Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Attention grade 8 parents Graduation is coming really soon... We will be hosting a grade 8 Parent Grad Committee meeting on Monday, March 7th at 7:00pm at 81 Fern Avenue. Please RSVP Vera Ciric at vera.ciric@tdsb.on.ca asap. Grade 7 parents are welcome as well. For more information please call Vera at 416-393-9130.

Were off to the championships...The Fern Falcons Senior Hockey team is playing their final hockey game this Wednesday, March 2nd @ 10:00am at the Master Card Arena. Thank you to everyone for their on going support and dedication during the hockey season. Vera

The Fern Avenue Grade 8 Graduation has been tentatively set for Monday, June 27, 2011 from 4:30-6:30pm at Parkdale Collegiate Institiue. Reception and Party details to follow. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Vera Ciric @ 416-393-9130.

Click here to download the March 2011 newsletter.

The monthly Parent Council Meeting will be held in the auditorium tonight from 7 - 8:30. Drop by for an update on the lunch program, Arts in the School and the Eco Team. If you have any agenda items, please forward them to LDOOHER@rogers.com

As posted earlier on the BLOG and communicated in our January Newsletter, this week is KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION at Fern Avenue PS. The following is information that you should consider if planning to register your child for the 2011-2012 school year. Our Office Administrator Helena Wos and Secretary Vera Ciric will be more than happy to assist you. Please drop by the school office for further information. February is the system-wide Kindergarten Registration month at the TDSB, and it's just around the corner. To attend Junior Kindergarten in September, children must turn four by December 31 of that year. To attend Senior Kindergarten in September, children must turn five by December 31 of that year. To register, visit your local school and bring the following information about your child: 1. age (a birth certificate or baptismal record or passport) 2. citizenship (a birth certificate, passport, or Record of Landing) 3. address (two pieces of identification that show your address,

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is inviting interested members of the community to apply to become Community Representatives on the TDSB SEAC, for the term ending November 2014. SEAC is an advisory group whose primary role is to make recommendations to the board in respect of any matter affecting the establishment, development and delivery of special education programs and services for exceptional students in the TDSB. Meetings are Monday evenings,once a month in the boardroom at 5050 Yonge Street. As outlined in Regulation 464/97, SEAC, applicants must be: Canadian citizens aged 18 or older who are public school electors residing within the jurisdiction of the Toronto District School Board and not employed by the TDSB in any capacity. In addition to these requirements, the TDSB board of trustees has decided that up to eight Community Representatives may be appointed, taking the following factors into consideration: Diversity Equal representation across the four geographic q

TDESSA West Semi-Final Hockey Playoffs Thursday February 24th, 2011 at Mastercard Fern plays @ 10:00 a.m. – Fern vs 2nd St - Gr 8 Div 3 Come on out and join us in school spirit and cheering on the Fern Falcons!!! Thanks, Vera

Elementary Choral Festival – March 29th & 31st The Choral Festival provides opportunities for students to receive valuable feedback and suggestions for future growth in choral music in a non-competitive choral environment. The Primary Choir (Gr. 1-3) will perform the morning of Tuesday, March 29th. A few Jr. music classes (Gr. 4-6) will perform the afternoon of Thursday, March 31st. Parents are welcome to attend the performance at Central Commerce CI.

Available for parents of students with SEA Claims (Provided by the Special Education Department) To Register call D.J. Cunningham @ 416-423-1441 Ext. 3 March 14th Terraview Learning Ctr 1641 Pharmacy Ave Assistive Technology Lab 9:00 – 11:00 am Or 12:30 – 2:30 pm March 16th Burnhamthorpe Adult Learning Ctr 500 The East Mall Room 116 9:00 – 11:00 am Or 12:30 – 2:30 pm Spaces are limited. Please register ASAP to ensure your spot in a session. SESSIONS ARE FREE PLEASE PROVIDE SUFFICIENT NOTICE IF YOU MUST CANCEL TO ALLOW ROOM FOR OTHER PARENTS

To make up for the missed pizza day on the February 2 snow day, we are offering a pizza day on Wednesday, March 2. If you had ordered lunch on the snow day, you will automatically be placed on the list—no need to confirm with us. If you did NOT order lunch for that day, but would like to, please download the order form , fill it out, and return it with $3.85 to the office by Friday, February 25. If you are not sure if you had ordered lunch, you can confirm by emailing or calling Liz Phillips at  lizannephillips@me.com  or 416-535-3198. This is separate from the Lunch Lady. Please do not attempt to order your pizza lunch from the Lunch Lady.

Starting on Monday, February 28, the Lunch Lady will be serving lunch at Fern. We've added the March menu to the online calender, and you can download the order form here . You can order in advance by dropping your completed form and cheque/cash off in the office by Wednesday, February 23 (discounts available!) Or you can order 3 days in advance by phone or online—just call the Lunch Lady at 647-347-3047 for more information. See the order form for details.

This Friday February 18th is a PA Day . There will be no classes scheduled for students. Interviews will take place for some families the evening of February 17th or during the morning of February 18th. Monday February 21, 2011 is Family Day . All TDSB schools will be closed on this day. Classes will resume on Tuesday February 22, 2011.

Our Fern Avenue Public School pool will be closed March 11 to March 18, 2011. We appreciate your understanding.

DANCE A-THON SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2011 9-10am am Kindergartners, possibly inviting the Parenting Centre kids 10-11am Grades 1, 2, and 3 together 11-11:40am grade 4's and 4/5's Lunch 1-2pm Grades 5 and 5/6's 2-2:40pm Grades 7/8's 2:40- 3:15pm pm Kindergarten classes Created by Vera on behalf of the Parent Council

If you haven't already, you can still order lunches in advance for the last week of February. Just download this form and submit it to the office by Tuesday, February 15. Also, we are switching caterers starting in March and will post all the details here in the next week or so. We are changing caterers! We have decided to switch caterers. As of February 28, the Lunch Lady will be providing lunches for Fern. By Wednesday, February 16, you will receive forms and information for ordering lunches directly from the Lunch Lady.

Grade 8 Graduation Photographs will be retaken for grade 8 students on Wednesday, March 9th beginning at 9:00 am. Please remember to bring your smiles:) Thank you, Vera

March Break Programs 2011 for children 5 to 10 years old -- are free! To register, call the library directly Woodside Square Library, 1571 Sandhurst Circle, 416-396-8979 Interactive Theatre with CNG Monday March 14, 2:30 pm North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, 416-395-5630 Magic show with Jean Deshaies Tuesday March 15, 10:30 am Don Mills Library, 888 Avenue Lawrence West, 416-395-5710 Magic show with Jean Deshaies Tuesday March 15, 2 pm Rexdale Library, 2243 Kipling Avenue, 416-394-5200 Interactive Theatre with CNG Tuesday March 15, 2 pm Sanderson Library, 327 Bathurst Street, 416-393-7653 Magic show with Jean Deshaies Wednesday March 16, 10:30 am Jane-Dundas Library, 620 Jane Street, 416-394-1014 Magic show with Jean Deshaies Wednesday March 16, 2 pm Parliament Library, 269 Gerrard East, 416- 393-7663 Interactive Theatre with CNG Wednesday March 16, 2 pm Cedarbrae Library, 545 Markham Road, 416-396-8850 Krik! La Reine Soleil is here Thursday March 17, 10 am Richview Library

The Fern Parent Advisory Committee is proud to announce a new fundraising partnership with Alternative Grounds, Roncesvalles Village very own premier, fare trade coffee shop . We all drink coffee, so let's make this work for our school. It is easy. Simply pick up an order form at the office and fill out your request. Each month we will hand deliver your order to your child's classroom (or you can pick it up at the office). If you have an questions about this fundraiser, or would like to do a fundraiser of your own, please contact LDOOHER@rogers.com. Thanks for your continued support!

The Continuing Education department is offering an International Languages March Break camp for elementary students at 4 locations this year. Classes combine language learning with activities. Five languages are offered - one each day and activities include: aerobics, arts and crafts, brush painting, bingo, choir, dance, pantomime, puppet shows. A camp fee of $55 per child includes lunch and snacks. Daycare is available from 4-6pm for an added cost of $20 (snacks included). Classes run from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday at the following four locations: Woburn PS, Georges Vanier SS, Ryerson CS, Elmbank Jr.PS. For more information, contact Fani Papadopoulos at 416-394-3057 or by email at fani.papadopoulos@tdsb.on.ca.

If you haven't already, you can still order lunches in advance for the last two weeks of February. Just download this form and submit it to the office by Tuesday, February 8. Also, we are switching caterers starting in March and will post all the details here in the next week or so.

Since our pizza day was cancelled due to snow, the Lunch Committee will be offering a credit for a pizza day in March. Please watch for the announcement. If we have your email address on file, you should also receive an email from the committee. Please contact Liz Phillips at lizannephillips@me.com or 416-535-3198 if you have any questions.

Familes, Please be informed that the junior/senior skating trip at the Harbourfront Centre next week will require your son/daughter to wear a CSA approved helmet. Your child will not be permitted on the ice unless a helmet is worn. This is in accordance with TDSB Operational Procedure PR600: USE OF HEAD PROTECTION DURING SKATING, SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING ACTIVITIES. We thank you for your understanding.

Grade 8 Graduation will be here before we know it!!! Please join Vera Ciric in forming a parent Graduation Committee by coming to our first Grad Planning Meeting to be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 6:00pm. The meeting will be held at the school on the second floor room 216. We welcome grade 7 parents interested to please come and join us as well. Thank you in advance for your support. Vera

Due to today's inclement weather, all TDSB schools have been closed. Fern Avenue PS is officially closed.

Occasionally, severe weather conditions may require the Toronto District School Board to cancel transportation and close schools. This may occur before the beginning of the school day or, if conditions become severe, during the school day. To ensure the safety and welfare of students and staff during school hours, the Board Severe Weather Procedures will guide decisions and operations. The safety and welfare of students is a shared responsibility. It is important for everyone to understand how the Board operates under unusual weather conditions. Parents and guardians should familiarize themselves with the procedures and communication plan to ensure the safety of their children. Keep Your Child Safe In the event of severe or rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, please keep children at home if possible. Decision to Close Schools The decision to close schools is made by the Director of Education. Listen to the Radio or Television for: School Closures and Cancellation of Transportatio

Snow, snow and more snow! Environment Canada is calling for up to 30 centimetres of snow and gusty winds for Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The TDSB is monitoring the situation and will provide updates early Wednesday morning at http://www.tdsb.on.ca/ if school transportation is cancelled. Any school, class or program cancellations will be announced as the day progresses. The decision to close schools is made by the Director of Education. If transportation is cancelled or schools are closed, local media will be informed before the beginning of the school day. You can tune in to your radio and television news stations for the latest information.If weather conditions become extreme after students are in school, elementary students will remain in the school until they are picked up by a parent or someone designated by a parent.Recess and Lunch TimeStudents are kept indoors for recess and lunch time for a number of weather conditions. When temperature and wind chill measure -28C or

Due to the pending snowstorm which is expected to hit late tonight, tomorrow's junior and senior girls' volleyball practices will be cancelled. Both morning and afterschool practices will be cancelled. Thank you.