Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Please join us at our drop-in lunch meeting! Just a reminder that anyone who is interested in the Food Committee and the lunch program is invited to our meeting on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at 37 Fern Avenue, 8 p.m. We have awesome volunteers but we’d love to have more! There are many opportunities to get involved both in the lunch room and on the committee. Please come to our meeting and hear about how you can support healthy – and delicious – food for a healthy Fern community. If you plan to attend, please contact Pamela Lapierre at pamlapierre@gmail.com

Photos will be re-taken for those students and or class groups that missed the original photo day on Wednesday, October 30th beginning at 9:00 a.m. Don’t forget to bring your smiles!

Dear Parents/Guardians, Each year, Toronto Public Health offers hepatitis B and meningococcal vaccines to all grade 7 students and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to all grade 8 female students. These vaccines help protect students and our community from infections which can cause serious disease. Look for your child's consent package. Please read, sign and return the consent forms to the school. This package also includes fact sheet providing complete information about each of these vaccines. If you did not receive your child's vaccination package, please visit the TPH website at www.toronto.ca/health or call the Immunization Line at 416-392-1250. Fern Avenue's first school immunization clinic for grade 7 (male and female) and grade 8 (female) students is scheduled on Wednesday, November 27, 2013 in the AM.  The second and third clinics will be posted as we learn of the scheduled dates. Please call Vera in the main office should you have any further

  TTC Students Discount ID Cards will be taken on Thursday, October 3, 2013 from 12:50pm. Students who are currently 13 or about to turn 13 are eligible for this student ID discount card. PLEASE remember to bring exact change of $5.25 on the day of photos, since the photographer is not able to make change. If you are absent on the day of photographs, you may pick up a TTC application from Vera in the main office. Complete the application and bring it along with $5.25, to Sherbourne Station, Mezzanine level, TTC Photo ID Centre. Please feel free to contact Vera Ciric in the main office should you have any questions or concerns.

A strong School Council makes for a positive and energetic environment at our school, but the position of Chair is currently vacant and needs to be filled by September 30th in order for our School Council to continue. This is mandated by the TDSB. Without a School Council many of the fantastic programs your children enjoy and benefit from will be lost. Programs such as : Scientists in School—exploring the wonders of science in every classroom Arts Collective—music and dance workshops, fine art installations and guest performances Get Caught Reading novel sets—encouragement for young readers Hot Lunch program—healthy bodies for healthy minds Grade 8 Gradation—an annual celebration of achievement Robotics Club & Competition—hands-on technical learning Eco-Club and Free the Children—social justice initiative By September 30th the name of the Chair is to be submitted to the TDSB. There is a strong team of Executive members and Committee Leads who will provide assistanc

The executive members of the School Council will be attending a by-law workshop this Wednesday: September 25th from 6:30 – 9:00 P.M. Staff Room, Primary Wing, Second Floor The workshop will be led by Jerako Biaje-Wendt our PIAC (Parent Involvement and Advisory Committee) Co-chair & Outreach Working Group Member. During the workshop a draft set of by-laws will be prepared that will be used to govern the conduct of School Council affairs. School councils in Ontario are required by law to make by-laws to address election procedures, filling of vacancies, conflict of interest among members and conflict resolution processes. Time permitting we may also draft optional by-laws to address meeting guidelines, agenda setting and recommendations. The draft by-laws will be presented at the October School Council meeting for consideration. If you are interested in participating in the workshop, please join us in the staff room this Wednesday.

In preparation for the upcoming Terry Fox run on September 26, Mr. de Jong recorded this song at the Terry Fox assembly this morning, with all primary classes singing together.

Would you like to learn more about Fern’s lunch program or the Food Committee? Fern community members who are interested in the lunch program or the Food Committee are invited to our next meeting on Wednesday, October 2 at 37 Fern Avenue, 8 p.m. (We promise we won’t sign you up for lunch duty every week upon entering!) You are welcome to sit quietly and listen to how the program works or pipe up with suggestions that might help ease the parent volunteer load. Please contact Pamela Lapierre at pamlapierre@gmail.com if you plan to attend. Our volunteers are awesome but we’d love to have more! Fern's lunch program is a volunteer-driven initiative and its success depends on parents. Parents who have been volunteering with the program have found it to be a rewarding experience, from seeing how excited the kids are to be eating Maggie’s food (and trying foods they never eat at home!), to engaging with parents and being part of the hub that helps sustain the program through col

Please see the following from Trustee Irene Atkinson: Regulation 274 Charles Wakefield, a Toronto Parent and volunteer at Rose Avenue School, is helping to build a coalition of school council chairs and parents across Ontario to advocate that quality and suitability of teachers rank far above seniority in the hiring process. Concerned parents should email our Premier and Minister of Education advocating that Regulation 274 be rescinded. Globe and Mail article on Regulation 274 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/seniority-based-hiring-of-ontario-teachers-under-attack/article12542791/ Charles Wakefield, e-mail: doncha99@gmail.com

The Fern PS Band and Strings Programs are underway once again and we need the great enthusiasm and energy of the students of Fern. We are looking to build our performance groups. All students from Grades 5 through 8 who have an interest in learning to play a musical instrument are invited to join. No experience is necessary however we welcome all levels of skill, including students studying privately. Instruments will be provided or students may use their own. Students who wish to participate in either Band OR Strings, including those already in the programs in previous years, should attend one of the following information meetings: Band – September 24, 2013 at 2:00 pm Strings – October 2, 2013 at 2:00 pm Both meetings will be held in Room 104. Come out and explore the joy of music and let's make Fern PS famous for its love of music again.

Join us for two days of amazing stop motion animation workshops in association with the Toronto Animated Image Society. Parkdale Then and Now: Bringing Our Past to Life With Collage Animation Join artists Lynn Dana Wilton and Evan DeRushie for workshops that explore the fun of stop motion animation. Each day includes an introduction, examples, and time to make your own animation, with every student making a few seconds that everyone will watch at the end! Cost:  Free! Ages:  11-15 years* Times: Saturday, September 21, 2013 - 12:30pm - 3:30pm - 20 spots Saturday, October 5th, 2013 - 12:30pm - 3:30pm - 20 spots

Fall 2013 registration is on NOW for classes at Fern Avenue Public School   Hello Fern Parents! The Broadway Arts Centre is extremely excited to be back at Fern this year, and we are looking forward to continue working with your children on new exciting technical skills and performances! How to register Download the registration form and return it to the school office at Fern or click here for online registration . We will be working on Beauty and the Beast this fall in the Musical Theatre program as well as introducing a new ballet/jazz combo class that will work on dance technique.   These classes are offered at Fern Avenue Public School, but if your child is ready for advanced classes please consider one of our studio programs, only a few blocks a way at 35 Golden Avenue, Suite 108 (Roncevalles and Dundas).   If you have any questions please let us know! Sincerely, Meaghan & The BAC Team

Please click here for information on a community forum for understanding the mysteries behind our teenagers! Wednesday October 2nd at Runnymede Collegiate Institute.

The Terry Fox run will take place on: Thursday, September 26 : (Day 3) 10:30 AM - Primary Terry Fox Run on outside track 11:05 AM - Junior Terry Fox Run on outside track Friday September 27: rain day.

School Council Meeting and Elections Thursday, September 19 6:30 – 8:30 pm in the Auditorium New members are welcome. Fun and fresh ideas are encouraged! Parent involvement at Fern Public School is not just helpful, it is vital to making the school function the way we all want it to. You may not realize that many of the programs that define our children’s experience and create positive memories are not part of the Toronto School Board’s operating budget. Funds raised by Parent Council initiatives and volunteers are what power the activities families have come to enjoy year after year.

Please click here for information regarding a TDSB Special Education Workshop on 19 October 2013.

Photo Day at Fern Avenue PS is on Monday, September 23rd, 2013. For Best Results bring your best SMILE!!!

Toronto Public Health provides dental programs to children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. Dental Screening for Fern Avenue PS will take place from Monday, October 28 to November 8th 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 denti

FREE WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2013 @ 6:30-8:00pm LOCATION: HIGH PARK LIBRARY, 228 RONCESVALLES AVE. Helping your child cope with anxiety and fear based emotions and behaviours related to school. Learn practical applications on how to help your child (4-11yrs) when experiencing emotional or behavioural challenges coping with anxiety due to academics challenges or fears, social issues including behaviour and bullying, and how to seek help. Workshop presented by Mardi Ennis-Gregory, C.Y.C.,B.A. Parent Support Facilitator. Please contact Mardi Ennis-Gregory to reserve your space today @ 416-526-2617 or info@mardiennis-gregory.com

Please find below a message from Councillor Gord Perks on the 383 Sorauren Development Application for your information. "On Tuesday, September 9th, a Request for Direction Report-383 Sorauren Avenue, prepared by City Planing staff, will be introduced at Toronto and East York Community Council. This report will recommend that City Council direct the City Solicitor to oppose the appeal of the 383 Sorauren Avenue Development application at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing and also to work with the owner to enter into a settlement should the opportunity arise. I will be supporting the Direction Report at TEYCC. Over the last year and a half, two community meetings have been held about the application for 383 Sorauren Avenue. At both meetings, local residents shared concerns with the proposed development. At the request of the community, a working group was formed that included local residents, representatives of the Roncesvalles Macdonell Resident Association and t

Please click here for information on a TDSB Workshop on Special Education.

Whatever your goal is, for fun, being healthy or for a challenge, you are all invited to come and run with us at school and at the cross country meets. Practises: Our primary and junior running club will be practising on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:15a.m. at Fern Avenue P.S. and on Fridays at 8:15 at Sorauren park. Seniors will practise for cross country at High Park on Tuesday and Thursday mornings 8:00am. Coaches: Primary: Kerry Heller, Juniors: Sarantos Katsihtis, Seniors: Bogdan Nikolajevic. Our cross country meet will take place at Ashbridges Bay on Thursday October 10th . Our Conference Final will be held Monday October 21st at the same location. City Finals will be held at Centennial Park in Etobicoke on Thursday October 24th Sarantos Katsihtis

Do you know the new grade 8 student Eric? He may be new to Fern, but he's not new to the Roncesvalles Polish Festival! Come hear his rock band Interhead perform for their third year in a row and look out for Eric playing lead guitar and back-up vocals! Date: Saturday, September 14, 2013 Location: North Stage (Roncesvalles Avenue and Marmaduke Avenue) Time: 2:30 to 3:45 See you there!

Primary Cross Country Race day is on Thursday October 10th, 2013 at Ashbridges Bay. Grade 1 and 2 students will run 1000m. Grade 3 students will run 1500m. Starting on Tuesday September 10th , students from grades 1-3 are practising at 8:15 am on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in the junior yard. There will also be optional Friday practices at Sorauren Park at 8:15 am. If you are able to help walk the students back to school on Fridays after practice, it would be greatly appreciated. Students who are in daycare will be walked to the park by a teacher no later than 8:05am. On rainy days, practices will be held in the auditorium. It is important that you check in with Mme Gaudet when you arrive to every practice. Due to the location of the race this year, students in grade 1 and possibly students in grade 2 will need to be driven to the race rather than take the bus. The reason for this is because the bus might not arrive on time for their race due to traffic. If you are plannin

MakerKids is a makerspace for youth in Toronto, offering hands-on after school programs, open shops for kids, teens and adults, workshops, Minecraft programs and birthday parties for adults and kids based on 3D printing, electronics, woodworking, coding, sewing, crafting and making of all kinds! MakerKids has announced their fall programming for kids, teens and adults. If you know anyone who might be interested, please share it with them. The 10-week after school Inventions program starts this coming Monday and the Robotics program starts on Wednesday.

On Tuesday September 10, 2013 all students at Fern Avenue Public School will go through a Lice Check. A qualified TDSB nurse will conduct the checks of all students. The checks will take place during the entire day. Please note, that classrooms have already been affected by lice. Letters were sent home with children from those specific classrooms. Please feel free to call the main office should you require more information. We appreciate your understanding.

If you haven’t already signed up, you can participate in Fern’s lunch program starting in October. Click here for the order form and check out October’s menu—featuring everything from chicken paprikash, Asian sticky chicken and spaghetti to chickpea & pasta soup, Sloppy Joes and fishcakes—on the website’s School Calendar or click here . The deadline is Monday, September 16 for lunches beginning Thursday, October 1.

Are you having a difficult time deciding what to pack for your child’s lunch, finding the time to do it or even remembering to make one before you get to school? It may be hard to settle into back-to-school routines but some Fern families have relieved their stress and time by signing up for the hot-lunch program. But, for one day only, all Fern students are invited to sample Maggie’s popular pasta with garlic and oil served with a lettuce, cucumber, tomato and white bean salad (fruit and milk also included). On Monday, September 9, students can drop in and have a yummy lunch for only $3.75 (exact change would be appreciated). After your child has a taste of Maggie’s menu, we’re hoping you won’t be able to resist signing up for next month’s lunch program!

Every Saturday in 1905, the Toronto Daily Star would turn over a page of their weekend edition to the pupils of a local area school. On November 18, it was Fern’s turn to present themselves to the city. These days—when this sort of self-promotion is but a few clicks away—it serves us well to reflect on how things have changed at a school that will soon be 120 years old . . . and how much has pretty much stayed the same, here and in our community. Below are some excerpts, or you can click here to view the entire page.