Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Ohmygoshthatwassomuchfun!  We were really worried Thursday night of the last week of school would be a bust. Too close to the long weekend. Too much smoke. Not enough notice for volunteers... But holy teapot, what a raging success! Thanks so much to the Fern community for coming out in droves as volunteers, bakers, cake decorators, three legged race racers, face painters, BBQ specialists, BBQ line attendees, and everything in between. Wow. We pretty much sold out of food and beverages, including the pop Bliss ran home to get out of her basement (not originally destined for Fun Fair). The kids went bananas for the games, the prizes, the mystery bags (new this year, inherited from families coming to Fern from Garden), not to mention the popcorn and candy floss.  Thanks so much to:  Inez-Margaret Bliss, Madeleine Cruickshank for project managing this thing,  Genevieve Bolduc for running the BBQ, Christine Wons for running the bake sale, figuring out the kitchen business and basically be

"Back to normal" had a bit of a hiccup with smoke-ma-geddon. But we're rolling full steam ahead for Thursday June 29. Please sign up here for volunteer slots: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084daaae23a4fece9-fernapalooza?fbclid=IwAR0bKiUZCcY0qz-Zy-MFWxvXmFk0_L9JzJUxOz4AqddDsuNkK80Wp567Z6M#/ In particular, if you can take on the role of Games Captain please let us know ASAP at:  fernaveschoolcouncil@gmail.com   Other Fernapalooza Reminders:  -- Mystery Bag collection until end of school day Wednesday at Office  -- Bake Sale contributions to be delivered Thursday, June 29 at Office  -- Cake Decorating Competition to be dropped off either Thursday June 29 at Office (please complete registration form) OR drop off between 4 - 6pm at the Cake Competition table.  -- Canopy tents : We are still looking for 10x10 canopies to borrow for the event in case of rain or sun. Let us know if you can lend us one.  -- BBQ Advance Purchase : The BBQ will be $5 per person.* Look for Ma

We didn't think this was going to happen this year, but Mr. Dumont came through in the clutch!  However, it does mean we are racing to pull this off at the last minute. Please sign up here to help the grade 8 cohort have one last adventure:  https://signup.com/go/KjxRrpy

Weeks ago we cleverly planned this for a week nothing was going on... Famous last words!  We still have a few food/beverage items we could use as well as some volunteer slots.  Food drop off is Fern on Monday 7:45 am, or if needed, Sunday 6-7pm at 170 Garden Ave . See sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sbiF3Zwhyl3SY1BhHX7TNuxn8oVqQpTJxh9CzW7KjdA/edit?fbclid=IwAR1n8nahiKmCZq9h24QsMYHfEpRuiG7z8aQq2CDxYrWYM8BFKzDfrwm2WYM#gid=2103550085

  Fernapalooza New Date - Thursday June 29th While we are disappointed we had to postpone this event, we are super excited to have this as a year end party!  A few reminders: Volunteers:  Please reconfirm your volunteering status!!  We still need more people! Check out the link . In particular, we desperately need a couple of captains for the night of the event:   Games Captain:  The materials are ready, the games are planned, we have volunteers, but our Games Captain will be away.    Popcorn Captain:  Our long-time popcorn expert will be away.  Again, we have knowledge, materials, and volunteers, but we need an adult to be in charge on the night of the thing.   Please reach out to  fernaveschoolcouncil@gmail.com  if you can be in charge the night of the event. We will connect you to the veterans who've run it before. Bake Sale: Please drop off baked goods at the Office on Thursday, June 29.  If you can't make it, we can either accept your goodies early, or get someone else to

Hi all, It has been a wonderfully busy month so far!  This week we will be increasing our efforts and bringing costumes to the table.  PERFORMANCE DATES:   MONDAY THE 26 of JUNE FOR Students (AM) and  TUESDAY the 27 of JUNE at (AM for students) and 1:30 PM FOR PARENTS  Any parents interested in volunteering for hair and makeup please let me know! Many thanks in advance. Also- We are on the lookout for  *A humpty dumpty costume   *A superhero costume size 10-12 that is ok to alter  *4 army-style jackets green  *Any khaki pants for kids age 12  *Any army caps or army-looking boots (kids size 4-8)  *Anything a gnome would wear - pointed hat? beard? small overalls (kids size 10-12)  Please email me a photo before dropping off as the office might get inundated with deliveries.  Merci,  Meghan meghan.hulsman@tdsb.on.ca

Please encourage your child to look through the lost and found tables in the next couple of weeks to locate missing items. Any items not claimed by June 30th will be donated .

The first day back at school is September 5th for all students from JK to Grade 8. Class placements will be found on your child's report card.

As is our tradition at Fern, on the last day of school, June 30th, we will be clapping out all our graduating students as they leave Fern!  Please join us on June 30th at 3:00 pm at Exit #3 and capture the moment that your graduate will be leaving our doors for the next chapter in their educational career!

Congratulations to our grade 8 students who will be celebrating their graduation this coming week on Thursday, June 22nd.   We will be having a rehearsal practice on Wednesday, June 21st from 1-3:30 pm at PCI. The students will rehearse procedures for the graduation ceremony.  Graduates are reminded to be at PCI no later than 4:45 pm on June 22nd , as the ceremony will start at 5pm sharp.  Seating is available for all family members wanting to attend. The after party/dance will follow right after the ceremony. Students will walk to the Royal Canadian Legion on Lakeshore to their celebration party from 6-10pm. Please pick up your child at 10pm.  We look forward to celebrating this milestone with our students and families

On June 21st, for National Indigenous Peoples Day , we recognize and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Metis across Canada.  We are inviting our school community to wear orange to show our solidarity and remind us of our commitment to reconciliation. Please take some time to reflect and consider the impact we as Settlers have had on them and recognize that we must all work together in a spirit of reconciliation and truth to do better.

Yearbooks are available for purchase through School Cash Online.   For $20 your graduate can have a beautiful keepsake of the school year! Please note that delivery of the yearbook will be the last week of school.   Don't be disappointed as once this is closed there will not an opportunity to purchase this keepsake.

And we are off! Wishing all our Grade 8 Graduates a memorable trip to Montreal!  A huge thank you to our staff for taking the time from their families to support this experience for our Grade 8 students.  Please follow me on twitter @FernAvePS for updates along our trip.  Departure: Monday, June 12th, Grade 8 students need to be at Fern PS by 6:30 am , as the bus will be departing at 7am sharp!  Arrival: Wednesday, June 14th,  Grade 8 students and staff are expected to arrive back at Fern PS at approximately 9:30 pm .

Fern PS Juniors and Seniors have been working hard on a play all about toys!  Action Man and the Toys were once indispensable for Jim and Julie. Lately not so much. As the children and their family navigate the complex terrain of a local labour dispute with disruptive power outages, Action Man and the Toys must do all they can to once again be the life of the playroom, or will end up in the trash heap never to be played with again! Performances as follows: Dates have changed   Monday June 26th - 9:30am - Grades 1- 4 Audience: students only (dress rehearsal)  Tuesday June 27th - 9:30am - Grades 5-8 Audience: Students only  Tuesday June 27th - 1:30pm - Grades 5-8 Audience: Parents and caregivers welcome  Volunteers for hair, makeup and costumes would be welcome.  Please contact Mme. Hulsman or Mr. Ruttan directly.

Due to the air quality issues, we are postponing Fernapalooza/Fun Fair. We are tentatively booking Thursday June 29.... more details to follow. We are very disappointed, but the predictions for Friday's air quality run anywhere from "moderate" to "ash falling from the sky." We have to give our bbq and food suppliers 2 days notice, and if things get worse, we risk losing a big chunk of change and ending up with a thousand hot dogs to store. We don't want to be in a position where we're putting our Fern family at risk. We have pregnant people, grandparents, littles and bigs with asthma, and lots of parents in between who might be affected by the air because of health issues. Making a decision with imperfect information is hard, but we decided to err on the side of caution. We are still working out the details of how to redo the volunteer forms etc., but we will let parents know as soon as possible. More details about the revised date shortly.... Fern Ave S

On Monday, June 26th Fern Families will host a magnificent breakfast spread an as expression of gratitude for our 2022-2023 staff members. There will be a coffee welcome station outside the front doors, and fresh breakfast inside the auditorium.  Please take a look at all of the requested items and sign up for what you can bring:   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sbiF3Zwhyl3SY1BhHX7TNuxn8oVqQpTJxh9CzW7KjdA/edit?usp=sharing   Thanks everyone!  Contact Cortleigh with any questions: cortleighteolis@gmail.com

It’s the family event of the year: BBQ, Bake Sale, Games & Prizes, Fern Cake-Off and more. Fun activities for kids aged 4 to 14 and a good time for adults, too.  We need your help!  -Make a Cake for the Cake-Off – Calling all aspiring bakers and cake enthusiasts! Showcase your creativity and culinary skills as you compete for the title of Fern Cake-Off Champion . Prizes for different age categories for kids, and a "parent-decorated" category, too! Cakes will be auctioned off at the end of the event. Email us for more info at fernaveschoolcouncil@gmail.com   -Prizes – Drop off your gently used, washed stuffies or good condition small toys and kids’ books to be used as prizes. Collection bins are in the foyer at school until June 7 .  -Fill a Mystery Bag – Fill a small paper bag with new and fun treats (think candy, stickers, trinkets, small toys). Mystery Bags will be on sale at Fernapalooza for $5. Please return your Mystery Bag to school by June 7 . Extra paper bags ar

Calling all aspiring bakers and cake enthusiasts! It's time to showcase your culinary skills and creativity as you compete for the title of Fern Cake-Off Champion. Bring your favorite cake recipes and put your frosting, decorating, and flavouring techniques to the test.   Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this competition is open to all ages and skill levels. Gather your friends, family, and fellow cake lovers to cheer you on as you demonstrate your baking prowess. Not only will you have the chance to win a fantastic prize, but you'll also earn the admiration of the entire school community!   Join us at Fernapalooza on Friday, June 9 and prepare to be amazed by the incredible array of delicious creations on display. All cakes will be auctioned off to the highest bidder following the judging.  5 - 6pm Cake Drop-Off & Participant Registration  6 - 6:30pm Cake Judging & Prize Ceremony  6:30 - 7pm Cake Auction  Prizes will be awarded for best c