Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Dear Parents/Guardians, On behalf of School Council, we want to thank parents, teachers, Fern’s tireless Office Administrator Vera Ciric, and Ms Sardella, Ms Bose and Ms McGovern for a successful Welcome Back BBQ. We don't often have opportunities to gather together as a school community, and it was terrific to see so many parents and kids -- from JK to Grade 8 -- in one place, alongside our wonderful, committed staff and our energetic new Administrative team. A special thank you to our outgoing School Council Co-Chair, Allison MacRae, who organized the BBQ (the equipment, the food, the people, the everything), and along with her dad (yay for grandparent involvement!), and parent volunteers Ali Hand, Trish Bentley, Jessica Chester, and Joanne Van Viegen, grilled 450 hotdogs and sausages! Thanks also to members of School Council who set up tables to advertise some of the great School Council initiatives at Fern, and Fern’s dedicated custodial staff for supplying us with table

Dear Parents/Guardians, Fern Avenue PS will wear Orange on Monday, October 1, 2018 to recognize the struggles of students in residential schools. Thank you, Fern Admin

Our first cross country meet date is Thursday October 4th and of course we are all excited! Our cross country run will take place at Ashbridges bay. Cross country runners are to meet in the auditorium at 8:45am on the day of the meet . Students will be provided with their running numbers and have them written on their right hand. Runners that don’t have a Fern shirt will be provided with one, with the expectation that the shirt will be given back at the end of race. We will have a meeting place close to the end of the run. Students are expected to be in close proximity if not running and ask for permission when going to washroom. It is important that student have a healthy breakfast and bring with them a lunch, snacks and water. Also students should dress appropriately for weather. If you have a puffer or epipen you must bring them with you to the meet. We will be departing from school around 9:15 and traveling with TDSB approved bus . We anticipate to be back to school befo

Dear Parents/Guardians, We are in need of 8 more parent volunteers for Friday afternoon during the Terry Fox Run. Please email Madame Hall and let her know if you are available to help. Katrina.hall@tdsb.on.ca Thank you, Madame Hall

Dear Parents/Guardians, Please note the Fern Hot Lunch (black) mailbox which was located outside of the Daycare office is no longer in use. Kindly drop off your lunch and or snack payments to Vera or one of our office staff directly in the main office. Please feel free to contact Vera should you have any further questions regarding payments to the programs. Thank you, Vera Ciric

Dear Parents/Guardians,   On Thursday, October 4th, between 5 pm and 7 pm, please join us for Fern's third annual French Video Dance Party (AKA the 5  à  7)!  Click on the following Evite link for more details and to RSVP.   http://evite.me/ZQyVnVBrsV   Au plaisir! Madame Kertesz

Dear Parents/Guardians, It has come to our attention that a number of students are still walking through the staff parking lot into the school yard.  There are a lot of cars in this area and it is very dangerous.  Please speak to your child about either walking up Wright Ave or walking passed the school and around the school the other way. Thanks kindly, Vice-Principal McGovern

The Fern Avenue Lunch Program is available all year long. Find out more here .

We hope that the first weeks of school have been successful for your child(ren) and they are getting more comfortable with their fellow students and teachers of the school each passing day. Please mark this Thursday, September 27 on your calendars to attend our Curriculum Night and School Council Welcome Back BBQ. The Welcome Back BBQ will kick off at 5:30pm. Please join us outside the school where, for a nominal charge, we will be offering a simple meal of hot dogs or veggie dogs with a drink and a fruit. We are hoping that those of you with a sweet tooth can contribute something to our potluck dessert table for all to enjoy. There will be a table ready for your treats to be donated starting at 4:30 pm. Curriculum Night will start at 6:30 pm in your child’s classroom. The first rotation of presentations or drop-ins will run until 6:55 pm followed by a 5-minute movement break and a second presentation/drop-in from 7:00 to 7:30 pm. As we are a Gold Eco School, we are asking for

Attention Girls' Junior Book Club:  The Third Eye is now available for purchase at Another Story Bookshop! Ms Jamieson

Fern Terry Fox Run 2018 The 14th Annual Fern Terry Fox Run is Almost Here! This is what you need to know: When Friday September 28 from 12:45 to 2:00. The rain date is Monday October 1. Where The whole school will be meeting on the field behind the school. Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be running on the Fern field. Grades 4-8 will be walking to Sorauren Park for their run. They will be returning before afternoon recess at 2:00. Students should dress for running or walking on Terry Fox Run Day. This means appropriate footwear, sunscreen, a hat, and and a water bottle. How to Donate This year donations are to be submitted online only . To do this, please go to: terryfox.org > Donate today > Donate to a Student or School > Pick Fern PS and          Ontario from the drop down menus > you are now ready to donate! Other Information Parent volunteers are needed. If you can support us, please contact katrina.hall@tdsb.on.ca Fina

Dear Parents/Guardians, The grade 7 students returning from Pine Crest this afternoon are expected to return to school by 3:00pm.  Please note the students will be dismissed at 3:15 as per regular dismissal.  The students luggage will be housed in the auditorium. Thank you, Vera

Read the introduction letter for parents and guardians of grade 7 and 8 students from Ricardo Rodriguez, Fern Area Guidance Teacher.

For information on the upcoming High School Open Houses, click here .

Fern Friends is proud to announce the GIRLS SOCCER SKILLS CLUB! Are you new to soccer, looking to master the basics? Are you a strong player, looking to fine-tune your techniques? Join us Thursdays after school from 3:25-4:45 in the Gymnasium with Coach Malam from Umoja Soccer School. There are a few spaces left in Bunny Creative Arts, Gr.1-2 Fall Term Tuesdays Sept. 25th - Dec.4th ( 10 classes) Get your little bunnies making art! Email fernfriendsprogram@gmail.com to register.

PHOTO DAY is at Fern Avenue PS is on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 It's the start of a new school year and time for fall school portraits! Edge Imaging is happy to help you capture this timeless tradition in your child's life. Students will be bringing a flyer home giving you instructions on how to sign up for online proof notifications, please visit edgeimaging.ca/photoday Please enter the school code:  FER You can also order your school photos online at order.edgeimaging.ca Portrait and Pass Codes will be provided on your child's photo proofs.  Proofs will be sent approximately two weeks after photo day. Please remember to bring your SMILES :) Thank you, Vera

Here you will find information on Fern sports teams and coaches including practice times and locations, for September and October.

Fern Curriculum Night is coming! Thursday September 27th -Session 1: 6:30-7:00pm -Session 2: 7:00-7:30pm Join us for a Community BBQ... more information to follow soon. The flyer can be found here .

Dear Parents and Guardians of Grade 7 students, The outdoor packing list that was sent with your Pinecrest package can be found here . Regards, Bogdan Nikolajevic

Dear Parents/Guardians, For the last three years, Ontario’s school boards have been required to use the updated 2015 Health and Physical Education Curriculum (HPEC) in both elementary and high schools. As you may know, the Ministry of Education recently directed all school boards across the province to use the re-issued 2010 HPEC (Grades 1-8) as of this September. Secondary teachers will continue to teach the 2015 HPEC - the secondary school curriculum will not be changing from the 2015 HPEC. The Ministry of Education has the right to set curriculum for Ontario students and the TDSB expects teachers to use the re-issued 2010 HPEC (Grades 1-8) for the coming school year. You can learn about the re-issued 2010 HPEC (Grades 1-8) by visiting the Ministry’s 2010 HPEC-Grades 1-8. Based on a preliminary review of the re-issued 2010 HPEC (Grades 1-8) by Board staff, while the wording may be different than the 2015 curriculum, the 2010 curriculum still contains many critically import

Hello and Welcome to an exciting new year at Fern! Our first School Council meeting will be on Wednesday, September 19th at 6:30pm in the Staff Room. Come one, come ALL as we kick off the year by electing a new Executive, hearing from our new Principal, and setting the vision and focus for the 2018-2019 school year. Please refer to the attached flyer for an overview of School Council, the Executive positions, the existing committees, and for a sign up sheet. Three important items to keep in mind: 1 - We are in need of a new Chair / Co-Chair and Secretary . If you are interested, or know someone who would be great in either of those roles, please be sure to forward them to and get them excited about the impact they can have on Fern Ave! Elections will happen at the beginning of the Council meeting on September 19th . Feel free to send me an email with any questions. 2 - The budget meeting will take place in October once the new executive has been elected. 3 - If you have a

You have until September 17th to order your Fern Avenue branded merchandise! Click here for more information.

Please see the following information on gym and sports at Fern Ave. -Review the welcome letter from Mr. Katsihtis. -Read about the Gym Guidelines here . -Check out the Year at a Glance calendar. -Cross Country 2018 information can be found here . Thank you!

Dear Parents & Guardians, Fern Ave. P.S. is holding its annual Terry Fox Run on Friday, September 28 (with a rain date of Monday, October 1st ). 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. Family members who are available and interested are welcome to join their child/children for this event. All Fern students will participate and donations are optional. Families who wish to donate to the Terry Fox Foundation can do so online at www.terryfox.org . Please note there will be no cash donations all pledges are to be done through the fundraising page. Thank you, Terry Fox Co-Coordinators, Sean Cross and Katrina Hall

Remember... Fern Friends sign-up this Thursday September 13 @ 7 am ! Sign-up sheets have gone home in bags, but click here for a downloadable version. Click on the links for the most up to date information on course offerings for the Umoja Games soccer program and the Art Garden art program .

Welcome back to Fern! Fern Book Clubs will begin the week of September 10, 2018 . If your child loves to read, then this is the club for them! Junior Girls’ Club (Gr. 4-6) will begin Monday, September 10 at lunch. Junior Boys’ Club (Gr. 4-6) will begin Monday, September 17 at lunch. Intermediate Book Club (Gr 7-8) will begin Tuesday, September 11 at lunch. This club is open to all senior students. All book club members need to eat during First Lunch (11:40-11:55) and then join Mrs. Heller and Mme Jamieson in the library by noon. Lunch will no longer be eaten in the library. Looking forward to reading some great books this year. Hope you can join us!

Keep your Tuesday and Wednesdays after-school open for Creative art classes in The ART GARDEN and UMOJA GAMES, soccer and training club. We will also offer lunch time beginner guitar classes and a possible drama club too! REGISTRATION will be at 7am on Thursday Sept 13th ....Save the date! Look for full details on handout in school bags and here on the blog by the end of the week. Read on below for confirmed programs. The ART GARDEN with parent and Artist Taya TUESDAYS ,  3:25-4:45pm  Sept.25-Dec.4th*: Foxes Creative Arts Grade 4-6 WEDNESDAYS , 3:25-4:45pm  Sept.26-Dec.5th*: Cubs Creative Arts Grade 2-4 Cost for each: $ 160.00 *there are no Halloween week classes ALSO........Possible TUESDAYS Bunny Creative Arts SK-Gr. 1 UMOJA GAMES SOCCER CLUB with parent and professional coach Malam TUESDAYS , 3:25-4:45pm  Sept.25th -Dec.11th: Soccer Club Grade 1-3  WEDNESDAYS , 3:25-4:45pm  Sept.26th -Dec.12th: Soccer Club Grade 4-6

Dear Parents/Guardians, Our first immunization clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14th, 2018. All Grade 7 students are eligible to receive meningococcal, human papillomavirus and hepatitis B vaccines.  Please note the meningococcal vaccine is mandatory for school attendance. Consent packages have been sent home with your child and are due back to the school no later than Tuesday, September 11th. Thank you.

Dear Parents/Guardians, Please be advised that we have not assigned lockers to students due to painting that will happen in mid-September. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make ensure lockers are clean and safe for the students.

Primary (grades 1 - 3) Cross Country Running will start on Tuesday, September 11th at 8:15 in the junior yard. Practices will be every Tuesday and Thursday before school . There will also be an optional Friday practice at Sorauren Park at 8:15 a.m . The race will be held on Thursday, October 4th at Ashbridges Bay . Permission forms will be sent home on Friday, September 7th. If your child does not bring one home but is interested please see Mrs. Heller.

Dear Parents and Guardians of grade 7 students, Our Pinecrest excursion package has been sent out today to all grade 7 students. Please read over and fill out the forms for tomorrow. For further clarification or questions please e-mail at bogdan.nikolajevic@tdsb.on.ca .

The City of Toronto and Toronto Transit Commission will be renewing aging streetcar tracks at the intersection of Lansdowne Avenue and Dundas Street West starting this weekend. The City will also resurface Dufferin Street from Bloor Street West to Dundas Street West starting September 10, 2018 to November 30, 2018 . Our inspection of the road shows that it needs repaving and sections of damaged curb and sidewalk need to be replaced to bring them to a state of good repair. Motorists are reminded to abide by traffic/construction signs posted in local areas to ensure the safe travel of all local road users, pedestrians and cyclists. This work is required to bring the track infrastructure and City's road to a state of good repair. These projects are part of the Council- approved 2018 Capital Works Program. Dundas Street West and Lansdowne Avenue From 7:00 A.M. Sunday, September 2, 2018 - 6:00 A.M. Friday October 5, 2018 the intersection of Dundas and Lansdowne will be fully clos

Please click here for the community letter regarding administration changes at Fern. Thank you.