Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Halloween Parade today: Outdoor Parade: This afternoon at 1p.m. Grade 1 to 6 students will participate in an outdoor Halloween Parade around the school track. Parents are invited to come and watch and take photos. In the event of rain, the parade will be as follows: Grade 1-3 from 1-1:30 p.m. in the auditorium Grade 4-6 from 1:30-2:00 p.m. in the auditorium Grade 7-8 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Halloween Dance in the auditorium Halloween festivities will continue in the classrooms.

FREE AFTER SCHOOL HOMEWORK HELP AND ACTIVITIES IN FRENCH Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) has partnered with York University's Faculty of Education to offer free after school homework help and activities in French. Teacher candidates will help students in grades 1-10. WHERE: Runnymede Public Library (2178 Bloor St. W) WHEN: Every Thursday in the program room from 4PM to 6:15PM (45 min sessions each day at 4PM, 4:45PM and 5:30PM) SESSIONS: OCT. 25, NOV. 1, NOV. 8, NOV. 15, NOV. 22, NOV. 29, DEC. 6 CONTACT & REGISTER: (416) 393-7697 Runnymede Public Library (front desk)

WESTERN TECH OPEN HOUSE Tuesday, November 13th 2018 6:30pm - 9pm · Please visit wtcs.ca to become familiar with our application process · Families will have the opportunity to customize their evening to meet their needs · Tuesday, November 13th, 2018: Online application process opens at www.wtcs.ca · Friday, January 11, 2019: Online applications to all 4 pre-SHSMs and the Enriched program at Western are due. · Friday, January 18, 2019 at 4:00pm: EICs will receive responses of “acceptance/waitlist/decline” Other points to consider: · The Design Studio is the only “TDSB Specialized Program” at WTCS, requires optional attendance for all student applicants · To avoid confusion, please try and advise students to narrow down their SHSM choice to the one that best fits their needs and interests · Gifted is a CENTRAL PLACEMENT (through IPRC) · Enriched OR Gifted can be combined with other SHSMS (please

Thanks to all for coming out to the School Council Meeting on October 24! To learn more about some of the many exciting initiatives for the year, an update on the Playground fund and recent fundraisers, and upcoming Fern events, click here :

• Do you enjoy working with children? • Do you live in the Fern community? • Are you available to work 6.25 hours per week during the lunch hour? If you are interested in being considered for a lunchroom supervisor position at Fern Avenue P.S., please drop off your resume to the school’s Main Office or email to Rosanna.Sardella@tdsb.on.ca . Thank you!

Calling all squeaky wheels! We need as many people as possible to attend our School Council meeting with our newly re-elected Trustee, Tuesday, November 20, 6:30-8:30 . Do you have questions about our playground, infrastructure, construction, curriculum, TDSB plans going forward with our new provincial government? We have important things to talk about, and we need to hear from you. And if you’d rather just listen, we’d like a full room to show support and interest from the Fern school community. Put it in your calendar, and we look forward to seeing you there. School Council Executive

Thank you to all the parents who attended the September school council meeting. Here are the minutes . Don't forget to come out tonight for the council budget meeting, 6.30pm to 8.30pm!

For those grade 8 parents/guardians there will an information session evening regarding the    transition from grade 8 to 9, this evening at Parkdale Collegiate at 6PM. There are resources online that students have been told how to access. Please ask your child through the process. Thank you, Ricardo Rodriguez Guidance Counsellor

The Spookies Spectacular Fern Fundraiser will be extended by one day, so you have until end of day TUESDAY October 23 to order Spookies. Eden and the folks at New Moon Kitchen have been baking their buns off to make more Spookies cookies for Fern families, and have gone back to the kitchen to bake more spelt cookies. There are also still delicious gluten-free cookies available too (really, they are excellent). In order to accommodate the high volume of orders, and to give Fern one last chance to order, delivery will now take place FRIDAY October 26 (in plenty of time for Halloween). Please go to the New Moon Kitchen website at http://newmoonkitchen.com/product/spookies/ and choose FERN PUBLIC SCHOOL as your delivery location.

Hello lovely Fern Families, We are looking for some SPOOKY BAKERS for our Fern Fun Flicks Halloween Movie night on Friday. Are you feeling in the Halloween spirit yet? Like baking with your kids or spending a relaxing afternoon by yourself being creative? Here's you chance.......... It's also a great way to contribute to our amazing FERN COMMUNITY, especially if it's hard for you to come out and work events or join committees. The bake table is ALWAYS a huge hit and it raises lots of money for our school ! Drop off at the school Friday or contact me to arrange drop off/pick up! Please let me know if you can contribute: luckytaya@gmail.com Thanks so much and hope to see you at the Fern Fun Flicks on Friday! Taya Kozak-Goebel, Artist Educator

Our grade 7/8 STEM club is starting next week. The club will be in room 313 Thursdays from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m . Build robots, work with a 3D printer, learn to program the Arduino, and have fun with many more STEM-based activities. We are always on the lookout for parent volunteers, so if you have any expertise that you want to share or materials that you would like to donate please e-mail Mr. Cross ( sean.cross@tdsb.on.ca ) or Ms. Cameron ( erica.cameron@tdsb.on.ca )

Monday, October 22 is the final day for ordering Spookies for our fabulous Fern fundraiser. You get delicious cookies from a local business to give out as Halloween treats. Fern gets $4 for every bag sold to Fern parents to help support our terrific School Council programs such as the Arts Collective, STEM Night, the Grade 8 graduation, the Playground Revitalization, and other great School Council projects. Order from New Moon Kitchen online at: http://newmoonkitchen.com/product/spookies/ Enter Fern Public School has your pick up location. Cookies will be delivered to Fern on October 24th.

The money meeting: how and why we make it, how and why we spend it. Wondering why School Council hits you up for money? Interested in how School Council spends your money? Want input into future School Council initiatives? Have ideas for future fundraising? Then please attend our School Council budget planning meeting  Wednesday October 24, 6:30-8:30 . In addition to budget planning, we will update you on the fantastic progress of our Playground Committee, Ms Sardella will update us on the status of ongoing renovations and other initiatives underway at Fern, and we will brainstorm for future fundraising projects. Time permitting, we will answer specific questions about other issues parents raise. Snacks and childcare available ( please let us know by October 23 if you need childcare ). If you have a specific question for Ms Sardella or for School Council that you would like to raise at School Council, to reserve childcare, and to RSVP, please email  fernaveschoolcouncil@gmail.c

Dear Parents/Guardians, The Junior Football Team will be participating in their semi final game on Monday, October 22, 2018 from 3:15 pm to 4:30pm at Christie Pits.  Christie Pits is located at 750 Bloor Street West at Christie Street, just west of the Toronto Transit Commission Christie subway station. The students will leave Fern with Mr. Ciric at 2:00p.m. and travel via TTC to the park. Please feel free to contact Mr. Ciric should you have any further questions. Thank you, Mr. Ciric

Come out Fern Community to a special Halloween Fern Fun Flick! Friday, Oct 26, in the Auditorium The movie starts at 6:30 pm (Doors open at 6:00 pm) $5 (includes popcorn) Pizza for sale! If you would like to volunteer or donate baked goods please contact tanisdarling@me.com

Calling All Students who may be interested in helping in the Library -- come and speak to Madame Jamieson. Please see Madame and she will let you know what you can assist with. Thank you, Madame Jamieson

Hello everyone! One of the ways the School Council communicates with parents is through our Parent Class Reps. Parent Class Reps collect a class e-mail list for playdates, birthday parties, last minute homework panics, end-of-year gift teacher gifts and for distributing important School Council updates. We are currently missing Parent Reps for the following classes: -- Mme Balaisis (grade 4) -- Mme Munteanu (grade 7) -- Ms. Castillo (grade 7) -- Ms. Cameron (grade 7/8) -- Mme Kertesz (grade 7) -- Mr. Nikolajevic (grade 7/8) Please let us know if you wish to volunteer. It's a great way to stay "in the know" and to dip your toe into School Council without a whole lot of commitment. There are gaps at the Senior level as we assume our Senior kids don't really encourage mum and dad to hang around the playground at drop-off and pick-up. Let's face it, if your child walks themselves to school, you may not even set foot in the yard except for parent-teacher

For those grade 8 parents/guardians who cannot attend the October 23 Parkdale CI general information evening regarding the transition from grade 8 to 9, please note there is another one being held this Wednesday October 17, 6pm at Bloor Collegiate. There are resources online that students have been told how to access. Please ask your child through the process. Thank you, Ricardo Rodriguez Guidance Counsellor

The money meeting: how and why we make it, how and why we spend it. Wondering why School Council hits you up for money? Interested in how School Council spends your money? Want input into future School Council initiatives? Have ideas for future fundraising? Then please attend our School Council budget planning meeting Wednesday October 24, 6:30-8:30 . In addition to budget planning, we will update you on the fantastic progress of our Playground Committee, Ms Sardella will update us on the status of ongoing renovations, and other initiatives underway at Fern, and we will brainstorm for future fundraising projects. Time permitting, we will answer specific questions about other issues parents raise. Snacks and childcare available ( please let us know by October 23 if you need childcare ). If you have a specific question for Ms Sardella or for School Council that you would like to raise at School Council, to reserve childcare, and to RSVP, please email fernaveschoolcouncil@gmail.co

Dear Parents/Guardians, Please note there has been a slight change in the information originally posted for the Junior Football Team. Initially I had mentioned that  the team has advanced to the finals scheduled at Westwood Middle School on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 , however it has now come to my attention that we will need to play one more game in order to proceed on this date for city finals. I will be forwarding NEW information this week and will keep you posted, sorry for any miscommunication. Mr. Ciric

Don’t forget to get your Spookies Halloween cookies! A great alternative for trick or treat, or maybe they go straight to mum and dad’s snack stash. Order online by Monday, October 22 , and pick up at Fern on October 24. Follow the link to New Moon Kitchen, and put Fern Public School as your pick up location. For every bag sold, Fern gets $4. We think you’ll need lots. http://newmoonkitchen.com/product/spookies/

Congratulations to the Junior Fern Falcons Football Team! Your sincere efforts and hard work are indeed highly appreciated and showed today as we won all four games during the football tournament. The team has advanced to the finals scheduled at Westwood Middle School on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 . Westwood MS is at 994 Carlaw Avenue, just one block west of Pape and Gowan. More information will be sent home next week. Thank you to the parents and grandparents who came out to support us! Go Falcons, Go!!! Mr. Ciric

Dear Parents/Guardians, Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute is offering a program called T.O.P.S (Talented Offerings for Programs in the Sciences). T.O.P.S is a focus program that is appropriate for students who have a special interest and aptitude in mathematics, science and English and would like an enriched and challenging curriculum.  The school will be accepting approximately sixty students into their grade nine T.O.P.S program in September, 2019. There are two key dates for parents to remember: *On Thursday, November 1, at 7:00 p.m., Marc Garneau will be hosting the T.O.P.S Information Evening at 135 Overlea Boulevard, Don Mills, Ontario (south west corner of Overlea Blvd and Don Mills road just north of the Don Valley Parkway). *On Friday, November 16, at 9:00 am., students who wish to gain entry to the program will be required to write an entrance test comprised of mathematics, science and English components. Students should arrive by 8:30a.m. More information on the e

Dear Parents/Guardians, The Junior Fern Falcons Football team will be playing in a Football Tournament tomorrow Friday, October 12, 2018 at Memorial Park. Students are asked to please meet their coach Mr. Ciric in the main foyer at school at 7:45AM . The students and Mr. Ciric will travel to the tournament via TTC and return to Fern Avenue PS via TTC at the end of the school day. Memorial Park is located at 340 Chaplin Crescent (Intersection: Chaplin Cres & Spadina Rd) Please provide a lunch and water bottle for your child. Thank you! Mr. Ciric

 Did you know that 850,000 people in Canada use foodbanks each month AND 36% of them are children?   How can you help? Support Fern's Me to We Club's 8th annual We Scare Hunger campaign and d onate canned food from October 22 - October 31.  Boxes will be available in all of the classrooms.   Donations will go to the Good Shepherd Food Bank.                       

Are you in grades 5 to 8 and interested in joining Fern's ME to WE club?    WE  is a movement that brings people together and gives them the tools to change the world. WE's goal is making doing good, doable.  The club meets Wednesdays over the lunch recess.   Join us at noon in room 211 on Wednesday October 24th  to learn more about the club and pick up a  registration form.  A lottery will be used to fill the available spot.

AN INVITATION TO ALL KINDERGARTEN PARENTS:   WE LCOME TO FERN PUBLIC SCHOOL SK Information Night for both English and French programs On Thursday, Oct.25 th   from 6:30-7:30 pm in the Auditorium   THIS IS A GREAT CHANCE TO: -MEET OTHER KINDERGARTEN PARENTS -LEARN ABOUT THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS, SPECIAL EVENTS,   AND ACTIVITIES AT OUR SCHOOL -FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED IN HELPING FERN CONTINUE TO BE A GREAT SCHOOL FOR OUR CHILDREN!   We look forward to seeing you there!

Dear Parent/Guardian,   Just a gentle reminder Photo Retake day is Wednesday, October 24, 2018 beginning shortly after 9:00AM . Please remember these photos are meant only for those students who were absent on the original photo day.  Group photos will also be done for those classroom teachers whom were absent on that day. Please feel free to contact Vera in the main office should you have any further questions. Thank you, Vera

Parents/Guardians of Children in Junior Kindergarten, You have a choice to make about French programming for your child. Senior Kindergarten is the ONLY time your child can begin the Early Immersion Program. Applications to the Early French Immersion program are made the year your child is in Junior Kindergarten for entry in September of Senior Kindergarten. It is an entirely online process. All communication will be sent via the email address you provide. Please check this email regularly. Please visit the application site www.tdsb.on.ca/pars You will need your child's date of birth and OEN. The OEN is a 9-digit number found on any report card from the TDSB or please refer to the application form sent home with your child. For non-TDSB students, please select the "Non-TDSB Student" option and follow the steps to generate an identification number. You must them return to the PARS site and follow the application procedure with this number. Please select Ea

Looking for ways to diversify your child's Halloween haul? Picturing that post-trick-or-treat pile of undistributed Halloween loot? And of course, as always, thinking about how you might help out your child's school? Well we can help! Fern P.S. School Council has teamed up with Fern mum, Eden Hertzog, and her fabulous local company New Moon Kitchen, for a Halloween treat fundraiser. You order delicious Spookies cookies from New Moon Kitchen online by October 22, cookies get delivered to the school on October 24, Fern gets $4 for every bag purchased, and since they are nut free, vegan, egg-free, and there are gluten free options, you can feel totally virtuous sneaking some a few days before Halloween. And, if you just happen to order a few too many you can put these in school lunches. Or, if you prefer, the kids never have to know. Parents need treats too! Check out the flyer (which is also coming home) for more details. Get your Spooky On! Fern School Council

Dear Parents/Guardians, On Thursday, October 4th, between 5 pm and 7 pm , please join us for Fern's third annual French Video Dance Party (AKA the 5 à 7)! The dance is open to ALL students and their families. Parents please note students are to be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times. Thank you, Office Team

Dear Parents/Guardians, On Thursday, October 4th, between 5 pm and 7 pm, please join us for Fern's third annual French Video Dance Party (AKA the 5 à 7)! Click on the following Evite link for more details and to RSVP. http://evite.me/ZQyVnVBrsV Au plaisir! Madame Kertesz

The Fern Parent Council is preparing the budget for the 2018/19 year. We have several submissions already, but want to be sure we have not missed anyone. Please submit all budget requests by way of the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MGXX9Z7 Please make your submissions by the end of day on Friday, October 5, 2018 . Any questions can be sent to Corinne at corinne.muccilli@gmail.com

Dear Parents/Guardians, Fern Public School Grade 8 parents and guardians are invited to attend a general information evening regarding the transition from Grade 8 to 9. Where : Parkdale Collegiate Institute 209 Jameson Avenue When : Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 6:00 p.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 Ricardo A. Rodriguez and Savitr Maharaj LC4 Guidance Guidance Counsellors will provide a question and answer period (School and Street Parking Available) Thank you Ricardo Rodriquez