Fern Ave. Public School Blog

This is just a friendly reminder that the week of March 16-20th is March Break. There will be no school during this time. FernCliff Daycare will continue to operate as usual. Any questions regarding daycare and their March Break program should be directed to Tracy Spence, the FernCliff DayCare Supervisor at 416-588-1463. We hope that our Fern Community has a safe, restful and fun break. Classes will resume at Fern Avenue Public School on Monday March 23, 2009 .

Hot off the press! Enjoy our second newsletter of the new year! uploads/FebruaryNewsletter.pdf

Riverdale School Council Workshop :. April 7/09, 7:00 – 9:00 pm Riverdale C.I. Auditorium 1094 Gerrard St. East Gamer Ed: What Parents need to know about the Video Games Kids Play The debate about the benefits and/or curse that is video games doesn’t seem to end. Are they educational or a mindless waste of time? Do they encourage strategic reasoning or destructive, violent behavior? Underpinning this debate is an age-old truth; we fear what we don’t understand and many parents today don’t know, understand or get gaming. Why do kids have this passionate love affair with video games? How can they invest so much of themselves in blowing up zombies, decorating an igloo or slaying trolls? How do kids get their thumbs and brains to work in tandem when they can’t seem to find their way to the laundry basket? As parents, many of us struggle with issues like appropriate game play, game systems and appropriate titles. Or maybe we’re not even part of the conversation and have allowed our kids to

Thanks to Joanne Somers, Lana DeCosimo, Jacinta Macdonell, Susan McCloud, Paula Larrondo, Andre Breau, Pamela Wilson, Kristyn Drever and a host of other parent volunteers and school staff, our annual Dance-a-thon was a huge success. The music was great, the decorations amazing, and our children had a wonderful time. Together we raised $4,900 as of today (Tuesday, February 24). See you all this Thursday, Feb. 26, for the Ache Brazil performance in the main auditorium. The Parent Council will be selling pizza (as a small fundraiser) beginning at 5:30, and doors open for the show at 6:30. Thanks again, John Richmond , Chair, Fern School Council

Ferncliff Daycare has vacancies in our School Age Program. We have before, lunch and after school spaces as well as space for the March Break. I can be contacted at (416) 588-1463. Tracy Spence Supervisor, Ferncliff Daycare and After School Group

On March12,2009 Instrumental Concert Featuring Strings, Band & Recorder French Cafe Starts at 6:15-7:00pm 7:00-8:00pm the Concert All Are Welcome

Program Title: Hearing/Vision Screening Service Goals & Objectives: · To provide a hearing/vision screening service for students in participating elementary schools (JK – Grade 8) · To provide follow-up report to school families referred for further assessment Program Description: Schools requesting the service will be sent permission forms (packaged 30/class) two weeks prior to the scheduled screening service dates. Forms and fees ($10/student or free if need is indicated) are collected and returned to the office. Principal or designate determines the process for delivering the service on screening day(s), and where appropriate, staff PD session may be provided. SeeHear Canada will prepare and provide an assessment report for each student and the school will distribute these to parents/guardians. Program Timelines: The screenings will take place at schools (up to 60 students are screened/day) during the school year. Participating Schools: All T

February 20 th Morning Gr 1-3 9.15 - 9.55 am JK & SK 10.00 - 10.30 am (do not have recess anyway) Gr 4-6 10.45 - 11.40 am Afternoon JK & SK 1:00 - 1.30 pm Gr 7 & 8 1.30 - 2.40 pm including afternoon break NB: The afternoon JK & SK dance is very quiet so if any classes would like to join this class it would be fun for the younger kids - let us know......... Also, please remind your kids to wear white as we have black lights. All pledges to go to the office to the Parent Council Box where they will be collected daily. Cheers jo somers joannesomers@rogers.com

Earth Hour will take place on Friday, March 27th, from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. TDSB schools and offices will, wherever possible: (1) turn off all interior lighting except necessary emergency lights, (2) log off workstations and allow it to go into standby mode. (3) minimize fan use For the official world-wide Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28th, 2009, 8:30-9:30, all schools and offices will follow the same steps wherever possible. We hope to make a difference, we hope that you can too!

Thursday February 26 , 2009 Ache Brasil performs at Fern Avenue Public School $5 admission 7:00 p.m. Advance tickets at Scooter Girl or contact Susan Anthony 416-538-6204. Prior to the performance, Fern families are invited to the Parent Council Pizza Dinner Fundraiser, 5:00 - 6:30. Enjoy cupcakes from the Eco-School Team. Click on the flyer for details: uploads/Ache Brasil poster.pdf

Our next School Council meeting has been scheduled for next week. The agenda items are listed below. We hope that you will be able to participate. Agenda Thursday February 19, 2008 7:00 – 9:00 School Auditorium (1) Approval of Agenda 2 min (2) Approval of Minutes from November 20, 2008 2 min (3) Reports: Chair (John Richmond) 10 min Including parent survey re: Council format Treasurer (Sally Brady) 5 min (4) Principal’s Report and Discussion (Craig Tsuji) 30 min Including Pool Update, TDSB Budget (5) Ward 7 Rep (Paula Larrondo) 10 min (6) French as a Second Language Advisory Committee (Lise Snelgrove) 5 min (7) Committee Reports 20 min Communications Committee Math, Science and Engineering Eco Schools Committee Playground Committee Arts Collective Food Fundraising (8) Other Business 5 min

We have received the following communication from the Toronto and Region Conservation: Toronto and Region Conservation advises that up to 25 mm of rainfall is forecasted for our area over the next 24 hours, with most of this occurring by midnight. A combination of melting snow and rainfall, at times heavy, will result in rivers and streams becoming swollen and fast flowing. Conditions near watercourses are to be considered dangerous. Folding of low lying areas is anticipated. Also continued rainfall may create street flooding and sewer surcharging. Please exercise caution when driving and avoid low-lying roadways and underpasses. The Toronto and Region Conservation will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and will issue an update or cancellation to this Advisory by 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2009

Friday February 20 Students will get the chance to dance, have some fun and raise money for their school! Pledge forms were sent home TODAY!!. Please write your child's name and classroom on the back on the form and return by Feb 20. Volunteers will be needed on the day for set-up, clean-up and during the day (1-2 hours). Come and dance with your kids and have some fun! Some volunteers required before the day as well. Contact Joanne Somers to help out! ph 416 530 1284 or at joannesomers@rogers.com

Hearing and Vision Screening with SEEVISION will be on Tuesday February 24th, Wednesday February 25th and Thursday February 26th. Permission forms will be sent home Tuesday February 10, 2009. A fee of $10.00 is to be submitted with permission forms with interested students back to the classroom teachers of Fern Avenue Public School.

There will be no classes on Monday, February 16, 2009 to reflect the new province-wide statutory holiday called Family Day. The newly created holiday will occur on the third Monday in February of each year for the purpose of emphasizing and celebrating the importance of families taking time to be together. Because teachers are involved in professional learning on February 13 for the Board-wide Professional Activity Day, students will not be attending school on Friday, February 13 and Monday, February 16 which is the statutory holiday - Family Day . Visit the TDSB public web site at www.tdsb.on.ca to view the 2008-2009 school year calendar.

Fern Ave P.S. Annual Valentines Dance-a-thon FUNDRAISER!! Friday February 20, 2009 We need volunteers to supervise the dance: contact Joanne at joannesomers@rogers.com or Karen Mondok (volunteer co-ordinator). Watch for flyer and pledge form in your child's backpack, coming home next week.

Please take a moment and read this safety message from Toronto Hydro. uploads/torontohydro.pdf

Bravery Hearts - Jewelry Sale In Support of Sick Kids Hospital Bake sale and Greeting Card Sale In support of Lucy McCormick School When: February 10th - beginning at 10:00 a.m. Where: Main foyer at Lucy McCormick School (2717 Dundas St. West) Valentine’s Day is coming – here’s your gift giving answer! Buy beautiful jewelry and accessories and support the Hospital for Sick Children.

As always, we want to ensure the safety of our students at Fern Avenue Public School. The link below outlines an incident that occured yesterday. We emphasize that our students were not hurt, and they reacted with good judgement. uploads/SafetyAlert.pdf