognize stress and the sources of it in their lives
· Stress management techniques to reduce, prevent or cope with stress at home and school (including mindfulness and emotional intelligence practices)

This will be an informative and interactive workshop as we examine how to help children better understand and manage their stress, building resiliency and capacity for life.

All are welcome and free babysitting will be available.

Please RSVP to liz.leason@rogers.com as we would like to have an idea of how many parents are planning on attending this Thursday.

Thank you.

Final Chance to Donate to the Spread the Net Student Challenge!

It's time to get those pledge forms in! We are down to the final week of the Spread the Net Challenge to raise money to combat malaria in some of the world's most vulnerable places.

There are three ways you can still donate:
1) Forms were sent home the other week, but you can also download and fill out a pledge form with your kids to buy a net, and ask friends and family to pitch in. All pledge forms and payments must be submitted to the school office by February 24 at the latest!
2) You can donate online at: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=2172089. All online donations must be made by February 28, 2014 at 11:59PM ET.
3) And you can also buy a net by texting the Fern Avenue Public School keyword (NETS39) to 30333, also by February 28, 2014 at 11:59PM ET.

If you have any questions, you can contact Matt Bera at mbera@rogers.com