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Showing posts from 2014

Fern Falcon Hockey Season 2014-2015

Dear Fern Hockey Families, My name is Vera Ciric. Many of you know me as the “front line” in the main office at Fern.  Together with Miya Oda, the French Immersion Kindergarten teacher, and Diego Morettin, one of our grade 8 fathers; we will be heading the Senior Hockey Team for 2014-2015 season. Our season kicks off on Wednesday, January 28 th , 2015.  We are scheduled to play five games which take place in the morning at three different arenas (George Bell, North Toronto and Ted Reeve Bub).  We will be asking our families to help us carpool the children from school to the arena and back to the school after the games and (possible practices).  Games are early in the morning beginning at 8:00 am; therefore we ask that players arrive at the arena no later than 7:15am in order to get dressed and ready to play.  We expect everyone to be ready to step onto the ice at 8:00 am.  Students must wait for a school representative (Miya, or Vera) before stepping onto the ice.  All students

Police Reference Checks-Fee Increase

Dear Parents/Guardians: Effective January 01, 2015 the fee for vulnerable sector screenings will increase to $20.00 per request for volunteers. Please feel free to call Vera Ciric should you require any further information. Thank you, Vera

City View Alternative Open House January 15

Please click here for information on the City View Open House.

Interested in paying for the lunch program online?

If the answer is yes, you’re not alone. According to our recent lunch survey, a number of families would love to move from writing cheques and submitting forms to ordering electronically. Not only would this be more convenient for families, it would also decrease the number of parent volunteer hours necessary to handle the orders, cheques, data entry, etc. each month. How can we make this transition? With your help! We are looking for someone who can research and evaluate organizations and websites that can enable the Fern community to order and pay for the lunch program online. We’d like to know what’s out there, what it costs, how it’s accessed, pros and cons of the system, etc. Then, once a system has been chosen, we’d like that person to help set it up for the Fern lunch program (which will include contact info, allergies, room number, months registered, among other fields). If you are interested and available for this short-term project please contact Soo Kim at Sookim@rogers.co

Sports News

Please click here for the latest Fern Sports news.

“We Are Giving” Sponsored by Fern’s FTC

FTC will be selling hand-made items in support of our local and global initiatives Locally we support Light Patrol we will be selling hand-made lumieres, necklaces, potpourri, bath salts, and cookies these will help to support Toronto’s homeless and street-involved youth Globally we support FTC’s initiatives in Kenya We will be selling Rafiki Friend Chains for $10 Selling Rafikis helps a mama in Kenya earn and living and send her children to school Dec 16th-Kindergarten Concert-1:15-2:00 Dec 17th-Primary Concert-5:45-6:45 Dec 18th-Lunch in the Front Hall-12:00-12:45

Holiday Concert 2014

Fern Avenue Public School proudly presents Sparkles in the Snow Holiday Concert 2014 Featuring: Students from Grades 1 to 3 and The Kestrels Singing Group Wednesday, December 17 th at 6:30pm Come celebrate with us!! Parents and Guardians, please bring your child to the school by 6:00pm!!

The Annual Fern Food Drive: Dec. 15-19, Jan. 5-9

Once again, the Fern Community is having a food drive for the Daily Bread Food Bank. This food drive offers an opportunity for students to both discuss the need of food banks and to take action to make a positive difference during this holiday and new year season. Unfortunately, the use of food banks is on the rise again in the GTA. The reasons for Food Bank use can vary widely from person to person and from family to family. The fact that people who use food banks use 75% of their money on housing leaves them with less than $6 per day for all other expenses. This can create a cycle of constant poverty. The need for Food Banks can also stem from other issues such as lost income, disability, being a new immigrant or becoming a single parent. Donations of non-perishable foods, such as canned goods, pasta, dried grains (ie. rice, beans, lentils) and baby food will be collected before and after the Winter Break each morning by the Grade 3 students of Room 207. Please do not donate pean

Free the Children December Newsletter

Please click here for the latest newsletter from Free the Children.

Fern Avenue Blood Drive at Humberside School: December 3rd

A Huge Thank you to the participants who supported the blood drive on December 3rd -Janet S./ Joanne S. / Moira M. / Tracey C. / Melanie H. / Theresa L. / Liz L /Ms. Flengeris and Mr. Moy. A very Special THANK YOU to the brave participants who donated for the FIRST time. Be sure to look for the Blood Drive to be held at Fern Avenue School – Spring 2015! Thank you Liz Leason Parent Council Chair

Community Connections Fair

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS FAIR: WHERE EVERYTHING BEGINS THE POWER OF TOGETHERNESS Saturday, April 25th, 2015 from 10:00am-2:30pm Central Etobicoke High School, 10 Denfied Street. Etobicoke This event will support students in the TDSB with Special Education needs and their families/guardians understand how to access available Community Services/Resources.

Kindergarten Winter Concert Update

Dear Kindergarten families, Please note that our Kindergarten concert will now begin at     1:45pm, on Tuesday, December 16th.  We expect to begin at 1:45pm, so we encourage families to arrive on-time to avoid missing part of the concert. Please note that seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. We will dismiss the children from the auditorium, to their families. Families are then welcome to head downstairs to the cafeteria for a light snack. Any children who do not have an adult present will stay and head to the cafeteria with their classroom teacher. We ask families to consider contributing a small snack to share with others. Great food options are: cheese, crackers, a light treat, fruit/veggies that do not need to be washed or cut. Please make sure your snack is peanut- and tree nut-free. If you would like your container returned, please label with your child’s name and their room number. The snack program will provide some refreshments. If your food item does not nee

Ease back into the school routine without any post-holiday stress - December 15th deadline

The whirlwind of the holiday break may sweep you up and before you know it, school begins and you need to find the lunch box and thermos again! Why not alleviate your stress, energy and time and sign your child(ren) up for January’s lunch program? Better yet, sign up for the rest of the year and you won’t have to worry about uneaten lunches coming back home. As we mentioned earlier, Maggie, Ferncliff Daycare’s long-time employee and cook, has announced her retirement as of December 31, 2014 . Maggie has been providing yummy and healthy meals for both the daycare children and Fern’s lunch program participants for many years. The Food Committee would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Maggie for preparing food that students love to eat and for all her energy and hard work in helping us run a successful lunch program. So, what happens in January 2015?

Fern Avenue Blood Drive at Humberside This Wednesday December 3rd

We still have (4) openings available at 5:40pm (2) openings at 6:15pm and (3) openings at 7:05pm. Please sign up for this worthwhile cause, your support is greatly appreciated. Please see the attached information sheet and contact Liz Leason (l iz.leason@rogers.com ) to reserve your spot today. Thank you for your support!

Automated Safe Arrival Program at Fern

Dear Parents/Guardians: Student Safety is of utmost importance and parents need to be notified as soon as possible if their child has not arrived at school. The Safe Arrival Program complies with the Education Act and related Ministry of Education policies in respect of student attendance in order to maximize students’ academic success and well-being.     Many of you are now aware Fern Avenue PS has moved to an automated safe arrival program.   Automation will allow our families to be contacted in a timely manner allowing us to confirm absences much sooner than using a manual system.   This system reports allows us to better track student absences/lates and also help to send messages to the parents/guardians regarding their child’s attendance in a timely manner.   The system call-out will work as follows:   Parents/guardians identified in TDSB’s Student Information Systems who has access to student records, and emergency contact with priority 1 or 2 will receive

PJ Day

Dear Students, Show your spirit and wear your PJ's to school tomorrow Friday, November 28th. Parents/Guardians now that the weather is getting colder please remind your children to dress appropriately for the winter conditions. (warm jackets, mittens/gloves, snowpants, boots, etc.) Thank you.

Concussion Policy Community Consultation

We are pleased to launch community consultations for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Draft Concussion Policy on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 6:00 – 9:00 P.M. Lawrence Park Collegiate, 125 Chatsworth Drive  Dr. Paul Comper, clinical neuropsychologist and research scientist at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, and Dr. Michael Hutchison, Associate Professor and Director of the Concussion Program at the University of Toronto will be presenting the latest in concussion research. TDSB students will speak about their personal experiences and the Ontario Brain Injury Association will speak to services that they have available to enhance the lives of those living with the effects of acquired brain injury. We encourage teachers, administrators, students and community members to arrive early to explore the interactive information carousel for resources from Toronto Public Health, community sports organizations and Parachute Canada and provide us with feedback on the TDSB Draf

BBOYIZM—The Evolution Of Street Dancing

Dinner and Dance Performance Thursday, November 27th 5:30-7:30 P.M. Fern Auditorium Admission: $5.00 B-boying, born in the early 1970s, is a dance form that now has a significant international following and reputation. In addition to its roots in funk music and African American culture (contemporary black history), the dynamic acrobatic aspects of B-boying (Breaking) make it one of the most unique dances in the world. This show takes the audience from the ’70s through the ’80s and into the ’90s with dramatic costume and music changes, building up to the dance form as it is practised today. Yvon Soglo (B-boy Crazy Smooth) brings together some of the best street dancers in Canada to present an interactive show that will amaze young audiences and adults alike, while educating them on the evolution of the dance. Avoid the frantic rush and buy your kids and yourself dinner before the show! We'll be serving Pizza, Empanadas, Churros, Fruit Cups, and Vegetable Cups at reasonab

The Just Kids Safety Club

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This photograph from April 25, 1928 shows a city policeman escorting children across Roncesvalles Avenue from the northeast corner of Fern. Today, this is the location of the Hot Oven Bakery, but back then it was home to a grocery store owned by William Forster, who lived in the attached residence at 190 Fern Avenue. The Just Kids Safety Club was established in the spring of 1928 based on a King Features Syndicate comic strip  The Globe  was running at the time called “Just Kids.” In exchange for a pledge to “always look up and down before crossing the street,” some 300,000 children in Ontario alone received a membership button featuring one of the characters from the strip. Source: City of Toronto Archives , Globe and Mail fonds.

2014-2015 Year Books

LAST CALL FOR YEARBOOK ORDERS! Friday, November 28th will be the last day to place your order for a yearbook. Please see Ms. Carter or Ms. Chakungal by that date. Any orders placed after this date will be hard to fill. Thank you!

Fern November Newsletter

Please click here for the Fern November newsletter.

Free The Children Newsletter

Click here to view the latest Free The Children newsletter.

Share your thoughts on the Fern lunch program

As we announced earlier, Maggie, Ferncliff Daycare’s long-time employee and cook, will be retiring at the end of December. Beginning in January 2015, TDSB Nutrition Services will take over Fern’s kitchen to cook for the lunch program in-house. Certified and trained TDSB staff will prepare lunches and kindersnacks in Fern’s kitchen for all program participants. To help the Food Committee plan for this new arrangement, we’d like to hear from Fern families, both those participating in the lunch program and those not. We have posted a short survey at and would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to share your thoughts to help support the transition to the new model. Click here to take the survey. The survey deadline is Friday, November 28 . Thank you. Fern Food Committee

Safe Arrival Telephone Line

Dear Parents/Guardians, Please note the Safe Arrival function on our main telephone is currently out of service. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you, Vera

CORRECTION Regarding: Alyson Schafer Workshop: EMPOWERING INDEPENDENCE

Message from the TDSB Trustee Liaison: Please note that the RSVP email address for this Parent Education event was incorrect in the last newsletter. To RSVP for this event, please email: kareneingram@yahoo.ca The rest of this newsletter is exactly what was published in the previous newsletter  except that this email address has been corrected. Thank you for your understanding.

Presentation 25 November - Fern's New Playground

Click here for information on the presentation of Fern's new playground design! 25 November 2014 7-8pm on 25 November Fern Avenue PS Staff Room

Flyer - Special Education Information Sessions - November 18th

Please click here for information on upcoming Information Sessions on November 18th.

Montreal Trip for Grade 8's at Year End

Dear Parents and Guardians, We have extended our due date for signing up for our Grade 8 Montreal Trip to Friday Nov 14th . Please note that at this point (and only if you have not signed up already) you can still sign up but we cannot ‘guarantee’ a spot for your child, as we have passed the original deadline. You will either be accepted for the first bus or put on a wait list for a possible second bus. To date we have : - Sent a letter home- mid Sept. - Held a parent info. night with a tour representative- end of Sept. - Posted on the Fern Blog- mid Sept. - Asked the students to write info in their agenda – 3 times, Sept and Oct - Offered brochures to parents during curriculum night – kept brochures in class for students - E-mailed our parents - Reminded our students about the due date- Sept and Oct. - Posted this note to the Blog If you require further information or any sort of support

Helping Boys Learn (Date Change) November 24th

Please click here for information on an upcoming seminar, Helping Boys Learn .

Parent Workshop - Increasing Knowledge and Enhancing Confidence

Parents please click here for information for a Parent Workshop on 15 November .

Parent Council Meeting 18 November

Tuesday 18 November Join us for the Parent Council Meeting - 6:30pm in the Auditorium. Childcare provided.

Fern Avenue Blood drive at Humberside

Wednesday 03 December 2014 Fern Avenue School Blood drive at Humberside School. Sixteen (16) spots have been reserved for Fern Parents. This means NO LINE UP. Please see the attached information sheet and contact Liz Leason ( liz.leason@rogers.com ) to reserve your spot today. Thank you for your support!

Alyson Schafer Workshop: EMPOWERING INDEPENDENCE

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Annette St. PS is hosting Alyson Schaeffer on November 18th from 7-9. Alyson Schafer Workshop: EMPOWERING INDEPENDENCE, please RSVP to Karen Ingram Join us for a free workshop Tuesday Nov 18 @7pm with leading parenting expert and psychotherapist Alyson Schäfer. “Why is it so hard to get our children to be punctual, do their chores and manage their school work without our constant nagging and supervision. Which of your behaviours are hindering you from transferring responsibility to your children? Learn the correct strategies to employ and keep kids accountable.” ALYSON SCHAFER is a psychotherapist and one of Canada’s leading parenting experts. She is the in-house expert for The Marilyn Denis Show, CTV News Channel Express and CBC radio’s The World This Weekend. Alyson is a columnist for Today’s Parent Magazine and sits on the Health Advisory Board for Chatelaine Magazine. She is the best selling author of “Breaking The Good Mom Myth”, “Honey, I Wrecked The Kids” and her lates

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Regular parent-teacher communication is an important part of student learning. Progress Reports go home on Tuesday November 11, 2014. Parent-teacher interviews are scheduled for the evening of November 13 and morning of November 14 (PA DAY). Some of our teaching staff have made other times/days available in addition to the regularly scheduled interview days. These interviews are your opportunity to ask questions about your child's progress and to discuss any issues. In addition to regular scheduled parent-teacher interviews, you can request a meeting at any time during the school year by contacting the school or your child's teacher directly.

SK French Immersion Info Night

To all Junior Kindergarten parents . . . If you are interested in hearing more about the Senior Kindergarten French Immersion Program please j oin us tonight: Monday November 3, 2014 7:00 P.M. in the Fern Auditorium. Learn about the on-line process and hear from our French Immersion Team about the immersion program. We look forward to seeing you there!

Hot Lunch Program News

Hot Lunch Program News We’d like to let you know about some changes with the Fern Hot Lunch and Kindersnack Programs. Maggie, Ferncliff Daycare’s long-time employee and cook, has announced her retirement as of December 31, 2014. Maggie has been providing delicious and healthy meals for both the daycare children and Fern’s lunch program participants for many years. The food committee would like to thank Maggie for preparing food that students love to eat and for all her energy and hard work in helping us run a successful lunch program. So, what happens in January 2015? The Fern Hot Lunch and Kindersnack Programs have been very successful and have grown substantially over the past four years. Rest assured, the program will continue and your child(ren) will be served a hot lunch the first day back to school. Beginning January 5, certified and trained Toronto District School Board nutrition staff will prepare lunches and kindersnacks in Fern’s kitchen for all participants. For full de

October Newsletter

Happy Halloween! Click here to review the monthly newsletter.

PHOTO RETAKES

Just a reminder: Photo Re-takes will take place on Monday, November 3,2014 at 9:00 am. Please note re takes are only for those students who did not have a photo taken on the original photo day. Please call Vera at 416-393-9130 should you have any questions or concerns. Thank you, Vera

Halloween Parade

Dear Parents/Guardians, Halloween is happening at Fern Avenue PS Friday, October 31, for Grades JK to 5 in the afternoon, as an enjoyable occasion when we can all have some fun together. Children may dress up, if they wish to – it is entirely voluntary. We know that there is a powerful use of the imagination when children take on a new identity through wearing a costume. Please make sure that: Your child can see clearly Your child can walk safely—no long costumes that they might trip on. No weapons come to school, even if they are part of a costume. Your child’s costume is appropriate for our very young children to see – avoid inappropriate costumes. Instead, please encourage children to choose costumes that represent their own individuality and creativity. The costume does not require assistance from an adult to get on, or to wear. You do not send any food that contains nuts or nut products to school. This is particularly important AFTER Halloween. We have childr

Tragic Events in Ottawa

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Team Sports at Fern

Please click here for the update on Fern's Softball Teams and what's coming in October to December with Volleyball and Basketball.

Fern's Free the Children - We Scare Hunger 4th Annual Food Drive

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Dear Parents, Fern's Free the Children Club is sponsoring its first event of the year, our fourth annual food drive called We Scare Hunger . Each student is invited to bring a canned food item to their classroom's donation box between October 23-31 . Donations will go to the Good Shepherd Food Bank. Please help exceed our best total of 1202 pounds ! Thank you for support, Members of Fern's Free the Children

The Arts at Fern for the 2014-15 year!

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This year is shaping up to be another fantastic year for our kids at Fern. We have been booking artists for the classrooms, arranging murals and booking shows! Our first Fern Fun Flicks movie fundraiser will be a Halloween Special on Friday Oct. 24th. We chose HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA because it’s such a great family Halloween classic. It’s fun and not too scary!!! Our first Artist in October, Sandra Phillips, will be working with 3 classes. Ms. Eyre’s Gr. 2s, Ms. Brennan Gr. 2/3s and Ms. Whalen’s Gr. 1/2 class. They will be working on a Balinese Halloween inspired multi-media theatre project creating shadow puppets. The students will be doing a puppetry performance in class on November 24 - parents are welcome to attend! At the end of October, Michael McMurty, will be working with Ms. Mably/Ms. Cox's grade 5/6 and Ms. Tse/Ms. Grant's grade 6/7 classes. The Fairy Tale Project will have the students create, rehearse and preform a semi-improvised production of their own adap

Photo Re-Takes

Dear Parents & Caregivers, Photo Re-takes will take place on Monday, November 03, 2014 beginning at 9:00 am. Remember to BRING YOUR SMILES :)

Lice Checks

Dear Parents and Caregivers, On Tuesday, October 14, 2014 the TDSB Nurse will be here to do lice checks for our students in grades 6 to 8. Please call the main office if you have any further questions. Thank you, Vera

Elementary Alternative School Information Sessions

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Students and their families are invited to attend:                                                                                  Elementary Alternative School Information Sessions January 14, 2015 @6:00pm —— Horizon Alternative Senior School January 15, 2015 @7:00pm —— City View Alternative Senior School January 19, 2015 @6:00pm —— ALPHA Alternative Junior School January 20, 2015 @6:00pm —— High Park Alternative Junior School January 20, 2015 @6:30pm —— Beaches Alternative Junior School January 21, 2015 @6:30pm —— Da Vinci School January 21, 2015 @7:00pm —— Delta Alternative Senior School January 21, 2015 @6:00pm —— Mountview Alternative Junior School January 22, 2015 @6:00pm —— Equinox Holistic Alternative School January 29, 2015 @6:30pm —— East Alternative School of Toronto January 29, 2015 @7:00pm —— Scarborough Village Public School February 03, 2015 @6:00pm —— Hawthrone II Bilingual Alternative Junior

Second Immunization Clinic Rescheduled

Dear Parents/Guardians of grade 7/8 students, The second immunization clinic for grade 7 and 8 students who were not immunized on Friday, October 3rd has been rescheduled to Wednesday, October 15, A.M. Please call Vera Ciric if you have any further questions. Thank you!

Ward 7 Trustee Candidate Debate

Dear Parents/Guardians, The Trustee debate is tomorrow evening. We are looking forward to a lively evening that is well attended by our community. Ward 7 Trustee Candidate Debate Tuesday, Oct. 7th 7:00–9:00 P.M. Join us in the  Runnymede P.S. Gym (enter via Runnymede Road door and follow the signs)

Cross Country Running Volunteers Needed

Our first cross country meet is this Thursday October 9 at Ashbridges Bay . Parent volunteers are needed to help marshall and direct our runners at the finish line. If you are able to help please contact Melanie Hare mhds230@gmail.com ; 416.516.6028 or, Mr K at Sarantos.Katsihtis@tdsb.on.ca . Next meets are on October 21 and 28 for qualifying runners. Mark your calendars and come and cheer our runners! Thank you, Melanie

Fuel your child’s mind and body with Fern’s lunch program

Has your family finally settled into a routine? School, homework, hockey, gymnastics, music lessons…. Have you had to skip some meals or eaten fast food to fit everything in? Now’s your chance to ensure that your child(ren) eats one healthy – and delicious – meal each school day. Sign up for Fern’s hot-lunch program for lunches starting in November. To save more time, sign up for the rest of the year right now! Click here to download the order form and here for the menu. Hard copies are also available on the bulletin board outside of room 103. The deadline for your order is Wednesday, October 15 to begin lunch on Monday, November 3. If you’d like to learn more about Fern’s lunch program, click here or contact Tracy Kett at tracykett@rogers.com or 416-535-0205.

Boundary Change Working Committee

Dear families, If you are a parent who is interested in representing Fern Avenue PS at the “Garden/ Parkdale/ Fern/ AMG” Boundary Change Working committee, please contact me via email at  Alexander.Moy@tdsb.on.ca .  I will compile a list and submit names.  Thank you. Alexander Moy

Eco Club Volunteer NEEDED

Dear Parents/Guardians, Our apologies the Fern Lunch Program forms stated Fern is a Platinum School, we are in fact a Gold EcoSchool this year. We would love to get back to Platinum.  The Eco Club needs a parent volunteer to help make this happen. Please contact tina.tse@tdsb.on.ca or katrina.hall@tdsb.on.ca or sonia.mably@tdsb.on.ca Thank you, Vera

Use Email, not Paper - Santa's Watching!

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By Room 205 Fern is an EcoSchool, which means that we try to respect the environment. One thing we do is save paper. Did you know that we would be using about 2,400 sheets of paper for the newsletter every month, if we gave a printed copy to each student? OMG! That would be about 24,000 pieces of paper in one year, which works out to 48 packages of paper! (It would be less, about 12,000 sheets, if we only sent one copy to each family, but we still would be using a lot of paper.) Instead of making paper copies, of course, we use email. When you are reading the newsletter online, think about all the paper you are saving! Let’s find other ways to save paper too! Our class did some estimation and some multiplication to arrive at the above numbers. 4 sheets x 600 students = 2,400 sheets 4 sheets x 300 families = 1,200 sheets 10 months x 2,400 sheets = 24,000 sheets 10 months x 1,200 sheets = 12,000 sheets If packages of paper contained 1,000 sheets, we would use 24 packa

Calling All Musicians!

The Fern PS Strings Program is underway once again and we need the great enthusiasm and energy of the students of Fern. We are looking to build our performance groups. All students from Grades 5 through 8 who have an interest in learning to play a Strings instrument (Violin, Viola, Cello or Bass) are invited to join. No experience is necessary however we welcome all levels of skill, including students studying privately. Instruments will be provided or students may use their own. Students who wish to participate in Strings, including those already in the programs in previous years, should attend one of the following class times: Grades 5/6 - October 1, 2014 at 2:00 pm Grades 7/8 – October 1, 2014 at 2:45 pm All classes are held in the new Music Room in the Basement. Regards, W. David Spek Email: david.spek@sympatico.ca Tel. 905-275-4666

All-candidate's debate on Tuesday

The September meeting of the Roncesvalles Macdonell Residents’ Association will be an all-candidates debate for school trustees and city councillors in the upcoming municipal election. You are invited to join them on          Tuesday Sept 30, at          7:00 P.M. In the the cafeteria of Fern Avenue Public School.

School Council Meeting and Elections on TUESDAY

School Council Meeting and Elections Tuesday, September 30 6:30–8:30 pm in the Auditorium New members are welcome. Fun and fresh ideas are encouraged! Parent involvement at Fern Public School is not just helpful, it is vital to making the school function the way we all want it to. You may not realize that many of the programs that define our children's experience and create positive memories are not part of the Toronto School Board's operating budget. Funds raised by Parent Council initiatives and volunteers are what power the activities families have come to enjoy year after year.

September Newsletter

Click here to read the September Newsletter. If you'd like to receive a paper copy of the newsletter, contact the office.

Fern Avenue P.S Curriculum Night

FERN AVENUE PUBLIC SCHOOL CURRICULUM NIGHT Thursday, October 9, 2014 6:30-7:30 pm Classroom Visits Meet Your Child's Teacher & Learn More About Curriculum Expectations for Your Child Looking Forward To Seeing You Here!

Alternative Dates for Grade 8 to 9 Transisitions

Dear Parents/Guardians, If you are not able to attend the "Choices for Nine" Presentation Nights at Fern Avenue PS on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 6:30 pm please be advised of the alternative dates for the presentations. Wednesday, October 15th @ 7:00 pm, Parkdale CI  (Registration at 6 pm) Tuesday, October 21st @ 6:30 pm, Bloor CI (Registration at 6 pm) Thank you, Vera

Grade 8 to 9 Transitions Information Session

Grade 8 Students and their families are invited to attend: GRADE 8 to 9 Transitions Information Session Thursday, October 16, 2014 @ 6:00 pm Fern Avenue Public School 128 Fern Avenue, Auditorium AGENDA : 6-6:30 PM Registration/Attendance/Distribution of "Choices Brochure" 6:30 PM  Welcome Address 6:35 PM  Choices for Nine Presentation (Home Schools, Optional Attendance, Deadlines, Highschool Open Houses, application Process & Lots more) 7:30 PM  Questions and Answers GET INFORMED ! Everything you need to know about going to high school and more!

Volunteers-Police Reference Check (PRC)

Dear Parents/Guardians, Under Regulation 521/01 of the Education Act, school boards must obtain police record checks (PRC) on all existing and new employees, service providers and others who come into contact with our students.  Once a record check has been collected, school boards are required to collect, on an annual basis, Offence Declarations (a form to update a person's information to file by declaring any new criminal code convictions). The intent of the legislation is to ensure that schools and classrooms are safe places for students.

Lockdown Practice

Fern Avenue PS will be involved in a practice lock down this morning to review lock down procedures with our staff and students. Signage is posted on the front doors of our school. Classes will resume once lock down practice is over. Thank you, Vera

TDSB Ward 7: Trustee Candidates Debate

If public education is important to you, plan to attend the: TDSB Ward 7: Trustee Candidates Debate Make your vote in the Municipal Election on October 27th an informed vote. Find out how Ward 7 Trustee Candidates plan to ensure that our children receive a quality education in safe, well-maintained, well-funded school. Tuesday, October 7, 2014 from 7:00–9:00 P.M. Runnymede Public School Gym 357 Runnymede Road Entry Via Door 5 * No signs/placards allowed in gym * All seven candidates are invited: Gordon Foster, Jeffrey Freeman, Jim Henderson, Noel Kent, Robin Pilkey, Marcela Saitua, and Linda Torry. Trustee Irene Atkinson, TDSB 5050 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M2N 5N8 Phone (416) 397-3091 Fax (416) 397-3114

Meeting: Proposed Boundary Changes

Public Information Meeting concerning the Proposed Boundary Changes for Garden Avenue Jr. PS, Parkdale Jr. & Sr. PS, Fern Jr. & Sr. PS and Alexander Muir Gladstone Jr. & Sr. PS Tuesday, September 30, 2014 6:30 – 7:30 P.M. Garden Avenue Junior Public School 225 Garden Avenue, Gymnasium The Toronto District School Board is reviewing the school boundaries for the schools listed above. As part of the decision-making process, we would like to meet with interested members of the community to discuss:

School Council Elections and Nominations

Dear Parents, We are closing the nomination part of the School Council election process tomorrow.  We had sent the School Council election and nomination information home on Blue paper with students earlier.  Please submit any nomination papers to the main Office before 4pm tomorrow. Thank you. Alexander Moy

Grade 7 & 8 Immunization Clinic- October 3/14

Dear Parents/Guardians, Each year, Toronto Public Health offers hepatitis B and meningococcal vaccines to all grade 7 students and the Human Papiliomavirus (HPV) vaccine to all grade 8 female students. These vaccines help protect students and our community from infections which can cause serious disease. As of July 2014, the Ontario Immunization School Pupils Act requires all students in grade 7 or above to receive the meningococcal C-ACYW-135 vaccine (Menactra) to attend school, unless an exemption is sent by the student's parent or health care provider to TPH.  If your child has already received Menactra vaccine as an infant or toddler, another free dose of Menactra in Grade 7 is recommended for full protection. Look for your child's vaccination consent package.  Please read, sign and return the consent forms to the school by Monday, September 22, 2014.   The immunization clinic will take place at Fern on Friday, October 3rd in the morning. If you did not receive yo

Band and Strings Info Night - Tomorrow!

An orange information sheet was given to our students last Friday, for those from grade 5 to 8, regarding an information meeting tomorrow night to introduce families to the Band and the Strings programs at Fern. A representative from the Board’ Music department will also be on hand to answer questions. The meeting will take place from 6- 7pm, in our Auditorium on the main floor . We look forward to seeing you there. Your children may also attend as they may have questions of their own. Thank you. Mr. A. Moy Principal Fern Avenue Junior and Senior Public School

Dental Screening at Fern

Dear Parent/Guardian: Toronto Public Health provides dental programs to children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. They will be at Fern from Wednesday, September 24th to Thursday, October 2nd.  To idenify children with oral health problems, a screening program is offered to students in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Health requirements for mandatory health programs.  The screening is an assessment by a dental hygienist using sterilized instruments.  The dental hygienist will access the need for topical nuoride, scaling, sealant and any other obvious dental needs. As a follow up to the screening, only parents whose children are identified as requiring dental services will be notified.  A note to that effect will be sent home with your child/ren for your information and action.  You may also receive a phone call from T.P.H. dental staff to assist you in accessing care. If you do not wish your child/ren to be screened, please inform the school or contact http://www.to
Dear Parents and caregivers, We have been given the all clear to return in to the school by the Fire Department.  As such, classes have begun and we will continue with the regular day. I appreciate the patience of parents as we went through the evacuation and hold process.  There was very limited information at the time, and until we received the FD all clear, there existed the chance that we would have to send the students home with the present parents.  The evacuation was a result of a sensor alarm that was triggered by the Boiler start up process, at about 8:45 am.  Until we could clearly ascertain that the conditions were safe for entry, I decided to keep the students outside. Again, thank you for your cooperation and patience. Alexander

School Wide Lice Check

Dear Parents and Guardians, This Thursday, September 18th , the TDSB Pediculosis nurse will be at Fern conducting a school wide pediculosis (lice) checks. If you require further information please feel free to contact Vera Ciric at 416-393-9130. Thank you, Vera

Photo Day at Fern!!!

IT'S YOUR PHOTO DAY AT FERN AVENUE P.S For Best Results BRING YOUR BEST SMILES on Monday, September 22, 2014 . Online Ordering is now available, please look for the flyer which is coming home with the students for more information.

Final Deadline for Discounted Lunch Rate this Monday!

Monday, September 15th is the final deadline for signing up your child(ren) for yummy lunches for the rest of the year at the discounted rate of $65 a month. Download your order form , fill it out and deposit with payment into the wall-mounted black mailbox outside room 103. For more details about the lunch program, click here ; or visit our Frequently Asked Questions . (Hard copies of the order form, letter and FAQs are available on the bulletin board outside room 103.) Thanks, Fern Food Committee

School Council Elections Form

Dear Parents and Caregivers of Fern Avenue, A blue nomination form package was sent home today in advance of our School Council Elections which will occur the night of September 30th, from 6:30 to 7:30 , in the Auditorium on the first floor. Please review the information and consider putting your name forward for election. We will be holding School Advisory Council meetings at various times, to be decided, throughout the year and we would very much like to see you there. New parents are also very welcome and encouraged to join us. It is an opportunity to network, to get to know the school and its operations, learn about and perhaps join a parent subcommittee, to get to know other parents around the school and to be a part of discussions that affect the entire school. Following the nomination process, a ballot will be sent home for voting purposes and the election will take place as mentioned. You have to be present at the school to cast your ballot. We look forward to seein

Grade 8 Montreal Trip Information Night

Dear Parents and Guardians of Grade 8 students, You are invited to attend our Grade 8 Montreal Trip information night. Meet us inside the school auditorium on Tuesday, September 23rd from 7:00 pm to 7:30 p.m . If you are unable to attend please direct any questions either by e-mail bogdan.nikolajevic@tdsb.on.ca or contact me directly at the school (416-393-9130). Sincerely, Bogdan Nikolajevic

Fern Sports 2014-2015

Welcome to another year at Fern! Please click here for a letter outlining the sports at Fern for the coming year. Click here for information on Physical Education Guidelines and Expectations. Please click here for the 2014-2015 Fern Sports.

Cross Country Starts this Week

Please click here for information regarding Cross Country that starts this week.

Social Media Awareness Symposium

Please click here for information on an upcoming symposium taking place on September 21st.

Parent Seminar Series

Please click here for information on upcoming Parent Seminars for families of children and youth with mental health challenges.

Just forget about it!

Are you having a difficult time deciding what to pack for your child’s lunch, finding the time to do it, or even remembering to make one before you get to school? It may be hard to settle into back-to-school routines but some Fern families have relieved their stress and time by enrolling in the hot-lunch program. If you haven’t already signed up, your family can still participate in Fern’s lunch program starting in October. Download the order form and check out October’s menu—featuring everything from chicken paprikash, Asian sticky chicken and spaghetti to chickpea & pasta soup, Sloppy Joes and fishcakes—on the website’s School Calendar or click here . The deadline is Monday, September 15 for lunches beginning Wednesday, October 1 . For more details about the lunch program, please click here . If you have any further questions about the lunch program, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions or contact Tracy Kett at tracykett@rogers.com ; (416) 535-0205. Thanks, F

Grade 7 Field Trip

Dear Parents/Guardians of Grade 7 students, Welcome to the Senior Division at Fern! An overnight trip at the beginning of the year has been part of our Grade 7 tradition for many years. It is a great opportunity for all Fern students to get to know each other outside their regular classrooms. Your child will be involved in cooperative games and physical activities in an outdoor environment while developing their leadership and teamwork skills. This October we are going back to Pinecrest Camp from October 6th to October 8th . The estimated cost of the trip is around 200 dollars. Camp Pinecrest is a YMCA camp that has hosted numerous TDSB schools on overnight trips. Some of the outdoor activites offered and lead by experienced staff include Canoeing, Archery, High and Low Ropes, and Nature Walks. The site has heated cabins where our students will sleep in groups of 10. All of the meals at YMCA Camp Pine Crest are pre-approved by a nutritionist and accommodate all dietary concer

Important Changes to TTC Photo ID Cards

Dear Parents/Guardians, Effective September 01, 2014 the TTC will no longer produce the student Photo ID card. As a result TTC will not be visiting Fern Avenue PS on September 16th as scheduled. If your child is 13-15 years old, no ID is required, just have them pay the student fare. For further information, please visit ttc.ca Thank you.