Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Do you love music?  Do you want to help out the school in a fun a meaningful way?  Have you secretly always wanted to DJ a party and love LED lights?  This job is for you!  We are looking for a DJ for the Grad Party on June 28th . We are looking to hire a professional DJ or an enthusiastic parent/friend who can make a compilation of our Grade 8 student playlist and some fun danceable tunes. Easy and Fun!  Please contact us ASAP if you can help or know someone who can.  Contact Taya from the Grad Committee @ luckytaya@gmail.com

Click here for the School Council Meeting Minutes of April 27, 2022.

On behalf of Parkdale CI School Council...  Dear west-end families,  There’s more happening on Thursday, June 2nd than just the provincial elections. In the continued spirit of building community and of working together to build resistance to racism, the families of Parkdale C.I. warmly welcome you to join us that evening for a very special event that we’re hosting online, from 7:00-8:30pm . The workshop, “Black Canada: Racism, Resistance and Resilience at the Intersections”, is grounded in historical context and will focus on the present-day realities of Blackness in Canada. This engaging presentation and discussion, led by Rania El Mugammar, will explore strategies for addressing interpersonal, internalized, and institutional racism  Rania is an experienced anti-oppression, abolition and liberation educator and consultant who is unflinchingly committed to decolonization and freedom as the ultimate goals of her work. Rania is also a Sudanese Artist, multidisciplinary ...

In June, Canadians celebrate National Indigenous History Month to honour the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples of Canada. It is also an opportunity to recognize the strength of present-day Indigenous communities. Throughout the month, students will have an opportunity to learn more about Indigenous history and celebrate the culture through read-a-loud activities and more.

June is Pride month in Canada and throughout the month Fern students and staff will be raising awareness with many planned activities. There will be a  Pride Parade on June 22nd  with Raising of the Flag and entertainment as we all join in nurturing the call to build a safe and inclusive learning environment where every student, staff and member of our community is welcomed, valued and respected.  More details on the parade and other activities to follow from our Fern GSA and Parent Equity Committee.

The track and field races will be held on June 20th at Birchmount. Good luck to everyone participating ! Go Falcons! Thank you to our coaches for all their work in preparing them!

Exciting news from the Music Department !  Mr. Willer's classes will be presenting a day-time Spring Concert. Families are invited to attend. We hope you can make it! This will be held in our auditorium. Every class will be performing a short musical piece, with instruments and singing.  The classrooms are divided into 2 dates. Note which day your child(ren) are performing:  June 2nd from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Auditorium    Rooms 209 ( Gr. 5/6 Roch)   Room 301 ( Gr 8 Nikolajevic)   Room 304 ( Gr 6 Zahradnik)   Room 305 ( Gr 7 Morales)   Room 306 ( Gr 5/6 Otarova)   Room 308 ( Gr 7 Duquette)   Room 310 ( Gr 6/7 Austin)   Room 312 ( Gr 8 Dumont)   June 8th from 2:00-3:30 pm Auditorium    Room 201 ( Gr 5 Brown)   Room 207 ( Gr 3/4 ( Jolic)   Room 214 ( Gr 3/4 Balaisis)   Room 215 ( Gr 4/5 Nave)   Room 302 ( Gr 8 Munteanu)  ...

We really wanted to have some sort of celebration, but didn't want to do the big ticket, big expense rides and what not for a bunch of reasons -- TDSB approved vendors are making up for lost time, and the cost and risk were too much for this year. So we're doing an epic, old school meets new school school yard family fun night instead. BBQ! Old school yard games! DJ! Baking Competition! Silent Auction! Bake Sale!  What do we need from you?  Volunteer: Yours OR your kids' time Here's your chance to put in a half hour, an hour, or more, to volunteer. Many hands will lighten the load all around. Please go to https://signup.com/go/pGUmMnL to sign up for a volunteer shift at the games, the bake sale, face painting etc. If you have a child in your house who'd like to volunteer, we have designated some shifts as "adult," but any other shifts can be kids grade 6-8 (or your high schooler who needs volunteer hours). Please don't sign up your younger child f...

Face paint Volunteers are needed for the upcoming Fernapolooza BBQ -   9th of June, 5-8pm   Choose your time slot (30 min should work) in the link below: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/757035160017356043/false#/invitation It's fun, easy and the kids love it! 

Looking for volunteer bakers to make our baked goods table the sweet decadence of bake sales past! Cookies, squares and bars in the $1 - $2 range would be most welcome.  Fill out this form  to let us know what you’ll be baking!    More details to follow about drop-off logistics. We also need 12 volunteers to work at the table in teams of 2 for half-hour shifts. If this sounds like you or your child please sign up on the volunteer page .  Please contact rachel.gruet@gmail.com with any questions Please use the volunteer sign up form   here   to let us know what you’ll be baking! Small items that we can sell at $1 or $2 are

2022's slightly scaled down answer to the Fun Fair -- Fernapalooza -- is coming to the Fern yard! Thursday, June 9, after school and into the evening  (exact times TBD).  Family BBQ, face painting, cake decorating competition, DJ, bouncy castle, games, raffle, bake sale.... This is all coming together on a shorter timeline than usual because of, you know, the pandemic, so we're looking for volunteers to help out with things like running games, the bake sale, clean-up, etc. Volunteers:   We will soon post a link to an official volunteer sign-up, but right now we need a few people to be in charge of games. We're thinking low tech, low cost, like bean bag toss (anyone have a toilet seat?), fishing, musical chairs... We will help line up volunteer helpers for you (grade 7 and 8's we hope), but we need people to get the ball rolling. All you need is some energy and enthusiasm. Please let us know at:   fernaveschoolcouncil@gmail.com .  Silent Auction/ Raffle: If ...

Hey Fern Community!  On Thursday, May 26th at 12:15 (during lunch), Student Parliament is hosting a Bake Sale. The funds raised will go to the Grade 8 Graduation. All the baked goods have been baked by the eighth graders themselves!  We would really appreciate your support by having your child(ren) buying something at the sale. The treats will be either one or two dollars.  Thanks!  Student Parliament

Who: LeRoi Newbold, Freedom School  When: May 17, 2022 at 6pm  Where: Virtual, via zoom, link to follow  How: Register here   Join us for a two-workshop series co-sponsored by the Howard Park and Fern Avenue Public School Equity and Inclusion Committees. Through these workshops we will discuss ways that we can work together to address and challenge anti-Black Racism and support our students in and out of the classroom. We will also focus on how we can build a network of solidarity to show up and fight anti-Black racism in our larger community. Students, parents, community members and staff are invited to participate in these interactive zoom sessions.  The first workshop will be held on May 17, 2022 at 6pm facilitated by LeRoi Newbold, co director of Freedom School Toronto. Freedom School Toronto is a youth and parent driven initiative that intervenes to fight against anti-Black racism in the school system and to create educational alternatives for Black childr...

 

This is a math and computing contest through the University of Waterloo. All our grade 7 and 8 students will be participating for a one hour contest on May 18th . Un grand merci to Mme Munteanu for organizing!

Student Vote is a program of CIVIX, a national charity dedicated to strengthening democracy through civic education. Student Vote uses the election as a teachable moment and enables teachers to bring democracy alive in the classroom. This hands-on learning program empowers students to learn about democracy, levels of government, political views and political parties, and the election process. Students experience the voting process firsthand and cast ballots for the official candidates running in the election.  The Student Vote program is flexible and adaptable to any grade or course. It provides free learning materials such as lesson plans (in print and digital formats), videos, slides, and interactive tools. This year, there more activities are included to reach learners in Academic-only or de-streamed classes, as well as new lessons focusing on themes of perspective and pluralism.  Student Vote has also partnered with Elections Ontario to support educators in organizing ac...

We are excited to have booked X - MOVEMENT for June 21st, to provide our students with a "Play Day" style day for all students from grade 1-8. X - MOVEMENT is a company that supports not only Physical but also Mental Health and Well-Being experiences for our students. Each class will participate for a 40 minute workshop filled with fun activities, fitness, dance and games. We will be hosting this outdoors. These activities promote spreading positivity, practicing gratitude and celebrating all our students!

Fern will be participating in Jump Rope for Heart on May 25th. Students will be having fun practicing healthy habits to protect our heart and brain. http://support.heartandstroke.ca/goto/fern_ave_junior_senior_ps

All grade 8 families are cordially invited to our grade 8 graduation ceremony on June 28th from 5-6 pm in the beautiful auditorium at Parkdale Collegiate. You may invite friends and family to attend this exciting event as the auditorium has a large capacity.  Students will be attending the " after party" right after the ceremony, supervised by the administration and staff at Fern. The Royal Canadian Legion is located at 1395 Lakeshore Blvd. and is walking distance from PCI.

 

Who : LeRoi Newbold, Freedom School  When : May 17, 2022 at 6pm  Where : Virtual, via zoom, link to follow  Join us for a two-workshop series co-sponsored by the Howard Park and Fern Avenue Public School Equity and Inclusion Committees. Through these workshops we will discuss ways that we can work together to address and challenge anti-Black Racism and support our students in and out of the classroom. We will also focus on how we can build a network of solidarity to show up and fight anti-Black racism in our larger community. Students, parents, community members and staff are invited to participate in these interactive zoom sessions.  The first workshop will be held on May 17, 2022 at 6pm facilitated by LeRoi Newbold, co director of Freedom School Toronto. Freedom School Toronto is a youth and parent driven initiative that intervenes to fight against anti-Black racism in the school system and to create educational alternatives for Black children. This session is a fo...

Good day parents and caregivers,  Please join us for An Evening with Parents of Black Children , a conversation about the inequities that black children and their families face in the educational system.  This conversation will take place on May 19 at 6:30pm , registration details are included here . If you would like to submit a question to be discussed during the conversation, please submit your question here: https://forms.gle/2rXwWiCVo8t4n58KA   https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/parents-of-black-children-tickets-326502968167 https://parentsofblackchildren.org/

 

Community Engagement Success!  A big thank you to all of the Fern families and students who made this possible. This card is for each of you.  We will do one more round of toiletry kits next month. Contact Cortleighteolis@gmail.com with questions.

Holy teapot Fern families, did you ever come through with some AMAZING donations to help raise money for this and next year's Grad. The Grad Committee received enough donations to create 9 baskets worth about $200 each including a few non-alcoholic gift baskets.  Thank you so much for your donations, and to the Grad Committee team putting this together!  So now it's time to buy a ticket to win one of these great gift baskets. To purchase tickets please email payment to fernwineraffle2022@gmail.com and please indicate which basket(s) you wish to select. PLEASE ADD YOUR EMAIL TO THE MEMO IN YOUR E-TRANSFER OR EMAIL TO LET THEM KNOW WHO YOU ARE -- You will receive a confirmation email.   Ticket prices are $10 for 1, $20 for 3, $50 for 10. Draw date June 13 ! Please see poster above for more details.  Buy early, buy often!

This week we are voting for our favourite Silver Birch (grades 4-6) or Red Maple (grades 7 and 8) nominated book. If you have read 5 or more of the 10 nominations please see Mr. Enticknap in the library to vote by Friday at the latest.  We are happy to announce the next group read for each Book Club:  Junior Book Club (grades 4 - 6) - Our next book is The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands. It won the Silver Birch Award in a previous year. We are asking book club members to get a copy and read the 1st chapter by next Monday, May 9th . There are copies available through the public library, as an ebook, and through major booksellers. New members are welcome. We meet every Monday from 12:15 - 12:45 in the library.  Intermediate/Senior Book Club (grades 7 and 8) - Our next book is Word Nerd by Susin Nielsen. It won the Red Maple Award in a previous year. We are asking book club members to get a copy and read the 1st chapter by next Tuesday, May 10th . There are copies...

Click here or see below for the list of Spring Sports at Fern: Sport:  Senior track and field  Location: Fern track  Start Date: May 3rd  When: Tuesdays and Fridays  Time: 3:45pm-4:45pm  Coach(es): Sarantos Katsihtis  Sport: Junior track and field  Location: Fern track  Start Date: Mon., May 2nd  When: Mon. and Wed.  Time: 3:45-4:45  Coach(es):Chris Enticknap  Sport: Junior Girls Slo-Pitch  Location: Fern turf playing field Start Date: May 4th  When: Wednesdays and Fridays  Time: 8:00am-9:00am  Coach(es): Sarantos Katsihtis  Sport: Senior Girls Slo-Pitch  Location: Fern turf playing field  Start Date: May 3rd  When: Tuesdays at 8:15am and Thursdays at 3:45pm  Coach(es): Sophie Austin, Kyla Duquette  Sport: Senior Boys Slo-Pitch  Location: Sorauren Park  Start Date:May 2  When: Mondays, Wednesdays  Time: 4-5  Coach(es): Laurel Lewies  Sp...

● Fern Falcon Virtual meets at Lunch every Day 1   ● Student Parliament meets in the Auditorium every Day 4 ● GSAO meets every Friday at lunch, Room 309  ● Grade 7/8 Photography Club in Room 301- Wednesdays during lunch  ● Senior Basketball Practice - Tuesdays and Thursdays 8 am - 9 am during March and April.  ● Junior Book Club Every Monday 12:15-12:45 Library  ● Senior Book Club Every Tuesday 12:15-12:45 Library

A reminder the Welcome to Kindergarten night for families to learn more about the program and expectations as your child transitions to Full Day Kindergarten in September is happening on May 25th,  5:30-6:30pm.   Fern will host an in-person Welcome to Kindergarten Information Night for all our new JK and SK families in both French and English streams.  Please join us to learn about the Kindergarten Program at Fern and meet our Teaching staff, Parent Council, Rotary Teachers and Daycare staff. Parents, Guardian, Caregivers, Grandparents and children are invited to attend and learn valuable tips and tools to support a successful school journey to Fern. Bring your little ones with you and see what Kindergarten is all about!

The Fern annual BBQ is back!  Save the date - June 9th after school.   Fern School Council is happy to advise we are optimistically awaiting the return of our annual school BBQ! Please mark your calendars and look out for more details to come!  On behalf of the Fern School Council we look forward to reuniting once again for an evening filled with fun activities and reconnecting as a school community.

Now that we are permitted to have field trips once again, our staff have been booking trips for our students. We know how important experiential learning is to kids and it is something we have missed greatly since the pandemic started.  However, for field trips to take place we need adult volunteers. Ratios for Grade 1-6 are 1:10 and for grade 7-8 are 1:15 . As you are probably aware, we've been experiencing staffing shortages, especially since returning from March Break.  In order to organize the field trips that are so important to our children, we need your help! If you think you would like to volunteer for school field trips or other supports within our school, we ask you get an updated vulnerable screening police check. You can get this information from the school office.