Fern Ave. Public School Blog

The Primary Holiday Concert will be held on December 12th at 6:30pm in the auditorium. The Kindergarten Holiday Concert will be held on December 17th at 6:00pm in the auditorium.

Councillor Sarah Doucette and Councillor Gord Perks invite you to participate in a Ward 13 and 14 round table discussion on the 2014 City of Toronto Budget. This evening is an opportunity to examine the City Budget with your neighbours and begin a conversation about delivering and funding services with the 2014 City Budget. Wednesday, December 4th, 7 pm - 9 pm Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton School 1515 Bloor Street West, 3rd Floor Staff Room If you have any further questions, please contact Councillor Perks' Office: councillor_perks@toronto.ca 416-392-7919 This meeting announcement is posted to raise awareness of a discussion that will affect the Fern Ave PS vicinity. The notice does not imply endorsement of or support the position of individuals/organizations. This is also not soliciting direct feedback to the Noticeboard

Ms. Chakungal’s Grade 8 Class will host a pancake breakfast, which will take place in the auditorium across from the office. Thursday November 28 08:00-08:45am All of the proceeds from this event will be sent to the Philippines to assist with relief efforts for the more than 11 million people affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Pancakes - $2.50 Pancakes with fruit - $3.00 Please join us and support this very worthwhile cause. Thank you.

Thank you for your generous donations and please help us raise an additional $4,500.00 to match the amount we raised during the 2012 school year. Donations for the 2013 school year will be accepted until November 29, 2013. Your donations support great programs such as Scientists in the school as well as dance, music and fine art workshops that are enjoyed and available for all students. A tax receipt can be issued for donations of $25.00 and greater. Thank you for your continued support and efforts in making Fern the very best for all our children.

This year, Fern students have signed our school up for Plan Canada ’s Spread the Net Student Challenge to help combat malaria in some of the world’s most vulnerable places. Fern students are competing with elementary schools across Canada to raise the most money for the program, and to win a visit from CBC’s Rick Mercer Report. Last year, the top fundraising elementary school raised approximately $5,500. Every year, approximately 660,000 people around the world die after contracting malaria from a mosquito carrying the plasmodium parasite. Most of these victims are children under five. It is a disease that costs the African economy an estimated 12 billion dollars and can devastate the families it effects. Fortunately, one of the best ways to prevent the spread of malaria is to keep them away from people while they sleep by using treated bed nets. Fern’s Spread the Net campaign will raise money to buy as many nets as possible by the end of February 2014. Ten bucks buys a net

Community Meeting with Tim Hortons' representatives to discuss Tim Hortons' new location at 175 Roncesvalles Avenue (at Fern Avenue): Thursday, November 28th, 2013 7:00PM - 8:30 PM at St. Casimir’s Church 156 Roncesvalles Avenue Should you have any questions, please contact Councillor Perks' Office: councillor_perks@toronto.ca 416-392-7919 This meeting announcement is posted to raise awareness of a proposal discussion that will affect the Fern Ave PS vicinity. The notice does not imply endorsement of or support the position of individuals/organizations. This is also not soliciting direct feedback to the Noticeboard.

Come buy a raffle ticket for $1 each! You could win a $10 gift card for ARIS PLACE or PIZZA FLORA or BOTH if you buy a ticket for each!!! Tickets will be sold during ALL of lunch outside the office Thursday November 21 Friday November 22 Monday November 25 (Only until 12:10) Tuesday November 26 The WINNER will be announced on WEDNESDAY the 27th on the morning announcements. IT COULD BE YOU!

SKILLS FOR LIVING Presentation January 14, 2014 All members of the community are invited to attend a free presentation by Dr. Audrey Huberman on Skills for Living at the Swansea Community Centre on the evening of January 14, 2014 at 7PM. Click here for the flyer. Dr. Huberman will share social , emotional and behavioural skills for parents, teachers, students and others to help them manage the complexities of family life and to support young people in improving their social-emotional functioning at school and at home. Mark your calendars!

The Fern Avenue Public School Council meets tonight in the auditorium: School Council Meeting Tuesday, November 19 @ 6:30 P.M. We will be providing childcare to anyone who needs it, so come on out and learn what’s been happening at the school and all the good stuff that’s coming up!  Future council meetings for the remainder of year are listed below. To give everyone a chance to attend, meetings generally alternate between the third Tuesday and the third Wednesday of each month, but check the calendar or the Fern blog for announcements. Tuesday, November 19  December, no meeting  Wednesday, January 15  Tuesday, February 18  Wednesday, March 26 (delayed due to the March break)  Tuesday, April 15  Wednesday, May 21 Tuesday, June 17 We hope to see you there. 

In support of Anti-Bullying week, we are asking all students and staff to wear PINK tomorrow, Tuesday November 19, 2013 . Students in grades 1-8 will partake in an assembly with Duane “D.O.” Gibson during the morning. Thank you, Linda Tasevski Vice Principal

Part 1 of the meeting was an engaging and energetic presentation by Child and Family Therapist, Jennifer Kolari, entitled "Connected Parenting." For more information on her C.A.L.M. approach to working with children go to her website www.connectedparenting.com Part 2A of the meeting consisted of information from Trustee Atkinson. Challenges of Regulation 274 and the effect it has on Principals in their hiring process were discussed. TDSB Director of Education, Donna Quan, submitted a letter to the Minister of Education, Liz Sandals, expressing her concerns over Regulation 274. For more information on this regulation please see the Sept. 19th Ward 7 blog posting for more information.    Trustee Atkinson has submitted a proposal that would have Western Technical-Commercial School become an Institute for Excellence for the Construction Trades with a focus on skills required for apprenticeship programs and other trades related employment and educational opportunities.

Metis Fiddle Show and Student Concert Friday Nov. 22nd in the Auditorium Mr. DeSantis and Mr. Nikolajevic’s classes will perform at: 10:35 am Madame Desilets and Mr. Sy’s classes will perform at: 2:20 pm Please join us if you can. Everyone is welcome! Arts Collective Update Get ready for our Fern Fun Flicks! The Arts Collective will be hosting a movie night fundraiser in the auditorium on Thursday December 5th . There will be snack food, drinks and of course popcorn! Our feature film will be Arthur Christmas to get us in the mood for the holidays! We hope you can join us. Tickets will go on sale November 25th.

Direct Appeal A bright and colourful memo was sent home with your child. If you did not receive a copy & would like one please contact liz.leason@rogers.com There is still time to send in a donation. Many thanks to the families who have sent in a donation. Your support is most welcomed and greatly appreciated. School Council Meeting: Tuesday November 19 @ 6:30pm .  Child care services are provided. Come on out and learn what’s new with the school and all the good stuff that is coming up!

For families of students in grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 to explore our buildings, programs, activities and unique curricular offerings. Come discover why great things happen at Central Technical School. Click here for more information.

A list of workshops for pupils from grades 4 to 6 can be found here: http://www.salondulivredetoronto.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67&Itemid=88 Here is the link for grades 7 and 8: http://www.salondulivredetoronto.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=89 There is also the possibility of visiting the book fair without attending a workshop, or coming to meet the crew of Flip TV, a children's show on TFO. It all takes place at the Toronto Reference Library, Dec. 4th to 7th. Please peruse through the rest of the website. The book fair has existed for about 20 years, but until now has been really turned towards the Francophone community. We would like to expand it to "francophiles."

What does special education look like in High School? Monday, November 25, 2013 6:30-8:30pm (Pizza will be served at 6:15pm)   Central Technical School –Room 208 725 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario Work together with our staff, students and parents to improve Special Education services. Let us know what has worked for you? What can be improved? Participants are encouraged to bring their questions to the event. Please click here for the flyer. Refreshments and childcare will be provided. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Hannah.Liu@tdsb.on.ca Thank you Hannah

Dear Grade 8 Parents and Guardians, Please register by Nov. 20th with your 99 dollar deposit so that we can determine the final interest and set the correct price for the trip. If you did not receive an information package please pick one up at the office. If you have any further questions e-mail bogdan.nikolajevic@tdsb.on.ca . Regards, Bogdan Nikolajevic

Please click here for information on the upcoming Special Education Information Sessions for Parents/Guardians.

Fern Avenue Public School is holding a Scholastic Book Fair during the week of November 11th to 14th in the Music Room, across from the Main Office. Funds raised during this event will help to support the literacy initiatives the school library, including the Boys’, Girls’ and Intermediate Book Clubs, the Silver Birch and Red Maple Reading Programs, and the Get Caught Reading Program. It will also make it possible to put the most up-to-date resources urgently needed by teachers and their students. The Scholastic Book Fair will be open - 12:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Wednesday 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening We are looking for adult volunteers who might be able to give us a couple of hours to help out with manning the desk during this fund-raiser! No experience necessary! If you would like to help with the Book Fair, please speak Ellen Douglas, in the library, or call or e-mail me! Many thanks! Ellen

Just a reminder to all parents/guardians interested in attending the information evening for the grade 8 Montreal trip, the meeting will be held this evening Wednesday, November 6th beginning at 6:00 pm in the school auditorium. If you are unable to attend please direct all questions to Mr. Nikolajevic at 416-393-9130. Thank you.

Please click here for information on the upcoming Admission and Information evening at this Arts-Focused Middle School.

On Tuesday November 19th, 2013 , Duane “D.O.” Gibson will be bringing his Stay Driven performance to Fern. This is in support/celebration of anti-bullying! As a sign of solidarity, we are asking all students to wear PINK . Thank you, Linda Tasevski Vice Principal

Parents/Guardians of Children in Grade Three, You have a choice to make about French programming for your child. Grade 4 is the ONLY time your child can begin a Junior Extended French program. Please join us in a public information meeting to be held at Fern Avenue PS tonight on Tuesday, November 5th at 7:00 pm in the auditorium. Please feel free to call Vera in the main office should you have any further questions.

The holidays are approaching and schedules may become more chaotic with concerts, parties and other festivities. If you haven’t done so already, why not alleviate some of that stress and sign up for Fern’s hot-lunch program? Better yet, sign up for the rest of the year because, let’s face it, packing lunches every day is seldom a stress-free job. A new winter menu begins this December with yummy (and healthy – but you don’t need to tell your kids!) dishes. Favourites such as vegetarian chili, taco salad and spaghetti are featured along with newer dishes including baked balsamic chicken and beef goulash soup. Click here to see December's menu. Ready to sign up? Please fill out, detach and submit the form with your payment in a sealed envelope. The secure deposit box is located outside Room 103. The deadline for your order is Thursday, November 14 to begin lunch on Monday, December 2. Thanks, Food Committee