Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Dear Parents and Guardians, MADD Canada is doing an in-school presentation for our Grade 7 and 8 students this Thursday at 1:00 p.m . The presentation is described as powerful and emotional, bringing fictional stories that illustrate tragic consequences of driving while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. If you did not already receive a paper copy, we are providing you with a link that offers more information about the presentation. http://madd.ca/media/docs/MADD-Canada-2014-2015-Letter-to-Parents-Grades-7-and-8.pdf Should you have any further questions or concerns please contact me directly at the school (416-393-9130) or e-mail me at bogdan.nikolajevic@tdsb.on.ca Sincerely, Bogdan Nikolajevic

Wednesday, April 15 12:50-3:10 (Rain Date : Thursday, Apr.16) The Grade 2 & 3 students will be participating in Fern's Primary Track & Field Activities at Fern from 12:50 to 3:10. The purpose of this event is 1. to have students try their personal best at events 2. to promote a healthy lifestyle and good sportsmanship as a part of their Health and Physical Education and 3. to create grade 2 and grade 3 Track and Field Team for the Regional meet on May 12. Students should: - wear/bring running shoes and appropriate clothing - bring/wear a hat and sunscreen if needed - have labelled clothing (and labelled water bottle - optional - students will have access to the water fountains and will have a juice box) The staff and I look forward to an active and memorable afternoon for all participants. Sincerely, Andrew Fennell Archdekin /Primary Track and Field Coach

Dear Parents/Guardians, Under Regulation 521/01 of the Education Act, school boards must obtain police record checks (PRC) on all existing and new employees, service providers and others who come into contact with our students.  Once a record check has been collected, school boards are required to collect, on an annual basis, Offence Declarations (a form to update a person's information to file by declaring any new criminal code convictions). The intent of the legislation is to ensure that schools and classrooms are safe places for students. New Volunteers  (18 years of age and over) The TDSB values the tremendous contributions of our parent and community volunteers who give so much of their time and effort to make our school's better places.    In order to promote and support volunteerism in our schools, while protecting the safety of students, we ask that you follow the following steps to obtain a PRC Vulnerable Sector Screening: For Volunteers  who live in Toronto 1. The vol

Click here for the recent Garden Boundary Review Board Decision letter.

Dear Parents/Guardians, The third and final immunization clinic for our grade 7 and 8 students will take place on April 9, 2015. If you require more assistance and information whether or not your child is up to date with their immunizations please call 416 392-1250 or visit the Toronto Public Health website. Thank you.

The Fern Eco Team has been preparing our school for the Green Bin program, with student-led class presentations and announcements. After the March Break, every classroom at Fern will be receiving small green bins for composting paper towels and tissues. The large green bins for food scraps will be placed in the cafeteria, daycare rooms and kindergarten classes. We are excited about beginning the Green Bin program and know that we will greatly reduce the amount of food waste going into the garbage. Please speak to your children about sorting items such as paper, food, and garbage appropriately into the right bins. Encourage them to eat their lunches, and if there is any extra food, that it can be brought back home to eat later or be disposed of properly in the compost bin. We greatly appreciate everyone's support and help in keeping our school healthy and clean!

Please click here for the March FSLAC Newsletter for Core French, French Immersion and Extended French families.

Grade 5 and 6 Parent(s) and/or Guardian(s); After March Break please look for the Island School permission forms and paper work to come home. There will be a package of forms and trip information for Parents and students from the Island School. Please take your time to fill in the forms carefully as the forms require plenty of information. The cost for the trip will be $75.00 . Fern would like all students to participate who would like to participate. If, for financial reasons, your child is not be able to participate, please contact the school office and arrangements can be discussed. The dates of the trip are: Session #1 (April 27-29, 2015) Ms. Grant/Mrs. Mably (grade 5/6) Mr. Sy (grade 5) Ms. Tse/Ms. Geridis (grade 6) Session #2 (April 29 - May 1, 2015) * A litterless allergen safe lunch will need to be sent. Mrs. Couture (grade 5/6) Mr. Ciric (grade 5) Mr. Steiman/Mr. Shreve (grade6) * For many reasons, your child can only attend the dates her/his class attend

-Toronto and Region Conservation urges residents to keep family members and pets away from the water’s edge this spring- (Toronto, March 10, 2015) - Conservation Authorities are reminding residents of dangers that exist near streams, rivers, ponds and lakes around this time of year and urge people to keep family and pets away from the edge of all waterways. Spring is quickly approaching and with warmer temperatures, people look forward to getting outdoors. Warmer temperatures, however, also bring: rain, melting snow and ice which can contribute to higher, faster flowing water in watercourses. Slippery and unstable stream banks and extremely cold water temperatures can also lead to very hazardous conditions close to any body of water. This year, there is a higher than normal amount of snow and ice cover in TRCAs watersheds and this means a higher chance of ice jams and localized flooding during the melting period. Extra caution is required. Please keep family members and pets s

Click here for the latest Fern Sports schedule.

Please find below a listing of Clubs at Fern Avenue: Knitting Club  Grades 2-5:         Tuesdays Lunch Chess Club  Grades 3-8:         Wednesdays Lunch Kestrel Choir  Grades 3-6:         Thursdays Lunch Boys Book Club Grades 4-6:         Mondays Lunch Girls Book Club Grades 4-6:         Mondays Lunch

This winter has been busy for artists at Fern! The following summarizes all of our exciting endeavors over the last few months. The Royal Conservatory of Music The Music Champion Program we brought in last year has been in full swing with 10 classes enjoying 2 workshops each in dance or music. This program has been a huge success and we look forward to all the artists coming this spring. Ukulele Classes We finally got our Ukulele classes off the ground. A lovely group of grade 4 & 5 students have been working with Shelley O'Brien every Wednesday at lunch in the music room. The USchool Ukulele program is not-for-profit, supported by Fern parents and operated by the famous Melanie Doane. This year we have 1 class of beginners but next year we hope to have 2 class with the addition of an advanced class. BBoyzm In November we had our BBoyzm Break Dancing show. A big thanks goes out to Prologue to the Performing Arts (Prologue), all the Fern parent volunteers, our

Our Parenting Centre worker, Linda Wilson, has displayed items from our lost and found in hallway on the first floor. Classes will be reminded to walk by and have a look by the end of this week. Items not picked up by the end of this week will be donated to a local charity.

Grade 4 and 5 students are invited to be on a development team.  We will practise once a week, Friday mornings at 8 a.m.  The team will not play against other schools.  They will learn skills, have fun, and perhaps be ready to try out for next year's Junior Badminton team. There is a maximum of 14 people. There are a few spaces left. Coach:  Mme Katrina Hall

As the daylight hours get longer, your family may enjoy more activities with little time left to pack school lunches – 20 of them in April. If you haven’t already signed up for Fern’s hot and healthy lunch program, you still can. Spend less time rushing around to make lunches and more time with your family. To save even more time, register for the rest of the year right now. Check out the menu on Fern's calendar or click here . Ready to sign up? Please fill out, detach and submit the order form with your payment in a sealed envelope. The wall-mounted black secure deposit box is conveniently located outside the Ferncliff Daycare office (room 103). The deadline for your order is Friday, March 13 to begin lunch on Wednesday, April 1. No extensions will be given.

Click here for the practice schedule for our current sports at Fern Avenue P.S.

Class of 2015! Parents, Guardians, Family & Friends: The Fern Avenue P.S. Graduating Class of 2015 cordially invites you to attend their Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony Where :   Parkdale Collegiate Institute - 209 Jameson Avenue When:   Monday, June 22, 2015 Time: 4:30-5:30 PM A chaperoned  Student Reception  Dinner & Dance will follow the ceremony at Lula Lounge 1585 Dundas Street West (at Brock Avenue) 6:30-10:30 PM The Cost of the Student Reception is $40 cash or cheque payable to Fern Avenue PS. Payment is due to Vera in the office by April 30, 2015. Please feel free to call Vera at 416-393-9130 should you have any questions.                            

CONGRATULATIONS to the Grade 7-8 Fern Falcons Hockey team for their outstanding hockey season.  On behalf of myself and Coach Miya I wish to thank all of the players for their awesome sportsmanship, dedication and teamwork. You make us proud coaches!!! A HUGE thank you to Coach Diego and Coach Bill for their coaching dedication and expertise and of course to ALL of our parent volunteer drivers who dedicated their time and effort to get us back and forth from the  arenas, THANK YOU! (same time same place next year) Cheers, Coach Vera

Guidance News Grade 8 A big heartfelt thank you to all Grade 8 students, parents and teachers for all their work to ensure that the Transition to High School will be a smooth one. I also want to congratulate all the Grade 8 students for choosing a high school program for Grade 9. Grade 7 I will start working with the Grade 7 students on the Transitions to High School after March Break. I will start with the Transitions Power Point Presentation. Parents please be aware that a great deal of information will be sent home with crucial information about the Transitions process in the next few months and early in the Grade 8 year. Thanks, Mr. Rodriguez  

Please click here for the February newsletter.

We are proud that our staff are among the most dedicated and qualified in the world. Every day, nearly 36,000 dedicated professionals support our students to achieve their very best. Their focus, dedication and commitment help build strong healthy relationships and allow our school communities to thrive. It’s important that we recognize and celebrate the great work of all outstanding staff across the system – those who go above and beyond to support our five strategic directions and Years of Action. Staff, students, parents, community members are invited to nominate a TDSB staff member or team whose work is making a difference. Nominations are open online from Monday, 23 February to Friday, 20 March 2015 at 4 p.m. Please share with your staff and encourage participation. For more information, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/excellence

Please click here for the PAC meeting Agenda for Tuesday March 10, 2015.

Dear Parents and Students, Our annual Fern Ave. public school athletic apparel/spirit wear is on sale for the next two weeks. There is an assortment of athletic wear from t-shirts and caps, to hoodies and track pants of all sizes. This year we also added sport white and ash white colours to our grey, forest green, and black collection. The athletic apparel is useful for class trips, gym classes, and sports teams such as cross country and track. Furthermore the sports clothing with our falcon logo look great, and are wonderful for our school community spirit. Finally, a small percentage of the purchases go to support our school teams and athletics programs. Click here for the order form. Please read the instructions carefully while ordering. The cut off date for forms to be in the office athletics order box is Friday March 13th at 1:00pm .