Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Just a REMINDER to bring your sweet tooth and change this Thursday, June 04, 2015. This fundraiser is sponsored by our grade 8 graduates, so please join them in the primary and junior yards at morning recess and at lunch. (if we don't sell out!) Vera, the Graduation Committee and the Graduates, thank you for your support in making our grade 8 graduation a great evening and memory!!!

Wednesday, June 4th we will be cleaning up the gardens and planting wonderful plants to beautify Fern School’s Garden. Please roll up your sleeves, don your gardening gloves and get dirty! Morning Gardening Shift: 9am Afternoon Gardening Shift: 1pm Let’s work together to help beautify the School!

FERN FUN FAIR! Saturday, June 13  10am – 3pm Rain or shine Lots of fun to be had by all!! Bouncy Castles! Great games with prizes! Yummy food - Rowe Farms - Hot Dogs/Peameal Bacon Sandwiches! Chip Truck - French fries and Poutine! Stay tuned for more details or click here to volunteer.

Hello Fern familes. This year's Fern Fun Fair is being held on Saturday June 13 from 10am – 3:00pm. Rain or shine This is a great day of fun for the entire neighbourhood, but many hands are needed to make that fun Please review the volunteer chart and contact Liz Leason at liz.leason@rogers.com , if you can help out for an hour two. If you wish to contribute a treat to the  Bake Sale, contact Jan Hoard at jleehoard@yahoo.com . Thank you!

As the school year draws to a close, the school’s Lost and Found box and rack have many items. They are located in the main foyer, just across from the Main Office. Items that are not reclaimed will be disposed of in June. Thank you.

The Senior Student Council would like to invite all of Fern Avenue’s students to join together for a School Spirit Day tomorrow, Friday May 29t h, for Crazy Hat Day!

Click here for the latest Free the Children Newsletter.

Dear Parent/Guardians, As recently reported in the media, Toronto Public Health has found blacklegged ticks on Algonquin Island and Morningside Park. These ticks can be infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.  The ticks have been sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg for further identification and testing for these bacteria.  Testing can take up to several weeks, Late last fall, Toronto Public Health found blacklegged ticks in Rouge Valley.  Finding blacklegged ticks in multiple locations in the City suggests these ticks are becoming established in Toronto. However, the risk of Lyme disease in Toronto is low and the vast majority of ticks are not infected. Blacklegged ticks are found in bushy or wooded areas that have tall grass or lots of leaves on the ground.  We are aware that some schools have planned end-of-year outdoor field trips.  Parents can help their children take appropriate precautions when enjoying outdoor activities in wooded and bus

This month, we answer the call of the North, profile eco fashions and dance presentations along with the usual goings-on in a busy month of school.   Click Here and Read On!

Fern FUN FAIR Saturday June 13 / Rain or Shine/ 10:00am – 3:00pm Come out for a great day of family fun Many hands make the day the success that it is Please read more below or click here to view the the schedule and volunteer for an hour or two email : liz.leason@rogers.com Thank you! Liz Leason Fun Fair Organizer

Spring Fling – Saturday May 23, 2015 A fun evening for Fern Parents – Silent and Live Auction / great dancing and lots of laughs *** New this year – Oyster Bar *** 7:30 – High Park Curling Club – 100 Indian Road

Candy Sale! The Grade 8 grad committee is hosting a candy fundraiser on: Thursday, June 4, 2015 Join us in the Primary/Junior yard during morning recess and at lunch. Come and support our Grade 8 graduates!

The Eco-club will be leading the school in a planting and nurturing Fern School’s front gardens this spring. We are planning to refresh the existing planting of the Fern Avenue front gardens with new plants that focus on: wildlife habitat for birds and bees, a three sisters garden to celebrate food and heritage and a focus on bringing beauty and colour to the school’s front yard. While classes will help with the planting - watch for a date later in May - we need volunteers to help us tend the gardens over the summer months. There is watering and gardening equipment available to make this easy but we need garden keepers to help us. If every volunteer family could commit to watering and tending the gardens for just one week in the summer, we can ensure efforts of our students are sustained through the hot summer. If you are able to take on a few days or even a week (only 2-3 waterings) over the summer please let Mdm Tse or Melanie Hare know at mhds230@gmail.com or 416-516-6028

The TDSB Governance Advisory Panel is carrying out consultations to improve the governance structure of the TDSB. This is the questionnaire that they are seeking input on. You can provide responses online through this website: http://consultationsontdsb.ca Alternatively, they are holding in-person consultations . There will be one held tonight, May 13 th  at 7 P.M. in the Parkdale Library. Sorry for the short notice.

I will be a guest speaker at our MPP Cheri Dinovo’s town hall next Wednesday, May 20th at 7 P.M. Everyone’s invited to attend, though there may be a focus on Ward 13 issues, as the education town hall held earlier this year was held in Ward 14 at the Parkdale library.

Hello Grade 7 Parents, The Grade 8 Graduation is fast approaching.  The ceremony and celebration will take place on  Monday June 22 @ 4pm at Parkdale Collegiate Institute . As a Grade 7 parent, I am a member of the Grade 8 Parent Grad Committee.  This has been a longstanding tradition at Fern.  My role is to organize both parent and student volunteers on the day of the ceremony, so the grade 8 parents can enjoy the day with their “graduate” and family. This year, I am looking for: -           1 or 2 parents  (3:30 – 5:00pm) o     To assist me in bringing coolers, water and ice to Parkdale Collegiate Institute before the ceremony which starts at 4 pm. o     To drive student volunteers to PCI o     To assist with supervision and clean up -           5 – 6 students  (3:30 – 5:00pm & 5:30 – 6:30) o     At PCI to assist with distributing programs, handing out water (it gets very hot in the auditorium), and tidying up after the ceremony o     At my home (1 – 2 studen

Spring Fling – Saturday May 23 – 7:30pm Tickets are for sale in the school office for only $20. Tickets are also on sale through Liz Leason - please contact at: liz.leason@rogers.com This is an evening of FUN, laughs and a chance to meet other Fern Parents! Please support this evening of good times and help raise much needed funds for the 2015-2016 school year. Funds raised enhance our children’s learning experience - Scientist in the school, Art Performances and Sports programs to name a few.

Reminder! The next Parent Council Meeting is: Wednesday May 27 – 6:30pm in the Auditorium Hope to see you there.

Please click here for information on the upcoming Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart.

Please click here for Track and Field team information and here for the upcoming Track schedule.

Dear Parents/Guardians of Elementary and Junior High School Students, We would like to provide you with a further update with regards to planned job action by the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO). ETFO has formally given notice that elementary teachers will begin in a partial withdrawal of service on Monday, May 11, 2015.  The law permits the partial withdrawal of service while in a strike position. ALL TDSB ALL SCHOOLS WILL REMAIN OPEN AND PROGRAMMING WILL CONTINUE. ETFO has directed teachers to continue to: * Teach and provide extra help to students. * Take attendance. * Maintain contact with parents/guardians regarding during instructional day. * Provide scheduled supervisory duties * Participate in extra-curricular activities. ETFO has directed teachers to not: * Participate in EQAO (standardized testing) * Participate in other Ministry of Education initiatives. We encourage all parents/guardians to monitor the TDSB website at www.tdsb.on.c

Dear Parents/Guardians of Intermediate Book Club Members: The Intermediate Book Club Members celebrations   initially noted for Wednesday, May 13th is in fact happening on Tuesday, May 12, at Harbourfront. All Intermediate Book Club members have been invited to the OLA's Forest Celebrations on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at Harbourfront at which the 2015 Red Maple prize will be awarded.  Readers will also participate in a full day of activities including writing workshops and author book talks and signings. Should you have any questions please contact the main office.

Dear Parents/Guardians of Boys' and Girls' Book Club Members: The Silver Birch Awards Ceremony initially noted for Thursday, May 14th is in fact happening on Wednesday, May 13th at Harbourfront. Boys' and Girls' Book Club members are invited to attend the OLA's Forest Celebrations on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at Harbourfront at which the 2015 Silver Birch prizes will be awarded.  Readers will also participate in a full day of activities including writing workshops and author book talks and signings. Please feel free to call the main office should you have any further questions.

Hello Grade  8 parents, As you know your child’s graduation is fast approaching!  The students, with the support of the Grade 8 Grad Committee (parents) are organizing a bake sale to raise funds to offset the costs of the Graduation.  Please consider sending in a batch of baking (peanut-free) this  Thursday morning .  We will be hosting the Bake Sale  at both morning recess and lunch for all Fern students on Thursday May 7, 2015 This is a great way for the Grade 8 students to contribute to their special day! If you wish to bake and you are not a grade 8 parent we would still love to have your baking contributions. Please bring all donations to Vera in the main office by 8:30 am Thursday, May 7th or the evening of May 6th.  Thank you for your support!

Come out for a great evening of fun and raise some much needed funds for your children’s school experience. Tickets are for sale in the school office or see a parent Volunteer at: (1) Jennifer Kolari presentation at the Fern Auditorium: Wednesday May 06 (2) In the Primary School yard Friday May 08 at 3:30pm (3) At the Spring Concert – Friday May 08 If you have not done so already please send in your basket donation. If you would prefer, cash or cheques can also be sent in lieu of an item. Cheques are payable to: Fern Parent Council – Memo Line- Spring Fling Room ______ This is a GREAT evening of fun ,dancing, a silent and live auction and good laughs -- you do not want to miss it! Thank you, Fern Parent Council and the Dedicated Spring Fling Organization Team

Below is some information received from Trustee Pilkey: It is in regards to the Panel struck by the Provincial Ministry of Education to review the Governance Structure at the TDSB. Public consultations have commenced. There will be one on May 13, 2015 at the Parkdale Library and parents/students can register to attend at http://consultationsontdsb.ca/consultations-on-tdsb . This is an opportunity for concerned parents/students to give their thoughts on how the TDSB is functioning and the importance of representative democracy. There is also an opportunity to answer survey questions and submit them online, which can also be accessed from that same website. Unfortunately, the Panel's mandate excludes funding, which of course governs many of the decisions the TDSB makes.

Can you believe that we’re almost at the end of the school year? If your family has a whirlwind of activities now that the weather is better, why not save the time and stress involved with packing lunches? Sign up for the June lunch program (seniors can have their lunches “to go”), which has BBQ chicken, burgers, baked sole and pasta salad on the menu – all with vegetarian options. Simply fill out and submit the form with your payment. A secure wall-mounted deposit box is located outside the Ferncliff Daycare office (Room 103). The deadline for June orders is Friday, May 15 to begin lunch on Monday, June 1.

Fern Parent Council has invited Jennifer Kolari to come speak to parents in our community, this coming Wednesday May 6th at 7pm in the Auditorium. Please don't miss this opportunity to hear Jennifer speak! She is super engaging and gives excellent hands on parenting tools which can be used immediately. Change problem behaviours for good. Lower your child's anxiety level. Stop endless battles over homework, routines, food and more. Learn how to keep your cool in any situations and create positive change. We hope to see you there. Fern Parent Council