Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Thursday, December 9th Fern Avenue Public School In the Auditorium, 6 pm Showcasing our Kindergarten, Primary/Junior Classes, Junior/Senior Band & Strings Also, please support our Used Book & Craft Sale school fundraiser on the 1st floor (halls) From 5 – 6pm We look forward to having you join us for this event!

FTC organized the Vow of Silence on November 22 in support of the children in the world who do not have a voice. 81 participants from Grades 4 to 8 took the Vow and fell silent for all or some of the day. Over $1,300 has been raised so far, and not all of our pledges are in! All monies raised will be donated to our clean water project in Kenya. Ella and Elizaveta , Members of FTC Here are some quotes from the Vow participants: “By taking the vow, I realized that communication is such a big part of my life and what loneliness those people who don’t have a voice must feel, not being able to talk freely.” -Lena “I didn’t have the right to speak or be heard, one of the most challenging things to do.” -Eliaveta “It felt good talking (after the Vow). I felt like a bird who was trapped in a cage but suddenly set free!” –Daniela “I can’t imagine what it would be like to not have a voice or rights.” - Wayke “Everybody should be able to have a voice in the world.” -Katrina

SCOOTER GIRL and FERN P.S. invite parents to come and shop at Scooter Girl on Friday, December 3 , and Saturday, December 4 . A portion of all purchases will be returned to your school's fundraising committee. Just mention Fern P.S at the store! Submitted by Larissa Mattwich , Fern parent

Toronto Public Health will start the 2nd dose of the free HPV vaccine for grade 8 female students in December of this year until February of 2011. For full protection, a complete series is required as follows: HPV vaccine requires 3 doses; 30 days between 1st and 2nd dose, 90 days between 2nd and 3rd dose. The second HPV clinic for Grade 8 female students will be held on Monday January 24, 2011 in the PM. We ask for your cooperation in reminding your child of the clinic date provided above, as it is important to maintain adequate space between doses.

The annual Used Book, DVD and Video Sale is coming up! Start sending in your gently used books and movies for toddlers, children, teens and adults. We will be having the fair on December 7 - 9, finishing the night of the Winter Concert. The books will be sorted by Ms. Douglas and her wonderful Girls and Boys Book Clubs. Drop donations outside the office ASAP. Volunteers are needed to help: Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1 - 4 pm Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1 - 4 pm Thursday, Dec. 9, 1 - 4 pm, or evening 5.30 - 7.30pm Submitted by Joanne Somers , parent volunteer

The December 2010 school newsletter is now available.

Dear Fern parents,  You will be able to sign up for TWO weeks of lunches again. For your own records, circle the days you have ordered lunch on the menu attached here AND circle the days you want on the detachable form below.  In order to help us track your orders and clarify any glitches, please also provide us with your contact information. We will only use it to communicate about the lunch program.  Menu will also be posted on the Fern School website for your reference at http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/fern  Questions? Please email/call Liz Phillips at lizannephillips@me.com or 416-535-3198.

The monthly school council meeting will be this Thursday, 7 - 9 pm in the Auditorium. Agenda to follow later this week. Lisa Dooher , school council chair

It's SPIRIT WEEK at Fern Avenue Public School! Come out and participate by showing your spirit! Monday November 22-Pyjama Day Tuesday November 23-80's Day Wednesday November 24-Twin Day Thursday November 25-Backwards Day Friday November 26-Crazy Hair, Crazy Hat Day Thank you to our STUDENT COUNCIL for organizing the events for this week!

Parents and guardians are invited to learn more about the TDSB’s proposed elementary Programs of Choice, which include: • Boys’ Leadership Academy (JK-Grade 3) • Girls’ Leadership Academy (Grades 4-8) • Vocal Music Academy (Grades 4-8) • Sports & Wellness Academy (open to all elementary grades as available per school) This is a chance for parents and guardians to hear more about: • The reasons why the TDSB is considering four new elementary Programs of Choice • Each program and their unique features and benefits •The positive impact the programs can have on students • Potential locations and timelines Child care and interpreters will be offered at each meeting. Please contact Sawsan Messih at 416.394.3910 or Sawsan.Messih@tdsb.on.ca to express your interest in attending. Also, please advise Ms. Messih of your childcare or interpreter needs. For more information please visit www.tdsb.on.ca . Dates and Locations: Monday, November 22, 2010 7:00 p.m. Central Technical School 725 Bathu

The TDSB will be holding two information sessions for parents and guardians who wish to learn more about  Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and the Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) The session for the West Region will be held in Etobicoke on November 24, 2010. Click here to download the flier for full information and directions.

The Fern Hot Lunch Program is looking for parent volunteers to help serve lunch. Your commitment would be from 11 am to 1 pm. The duties include serving the food, crossing kids’ names off the list, and cleaning dishes. We try to have at least two people helping every day. We have been trying to hire a permanent server, but due to the part-time nature of the position we have had enormous difficulty. If you are interested in helping, please contact: Liz Phillips lizannephillips@me.com 416-535-3198

Grade 8 students will be attending Parkdale Collegiate Institute on Friday, December 3, 2010 from 9:30am to 12 noon. Students will participate in the activities and information sessions outlined by PCI. Permission forms should be signed and returned to the classroom teachers by Tuesday, November 30, 2010. Thank you.

Please note that STOCK transportation will have all bus students particpate in a simulated BUS EVACUATION procedure on Friday November 26, 2010 at 10:30am. This will take place at Fern Avenue P.S., on Wright Avenue (the drop off for all buses). Ms. Tasevski and/or Mr.Moy will supervise students during this time.

We are still looking for volunteers for Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, 1 to 3:30 or 4:00. If you are available, we would love to have your help! Contact Ellen Douglas, teacher-librarian, at ellen.douglas@tdsb.on.ca or call the school at (416) 393-9130.

The Lunch Menu for November 22 - December 3 is now available.

Public Health will be at Fern Avenue Public School tomorrow morning at 9:00am. Grade 7 students who returned their immunization forms will be vaccinated for Meningococcal and Hepatitis B. Grade 8 girls who have submitted consent forms will be vaccinated for Human Papillomavirus (HPV). For additional information on these vaccinations please call the Immunization Information Line at 416-392-1250.

If you have any left over wood from a renovation, or have wood taking up space in your basement or garage, please consider donating it to the Fern Design Technology program. Any and all wood donated to Fern would be put to good use! Please make arrangements with Mr. De Jong to drop off your donation.

Dear Fern parents, Thank you for supporting the catering service as we try to develop a school-based hot lunch program. We hope your child(ren) is/are enjoying the food so far. As a reminder, Choice Children’s Catering is delivering lunch to the school at a cost of $3.85 per lunch , which includes 2% milk . Parents will receive a menu on Wednesday or Thursday, which must be returned to Vera Ciric in the school office no later than the following Tuesday. This week your form is due Tuesday, November 9 . For the next few months you will have to submit your order every Tuesday for the following week. There will be no lunches available on a drop-in basis – you *must* order in advance. Following is the menu for the week of November 15. On the form below please circle each day that you wish to order lunch and return this form with a cheque made payable to Fern Avenue P.S. Food Program to the school no later than Tuesday, November 9 . Lunch will be served in the cafeteria. Lunch passes will n

Fern Avenue Public School is holding a Scholastic Book Fair during the week of November 15th to 19th in the Auditorium across from the Main Office.  At the Book Fair you will find a wide variety of reasonably-priced books that appeal to all kinds of interests and reading abilities.  You will find both newly published titles and well-loved classics of fiction and information text.  Attached is a Highlights flyer providing a preview of some of the books available for purchase at the Fair. Funds raised during this event will support the acquisition of new and needed picture story books, novel sets and information texts to enhance classroom programs.  They will also help to pay for the Boys’ Book Club, the Girls’ Book Club, and the Intermediate Book Club.  Last year, the Book Fair made it possible for 40 junior and intermediate students to attend the Silver Birch and Red Maple Awards Ceremonies at Harbourfront, where four of our students introduced two nominated authors, and

Fern Avenue Public School is holding a Scholastic Book Fair during the week of November 15th to 19th in the Auditorium , across from the Main Office.  Funds raised during this event will help to support the literacy initiatives the school library, including the Boys’, Girls’ and Intermediate Book Clubs, the Silver Birch and Red Maple Reading Programs, and the Get Caught Reading Program. It will also make it possible to put the most up-to-date resources urgently needed by teachers and their students. The Scholastic Book Fair will be open - 12:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Wednesday and Friday 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening We are looking for adult volunteers who might be able to give us a couple of hours to help out with manning the desk during this fund-raiser! No experience necessary! If you would like to help with the Book Fair, please speak Ellen Douglas, in the library, or call or e-mail me! Many t

Secondary School Information Night Sessions at Parkdale PS: Thanks to everyone who was able to attend our Secondary School Information Night at Parkdale PS! If you were unable to attend the Information Night session, students were handed out information folders this week with a Choices for Nine brochure. On the inside is a pull-out poster listing ALL TDSB high school information nights. Please ensure that your child has received their copy. If you did not receive a hardcopy folder and wish additional copies of these documents please contact Vera Ciric in the main office. Important Dates: Tuesday, November 9 – 7:00 – Ursula Franklin Academy Tuesday, November 16 – 6:30 - Western Technical Commerce School ( * Fern PS to visit during the day) Tuesday, November 30 – 6:30 – Western Technical Commerce School – Specialized Programs Wednesday, December 8 – 7:00 – Parkdale CI Thursday, December 9 – 7:00 – Parkdale CI – International Baccalaureate Program Wednesday, January 5 – 7:00 – Humbersid

Calling all grade 7 & 8 parents interested in helping out with the Fern Grade 8 (2011)Graduation, our first meeting will take place at the beginning of January 2011. Date to be announced however if you are interested in joining the committee please email Vera Ciric @ vera.ciric@tdsb.on.ca Thank you.

On Monday, November 22, Free the Children will be hosting the Vow of Silence to coincide with The Convention on the Rights of the Child. There are still children in the world not being heard. They have no rights. They have no voice. On the 22nd, students of Fern Avenue are invited to join the movement! Students in grades 4 to 8 will remain silent for 24 hours in support of those who are unable to speak for themselves. Primary students may participate as well, taking a shortened vow e.g. silent for the lunch hour. It is our hope that the Vow will raise awareness and create real social change. All monies raised will be donated to our clean water project in Kenya. Ms. Ashforth

A heartfelt thank you to the Fern Community!! Three members of Free The Children, a parent and I dropped off 10 boxes of food to the Hallowe'en for Hunger campaign at Union Station on October 30th! We even had a chance to chat with Scott Hammell, the magician and FTC spokesperson who lived in a glass box for 5 days to help raise awareness about hunger in our city. All donations went to the Daily Bread Food Bank to help make hunger history. Your support is greatly appreciated! Ms. Ashforth