Fern Ave. Public School Blog

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...

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

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 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.

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

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!

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 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!

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.

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

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

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:

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

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...

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

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 ...

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

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

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.

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

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...

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

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.

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

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

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

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...