Fern Ave. Public School Blog

October 1 is right around the corner. The money we have in the bank on October 1 is the Playground Revitalization we will get. Your school community needs your help! We have $160,000 in our playground fund, but our goal is $200,000 We’ve come a long way, but we need your help to get us over the top!  Every contribution helps. HOW CAN I DONATE? The easiest way to donate is to go to School Cash Online and click the “Donate” button. Search for Fern Avenue Junior and Senior Public School. Any donors who give $25 or more will be issued a tax receipt by email automatically. To make it even easier, here's the link! https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com We also accept cheques to Fern Avenue Public School. Tax receipts will be issued from the TDSB for donations of $25 and more, but it will take a few weeks. Donations of $500 or more will be offered the opportunity to have the family, individual, or company name on our plaque wall. Donations of $1000 or more will be offered the opport...

We want to wish all our grade 7 students and staff a wonderful time of team building and bonding at Camp Olympia!

During the month of October, TDSB schools are encouraged to join others across the globe in participating in International Walk to School Month- an annual celebration of active transportation. International Walk to School Day is held on the first Wednesday of October each year and will be occurring on October 2nd, 2019 . Ideas and resources to plan and promote a walk to school event can be accessed by visiting http://ontarioactiveschooltravel.ca/international-walk-to-school-month/ . Schools that register a walk to school event with Ontario Active School Travel will be eligible to receive a certificate of participation.

Fern staff and students will be participating in this run on October 10th . Parent volunteers will be needed! Thank you to all staff and students who are involved in organizing this school wide run/walk!

If you are interested in lunchroom supervision positions at Fern please contact Mme Sardella . Caregivers can also apply! You must be available to work Monday to Friday from 11:30 am - 12:45 pm and must have a TDSB vulnerable sector approved police check (form can be picked up in the main office).

On Monday, September 30th , students and staff from across the TDSB will come together and wear Orange Shirts to recognize the harm that the Residential School System did to First Nations, Metis and Inuit children and to recognize that "Every Child Matters" . Orange Shirt Day is a movement that officially began in 2013 but in reality it began in 1973 when six year old Phyllis Webstad entered the St. Joseph Mission Residential School, outside of Williams Lake, B.C. The date, September 30th, was chosen because that was the time of year the trucks and buses would enter the communities to "collect" the children and deliver them to their harsh new reality of cultural assimilation, mental, sexual and physical abuse, shame and deprivation. The impact of residential schools affects every Canadian (Bob Joseph, Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples, 2015). Honouring this day shows our commitment to Reconciliation. Fern students have been discussing the si...

Senior cross country practice is cancelled for today- due to rain and possible thunderstorms. M. Nikolajevic

Due to the rain, the senior football tryouts this morning at 8am have been moved to the gym instead of Sorauren Park. Thank you, Nicole Kertesz

Fern parents, The climate strike is this Friday! For those who want to head down to the strike together, let's meet on Friday at 10am at the main doors of the school on Fern Ave. We'll take the streetcar to Queen's Park. Here are some amazing images of the millions of people striking around the world this week for an end to fossil fuels and climate justice.

Inspired by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, young people from around the world have joined the Fridays for Future movement and are showing their support by participating in climate change rallies. Currently, there is a student climate change rally planned for Friday, September 27 at Queen’s Park. To be clear, this is not a TDSB-sanctioned event, however we understand that students at a number of our schools may take part. At the TDSB, we honour student voice and are committed to ensuring students can express themselves individually and collectively in ways that are constructive, respectful and responsible. As a Board, we know that climate change is an important issue that needs to be addressed and that students play an important role in building an environmentally sustainable future. The TDSB EcoSchools Program provides opportunities within the classroom, the school, and the community for students to engage in education actions that prepare them with the knowledge, ski...

Attention Grade 8 Families. The Guidance department will be hosting a Beyond 8 Transition night at Parkdale C.I. on Wednesday, October 23rd at 6:00 . This is NOT an open house for Parkdale C.I., but a general information night about going to high school. Please contact michelle.bruner@tdsb.on.ca with any specific questions about this evening.

Dear students and parents, Our first cross country meet date is Friday October 4th and of course we are all excited! Our cross country run will take place at Ashbridges bay. Cross country runners are to meet in the auditorium at 8:45am on the day of the meet. Students will be provided with their running numbers and have them written on their right hand. Runners that don’t have a Fern shirt will be provided one, with the expectation that the shirt will be given back at the end of race. We will have a meeting place close to the end of the run. Students are expected to be in close proximity if not running and ask for permission when going to washroom. It is important that student have a healthy breakfast and bring with them a lunch, snacks and water. Also, students should dress appropriately for weather. If you have a puffer or epipen you must bring them with you to the meet. We will be departing from school around 9:15 and traveling with a TDSB approved bus. We anticipate to be...

Dear Parents and Guardians of our grade 7/8 cross-country runners, Our first running competition is next week on Oct. 4th. We will take the TTC to Ashbridges Bay around 11 am from the school. Before that, students should be in their regular classes for most of the morning. After the race, we might be able to come back with our school bus, if the race finishes before the bus has to leave. Otherwise we will take the TTC back to the school area. If you are planning to drive your child, and if you can drive other students, please e-mail me directly at: bogdan.nikolajevic@tdsb.on.ca . I need one parent volunteer to come with me on the TTC-please e-mail me if you are able to help out. Regards, Bogdan Nikolajevic

Fern will be hosting our first annual Winter Artisan Market on Saturday November 30th and we are looking for vendors.  If you are a crafter or artisan and would like to reserve a table please click on the link below for additional details and to complete an application. Table rentals are only $35! For more information please contact Kim Morrison at mailto:kimmorrison131@yahoo.com https://forms.gle/t8cpJ1SiWjtrrgUx9

Interested in the Arts? Claude Watson is having their Open House! Students only - Wednesday, October 30th Parents and Students - Thursday, November 7th. Click here for more information.

CALLING ALL FERN FAMILIES!  PLAYGROUND FUNDRAISING DEADLINE OCT 1!  PLEASE DONATE TODAY We have raised approximately $160,000 for our Playground Fund to date and are incredibly proud of this community and what we've accomplished together so far. But we’re hoping to reach our goal of $200,000 to ensure we get everything we can out of the Revitalization. We only get one shot to do this because of how the TDSB process works. OUR FUNDRAISING DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 1, 2019! That’s why we’re asking you to donate to our Playground fund NOW . The deadline is coming fast, so please donate TODAY through School Cash Online, the TDSB’s secure online payment system, at https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com/Home/SignIn . Once logged into your account, click Make a Donation and select Fern Avenue as the Fund Destination. Donors of $25 or more will receive a tax receipt, donors of $500 or more will be eligible for a plaque on our plaque wall, and donors of $1,000 or more can ...

Please see the flyer for the Triple P, Positive Parenting Program. More information can also be found here .

Tuesday night is our Curriculum Night and Welcome Back Barbecue. We need your help! Please follow the link https://signup.com/go/jMKxega to sign-up to volunteer for a shift at the Barbecue. We need help with set up and take down, as well as help during the barbecue. If you have any questions, or trouble signing in to the volunteer site, please email us at Fernaveschoolcouncil@gmail.com . We are also requesting contributions to our potluck dessert, salad, and veggie table. If you have something to drop off, please drop it off between 5:15 and 5:30 on Tuesday before the start of Curriculum Night. Finally, please bring your own reusable plates, cups, and utensils if you can. We look forward to seeing you! School Council Exec

Dear Parents and Guardians of Grade 7/8 cross-country runners, Starting this week, our senior runners should go directly to High Park instead of our Fern school meeting spot. We will assemble at our regular time and starting place by the pond. Please do not hesitate to e-mail me at bogdan.nikolajevic@tdsb.on.ca if you need further clarification, or if you are interested in coming out for a run with us. Regards, Bogdan Nikolajevic

Do you like to talk about books and read great stories? Why not join one of the book clubs at Fern? The Junior Book Clubs are for students in grades 4, 5 and 6. The Junior Girls Book Club meets e very other Monday at lunchtime, in the library, staring on Monday, September 16 and continuing on September 30, October 21, November 4, November 18, as well as December 2 . The Junior Boys Book Club meets on every other Monday at lunchtime, in the the library, starting on Monday, September 23 and continuing on October 7, October 28, November 11, November 25, and December 9 . The Intermediate Book Club is for Seniors (grades 7 and 8) and it is co-ed. They will meet every Tuesday at lunchtime in the library. Hope you can join us for a great year! Mrs. Heller and Mr. Enticknap

Do you like to sing? Come out and join one of Fern's Awesome Choirs! Primary Choir is for grades 1, 2 and 3 and will start on Wednesday, September 18 , after you eat lunch, in the music room (in the basement). We will come to the lunchroom to make sure everyone knows where they are going. Senior Choir is for grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 and will start on T hursday, September 19 , after you eat lunch, in the music room. Hope you can join us! Mr. Nano, Mme. Meghan and Mrs. Heller

All girls in grades 4-6 are invited to try out for the girls' junior soccer team. Tryouts began Thursday, Sept. 12th and will continue next week on Tuesday and Thursday after school in the school playground. Players are required to bring cleats and shin guards. If you don't have a permission form yet, you can get one from Mr. Enticknap in the library.

All parents and caregivers welcome! No previous knowledge or secret handshake necessary! Just an interest in the goings on at Fern! Interested in news about the playground? What the government's changes to education will look like at Fern? Wondering how you can get involved? Then join us at our first School Council meeting of the year. We need people to fill the positions of Treasurer and Secretary in our friendly and enthusiastic School Council Executive. We also need to fill key positions in our committees, including the STEM Committee and the Arts Collective. Our wonderful Fun Fair team is stepping down, so we will need people willing to take this event on. You will have great support from the former Fun Fair squad, the Exec, and the rest of School Council. If you have any specific questions or agenda items for our first meeting, please email them to fernaveschoolcouncil@gmail.com by Tuesday, September 17 and we will accommodate them to the extent we are able. We ...

We are less than a week away from Fern’s Curriculum Night and the Welcome Back Barbecue! Please join us Tuesday September 17 to meet your child’s teacher, and then have a great time at a Pay What You Can hot dog BBQ with your friends and neighbours in the school yard. WHEN? We will start feeding people around 6:15pm. If you have more than one teacher to visit, or can only make the later session, the barbeque will still be in full swing when you are finished. WHERE? We will be setting up the BBQ in the Primary yard (near the kindergarten entrance and the sports court). WHAT CAN I BRING? We will have a potluck dessert/veggie/salad table for those who feel inclined. Please drop off any contributions between 5:15 and 5:30 in the Primary yard. If you have a contribution but can’t make a drop off in that timeslot, please let us know. Please consider bringing your own plates, cups, and utensils. We are working very hard to maintain our Gold eco-school status, and the more ...

Please click here for articles on the physical education curriculum , health curriculum , and the letter on athletics and gym at Fern. Thank you.

With the help of Mr. Ruttan, a group of girls in one of our Grade 6 French Immersion classes raised approximately $360 today to donate to the victims of hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas. All the money will go to a local organization that will offer immediate help for those who have lost everything: water, gas, generators, formula... the list is endless! The entire bake sale was initiated and organized by the kids, with a lot of help from enthusiastic bakers. A big thank you and congratulations to all that organized, baked and bought!

The school has agreed to install scooter and skateboard parking (main floor, primary hall, north end of the L). We are looking for help to build a parking rack. If you can build one, that would be great! We are also looking for material donations. If you have a design idea, we are open to it - however, we’re looking for something roughly like the photos below. Please email us at fernaveschoolcouncil@gmail.com if you are able to help out. Thanks, School Council Exec

We are looking for volunteers for Class Rep. Ideally, we have someone from each class to help distribute information to parents. We are hoping that our new system will collect names electronically so you won’t have to chase people for their email address. Regarding time commitment, once every couple of weeks you will be asked to send out a School Council or class-specific event email to the class list. There are a few peak times in the year such as STEM Day/Night, and when we are looking for volunteers for the Fun Fair. Your classroom teacher may also ask you to send out messages. It’s a great way to get involved, and a great way to know what’s happening at the school. If you are interested in volunteering, please email us at: fernaveschoolcouncil@gmail.com Thanks! School Council Exec

Our friends and neighbours at Scooter Girl Toys are raffling off a giant Playmobil school set (retail value $169.99) and donating the proceeds to the Fern Ave Public School Playground Fund! So, drop by Scooter Girl to buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win. One ticket for $3, two tickets for $5. Council will also be selling tickets at the Welcome Back Barbecue, Tuesday September 17 . Thank you Fern families, and thank you Scooter Girl! School Council Exec

The Curriculum Night Flyer can be found here . Hope to see you all there!

Dear All, The correct link to the Store is https://ferncountry2019.itemorder.com/sale Apologies for the confusion.

Dear Parents/guardians, Please note there is an error between the link posted on the Blog and the flyer which came home. The vendor apologizes for any confusion and we will be posting the correct link very soon. Thank you.

...Then Sign Up for Your Child's Class Parent Email List! Sounds great - Sign me up ! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OImgwB8sOwZaKgnlCOe7wvDxr9bryfdz8diQP-PQuJw/viewform?edit_requested=true QUESTIONS & ANSWERS What is Class Parent Email List? The Class Parent Email List is a way for School Council to contact parents directly, and for parents to communicate with each other. Parents use these email lists for everything from organizing playdates, teacher gifts, or finding volunteers for your child’s class. Each class will have a parent/guardian class rep who will be responsible for managing the class list and sending out emails. How is that different from the school’s email list? The Principal and the school already have your email through your child’s registration. School Council cannot access this email list, so cannot send you information, such as School Council activities. How is the Class Parent Email List different from the Blog and newsletter? You hav...

Fern Avenue P.S. Cross Country T-Shirts store is now open on line. Purchase your shirts for the big day! Visit https://ferncountry2019.itemorder.com/sale

Hello Fern families. We’re looking forward to another great year. If you’re new to Fern, welcome! If you are returning, welcome back! This email is to let you know how we'll communicate with you, how you can get involved, and to highlight some of the important events coming your way. Communications If you are receiving this email, you are subscribed to the blog newsletter, or are reading it on the Fern Ave Events Facebook page. Congratulations, you are ahead of the curve and you will be in the know! If you want to be even more informed and receive information specific to your child’s classroom, or information that we cannot post on the blog, (i.e. details related to teacher contract negotiations), please sign up for your class list. We will be sending out a link in the next couple of days that will tell you how to do so. We try to avoid hard copies, and will only rarely send home things on paper. So PLEASE read your email and check the blog. Updated Playground Websi...

We hope you all had a great summer and that everyone has settled back into the school routine smoothly. If you are new to Fern, welcome! If your child(ren) have moved on from Fern and you no longer wish to receive e-newsletters from us, scroll down the bottom of the newsletter and click " unsubcribe ". For regular updates, check the Fern blog, https://fernavenuepublicschool.blogspot.com/ . Thank you. Fern Communications Team

Dear Parents and Guardians, Senior students can join our Grade 7/8 cross-country team. We run Tuesdays and Thursdays in the morning. For more information, students can pick up a permission form in room 311. Thank you, Mr. Nikolajevic

Dear Parents, Grades 4-6: Your child may have expressed an interest in joining the Fern Junior Cross Country Running Team. All students who wish to participate are welcome. There are no try-outs. All students will compete in the first meet on Friday, October 4th at Ashbridges Bay. Preparing each runner is a partnership between home and school. The Junior team will practice every Tuesday and Thursday morning at Sorauren Park @ 8:10 am . We would like all runners to be there on these days. Junior families are encouraged to try some runs a few days on weekends, starting their run on sand. This will give them the experience on the surface found at the race site (the first 300 meters is sand at the beach). Please bring the forms to Mr. Katsihtis at first practice on Tuesday September 10th . Each practice we will start at 8:10am . Please meet Mr. Katsihtis to sign in, followed by a warm up and instructions. Runners in junior grades will run 2000m. We would like all runners to...

Click here to find your Back-to-School Letter from Trustee Pilkey. This letter contains key information and resources for parents, and is one way that we are increasing awareness among students, parents/guardians and community members about the role of school board trustees.

We’ve almost made it through the first week of school! Phew. What better way to celebrate the accomplishment of getting your child out the door for four whole mornings than having coffee with your friends in the Fern school yard? This Friday, September 6th , our friend, neighbour, and fellow Fern parent Julie from Ideal Coffee at Sorauren and Wright is donating a couple of carafes of coffee. Folks from Fern’s School Council will be on hand to answer any questions you might have about Fern, our School Council, the status of the Playground, and our exciting plans for the year ahead. So please join us, tomorrow, Friday, September 6 from 8:30-9:15 for a coffee in the school yard! School Council

Fall Term registration is September 17th at 7 am so mark your calendar! *Look for in-bag forms next week. Sign up at: https://tinyurl.com/fernfriends2019 at 7 am on the 17th . The Art Garden 11 weeks - Oct.1st - Dec. 11th Tuesdays Bunny Creative arts Gr.1-2 and Cubs Creative arts Gr. 2-3 Wednesdays Foxes Creative arts Gr. 4-6 UMOJA Soccer School Fern Program 10 weeks Oct. 8th - Dec.11th Tuesdays Juniors Gr. 3+ Wednesdays Primary Gr. 1-3 for more info email: fernfriendsprogram@gmail.com

Dear Parents/Guardians, Our first immunization clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12th, 2019 . All Grade 7 students are eligible to receive meningococcal, human papillomavirus and hepatitis B (to prevent liver cancer) vaccines. Please note the meningococcal vaccine is mandatory for school attendance. Your child must be up-to-date with the meningococcal vaccine or have a valid exemption to avoid school suspension. Consent packages have been sent home with your children. Thank you.

Dear Fern P.S. community, I am looking for parent volunteers to help out with the upkeep of the school library while classes are signing out books in the morning (9:00-11:45). Duties may include book sign out, shelving, cataloguing books and helping students to find books of interest. If you are able to give any of your time please contact me at the school or by email christopher.enticknap@tdsb.on.ca . Thank you, Mr. Enticknap