Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Dear Parent, Toronto Public Health (T.P.H.) provides dental programs to children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. To identify children with oral health problems, a screening program is offered to students in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Health requirements for mandatory health programs. The screening is an assessment by a dental hygienist using sterilized instruments. The dental hygienist will assess the need for topical fluoride, scaling, sealant and any other obvious dental needs. As a follow up to the screening, only parents whose children are identified as requiring dental services will be notified. A note to that effect will be sent home with your child/ren for your information and action. You may also receive a phone call from T.P.H. dental staff to assist you in accessing care. Please be advised that this screening assessment does not replace the dental examination done by a licensed dentist. Should you require more information, please contact Toronto Publi

Please click here for an informational package for the track and field conference meets. Our student/athletes were also provided a hard copy. Thank you. Sarantos Katsihtis Track and Field Coach

Your Grade 8 Graduation Committee and grade 8 Student Sub-Committee is hard at work planning a fantastic ceremony and reception for our graduating class.  Fundraising for this event is critical to its success.  You can help by getting involved in our Fundraising initiatives.    On Friday, May 10, 2013 the Student Grad Committee will be hosting a Bake Sale !  The sale will take place during morning recess,  in the primary yard at lunch time and after school.   Contributions of nut-free baked goods - homemade or store bought are needed.   Please bring your contribution to Vera in the school office on Thursday, May 09 or the morning of Friday, May 10th.   Be sure to label your plate and serving utensil if you would like them back.  Please also encourage your kids to shop at the Bake Sale! Please feel free to contact Vera should you have any questions at 416-393-9130.  Thank you!

Please click here for information on Brock PS Summer Flyer. Thank you.

Please click here for a musical performance of the grade 2 class performing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in three part harmony. They have practiced hard and long to get this. Good work everyone!

Ward 7 Update Trustee Irene Atkinson remains in hospital following a tragic fire in her home. At this time Trustee Chris Bolton, Ward 10 (Trinity/Spadina) will be representing Ward 7. If you have any issues that need to be addressed Trustee Bolton’s contact information is listed below. Contact information: 416-397-3100 chris@chrisbolton.ca www.chrisbolton.ca Upcoming Ward Forums – Open to Everyone: Each year, Trustees hold ward forums to hear from their communities about the recommendations that are being considered in order for the Board to meet the requirement under the Education Act to pass a balanced budget. All members of the community are welcome. For information about upcoming forums you may go to: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/_site/ViewItem.asp?siteid=177&menuid=41682&pageid=34974 Submitted by Kim Morrison, Ward 7 Alternate

Please click here for access to the May newsletter.

Spring is here and the Arts Collective is as busy as ever…. We are currently working on two in house projects: All Grade 8 Graffiti/Urban Art Mural Project With Artists Cris Ciric and Taya Kozak-Goebel After a workshop on street art, character drawing and stencil making, the students will each design their own 12 X 16 inch design. They will each then stencil their design 3-4 times in the stairwell. Together the stencil paintings will form one large mural encompassing 2 floors of the senior stairwell. This is a chance for all of the Grade 8s to leave a colourful, lasting legacy at Fern! Currasco's 2 grade 6 classes - Modern Art Decoupage Project With Artists Val Reinis and Taya Kozak-Goebel Each class will design and decoupage 2 modern chairs using book illustrations. If you have any old illustrated books or comic books that you would like to donate, please drop them off in the office by April 23rd. These modern masterpieces will be auctioned off at the Spring Fling - don&

On April 30th, go silent and stand up for children’s rights. Dear Parent/Guardian, On April 30th, your child is invited to participate in Fern's Vow of Silence called “We Are Silent.” This worldwide movement is sponsored by Free the Children. Please click here for full information. Sign up for this event takes place Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, April 22nd-24th, from 11:30-11:50 in Room 211. Students who wish to participate must return the permission form by April 24th. Pledge forms will be due on the Friday after the Vow, May 3rd. Free the Children will issue a tax receipt for pledges over $10. For more information, visit www.freethechildren.com Thank you, Karen Ashforth, Staff advisor, Free the Children

The Fern Arts Collective is doing an art project with Mr. Currasco's grade 6 classes and we need old illustrated books and comic books. We will be cutting up the books and doing a modern art decoupage project on 4 chairs that will be auctioned off at the Spring Fling. Please bring your book donations to the office by Tuesday, April 23rd. Thank you! We will be presenting a wonderful ballet performance by Ballet Jorgen on Thursday, May 2 in the Auditorium at 6:30pm . Prior to the show, Mr. Nikolajevic and the grade 7 and 8s will be hosting a Café Français in the cafeteria from 5-6:15pm. They are looking for parent volunteers to do the following: - Organize and plan the event (before May 2) - Supervise and help students in food prep and serving (on May 2) - Bring in baked goods for the Café (Lots of crepes are needed, however it would be nice to have additional sweet and savoury finger foods) If interested, please email Mr. Nikolajevic by next Tuesday and specify

Join us for an evening of community, French delicacies and the Ballet! On Thursday, May 2, 2013 , beginning at 5pm , the Grade 7's & 8's will be hosting a French-themed "petit diner" bistro in the Cafeteria, complete with crepes, pastries, coffee and juice! (Parent volunteers are needed). Following the festivities there, we will gather in the auditorium to enjoy Ballet Jorgen's dance performance at 6:30 pm. Attendees are encouraged to wear their most glamourous evening theatre attire! Tickets are only $5 and will be available in the front office & schoolyard beginning next week. Children and parents of all ages are sure to enjoy this show, brought to you by the Fern Arts Collective.

This year, we’re trying something new for the Grade 8 Graduation fundraiser ~ the wine raffle.   We’ve received some wine donations and now it’s time to try your luck… For your chance to WIN a case of wine, plan to buy some raffle tickets.     Tickets can be purchased in the office (please respect office quiet times) STARTING NOW ~ 1 ticket for $5.00 and 3 tickets for $10.00.   Grad Committee members will be selling tickets this week beginning APRIL 16 th .   This is a great way to make a contribution towards your child’s graduation. We will be selling more tickets at the SPRING FLING on Saturday, May 11 th .   All donations will be assembled into cases to be raffled off at the SPRING FLING.   More questions?   Contact Vera Ciric by email: vera.ciric@tdsb.on.ca Contact Kim Evans-Mok at 416.769.0947

9:00 am - 12:00 pm JULY 3-26, 2013 Brock Public School 93 Margueretta St. Toronto, ON M6H3S4 416-393-9245 Environmental Literacy Summer School Enrichment Program—Grades 1 to 8 At Brock Public School, summer students will have the opportunity to develop their literacy and technology skills. Students and staff will be joined by FoodShare's facilitators to participate in hands-on workshops covering topics such as cooking, tasting, gardening, composting and sustainability. Along with in-class learning, students will also visit Brock’s rooftop garden and FoodShare's educational hub to tour the community garden, greenhouse and outdoor composting facility. We look forward to getting your child excited about eating, growing and sharing good healthy food! FoodShare Workshops—Grades 1 to 8 Each class will have the opportunity to attend two workshops at FoodShare. The workshops are extremely hands-on and interactive. Examples of workshop topics include learning about pollinat

It is with great anticipation and excitement that students and staff have embraced the return of extracurricular sports and athletics at our school. Click here for more information. Teachers and administration at Fern Ave. P.S. strongly believe that participating in extracurricular athletic events and sports are integral to our students overall learning experience.

Yes, it’s that time of the year where the big buzz around Fern Ave. P.S and for athletics in particular, revolves around track and field. Our students will be practising various track and field events during their gym classes, while division practises outside school hours will start on Tuesday April 16th . Please click here for schedule details for both junior and senior classes. Thank you. Coach Sarantos Katsihtis

Book your babysitter and buy your tickets early.  You won’t want to miss this year’s Spring Fling Parent Council Fundraiser on Saturday, May 11   at the   High Park Curling Club. The   FUN   starts at 7:00 pm and includes a fashion show featuring local talent, live and silent auction (don’t forget your cheque book), snacks, wine raffle and dance party.  Proceeds will help support enhanced learning opportunities and additional programs for our kids at Fern next year. What a great way to celebrate spring and contribute to your community! 

There will be an origami club for junior grades starting next week on Monday April 15th. We will meet every Monday after school from 3:30 to 4:30 in room 202 with Mr. Cline. Please see Mr. Cline in room 202 to get a permission form if you would like to join in the folding fun! Thank you.

WINE RAFFLE FUNDRAISER: IT’S SO EASY! Heading to the LCBO for weekend provisions?   Plan to pick up an extra bottle of wine for the Grade 8 Wine Raffle.   Drop off wine donation (minimum value $15-20/750ml) in the office from now until Friday April 19 th .   Please respect office quiet times.   This is a great way to make a contribution towards your child’s graduation. For your chance to WIN a case of wine, plan to buy a raffle ticket from Grad Committee members beginning APRIL 15 th .   We will be selling more tickets at the SPRING FLING on Saturday, May 11 th .   Questions?   ·         Vera Ciric by email: vera.ciric@tdsb.on.ca ·         Kim Evans-Mok 416.769.0647

Fern Avenue is having a Spirit Week from April 22 to April 26 ! Our Senior School Spirit Team has put together the following themes for the days of the week: 22 Monday- Pyjama Day 23 Tuesday- Twin Day 24 Wednesday- Famous Person Day 25 Thursday- 60’s Hippie Day 26 Friday- Fancy Formal Day

A Workshop for Parents: Dr. Ian Manion Speaks to Parents about Suicide We are pleased to announce that a session has been scheduled for parents with Dr. Ian Manion, Executive Director of the Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health. Dr. Manion is a leading authority and respected advocate whose passion for Child and Youth Mental Health guides his work at all levels. Please click here to access the flyer with details of this important session: Topic: Speaking to Parents about Suicide Date/Time: Thursday, 25 April 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Location: Members Lounge, 5100 Yonge Street (North York Civic Centre)

The minutes for the meeting of the School Council that took place on February 28 are now available for download from the  School Council Minutes  folder on Google Drive. The minutes for the January 15 meeting have been revised and can be found in subfolder named Previous Meetings . The School Council will next meet on  Thursday, April 18, 2013 , from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. in the school auditorium.

Wine Raffle Fundraiser Was there a nice bottle of wine or two leftover from your weekend celebration?   The Grade 8 Graduation Committee is still looking for more bottles for the Wine Raffle.   Just donate a bottle of wine or two (minimum value $15-20) and drop it off at the office (please respect office quiet times).   This is a great way to make a contribution towards your child’s graduation. Wine donations will be accepted from April 2 nd until the Friday, April 19 th .   All donations will be assembled into cases to be raffled off at the SPRING FLING.   For your chance to WIN a case of wine, plan to buy a raffle ticket from Grad Committee members beginning APRIL 23 rd .   We will be selling more tickets at the SPRING FLING on Saturday, May 11 th .   More questions?   Contact Vera Ciric by email: vera.ciric@tdsb.on.ca

Friday, April 05, 2013 Grade 6 Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Below are some updates about Island School: Ø   All grade 6s will be going together on April 15 – 17, 2013. Ø   No food should be sent with your child. Ø   Students will report to the auditorium at 8:30 on Monday morning (with luggage and sleeping bags/blankets) and the bus will arrive approximately at 9 a.m. Anyone who misses the bus will unfortunately not be able to attend. Ø   If you indicated any medications for your child on the medical form, please make sure you send them with your child ( including inhalers ). Ø   Please check the weather channel for weather updates and make sure your child packs the appropriate clothes needed. Remember, we are on an island and wind may be present. Ø   When packing, please refer to the “What to pack list” sent home with the permission forms. Ø   Your child must be able to carry everything s/he brings. Everyone has her/his own items/bags to carry and will not be able