Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Given the recent discussion at school council about what our school can do to help the Syrian Refugees settle into our neighbourhood, please click on the image below for information on an upcoming Town Hall on December 17th. This event is being put on by the Member of Parliament for Parkdale-High Park.

This message is sent on behalf of Sandy Spyropoulos, Executive Superintendent, Student Support Services and Care: Here you will find a copy of the December Edition of the Mental Health and Well-Being Belongs to Us Newsletter. This month’s publication features “Ready…Set…Go! Staying Physically Active Leads to Better Mental Health”. Thank you.

Dear Parents/Guardians, Our schools second immunization clinic is scheduled for Friday, February 19, 2016 in the AM. This clinic is for: Grade 7 and 8 students who require meningococcal vaccine. Please note that Meningococcal vaccine is now mandatory. Students who are not up to date can be suspended from school. Toronto Public Health nurses will immunize Grade 7 and 8 students who missed their hepatitis B vaccine at first clinic and Grade 8 female students who missed their HPV vaccine at first clinic. Thank you.

Auditions for A Night in Round Corners Fern Avenue's Original Musical! Will be held on Friday, January 8th, 2016 At 11:45-12:45 In the Music Room For Acting and Singing Candidates in Grade 7 and 8 Candidates should prepare a one minute section of a song and will read part of the script for their audition. Cast List and suggested Song Titles can be found outside the Music Room

Click here for the information night flyer at Humberside CI on January 12.

Here are two great resources for those of you with children studying in French. 1. French as a Second Language Advisory Committee News 2. Canadian Parents for French website

“We Are Giving” Sponsored by Fern’s FTC FTC will be selling hand-made items in support of our local and global initiatives. Locally we support Light Patrol: • we will be selling hand-made cards, pencil cases, bath bombs, and baked goods • these will help to support Toronto’s homeless and street-involved youth Globally we support FTC’s initiatives in Kenya: • we will be selling Rafiki Friend Chains for $11 • selling Rafikis helps a mama in Kenya earn and living and send her children to school Look for our table on: Dec 16th, Dec 17th, Dec 18th from 12:00-12:45 in the Front Hall Dec 17th from 6:00-7:30 at the Primary Concert “Be the Change You Wish to See in the World” Gandhi

Dear Parent/Guardians of Grade 8 Students, It is already time to start thinking of the Grade 8 Graduation, having said that I would like to invite all interested grade 8 parents to come together and form a graduation committee. The Graduation Committee is comprised of grade 8 parents who meet as a group and carry out certain responsibilities such as, decorating, set-up, invitations, photographs, program and most importantly fundraising. Each of these specific committees meets on a regular basis to plan its portion of the Graduation celebration, with meetings occurring to keep everyone informed and involved in the decision-making. The Senior Student Council will also have the opportunity to form a Student Graduation Committee and meet with Vera Ciric to discuss fundraising opportunities and input, making their graduation an unforgettable day and evening. Please email Vera at Vera.Ciric@tdsb.on.ca if you are interested in being part of this wonderful group. The first meeting wil

Sparkles in the Snow 2015 Featuring:  Students from Grades 1 to 4 and The Kestrels Singing Group Thursday, December 17th at 6:30pm Come celebrate with us!! Parents and Guardians, please bring your child to the school by  6:15pm !!

Click here for information on Junior Extended French and Middle French Immersion.

Parents please note entry into the Grade 7 Extended French Program is offered in 14 schools in the TDSB. Public information meetings will be held at the Extended French schools listed here .

Fern’s Free The Children is hosting a Movie Day on Wednesday December 16th at 1pm for grades 1 to 4 We are raising funds to help sponsor a Syrian Refugee family.  We are supporting the 40 Roncesvalles families who have already begun the process of sponsorship with Ryerson Lifeline Syria Challenge. We are asking for a suggested donation of $4 per child for the movie, popcorn and a drink.  A tax receipt will be issued for donations of $20 or greater. Please submit all donations to your child’s teacher.  If you would like a tax receipt, please click here and complete the form at the bottom and include in an enclosed envelope.  Cheques should be made payable to Ryerson University with a note in the memo: Ryerson Lifeline Syria Challenge: It Takes a Village Thank you in advance for your support. Fern's FTC

Once again, the Fern Community is having a food drive at this time of year to support the Parkdale Community Food Bank. This food drive offers an opportunity for students to both discuss the need of food banks and to help by making a positive difference during this holiday and new year season. Unfortunately, the use of food banks is on the rise again in 2015 in the GTA. The reasons for Food Bank use can vary widely from person to person and from family to family. The fact that people who use food banks use 75% of their money on housing leaves them with less than $6 per day for all other expenses. This can create a cycle of constant poverty. The need for Food Banks can also stem from other issues such as lost income, disability, being a new immigrant or becoming a single parent. The group that uses food banks which has grown the most in the GTA this year are seniors. As more people each year require Food Banks to improve their food security, the need for donations also rises. Donati

Dear Parents and Guardians of Grade 8 Students, Thank you for filling out the interest form for the Montreal Trip. 95% of returned forms indicated an interest for Montreal so we will go ahead and book the trip with BrightSpark Travel for June 15-16. Our PARENT INFORMATION SESSION will be on Wednesday, December 16th at 6:30 p.m. inside the Fern auditorium. There will be a parent package that will be sent out if you are unable to attend. At any time, please e-mail Mr. Nikolajevic (bogdan.nikolajevic@tdsb.on.ca) or phone the school (416-393-9130) if you have any questions in regards to the trip.

Parkdale Public School is holding their annual winter fair this Saturday, December 5th. Support the Fern Parent’s in the Artisan Market. And support Parkdale’s fundraising efforts through their silent auction, their bake sale, and more.

Hello Fern families, The Eco Team met on November 24th at lunch and we gathered up some new members and are wondering if anyone new wants to join. We meet every Tuesday in room 204 from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. and are looking for parent volunteers who would like to join us. In the Eco Club we come up with new ideas to help the environment and raise money for the school by making fundraisers. If you would like to help, please contact teachers Tina Tse or Sonia Mably by calling the school at 416-393-9130 or via email: tina.tse@tdsb.on.ca or Sonia.mably@tdsb.on.ca Thank you, Nohr and Axel Fern Eco Club Members