Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Dear Parents and Guardians, Chess Club for junior and senior students is starting next week.  We will meet Tuesdays in room 311 from 11:45 to 12:45. Senior students will start earlier at 11:30. All participants are encouraged to have their lunch in room 311.  Please e-mail me at bogdan.nikolajevic@tdsb.on.ca if you are able to volunteer and help out. regards, Bogdan Nikolajevic  

Click here to read the most recent newsletter from Parent Involvement Advisory Committee.

The Kindergarten Snack and Hot Lunch Programs at Fern Avenue PS recognize the direct relationship between healthy nutrition and the academic achievement of our students. Well-nourished children are ready to have success in school as well as healthy growth and development. Our program meals are prepared on-site by TDSB Nutrition Services and are available to all students . Both programs are subsidized by grants from the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, the charitable arm of the TDSB. This helps keep costs low, however, should you have difficulty in accessing the Kindergarten Snack or Hot Lunch Program and need subsidy please contact Principal Szonyi.

Dear Parents/ Guardians of the Graduating Class, Bright Pics photographers will be at Fern Avenue PS on  Friday, February 10, 2017  beginning at 9:00 am to take pictures of the graduating students. Individual photos will be taken as well as graduating class group composites. Graduation gowns, props and school colours will be provided at our school on photo day. It is recommended a white blouse for the girls and a white collared shirt and dark tie for the boys. Please note the  11x14 class composite with a vinyl folder order form has come home with your child, please complete the order envelope, enclose your payment of $25.00 in the envelope and return payment to the photographer on February 10th.  Any late orders please mail to Brightpics. (Make cheques payable to Bright Pics Inc) The Class Composite will be delivered to the school separate from any photo package you may have ordered.  Please check with Vera in the main office if you have any questions. Thank you.

On January 9 the First Nations School of Toronto opened its doors at the their new location in the former Eastern Commerce CI. As a result of the move, the school has more space to expand for K-8 next school year and will also be adding a grade 9 program. This information is for students and families who might be interested in attending FNST in September 2017. The school is open to all TDSB students and may be for particular interest to First Nation, Métis and Inuit students. Note that there is a Parent Information Night at the school on February 2nd at 7 pm . ‎Click here for for additional information. If you have any questions, please direct them to Principal Jonathan Kakegamic. Note the school is 100 percent Optional Attendance and even though the school will be growing, space will be limited. There is also a school boundary limited by bussing that extends from Victoria Park in the East to the Humber River in the West.

Fern Ave Events fundraising and New Moon Kitchen are excited to be launching the latest effort to benefit our students and school. This event is special because not only does it get the kids involved, it supports a local business and Fern mom entrepreneur. In keeping with the spirit of our wonderful, supportive community, New Moon's generosity allows Fern to earn $2.25 for each box sold! All products are dairy and nut free, and some are even gluten-free, and, there is a variety of flavours available. Each box will sell for $6.00. Anyone who has a child who needs a nut free, school friendly snack could benefit and so will our children. Everyone can do their part so please help us by spreading the word. Sell the cookies to grandparents, neighbours, aunts and uncles, team members and co-workers. We will be throwing a pizza party for the class with the most participation, so let's move some cookies! Students will receive details and forms on February 1st, with sales to mid-

All TDSB Parents/Caregivers are invited to attend a public consultation being held on Thursday, 2nd February from 6:30pm to 8:30 pm at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts. Presented by the TDSB Mental Health & Well-Being Parent Partnership Committee, this event is an opportunity for all TDSB families to provide their input and feedback to the Ministry of Education on how to enhance and support the well-being of Ontario students. The evening will include a special presentation on Mindful Parenting & Resilient Children/Youth. Childcare and light refreshments are provided. Please see the attached poster or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-does-well-being-mean-to-you-a-ministry-of-education-consultation-registration-24972695003 to learn more and to register.

Click here for more information on the Ben Heppner VMA Open House on January 26th. They are accepting students in grade 4-8.

"Lost in Round Corners," the sequel to last year's original senior musical at Fern, is looking for parent volunteers to help out with this year's production. If you have a background in theatre, on or offstage, and have a valid police check (contact Vera for details), please email Mr. Brooks at geoffrey.brooks@tdsb.on. ca PLEASE NOTE this Friday is a PA Day rehearsals have been cancelled and will resume on Monday.

Click here for the most current Lost in Round Corners rehearsal schedule.

Click here for information on the Downtown Alternative School Open House on January 26th.

Dear Parents and Guardians,  Due to safety concerns around transportation we are cancelling our ski trip for today. Local school bus transportation is cancelled around the Barrie area and York region and they are still expecting freezing rain and unsafe conditions on the road this morning. Students are expected to be at school today. Further details will be provided later. Regards, Bogdan Nikolajevic 

Dear Parents, We are closely following the weather situation in our region.  At this point we are concerned about the freezing rain advisory and how it will impact our transportation to Snow Valley. Any decisions about cancellation will be made in the morning once we have a better look at the weather and know if school buses are in operation for the day. Please check the blog around 6:45 a.m.  Regards, Bogdan Nikolajevic 

Hello Parents and Guardians, Happy New Year to all of you! I hope you had a restful and relaxing holiday spent with family and friends and that your child is ready to start the new year off with a renewed enthusiasm for school and learning. I wanted to write to you with a few updates: Roofing Replacement Update - unfortunately the weather did not cooperate with our work crews over the holidays due to high winds and precipitation. Work has resumed this week and we are hoping for the weather to cooperate so that the job can be finally completed and we can return to normal operations. I have been working closely with facilities representatives to ensure that the school is set up to be as safe as possible. We have closed the Senior entry door (Exit 3) during construction to minimize fumes from the kettle from coming into the school. We also have ventilators operating on each floor with fans to circulate and clean the air inside the school, and the caretaker closes certain intake fans

The Senior School Valentines Day Dance will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 from 1:30 to 3:00 PM.

Join Chris Vollum in the Fern Auditorium on February 1st for a core discussion on Social Media and our children. Earlier that day, Chris will speak to grade 6,7 and 8 students on the same topic. This parent presentation is part of the Parents Reaching Out grant applied for by School Council. Date: Wednesday February 1st Location: Fern Avenue PS Auditorium Time: 6:45-8pm Questions/RSVP: Fern Office on: 416.393.9130 Click here for the flyer with more information.

Click here for the February order form. The winter lunch menu can be found here . Deadline for orders is Monday January 16th .

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. Based on parent feed back we

To: Grade 7 and 8 Parents and Guardians Our ski trip is on for next week Tuesday, January 17th. Students are expected to be at the school for 7:20 a.m. We hope to be back by 4:30 p.m. (more precise time will be posted on the fernblog around 3:00 p.m. on the day of the trip). Please do not park on Wright Avenue- we have 5 buses that need the space to pick-up and drop-off our students. We recommend that the students bring their own snacks, lunch, and appropriate winter wear. Do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any further questions. Sincerely, Bogdan Nikolajevic

Click the links to learn more about Cyber Bullying , The Wheel of Well Being and The National Eating Disorder Centre .

The following two schools are hosting Open Houses for students who will be entering grade 7 next year. Horizon Alternative School - Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 6:20pm. Click here for more information. City View Alternative Sr. School - Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 7:00pm. Click here for more information.

The fall was a very busy time for Free The Children . Click here to find out how much food was collected for the Good Shepherd Food Bank, how much money was raised to build a school in Kenya and how exciting it was to have the Maasai Warriors visit and go to WE Day.

February is Kindergarten Registration Month At the Toronto District School Board, our elementary schools offer Full-Day Kindergarten. Our educators recognize that children come to school with diverse backgrounds and rich experiences. Our Kindergarten programs will build upon these experiences and support your child to learn, grow, and succeed. At the TDSB, we believe our youngest learners benefit from engaging in a variety of rich and authentic learning, both indoors and outdoors. Our classroom programs are designed to bring The Kindergarten Program 2016 to life by providing children opportunities to learn through play, inquiry, and exploration. Throughout the two-year Kindergarten program, classroom educators support the children in developing their sense of belonging, well-being, and problem solving skills. Throughout the day, children explore literacy, mathematics, science, physical education and the arts. To attend Junior Kindergarten in September, children must turn four-yea

The Fern friends program still has room in: Grade 4-6 Swahili Soccer Club on Thursdays 3:30-4:45! Get in shape, have fun and learn new skills!  See below or click here for more information.