Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Dear Parents/Guardians, Toronto Public Health will be visiting Fern Avenue School twice this year to provide important immunizations to Grade 7 and 8 students to protect them against illness and disease caused by hepatitis B virus, meningococcal bacteria, and human papillomavirus. Our first immunization clinic will take place on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 all day. Beginning in September 2016, Grade 7 boys and girls will now be able to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for free.  Girls in Grade 8 will continue to receive the HPV vaccine in 2016-2017 at school. The HPV vaccine prevents cancer.  It is safe and effective.  For most students, the HPV vaccine is given with two injections, six months apart,  For those who receive their first dose after age 14, the HPV vaccine is given with three injections over six months. Grade 7 students will also be offered meningococcal and hepatitis B vaccines to protect from other serious diseases.  Please note, the meningococcal v

CHOICES FOR NINE Fern P.S. Grade Parents and Guardians are invited to attend an information evening regarding the transition from Grade 8 to 9 Where:  Parkdale C.I. 209 Jameson Avenue When:  Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 6:00p.m. AGENDA: 6:00 p.m.  Registration and Sign-In 6:15 p.m   Welcome Address 6:30 p.m.  Presentation "Choices for Nine"                  By Ricard A. Rodriguez and Chi Le LC 4 Guidance Councellors                  Question and Answer Period                  (School and Street Parking Available) SEE YOU AT PARKDALE C.I.!!!!!! Please return the form sent home by your child's home room teacher by October 3, 2016

Grade 7 and 8 families: please click here for information on free online math homework help.

High Park Public library is inviting you to their upcoming centennial celebrations, taking part throughout the month of October. Click here for the poster highlighting some of this special programming. In particular, they'd like to invite you to the 100th birthday celebration on Saturday October 1st . There will be a Heritage Toronto plaque unveiling that day, a Heritage Toronto community walk through the neighbourhood, and an open house complete with: emerging technologies and gadgets, a fire truck, a magician, live music, and even representatives from the Mounted Police. As you may know, each year the library is mandated to see all Kindergarten and grade 4 students within their catchment areas as part of the Toronto Public Library's school outreach initiatives. Consequently they've set up special visits for grade four classes that will provide opportunities for students to interact with new and emerging technology such as: 3D printers, arduinos, Makey Makeys and mor

Parents! Fern Avenue School now has an organizing committee to help celebrate more Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in the classroom and in extracurricular activities. You can meet us on Thursday September 22 at Orientation Night . 2016-17 ‎is our pioneering year, so we're focusing our efforts on two areas where we could use your help. 1. STEM Parents In The Classroom: Do you have a background in a STEM subject? Would you be prepared to present your knowledge to a classroom this year?‎ Then let us know what you know. We'll have a sign-up sheet for parents who can volunteer ‎- even just once is great! We can help match your knowledge to the right class and curriculum, and discuss how to keep your presentation engaging for the kids. 2. Hands-On Science: We're looking for volunteers to help with an after-school celebration of all things STEM. We're hoping to hold several of these events during the school year, starting with one in late fall. Each Hands-O

We are currently having a Fern Falcons t-shirt sale for our students and staff. The t-shirts are great for school spirit but are also very useful for athletics (i.e. gym, cross-country, track and field, field trips. Therefore we are encouraging parents to purchase a shirt for their child. In this round only t-shirts are included on the form. There will be a second round in late November with a variety of clothing such as hoodies, sweatpants and hats. The final day for bringing in the forms is Monday September 26th . Forms are to be dropped of in the yellow box for t-shirt orders in the office. Please click here for the order form. Thank you.

Every September, schools review actual student enrolment as compared to initial projections from last April, and reorganize classes where required.   As a result of changing student enrolment at Fern, we will need to reorganize the French immersion classrooms from grades 1 to 4/5 to best support our students.   Click here for more information.

Each September the Fern School Council holds elections.  All executive roles are open for election however there are some roles that have no incumbents this year.   Click here for an overview of School Council roles and application form.   

Fern Ave. P.S. is holding its annual Terry Fox Run on Wednesday, Sept. 28 (with a rain date of Thursday Sept. 29). This is a great opportunity to learn about Terry Fox and his story, and to use his examples of perseverance, dedication and empathy to follow. As well, it is a great time to discuss aspects of healthy lifestyles which can help to reduce the risk of cancer. Running Schedule: The JK/SK students - morning Grade 4-6 - 1:30 to 2:00 Grade 1-3 - 2:20 to 2:40 Grade 7&8 - 2:45 to 3:15 Family members who are available and interested are welcome to join their child/children for this event. Please just check in with Vera Ciric in the office when arriving. All Fern students will participate and donations are optional. Families who wish to donate the Terry Fox Foundation can do so online at www.terryfox.org . Families who have collected pledges or who wish to make a small donation can drop it off directly in the office. Otherwise, students can give their donations and pl

As many parents know, Fern School is really fortunate to have a hot lunch and kinder snack program that serves healthy and delicious food every day of the school year. The Fern Food Committee is comprised of parent volunteers who have the opportunity to help shape and implement this key program for students today and for years to come. As we start the school year the food committee is in need of new parent volunteers to help keep these programs going. In particular, the committee is seeking a volunteer for the Chair position. The chair position provides an amazing experience for a parent to provide leadership on behalf of the parents and students, working closely with the school community and TDSB nutrition services, to ensure Fern students have access to healthy and nutritious meals and snack every day. Please contact fernlunchprogram@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering!

IT'S  PHOTO DAY AT FERN AVENUE P.S For Best Results BRING YOUR BEST SMILES on  Friday, September 30, 2016 For more information on how to order your child's photos please check the flyer that is coming home with your child, or call Vera in the main office at 416-393-9130.

Did you know that your child can get help from their school library even when they are not at school? The TDSB Virtual Library has carefully selected resources, to enhance your child's learning, that can be accessed online anytime, anywhere. Click here for more information.

Additional details can be found here .

September 13, 2016 Dear Parents/Guardians of students affected by school bus disruptions: Please note as of Wednesday, September 14, 2016 Attridge Bus routes will be modified and a route has been established for our inbound students. As more drivers become available the routes will return to their original format.  At this time we are NOT experiencing disruptions to our afternoon routes.  If you choose to transport your child to school due to work or other commitments, supervision by school staff will be provided starting at 7:30 am in the junior yard.  Please drop off your child on Wright Avenue and ensure that the supervisor has marked the attendance of your child. The following route CAR0162-Attridge Bus will pick up and drop off of the students as follows: Pick Up From Humberside Dr. & Indian Road CR (Indian Road PS) at 09:03 AM Departing From Indian Road PS to Queen Victoria PS at 09:08 AM Arriving Queen Victoria PS at 09:32 AM- Departing Queen Vic

Click here for the 2016/17 Physical Education Guidelines at Fern.

Welcome to a new school year!      Physical education and athletics are integral and essential components of education at our school and in TDSB. Physical activity and sports provide kids the opportunity for fun, challenge, and interaction. Our program consists of activities that create opportunities for development of skills, knowledge, health-related fitness, and ultimately, the confidence to enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle. We also want to encourage you to continue participating in your child’s physical development and fitness. Participation in physical activity should not end when the school day is over. There are a number of ways to get this aerobic workout--walking, biking, swimming, roller-skating or inline skating, jumping rope or any number of low-organized games and activities. You and your child most likely will discover that exercise can be both fun and rewarding. At Fern Ave. P.S. we pride ourselves for offering many sports and athletic opportunities for our s

Our school athletics will be starting this week with cross country. Primary cross country running practises will be held Tuesday, Thursday and optional Fridays. Practises will be in the mornings at school, Friday at Sorauren park. Start date will be announced shortly by primary coaches. Coaches: Primary teachers: Kerry Heller and Danielle Gaudet. Junior cross country will be held on Tuesday, Thursday and optional Fridays. All practises will be in the morning at Sorauren park. We are starting on Thursday, September 15th at 8:15am. Coaches: Sarantos Katsihtis, Kerry Heller. Senior cross country practices will be in the morning at High park on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Meeting place is at the front of the school at 7:55 am, starting Thursday September 15th . Coach: Chris Enticknap Further details will be provided through individual coaches and permission forms. Cross –Country Dates and Locations: • Qualification Meets – TBA @ Woodbine / Kew Beach • Conference Fina

Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year at Fern Ave. PS. I am excited to begin my second year here at Fern and together with my Vice Principal, Ms. Lindita Guffin, and all my staff, look forward to a successful year for all. This email coincides with my telephone message through the School Connects system. Hopefully the school has both an updated email and a phone contact for you and that is why you are receiving this message. If you only received one of these messages, please call the school office at  416 393 9130  so we can verify your information. We will be sending out a formal Verification Sheet next week.  Please look over the parent package which will be coming to you in hardcopy sometime next week. You do not need to fill anything out at this time, but please read my welcome letter and the information about the hot lunch program. There are three additional items that I need to share with you at this time: One is to inform you that Fern will be implementing a cellphone pol

Fern’s hot-lunch program served more than 20,000 lunches last year to students from JK to grade 8, teachers and staff. The lunch program will continue in the 2016-2017 school year with the Food Committee handling the administration of the lunch orders. This year, we are pleased to continue to offer a 4-week menu rotation featuring items such as chicken cacciatore, teriyaki noodles, burger with oven fries, chicken noodle soup, panko-breaded sole, kale caesar salad, chicken tikka masala and pita pizza! Parents who wish to start the next school year off with healthy and tasty lunches for their children may do so by submitting their lunch orders by Friday September 16th, 2016 to begin lunches on Thursday, October 3rd, 2016. To sign up, check your child’s backpack for more information, or simply download the order form and drop it off in the secure black mailbox at Fern, located outside the Ferncliff Daycare office (room 103; enter the school, turn left and it’s about halfway down the