Fern Ave. Public School Blog

For Wednesday morning, Feb. 2, the 8:00 am Swim Team Practice is cancelled. Thank you. From Ms. Ahumada

If you missed submitting your lunch form this week you can still order lunch for the last three weeks in February (February 7-25). Just download this form and submit it to the office, by Tuesday, February 1. Please note that we have changed the submission deadline to Tuesdays . Also note that the lunch for Thursday, February 17, has changed to: Asian orange chicken Vegetable rice bowl Saang choy salad This is in celebration of Chinese New Year!

Click here to download the February 2011 newsletter.

Vow of Silence The final total is in for this year’s Vow of Silence: $2161.65!! Together we have raised over $4600 for our clean water project in Kenya, which is close to our $5000 goal!! Project Love To support Project Love, the Fern community is collecting money to buy much needed school kits for Haiti. The members of FTC have been working with Mrs. Morris on this worthwhile cause. FTC Luncheon The members of FTC decided to take a moment to celebrate our many successes with a noon hour luncheon. In keeping with our global focus, we brought in foods from around the globe. We had many varied dishes to enjoy! It was a great success. A special thanks to Mrs. Hoenhous for her delicious dumplings! "Think We" Speaking Tour On March 1st, Fern will host the “Think We” Speaking Tour, which is part of the Free the Children organization. There will be a keynote presentation to the Junior division, followed by a day of workshops for the members of FTC. This is an exciting oppo

By now, all students have received a Course Selection Sheet to their home high school, along with the brochure, “Choices: Secondary School Course Selection & Planning Guide 2011-2012”. These items are to assist students and families in making the right choices for Grade 9. Please review the Choices brochure, as it contains a lot of useful information about high school. If a student has applied for Optional Attendance and is accepted to the requested school, a new Course Selection Sheet will be given to them and the previous one on file will be discarded. High schools will inform students of their Optional Attendance status on February 14th, 2011 and a decision will have to be made shortly thereafter. *Note: Once a student has turned down an offer, it will not be available to them if they change their mind at a later date. Course Selection Sheets are due on Monday, January 31st. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Wong, Guidance Counsellor, at Stephanie.Wong3@tdsb.on.ca

The caterer had a water main burst over the weekend and has had to adjust its menu this week. Tuesday's and Thursday's lunches will be switched, meaning that Tuesday's lunch is now:      Chicken Parmagiana, Rice, and Coleslaw And Thursday's lunch is now:      Cheese Tortellini w/ Tomato Sauce and Coleslaw We are sorry for any difficulties this may cause. If the adjusted menu does not suit your child's diet, please contact Liz Phillips at lizannephillips@me.com or 416-535-3198.

Click here to download the menu and sign-up form for February 2011. And please return your completed forms to the office by Wednesday, January 26.

Just a friendly reminder that our SENIOR KINDERGARTEN French Immersion Night will be on Wednesday January 26th at 7pm in the Auditorium. It will be an evening hosted by Kirsten Johnston, TDSB French Department. We look forward to seeing you there.

The Individual Education Plan (IEP) & The Identification, Placement and Review Committe (IPRC) Date: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Locations: EAST REGION 140 Borough Drive Council Chambers, Main Floor WEST REGION Bloor C.I. 1141 Bloor Street West Auditorium Registration: NOT required Parking: Limited at both locations If an interpreter or child minding is required, contact: East: 416-396-9039 or 416-396-9003 West: 416-394-3754 or 416-394-7413

The communications committee is seeking one or two parents or teachers as new members , to help maintain this notice board, send out email summaries, and undertake new initiatives and improvements. If you ever find yourself thinking of ways to improve communications within the school community, here is an opportunity to act on it! This role is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, skilled at editing, and comfortable using (or learning to use) web technology. The time commitment is about two to three hours per month, and is flexible in terms of timing/location. You do not need to be at the school, but you do need to have good computer access. Please email the committee via fernnoticeboard@gmail.com if you are interested. On a personal note, I am retiring from the communications committee at the end of this month. We've come a long way during the years I've been involved in this effort, and I shall enjoy being part of the audience as the committee continues to implement new

The Fern Avenue Swim Team will begin training sessions for the Fern Avenue Swim Team, the following is a breakdown of days and times.... Senior Students will train Monday and Wednesdays from 8:00-8:35am Thursdays from 11:40am-12:20pm Junior Students will train Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:40am-12:20pm. If you have any questions please feel free to call the office and ask for the swim coach. Thank-you.

The next parent council meeting will take place in the school auditorium on Thursday, January 20th, 7 - 8:30 pm. If you have any agenda items, please forward them no later than Wednesday morning to LDOOHER@rogers.com. Please come out and get involved!

Attention to all grade 8 students and parents, Our school photographers will be at Fern on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 9:00am to take graduation photos and composites of our grade 8 graduation classes. Flyers will be coming home shortly. Thank-you.

It has come to the attention of the Food Committee that there are a significant number of children who have signed up for lunches on the day that they will be attending the Island School on the week of January 24th. We understand that not all parents were aware of this excursion when they filled out their forms and we are offering to apply lunches paid for on those days to the February lunch program. We will automatically be canceling those lunches. Please let us know what days you would like your credit applied to. Thanks to all for supporting this program. We appreciate your patience while we work out the kinks! If you have any questions regarding this credit, please feel free to contact me at LDOOHER@rogers. Regards, Lisa Dooher

The Fern Avenue Hockey team is proud to once again represent Fern Avenue Public School. Thank you to all of the parents who have contributed and continue to contribue their time and dedication to our team. The following is the schedule of our home and visiting games at Mastercard Arena in Etobicoke. Home: Fern: January 13th @ 12pm Away: Fern: January 19th @ 12pm Home: Fern: January 25th @ 12pm Away: Fern: February 3rd @ 12pm Home: Fern: February 9th @ 11am Away: Fern: February 16th @ 11am All 4 teams advance to West Conference Semi-Finals Please stay posted for further conference final dates. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call the coaches...Vera Ciric or Miya Oda @ 416-393-9130.

Gifted/Enriched at Western Technical-Commercial School Grade 8 Parents' Information Night (last session before option sheets are due) Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 7:00 pm in room 274B 125 Evelyn Cr. 416-393-0500 x20040

Optional Attendance forms may be signed by either Mr. Moy or Ms. Wong (Guidance Counsellor). Students are ONLY permitted to apply to : Two (2) Specialized Programs, and Two (2) Regular Programs. The deadline dates for Optional Attendance for the 2011-12 school year are as follows: Secondary School : (a) Applications must be received by Tuesday, 1 February 2011. (b) A lottery, if necessary, will be held the first week in February 2011. (c) Parents/guardians or students 18 years of age or older will be informed of acceptance or non-acceptance prior to Monday, 14 February 2011. (d) Parents/guardians or students 18 years of age or older must confirm the offer of admission by completing a course selection sheet by Tuesday, 1 March 2011. (e) No student will be admitted into a junior high level for grade 9 and at all secondary grade levels through optional attendance after Tuesday, 1 March 2011 unless the student does not have a timetable at another school. * Note: It is the parent/guardian’s

Please note that the POOL has reopened at Fern Avenue PS. The aquatics program will start Thursday January 6, 2011 . Students are reminded to be prepared for their swim classes. Any questions regarding the POOL are to be directed to the school office. Thank you!

PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT Grade 7 Extended French Program Thursday, January 20, 2011 7:00 – 8:00 pm SWANSEA PUBLIC SCHOOL 207 Windermere Ave. 416-393-9080 Half of the day is in French and half of the day is in English. The subjects taught in French are language, social studies and the arts. The subjects taught in English are English Language Arts, math, science and physical education. How Do I Apply? · Complete application form – copies are available at your home school or at Swansea PS office · Submit to Swansea PS by Friday, February 4, 2011 · Acceptance letters mailed to home school by February 18, 2011 · Register at Swansea PS by March 11, 2011 to confirm placement

The Premier’s Awards for Teaching Excellence is celebrating its fifth year recognizing outstanding educators and support staff. The awards are a great way to say thank you to the people who have made a difference in your children’s lives. Nominations are open until January 31, 2011. Find out more at www.ontario.ca/teachingawards or www.facebook.com/ONteachingawards .

Please note the following PA Days: Friday January 21, 2011 Friday February 18, 2011 Please note the following holiday: Monday February 21, 2011 (Family Day)

When: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 Where: Quest Alternative Senior 3rd floor of Withrow Public School 25 Bain Avenue Time: 6:45 to 7:25 p.m. Student lead tours of 10 minutes each in the Quest Area followed by a large group meeting in the gym until approx. 8:30 p.m. Applications will be given out at the end of the evening – No exceptions Please. Please note: - This will be the only opportunity for parents to pick up a registration form for September 2011 - Both parent and child must attend. - Child Care will be provided. - Consult the TDSB website for map and directions and further information about the school Please ensure your Grade 6 students are notified

Alpha II Alternative School – a Grades 7-12 student directed school based on student passions for learning in relation to what they value in life. Students become part of a Community encouraging difference. Decisions are arrived at using a consensus model in which every person’s voice counts. Open House / Information Night Wed., January 19, 6:30 p.m., 2nd Floor@ Kent Senior Public School What’s different at Alpha II? No grades, tests or competitions Mixed age groupings Equality among Community members (students, teachers, parents and administrators) Nurturing of uniqueness in Community members Students record their work in personal portfolios What we offer: Different classroom organization: Learning in a home away from home atmosphere Student led meetings Student determine classroom schedule in consultation with teachers Different ways of learning: Independent learning Opportunities for working with mentors Peer to peer learning Facilitation by teachers Freedom to find the style of lea

J.K. to Grade 6: Date : Thursday, January 13th Time : 7:00 p.m. Location : Annette/High Park School Gymnasium, 265 Annette St. (child care provided) Grades 7 and 8 : Date : Wednesday, January 26th Time : 7:00 p.m. Location : High Park Alternative School, Room 105 265 Annette St. Registration forms will be available at the meeting and are also available at www.hpalt.org

Every three years, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) asks regional school boards to collect information about how well communities are preparing children for school in grade one. In Toronto, this project is completed in partnership between the Offord Centre for Child Studies at McMaster University, the Canadian Mothercraft Society, and the City of Toronto’s four public school boards including the Toronto District School Board. Why is this project being done? Children who are ready to learn at school from their first day have a better chance of doing well in all their years at school. Yet, some children are more ready for formal learning in a classroom than others. This project will help educators to better understand and measure readiness to learn at school. As part of its commitment to being accountable to Ontarians, the Province of Ontario is looking for more information so that communities and families can be better informed in their efforts to prepare young childre

PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT 2011 Beaches Alternative School of the Toronto District School Board is having its PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT Come meet the teachers and parents of BAS to hear what it would be like for your child to 'Grow up Beaches’ A small number of spaces may be available in other grades We are accepting Junior Kindergarten students for September 2011. Please call 416-393-1451 for more Information *Attendance at this event is necessary for admission.* 6:00-8:30p.m. Wednesday January 12, 2011 @ Kimberley Public School & Beaches Alternative School 50 Swanwick Avenue -- East of Main Street/South of Gerrard Street East

Invites you to our Senior School and French Program INFORMATION NIGHT Wednesday January 19, 2011 6:30 p.m. -- Gymnasium Learn about the Extended Frecnh Program Senior School Curriculum Special Programs Expectations Extra-curricular activities Application and Information Packages for the Gr. 7 Extended French and Gr. 7 English Programs will be distributed

Op e n H o u s e 2 0 1 1 J K / S K t o G r a d e 7 Founded in 2009, Equinox Holistic Alternative School is a TDSB Alternative Elementary, Junior and Intermediate school. Equinox is a dynamic school that oers a unique, holistic curriculum that makes connections between the community, earth, soul, subject and the mind and body, while also striving to restore a balance between analysis and intuition. The school curriculum is designed to engage not just the intellect but also the hands, heart and spirit of each child. We are presently looking to f ill spaces in the following programs for September, 2011: Junior Kindergarten; Senior Kindergarten; Grade 6; and Grade 7* All students, parents/guardians are welcome to attend Thursday, January 20th 6pm, School Gym located on the rst -oor. Equinox Holistic Alternative School, located on the 3rd -oor of Roden Public School, 151 Hiawatha Road, 416-393-8274 On the Agenda: Information around our holistic philosophy and curriculum and outdoor educatio

The only girls school in the TDSB is hosting an OPEN HOUSE on: Thursday January 13th 6:30-8:30pm Please RSVP to simone.norman@tdsb.on.ca by January 11th, 2011 if you are interested in attending.

City View Alternative Senior School 38 Shirley Street ▪ 416.393.8708 OPEN HOUSE When: Thursday, January 20th, 2011 – 7pm Where: City View Alternative Senior School gymnasium – located in Shirley Street Public School (38 Shirley Street) Who: Interested Grade 6 Students and their Families To apply to City View, all applicants must follow this two step procedure: 1. Attend the Open House, Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. 2. Complete Optional Attendance form and application package, remembering to include your child’s Progress Report Card. Return to us by February 18, 2011 by 3:00 p.m. Attendance at the Open House is mandatory. Parents and students learn about City View, assess its suitability, and receive the application package. YOU MUST ATTEND THE OPEN HOUSE TO APPLY and YOU MUST INCLUDE YOUR CHILD’S PROGRESS REPORT CARD WITH THE APPLICATION. CITY

If you are interested in taking advantage of Fern's hot lunch programme next week, click here to download the sign-up form. If you have already submitted a form for the month of January, you do not have to apply again.

Vow of Silence This year’s Vow of Silence raised over $2000 in support of our clean water project in Kenya. The total monies raised to date for this project amounts to $4400, making our goal of $5000 in sight!! A heartfelt thank you to the Fern community for your continued support. Project Love In January, FTC will be supporting Fern’s annual Project Love event to help raise funds for school kits for Haiti. This is of particular importance because we are approaching the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquake. More information to follow! On a personal note, thank you to the tireless efforts of the members of Fern’s FTC Club. It is a privilege working with you. Ms. Ashforth “Be the Change you wish to see in this world.” Gandhi

Horizon Alternative is hosting their annual open house for all grade 6 students in the TDSB. You are invited to come and listen to student speeches, to ask questions of the staff and students, and to hear the Horizon house band play a few tunes. The application package will be available at the open house, or it can be downloaded from our website (not available until January). When: Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 6:30 pm in the Kensington gym Where: 401 College St East of Bathurst and west of Spadina - on the south side of College St Who: All grade 6 students and parents Contacting us: Website – http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/horizon Phone – (416) 393-1298 Fax – (416) 393-1214 Email – horizon_alt@hotmail.com