Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Thursday, February 13, 6:30 pm, Fern Auditorium Join us for a special pre-Valentine's day screening of SHREK. Your $5 admission ticket includes popcorn. We'll also have pizza, a bake sale of Valentine's Day-themed treats, and much more! Don't miss it!

Wednesday, February 5th is Winter Walk Day across Canada. Come join us as our school takes part in the Winter Walk day, a celebration of the unique joys of walking to school in the chilly, snowy days of winter. It’s the perfect opportunity for parents and kids to get outside together and stretch those legs. Walk to and from school to improve physical and mental health, create a healthier environment, safer streets, make friends and have fun. Fern will be recognizing Winter walk day as members of the Student Parliament and Eco Club will be welcoming students in the yard. We will have music and students will be asked to mark on a map their route to school.

Graduation Photo Day will be at Fern Avenue Public School on: Tuesday, February 4, 2020 for Grade 8 Graduation photos. Graduation gowns, props and school colours will be provided at your school on photo day. We recommend all Graduates wear a white collared shirt for the best results! Graduates may also like to wear a dark tie if they choose. Bring your smiles!

Please click on the link below for information regarding Delta Alternative School. Note that completed application forms are due 14 February 2020. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2B1r3Wq7qmgQkVycWgzeVdpTURQSmRWb19pUHEwV01ESHBR/view?usp=sharing The application form can be found at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2B1r3Wq7qmgQlJWeC1QX3VicUdsWXRobXZzM0NCblJrTGxz/view?usp=sharing Thank you.

Beginner to Advanced Players Are All Welcome! Grades 1 to 6 - 10 Week Program: $140.00 Tuesdays at Lunch: February 4th to April 14th To register, please contact: chessinstitute.ca/register If there are any concerns or difficulties with payment, please contact us to inquire about payment plans and subsidies at: info@chessinstitute.ca or call 647-852-2428 Chess Institute of Canada is a registered charity dedicated to using the ancient game of chess to make a difference in today's world.

Join us in the auditorium for a day of D&D. No experience necessary, all are welcome. Come sign up for a game at 10am, first come first served, spaces will be limited. The games will start shortly after 10 and will go until about 2. There will be pizza for sale (Pizza + a drink will be $5) and we'll have a bake sale. $10 to play $20 bundle includes gameplay, FERNCON dice bag and one ticket to the raffle. See you soon!

We are looking for bakers to donate to the bake sale to help feed all those hungry mages, orcs, and elves. If you can help us out, please email us at fernaveschoolcouncil@gmail.com . Alternatively, you can drop off baked goods Friday at the Office, or Saturday in the foyer between 9-10am . Proceeds of bake sale will go to Grade 8 Graduation celebrations. Thanks, School Council Exec and Grad Committee

We will be having session 2 for the "Math after School Program" for any Grade 7 and 8 students interested. It will start February 10th until May 22nd from 3:30 - 4:30 pm at Fern PS.

The yearbook needs your baby photos! Send cute smiles and adorable poses to olga.moraleslizcano@tdsb.on.ca . Thank you!

Dear Parents/Guardians, Please be advised there will be no interviews on Thursday, February 13th due to work action. Friday, February 14th is an all day PA Day and please connect with your teacher if you desire to meet with them on this day between the hours of 9am and 3:30pm. Thank you, Office

Dear Parents/Guardians, Starting school is an exciting time for your child. Our schools provide a rich learning environment for all children to learn and grow. Registration at Fern Avenue Public School will begin on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 from 9:30am to 3:30pm . You may choose to register in person at Fern or by using the new online registration system. Children who will be four by December 31, 2020, can start Junior Kindergarten in September 2020. Please note only parents or legal guardians can register a child for TDSB programs. In Person Registration: Please bring with you the following documents: -*Proof of child's age (birth certificate, Canadian Passport, Canadian Citizenship card or baptismal record) -*Proof of address, including any two of the following current documents: utility bill, property tax bill, lease or deed, bank statement, credit card statement, or correspondence from a government agency. -*Proof of immunization is to be reported online at

On Thursday, January 30th at 7:00 p.m., I will be presenting "Is French Immersion 'Suitable' for Students with Learning Disabilities?" As this presentation may be of interest to French Immersion parents in your school community, please see the flyer here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2B1r3Wq7qmgeG9BZTFPX01YQTBTcmZabUtuMDd6X1MyX2hJ/view?usp=sharing Please feel free to contact me for further information. Kind regards, Nancy Wise, Ph.D. Director, French Immersion Educational Consulting Inc.

Please see links below regarding the surveys for the International Languages Programs offered by the TDSB. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2B1r3Wq7qmgNTRNejFVbHc0OU50SXJ5NWppaVNPMHdQbTlR/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2B1r3Wq7qmgem1FWHdnTUZ5RnNLVUpQMlg0aDRzdXRnd2VN/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2B1r3Wq7qmgakpJbXctRENvMWVQYmN6Z3RTM3I5RzhpZXJV/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2B1r3Wq7qmgal9iSy1zMXFaUk55ZlNwelJLdkQxcEZTZlJj/view?usp=sharing

Dear Parents/Guardians, The Open House scheduled for Tuesday, January 21st at Humberside Collegiate has been CANCELLED. Thank you.

Saturday Feb 1st 10am - 2pm , Fern Ave P.S. Auditorium  Calling all brave adventurers, armchair generals, and gamer geeks! Join us for a day of nerdy fun and help us raise funds for Grade 8 grad.  Come play  Dungeons & Dragons NEW this year we'll be introducing some more RPGs (role-playing games) and tabletop miniatures games (to be announced soon) (All ages & all levels welcome, no experience necessary) 10$ - per player Spots are limited, signups start at 10am. Cash only, please. Questions:  laura.ashby.watts@ gmail.com

Dear Parents/Guardians, As a result of the selected withdrawal of services by members of ETFO, all elementary school open houses and elementary visits to secondary schools scheduled during the school day have been cancelled. Thank you.

Dear Parents/Guardians, Please note that all OPEN HOUSES scheduled for parents and students to visit have been cancelled until further notice. The TDSB website has also posted an update message regarding the cancelation of upcoming evening Open Houses. Thank you.

Dear Parents/guardians, Mountview Alternative JS will be cancelling their Open House, scheduled for Thursday February 6, until further notice. Thank you!

Dear Parents/Guardians, Delta will be cancelling their Open House, scheduled for Tuesday, January 14th. Thank you!

Dear Parents/Guardians, Hawthorne II Bilingual Alternative JS will be cancelling their Open House, scheduled for next Wednesday, January 15th. Thank you.

Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, SCREENAGERS reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and also offers solutions on how adults can empower their kids to best navigate the digital world to find balance. The film is a great way for parents to become aware of concerns and potential solutions around screen time.  Want to bring  your kids? Filmmakers generally recommend it for kids age 10/grade 5 & up, and recommend families make their own decisions about this considering the film's style (documentary), length (68 minutes) and content (the kids they follow in the film are in Middle and High School).   Fern kids will see a shorter classroom version of the film during the day at school. After the film, School Psychologist Dr. Paul Szego, Social Worker Sabena Fredric, and School Community Liaison Officer Janet Abramovitz will join us for questions and discussion.

Those long cardboard tubes from holiday wrap are coveted items in Fern's upcoming STEM festival.  Please send yours in  this week ; there is a collection box in front of the main office only until  Monday January 13 . (Only cardboard tubes for now, thanks; additional STEM materials will be collected in the coming weeks. Watch this space!) Thanks on behalf on Fern's STEM committee.      Thanks!  

The kids are back at school that means your school community is back in action at School Council. Please join us for the first meeting of 2020 at  6:30, Wednesday January 15, in the Staffroom  (second floor -- East hall).  Everyone welcome! We will have pizza, and if there’s demand, free childcare. Please RSVP by Wednesday January 14 so we know how much pizza to order, and whether to book a babysitter. ( Please note, we will NOT book childcare if people do not RSVP that they need it ). We look forward to seeing you. Best, School Council Exec

Click here for information on the Downtown Alternative School Open House.

Those long cardboard tubes from holiday wrap are coveted items in Fern's upcoming STEM festival. Please send yours in this week; there is a collection box in front of the main office only until Monday, January 13 . (Only cardboard tubes for now, thanks; additional STEM materials will be collected in the coming weeks. Watch this space!) Thanks on behalf on Fern's STEM committee.

Join us for a public screening of Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age In the Fern Auditorium on January 23rd from 7 – 8:30pm. Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, SCREENAGERS reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and also offers solutions on how adults can empower their kids to best navigate the digital world to find balance. The film is a great way for parents to become aware of concerns and potential solutions around screen time. Want to bring your kids? Filmmakers generally recommend it for kids age 10/grade 5 & up, and recommend families make their own decisions about this considering the film's style (documentary), length (68 minutes) and content (the kids they follow in the film are in Middle and High School). Fern kids will see a shorter classroom version of the film during the day at school. After the film, School Psychologist Dr. Paul Szego, Social

The kids are back at school that means your school community is back in action at School Council. Please join us for the first meeting of 2020 at 6:30, Wednesday January 15 , in the Staffroom (second floor -- East hall). Everyone welcome! We will have pizza, and if there’s demand, free childcare. Please RSVP by Wednesday, January 14 so we know how much pizza to order, and whether to book a babysitter. (Please note, we will NOT book childcare if people do not RSVP they need it). We look forward to seeing you. Best, School Council Exec

Click here for information on E.A.S.T Alternative School of Toronto's Open House.   

Click here to learn more about the Downtown Vocal Music Academy Open House.

Click here  for information on the upcoming open house at High Park Alternative School.

Are you looking for an alternative for your child for grade 7 & 8? The program at Horizon offers: Enriched, quality programming in all subject areas  Student responsibility and time management skills  Real-life and simulation based teaching  Teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills  Diversity  Lots of trips and special events  When is it? Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 6:20pm Where is it? Horizon/CTA auditorium 570 Shaw Street (near Ossington and Harbord) The Open House will offer prospective families a chance to hear current students talk about the program, to ask questions of staff and students, and to hear a performance from the Horizon House Band. The updated application package will also be on their website. The Open House is not a mandatory part of the application package. Horizon also offer school tours, during the day, and following week.  Contact Information: Phone: 416-393-1298 Email: horizon_alt@h