Term 2 2019 Athletics and Sports Clubs at Fern Avenue PS
Dear Parents and Guardians:
As we approach the busiest of times in school life at Fern Ave. Public School, with studies and extra-curriculas of all kinds, the intention of this letter is to inform you of our athletic clubs and programs currently starting or will be, in the near future.
As you are aware, for the first term our gym was under renovation. These renovations included a new ventilation system, lighting, and safety elements, which will make a difference while using the space for physical education and our athletics programs. While the gym was under construction, our P.E. and sports programs took place in limited spaces at Fern or at other schools, making things challenging at times. Thankfully, the gym is available again, which will bring normalcy back to our athletics programs with our sports teams' practises and house leagues, as well as our gym classes.
At Fern Ave. P.S. we pride ourselves for offering many sports and athletic opportunities for our students. This year, even without our main gym being available, we had a sports program that included cross country, soccer, basketball, ice-hockey, and volleyball interschool teams. As in previous years, our teams have been competitive, with some of our teams making strong playoffs runs. This week both our senior and junior ice-hockey teams will be starting their playoff run with hopes of making it to the city finals. Also, many of our students accomplished great individual records in cross-country conference runs, with some of our athletes even finishing in the top third in the city finals!
Our next school teams involve junior and senior swimming, badminton, and co-ed volleyball. Our badminton and volleyball teams will start practising in March in preparation for their tournaments in April. Also looking forward we have our junior and senior softball, and senior ultimate Frisbee teams, that will start practising in early April.
A general guideline for sports teams was posted on Fern’s blog/website early in the year, and is still accessible. Closer to each sport’s season, coaches will make announcements and hand out permission forms with exact dates of practises and tournaments.
Our track and field teams for grades 4-8 will start try-outs and practises during the first week of April. The first meet for the track and field South Conference takes place the first week of May this year, at Birchmount Stadium. The primaries will be involved in their own Run, Jump, and Throw meets. Details for track and field, such as coaches and practise times, will be provided on the school’s website and on permission forms in the near future.
The many sports and athletic competitions that our school participates in, and the involvement of teacher and parent coaches knowledgeable in the sports and skills taught, has produced a strong athletic culture, with many pennants decorating our halls and gym. However we would like to emphasize that, regardless of championships and medals, our top objectives for our teams are for our student athletes to improve their individual skills, to become good team members, and to have fun!
Furthermore, at Fern Avenue P.S. we highly value our house leagues, which offer the opportunity for all students to play with friends and have fun participating in sports, irrelevant of skill level. This year with the opening of our main gym we will have house leagues for basketball for our junior students, and volleyball for our senior students. The junior basketball league will start on February 18th, and the senior volleyball on February 26th. Basketball house league will be taking place at lunch time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Volleyball will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our house leagues will end in April.
A reminder to all that participation in school sports teams and house leagues is a privilege. Students are expected to be respectful of peers and adults at all times, and safety being a top priority, either at school or representing Fern Ave. at other schools.
Finally, participation in physical activity and athletics should not end when the school day is over. There are a number of ways to get an aerobic workout--walking, biking, swimming, jumping rope or any number of low-organized games and activities.
Sincerely,
Physical education teacher
Sarantos Katsihtis
As we approach the busiest of times in school life at Fern Ave. Public School, with studies and extra-curriculas of all kinds, the intention of this letter is to inform you of our athletic clubs and programs currently starting or will be, in the near future.
As you are aware, for the first term our gym was under renovation. These renovations included a new ventilation system, lighting, and safety elements, which will make a difference while using the space for physical education and our athletics programs. While the gym was under construction, our P.E. and sports programs took place in limited spaces at Fern or at other schools, making things challenging at times. Thankfully, the gym is available again, which will bring normalcy back to our athletics programs with our sports teams' practises and house leagues, as well as our gym classes.
At Fern Ave. P.S. we pride ourselves for offering many sports and athletic opportunities for our students. This year, even without our main gym being available, we had a sports program that included cross country, soccer, basketball, ice-hockey, and volleyball interschool teams. As in previous years, our teams have been competitive, with some of our teams making strong playoffs runs. This week both our senior and junior ice-hockey teams will be starting their playoff run with hopes of making it to the city finals. Also, many of our students accomplished great individual records in cross-country conference runs, with some of our athletes even finishing in the top third in the city finals!
Our next school teams involve junior and senior swimming, badminton, and co-ed volleyball. Our badminton and volleyball teams will start practising in March in preparation for their tournaments in April. Also looking forward we have our junior and senior softball, and senior ultimate Frisbee teams, that will start practising in early April.
A general guideline for sports teams was posted on Fern’s blog/website early in the year, and is still accessible. Closer to each sport’s season, coaches will make announcements and hand out permission forms with exact dates of practises and tournaments.
Our track and field teams for grades 4-8 will start try-outs and practises during the first week of April. The first meet for the track and field South Conference takes place the first week of May this year, at Birchmount Stadium. The primaries will be involved in their own Run, Jump, and Throw meets. Details for track and field, such as coaches and practise times, will be provided on the school’s website and on permission forms in the near future.
The many sports and athletic competitions that our school participates in, and the involvement of teacher and parent coaches knowledgeable in the sports and skills taught, has produced a strong athletic culture, with many pennants decorating our halls and gym. However we would like to emphasize that, regardless of championships and medals, our top objectives for our teams are for our student athletes to improve their individual skills, to become good team members, and to have fun!
Furthermore, at Fern Avenue P.S. we highly value our house leagues, which offer the opportunity for all students to play with friends and have fun participating in sports, irrelevant of skill level. This year with the opening of our main gym we will have house leagues for basketball for our junior students, and volleyball for our senior students. The junior basketball league will start on February 18th, and the senior volleyball on February 26th. Basketball house league will be taking place at lunch time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Volleyball will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our house leagues will end in April.
A reminder to all that participation in school sports teams and house leagues is a privilege. Students are expected to be respectful of peers and adults at all times, and safety being a top priority, either at school or representing Fern Ave. at other schools.
Finally, participation in physical activity and athletics should not end when the school day is over. There are a number of ways to get an aerobic workout--walking, biking, swimming, jumping rope or any number of low-organized games and activities.
Sincerely,
Physical education teacher
Sarantos Katsihtis
