Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Tomorrow is a PA Day so have a happy and safe summer holiday and see you back at school on September 6, 2011. 

Our Freedom Fest was a big hit, raising $400.82!! We had an excellent turn out, selling out of baking and lemonade before the end of lunch. All stations were well attended, with hundreds of water balloons flying through the air. Thanks to the Fern staff, students and their families, we have now reached our goal of $5000.00!! Fern will be building a clean water project in Kenya! Hillay from Free the Children was here to accept a cheque from Fern on behalf of FTC. I am very proud of the efforts of this amazing club. A special note of thanks to Fern's ECO club for their support. They sold out of Fern water bottles by the end of lunch! All proceeds were graciously donated to FTC! Countless thank yous to the staff and parents, who baked, purchased, supported, encouraged, supervised and cleaned up. Fern's FTC club could not have done it without you! We are "Be(ing) the Change!" Karen Ashforth and Susan Hoenhous Staff Advisors

Congratulations to the Fern Avenue PS students who proudly represented our school at the TDSB City Track and Field Finals. Our students placed 4th , 9th and 10th in a very fast 1500m race, among 14 finalists from 15 different schools across the city! For many of our students, this was their last participation in their final elementary year, having participated year after year, and loving the sport. Also, thanks to our teachers who had shown great leadership and supported the students at the event and at practices on their own time, sometimes at 7:15 a.m. Congrats all - we're very proud of your accomplishments!!

As our final year comes to an end, we pause to reflect upon the many memories which have brought us tears and joy. We came to this place together to learn, to grow, to share. Time and space may separate us but wherever our pathways lead us we will always be the Class of 2010-2011 from Fern Avenue Public School. We invite you to share in our happiness at our Graduation Ceremony. Monday, June 27th, 2011 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Parkdale Collegiate Institute 209 Jameson Avenue Dinner and Dance will be at LULA Lounge (located at 1585 Dundas Street West) From 7:00-10:00pm, supervision by chaperonEs Please note, Dundas Street is under construction and there is no parking. When dropping students off please use side streets. Feel free to contact Vera Ciric if you have any questions at 416-393-9130

Recently, changes have been made regarding the mandatory 40 hours of community involvement requirement for all Secondary School students. Effective Summer 2011, all incoming Grade 9 students who complete approved community involvement activities will have those volunteer hours count towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requirements. All students have received a “Fact Sheet” and “Community Involvement Manual” that contains useful information regarding volunteer involvement and community hours. Please review this information with your child. If your child needs some ideas of how to get involved this summer, they can visit the following website for information and suggestions: http://40hours.ca/ It is advised that after completing the community involvement activity, you: ¡ obtain a verification letter from the agency/individual, detailing type of activity, date and hours completed, and contact information for the agency, ¡ submit the signed letter to the guida

Congratulations to the junior boys and girls soccer team for an outstanding season! The grade 6 junior boys soccer team faced some tough opponents and were also missing a few key players due to injuries. They did not manage to qualify for the playoffs; however our Fern Falcons played with a lot of heart and never gave up regardless of the result. Also, our grade 4 boys displayed a lot of talent during practices. Although they did not go to the grade 6 tournament we are certain that they will make their mark in the years to come. The grade 6 junior girls placed second in all of TDSB. Our road to the TDSB City Finals was bumpy, but after winning a tough game against Humber Valley Village powerhouse (2:1) the girls became West Conference Champions. At the city finals we won our semi-final game (4:1) against Cedarbrook. The girls lost in the finals against Blythewood (5:2). We had some amazing passing and scoring opportunities and the score does not indicate how close the teams were t

Join us for the final parent council meeting on Thursday June 16th at 6:30 pm in the auditorium.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to all the parents who made the Fern Avenue School Gratitiude Staff Luncheon such a big success. The food was delicious and everyone had a wonderful time. A special THANK YOU to the set up and clean up ladies. Please pick up your dishes and utensils in the staff room. Sincerely, Evangeline Adams

Fun Fair photographs will be on display in front of the office on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 4” x 6” photos are $1.50 each or 3 for $4.00 Deadline for orders – Friday, June 21, 2011 Enlargements available on request through Ann Wright Photography – ann@wright-stuff.com

The members of Free the Children are busily planning our last event of the year. Our Freedom Fest will focus on “Free from Thirst”. This one-day event will be held on Wednesday, June 22, at noon (rain date June 23) and will focus on the global issue of water, while raising the remaining $220.00 for our clean water project in Kenya. Our local focus is to raise awareness about water conservation here at home. This event will be run with the support of Fern’s ECO Club. Activities will include: - Water Trivia (25 cents) - Water Relay (25 cents) - Water Balloon Toss ($1.00/three balloons) - How Much H2O? (25 cents) - Bake Sale (all items $1.00) - Lemonade Stand (50 cents) Thank you in advance for supporting our Freedom Fest. Be the change, Ms. Ashforth & Mrs. Hoenhous Staff Advisors

March and April 2011 School Council meeting minutes are now available for download from the School Council page.

Fern Fun Fair Bakers & Volunteers THANK YOU! The Fun Fair Bake Sale was a tremendous success! The Fern community certainly knows how to get their Sweet On! We smashed all previous sales records with sales of $1,800.00! All proceeds from the Bake Sale will benefit Fern Parent Council future initiatives. We were delighted to meet many new Fern families and to be reacquainted with our faithful bakers and volunteers. The vast array of baking and the enormous wealth of talent among our Fern community is astounding and was definitely appreciated by all who visited the sale. Thank you to all who baked and also to those who joined us behind the Bake Sale table as volunteers. Unclaimed serving dishes and utensils are located in the Staff Room (Room 216) for your pick-up. Please pick them up as soon as possible. Our sincere thanks again and have a great summer! Karen Mondok, Pamela Wilson and Kelly Mansell Bake Sale Co-ordinators

Packing List » Please check the weather forecast for your destination while packing, weather is generally colder than Toronto in Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec. Clothes one change of underwear per daychange of socks per dayone set of pajamasa shirt for each day on tour1 or 2 sweaters or sweatshirtsPants (2 pairs should be enough on a 4 day tour)Shorts (2 pairs should be enough on a 4 day tour)One outfit to wear to your dance or other more formal eventRain JacketBath robe or shower out fit (if staying at a university residence with communal bathrooms) Shoes Good walking shoes (running shoes are acceptable)One pair of shoes to wear to your more formal event (these could be the same ones as your walking shoes)Shower shoes (if staying at a university residence with communal bathrooms) Toiletries ShampooHair BrushTooth Brush and Tooth PasteTowels and Soap (if staying at a university residence with communal bathrooms) Additional Items UmbrellaKnapsackCamera (with extra film or batteries)Sun Sc

Click here to download a printable version of the Grade 8 trip itinerary.

Day 1 Wednesday June 15, 2011 Bus: 1 7:00 AM Arrival at your school of a «Bus Supplier» washroom equipped, climate controlled, highway motor coach. Load your luggage and prepare for departure. Total # of coaches: 1 x 47 passenger & 1 x 29 passenger Charter #: 14299 Dispatch #: 1-800-387-6787 7:30 AM Board your motor coach, depart for Montreal! En route, your Tour Leader will get to know the students on a first name basis and lead discussions. 8:30 AM Participate in The Sparktacular Adventure!

Our Fern T-Shirts have arrived both for the GRADUATING CLASS of 2010-2011 and for our Fern Community. T-Shirts were created by one of our own graduating students and the cost is $20.00. Please help us in supporting our current and future graduates. T-shirts will be sold in the main office, come see Vera. Thank you for your support!

FERN AVENUE PUBLIC SCHOOL STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON FRIDAY, JUNE 10/11 If you are able to contribute your favourite dish and/or HELP with Set-Up or Clean-Up Please Contact Evangeline Adams (416) 532-2000 or Evangeline.adams@hotmail.com Please drop off your dish (labelled with your name) in the staff room before 11:00a.m. on Friday morning. If possible, please provide serving utensils. Dishes may be picked up from the staff room any time after lunch. Thank you in advance for your support!

Congratulations to all our staff, students, parents and caregivers who are a part of our GREAT GREEN FERN school community on achieving Platinum status again. This prestigious award was a direct result of everyone's hard work and inventiveness to Recycle, Compost, "Turn the Lights Off" and include the Environment in everyday life at Fern Ave PS, Ferncliff Daycare, the Parenting Centre, the School Council and the Cafeteria. Every student that attends Fern has had a chance to learn more about the importance of our environment; the Primary division are currently growing and planting vegetables, some classes of the Junior division have produced and sang their own song about Recycling, others have been studying nature, solar panels and went for 2 nights to Island School. The Senior division combined science projects with environmental themes; Organic versus Inorganic - which will last longer; Which Oils separate from Water more easily; and all classes have been helping raise

Today  - Friday June 3, 4 - 8pm Join us for the Fern School Fun Fair!!

Come and get your Sweet on! The Fern School Community is jam packed with extraordinarily talented Bakers who will be offering their delectable culinary delights to one and all at tomorrow’s Fun Fair! Please drop-by and sample Serena’s Candy Kabobs, Lorrie’s Lemon Loaf, Shannon’s Gooey Bars or Kate’s Spring Cupcakes in addition to lots of other delicious treats. Perhaps you’d like to take home one of James’ infamous Strawberry Rhubarb pies! I’ve heard that he delivers them to the sale still warm from the oven. Whatever you fancy – you’re sure to find something to indulge your sweet tooth at the Bake Sale. Remember to bring your own re-usable container to take some treats home for Spring entertaining. It’s not too late to donate. Please contact Karen Mondok at karenmondok@hotmail.com to add your creation to the feast or to volunteer at this fun community event! Karen, Pamela & Kelly Bake Sale Co-ordinators