Parent council updates
Dear Fern parents and Fern community, just a few quick updates:
Cyber-Bullying: Thanks to the parents who came out for the info night on cyber-bullying. I was not available that evening but Mr. Tsuji reports it was both informative and interesting. This is an important topic for parents, teachers and students and is rapidly developing into a major problem for high school students. We are looking into posting some info links on the web site.
Parent council campaign to save Fern pool: As you will see from the TDSB posting, the School Board has decided to proceed with closing our pool. A number of parents have asked me what the parent council is doing to save our pool. We are the in the process of lobbying the provincial government to save the TDSB pools and change the funding formula - as was recommended in the Rosanski Report on the funding for public education and as was promised by the provincial government several years ago. Changing the funding formula to recognize the unique needs of the GTA (and other communities) would go a long way to helping us resolve this issue.
If you feel so inclined, please feel free to write to our School Trustee Irene Atkinson, TDSB Chair John Campbell, our MPP Cheri DiNovo, MPP Kathlyn Wynn (Minister of Education) and Premier Dalton McGuinty. Remember to CC a copy of your letter to Official Opposition Leader John Tory, and NDP Leader Howard Hampton.
Next council meeting: The date of the next parent council meeting has been changed to April 24, 7:00 pm. A notice and agenda will go out in backpacks next week. Please email me any proposed agenda items.
John Richmond
Chair, Fern Parent Council
smarty_panz@yahoo.com
Cyber-Bullying: Thanks to the parents who came out for the info night on cyber-bullying. I was not available that evening but Mr. Tsuji reports it was both informative and interesting. This is an important topic for parents, teachers and students and is rapidly developing into a major problem for high school students. We are looking into posting some info links on the web site.
Parent council campaign to save Fern pool: As you will see from the TDSB posting, the School Board has decided to proceed with closing our pool. A number of parents have asked me what the parent council is doing to save our pool. We are the in the process of lobbying the provincial government to save the TDSB pools and change the funding formula - as was recommended in the Rosanski Report on the funding for public education and as was promised by the provincial government several years ago. Changing the funding formula to recognize the unique needs of the GTA (and other communities) would go a long way to helping us resolve this issue.
If you feel so inclined, please feel free to write to our School Trustee Irene Atkinson, TDSB Chair John Campbell, our MPP Cheri DiNovo, MPP Kathlyn Wynn (Minister of Education) and Premier Dalton McGuinty. Remember to CC a copy of your letter to Official Opposition Leader John Tory, and NDP Leader Howard Hampton.
Next council meeting: The date of the next parent council meeting has been changed to April 24, 7:00 pm. A notice and agenda will go out in backpacks next week. Please email me any proposed agenda items.
John Richmond
Chair, Fern Parent Council
smarty_panz@yahoo.com
